Hawaii Public Records
In Hawaii, public records can be written or printed documents like a paper, book, map, report, or plan of a county, its respective subdivisions, or the state made or received by any public officer or agency.
How to Find Hawaii Public Records
The Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) of Hawaii allows any person or individual to access, inspect, or copy public records through a simple FOIA request that may be in person or online. However, private sources can also provide access when the records are available.
Are Hawaii Public Records Available Online?
Public records in Hawaii are available online through a quick search. For records unavailable otherwise, you may find the information you’re looking for by visiting the agency body that maintains and holds the document.
What Records are Not Available in Hawaii?
All records from the government are available for inspection in Hawaii. However, some records are exempt from public scrutiny, for example, records that might constitute an invasion of personal privacy or documents that are protected and considered by law as confidential.
Types of Public Records Available in Hawaii
As an open records state, you may access the following public records in Hawaii.
Hawaii Public Criminal Records
The Hawaii State Judiciary allows you to access public criminal records online and request hard copies for a fee through the eCourt Kokua.
Once you find the public criminal records you’re looking for, you may order an uncertified copy for $3.00 or get a certified copy for $5.00. Purchased documents are available for download two days after making the payment.
You may also find instant public criminal records in Hawaii by logging in using their Adult Criminal Information (eCrim) portal.
Arrest Records and Warrants
The Hawaii State Judiciary uses an electronic warrant system where approved members can search and view arrest records and warrants online on the following cases:
- Non-family cases
- Civil cases
- Criminal cases
- Traffic cases
Inmate and Jail Records
There is currently no available portal to find inmate and jail records in Hawaii. However, you may visit the Department of Public Safety Corrections Division to get information on an inmate.
Jails and Prisons in Hawaii :
Hawaii Background Checks
The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) handles the state’s criminal history record information system, including name and fingerprint background checks.
There are several ways how you can perform a background check in Hawaii:
- Mail and send a request at the HCJDC, plus a $30.00 fee for every request.
- Perform an instant or name check through the eCrim facility for free. However, you need to pay to get your record printed or downloaded.
- Use the Public Access Sites to get background check information by providing a name, social security number, date of birth, and sex. Each printed copy comes for a fee of $25.00.
- Conduct a thorough background check using a clear set of fingerprints sent to HCJDC. Fingerprint checks are priced at $35.00 per check via mail or $55.00 in person.
Note that additional fees apply for certification ($20.00) and duplication ($20.00 per page).
How to Find Sex Offenders in Hawaii
The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center has a sex offender registry online where you can search for sexual offenders and other covered offenders. Search criteria include offender type, offender status, name, street name, city, a radius of three miles maximum, and ZIP code. Sex offender records are available for print and are free of charge.
Hawaii Public Vital Records
The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) Vital Records handles public vital records in the state like birth, death, marriage or civil union, and divorce certificates.
Only birth, marriage, and civil union certificates are available to order online. Other public vital records like death certificates and divorce certificates are available via mail.
Take note of the following fees when requesting public vital records in Hawaii:
- First copy - $10.00
- Additional copy - $4.00 per page
- General administration - $2.50 for the first five copies. An additional $2.50 fee will apply for every five copies exceeded.
Another important reminder for mailed requests is to enclose a copy of a government-issued ID of the requestor plus a money order or a cashier check payable to the Hawaii DOH.
Hawaii Court Records
Aside from the eCourt Kokua, where you can instantly access court records online, Hawaii has a comprehensive public access terminal for its circuit courts to help you find court records.
To find court records in the county and city of Honolulu:
- Visit the Appellate Courts and First Circuit.
- For court records in Maui County, visit the Second Circuit.
- For Hawaii and Kauai counties, visit the Third Circuit and Fifth Circuit.
For confidential court records, you need to make the record request in person.
State Court System in Hawaii
Hawaii’s state court system is divided into the trial level courts and the appellate level courts.
The Hawaii Supreme Court and the Intermediate Court of Appeals make up the appellate courts. The circuit, district, and family courts make up the trial courts.
Courts in Hawaii :
Driving Records
The Department of Transportation Highways is the government body responsible for issuing a Driver Record History (DHR) in Hawaii. You may only request a copy of your DHR by writing to any district court.
A driver history record in Hawaii will contain the following driver information:
- Complete name, date of birth, and address
- License class, endorsements, and restrictions
- Current driver’s license status and expiration
- Civil driving infractions and related information within the past three to five years.
Take note that the fee for DHR requests is $9.00.
Civil Driving Infractions
Most traffic violations in Hawaii are considered civil driving infractions where penalties apply without the need for imprisonment.
The most common civil driving infractions in Hawaii include speeding, pedestrian offenses, running a stop sign, parking where prohibited, having an expired safety check sticker, or driving without a seatbelt.
Hawaii License Plate Lookup
Hawaii has a motor vehicle inquiry service online where you can look up a license plate by entering the last four digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN), the license plate, and the type of vehicle.
Hawaii Property and Asset Records Online
The Hawaii Information Service is the state’s property, and asset records resource online, where you can find information on property values and even plot plans. Property records are managed by the registry of deed offices which are also organized on a county level.
Hawaii Unclaimed Property and Assets
The Department of Budget and Finance has an Unclaimed Property Search online database using an individual or business name where you can search for unclaimed properties and assets in Hawaii.
Filing a claim is free as long as you can prove ownership of the unclaimed property or asset to the reporting company.
Important Government Agencies in Hawaii
The following government agencies in Hawaii will help you find public records in the state.
- Governor’s Office
- Legislative Office
- State Judiciary
- Department of Public Safety - Corrections Division
- Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
- Department of Health - Vital Records
- Supreme Court
- Intermediate Court of Appeals
- Department of Transportation Highways
- Hawaii Information Service
- Department of Budget and Finance