Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Hawaii (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Hawaii is $72, which includes a $60 court filing fee, and $12 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $60 · Processing time: ~4 weeks
Estimated costs by reason
Totals include Social Security (free), driver’s license, and adult passport selections—matching the calculator defaults.
| Reason | Estimated total cost | Timeline | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Marriage | $150 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $150 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $210 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $260 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $210 | ~10 weeks | Sealed |
Which state are you in?
Why are you changing your name?
Which documents do you need to update?
How to Change Your Name in Hawaii
Hawaii has one of the lowest court filing fees for name changes in the country - Circuit Court fees run approximately $50-$65. After-marriage name changes in Hawaii use your marriage certificate directly without any court involvement, making Hawaii one of the most accessible states for marriage-based name changes.
Hawaii does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes. You file your petition at the Hawaii Circuit Court in your circuit (there are four: First Circuit/Oahu, Second Circuit/Maui, Third Circuit/Big Island, Fifth Circuit/Kauai). Hawaii's courts are well-organized with self-help resources available at each courthouse location.
Hawaii's Department of Health handles vital records including certified copies of marriage certificates. The Hawaii DOH State Vital Records Office is in Honolulu but certified copies can be ordered online. The standard processing time is 2-4 weeks for mail orders or same-day for in-person visits to the Honolulu office.
The Hawaii Driver Licensing Division charges $5 for a corrected driver's license with a name change - the lowest DMV fee in the country. Visit any Hawaii driver licensing office with your court order or marriage certificate, current Hawaii license, and proof of SSA update. Hawaii's primary licensing office is at 1111 Bishop Street, Honolulu.
Hawaii divorce decrees routinely include name restoration provisions. Hawaii Family Court is receptive to name restoration requests, and including this in your divorce decree avoids the need for a separate petition later.
Key Hawaii links: Hawaii Courts (courts.state.hi.us), Hawaii DMV (hawaii.gov/dot/highways/hwy-eng/traffic/driver-licensing), Hawaii Department of Health vital records (health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords), Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (legalaidhawaii.org) for free assistance.
Hawaii name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $60 |
| Certified copies (3 × $4 each) | $12 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $8 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | Financial hardship — court discretion |
Common reasons in Hawaii
Name Change Guides for Hawaii
FAQ: Hawaii name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Hawaii?
- Court filing fees in Hawaii start around $60 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $4 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Hawaii?
- Many Hawaii court petitions finish in about 4 weeks, but crowded dockets, publication, or fingerprinting can add time. After-marriage updates using a certificate are often faster because they skip the petition.
- Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper in Hawaii?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Hawaii do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Hawaii?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Hawaii if you meet the court’s income guidelines (Financial hardship — court discretion). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Hawaii?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Hawaii residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Hawaii?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Hawaii marriage certificate, you typically update Social Security first, then your driver’s license, then banks and payroll. Hyphenated or new invented names may still require a court petition—check local court rules.
Voter Registration After Your Name Change
After legally changing your name in Hawaii, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Hawaii offers online voter registration paths for many voters, though some counties still require mail or an in-person visit for certain updates. If your registration still shows an old name close to an election, you may face additional checks at the polling place. See the full 50-state voter registration guide for deadlines, typical documents, and official Vote.gov links.
Related: SAVE Act & name change overview