Requirements for Couples from Outside the Diocese
Requesting to Be Married in the Diocese of Honolulu

 

 
  1. If you have not already done so, please contact your parish priest/deacon regarding marriage preparation. He is responsible for your marriage preparation and instruction. The Diocese of Honolulu requires a minumum of four (4) months preparation time.
    1. He will assist you with obtaining the necessary documents, permissions and dispensations (if needed). In the Diocese of Honolulu, attendance at the Engaged Encounter Weekend followed by sessions with the priest/deacon preparing the couple for marriage is required as part of the marriage preparation.
    2. He is responsible for forwarding the following information and documents to the chancellor of your diocese for review:
      • a letter of recommendation stating that:
        • you have been prepared according to the marriage preparation guidelines of your diocese;
        • permission has been granted for the marriage to be celebrated in Hawai`i (Canon 1115).

 

      • a current copy of the Baptismal certificate of the Catholic party.
      • an Affidavit of Freedom to Marry for each party signed by a competent person (e.g. parent, relative or close friend) and the signature witnessed by a pastor/priest/cleric of the person vouching for your freedom to marry.
      • the completed Pre-nuptial Investigation form used in your diocese.
      • if applicable:
        • a dispensation for disparity of worship
        • a dispensation from canonical form
        • permission for Mixed Religion
        • decree of nullity of a former marriage
          (If either party was previously married, a declaration of nullity for a lack of form or formal annulment must be obtained.)

 

  1. When all the required information is received by the Diocese of Honolulu, a Nihil Obstat will be granted and sent to the priest/deacon officiating at your wedding in Hawai'i along with all pertinent documentation.
  2. Contact the parish (four (4) months prior to the date of your wedding) in the Diocese of Honolulu to make arrangements for a priest/deacon to officiate at your wedding and to reserve the church as well as schedule a rehearsal.
  3. Provide the following information:
    • your name and the name of your fiancé (fiancée), addresses, home and work phone numbers;
    • the name of the priest/deacon responsible for the marriage preparation;
    • the name of your parish, address, phone and fax numbers.

Other Helpful Information

The sacred nature of marriage demands that the couple have an understanding and acceptance of the spiritual aspects of their mutual commitment. Having been duly prepared for this commitment, the couple welcomes the opportunity to marry according to the prescribed laws of the Catholic Church. Therefore, the marriage of TWO CATHOLICS is to take place in a sacred place (a Catholic church or officially recognized Catholic chapel).

When a CATHOLIC plans to marry a person who is CHRISTIAN but not CATHOLIC, the couple, if there is a good reason, may send a request in writing to the Office of the Chancellor, Diocese of Honolulu, to obtain the permission of the bishop to grant a dispensation for the marriage to take place in the church of the non-Catholic partner.

When a CATHOLIC is going to marry a person who is NON-CHRISTIAN and wishes to have a non-Catholic minister or a civil official officiate at the wedding rather than a Catholic priest/deacon, the couple may send a request in writing to the Office of the Chancellor, Diocese of Honolulu, to obtain the permission of the bishop to grant a dispensation to delegate the authority to either the non-Catholic minister or a civil official.

Marriage License

Cost - $50.00 (subject to change) cash only
Please call the Hawaii State Department of Health

O`ahu • (808) 586-4544

Neighbor Islands:

Hawai`i • (808) 974-6008
Kaua`i • (808) 241-3498
Maui • (808) 984-8210
Moloka`i • (808) 553-3663
Lana`i • (808) 565-6411

 

Requirements Licensing Priests From Outside the Diocese To Officiate at a Specific Wedding

If you are inviting a priest/deacon from outside the Diocese of Honolulu to officiate at your wedding, please ask him to:

  1. contact the pastor of the parish where the wedding is to take place to seek permission.
  2. contact the State of Hawai`i, Department of Health (808) 586-4540 for an application for a license to officiate at a marriage in the Diocese of Honolulu.
  3. write to the Chancellor of the Diocese of Honolulu for a letter of recommendation asking that a license to officiate at the marriage be granted. Include with the request for permission


    1. a letter from his Bishop, Vicar General, or Major Superior stating that he is in good standing in his diocese and he has permission to officiate at a wedding in the Diocese of Honolulu.
    2. the names of the bride and groom, the specific date, the church and/or location of the wedding.

The Chancellor of the Diocese of Honolulu will send the Bishop's letter along with his own letter granting permission to the priest, to the State of Hawai`i Department of Health.

The priest officiating at the wedding must see that all necessary entries regarding the marriage are entered in the marriage register of the parish where the wedding took place as well as mailing the originals to the State of Hawai`i, Department of Health.