Search Hawaii County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Hawaii County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Third Circuit Family Court, which operates two divisions on the Big Island: one in Hilo and one in Kailua-Kona. If you need to find a dissolution case, get a copy of a final decree, or look up a historical filing, this guide covers the courts, the online search tools, the fees, and the other resources available for dissolution records in Hawaii County.
Hawaii County Overview
Third Circuit Family Court
The Third Circuit Family Court handles all dissolution of marriage filings for Hawaii County. It has two divisions: Hilo and Kailua-Kona. Both divisions handle family matters including dissolution, custody, support, adoption, and domestic violence orders. Under HRS Section 580-1, the Family Court of the circuit where you are domiciled has exclusive original jurisdiction over your dissolution case. If you live on the Big Island, the Third Circuit is where you file.
The Hilo Division is at Hale Kaulike, 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720. The main phone number is (808) 961-7500. Adoption records can be reached at (808) 961-7670 and documents at (808) 443-2011. The Kona Division is at 74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, and the phone number is (808) 322-8700. Both divisions are open Monday through Friday from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM.
Hawaii County is a large island with communities spread across very different regions. Hilo is on the wet east side, while the Kona coast is on the dry west side. Having two court divisions means residents in western Hawaii County don't have to travel all the way to Hilo for most court matters. The Waimea area is also served by the Third Circuit through district and family court operations there.
The screenshot below is from the Third Circuit contact page maintained by the Hawaii State Judiciary.
The Third Circuit contact page has current addresses, phone numbers, and hours for all Hawaii County court locations.
The page shows both the Hilo and Kona divisions of the Third Circuit Family Court that handle Hawaii County dissolution of marriage cases.
| Hilo Division | Hale Kaulike, 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720 — (808) 961-7500 |
|---|---|
| Kona Division | 74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 — (808) 322-8700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Hilo Kids First | (808) 896-6465 |
| Kona Kids First | (808) 322-8726 |
| Forms | Third Circuit Family Court Forms |
How to Search Hawaii County Dissolution Records
You can search dissolution of marriage records for Hawaii County online or by visiting the courthouse. The online tools work well for basic lookups. They show party names, filing dates, case status, and docket entries. To read the full text of documents or get certified copies, you need to either visit the courthouse or pay for document downloads.
eCourt Kokua at jimspss1.courts.state.hi.us is the main public case portal for all Hawaii circuits, including the Third Circuit. You can search by the names of the parties or by a case number. The system updates daily with data usually posted within 48 hours of any court event. Third Circuit dissolution case numbers follow the standard Hawaii format with a "3" prefix for the Third Circuit.
Ho'ohiki is the second option. Find it at courts.state.hi.us. Both tools are free to use for basic searches. Document downloads through eCourt Kokua cost $3 per document for up to 30 pages. If you need many documents regularly, a subscription costs $125 per quarter or $500 per year for unlimited access.
To search in person, visit either the Hilo or Kona courthouse. Bring the names of the parties and an approximate filing year if you have it. Staff can look up case numbers and check filing status. Certified copies of decrees and other documents are available at the clerk's counter. Check the JIMS system availability page before you go to confirm the online system is working if you want to check things in advance.
Filing a Dissolution of Marriage in Hawaii County
Hawaii is a no-fault state for dissolution of marriage. You do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing. The legal ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, which is the standard under HRS Section 580-41. Living separate and apart is also listed as grounds in the statute. Either spouse can file. Neither has to agree the marriage is over for the case to proceed.
You must be domiciled in Hawaii for at least six months before filing. HRS Section 580-1 requires that you file in the Family Court of the circuit where you live. For Hawaii County, that means the Third Circuit. Military personnel stationed in Hawaii can use their posting location to satisfy the residency requirement even if they claim a different home state.
The filing process starts when you submit the Complaint for Divorce, along with an Automatic Restraining Order and Summons. The clerk assigns a case number and returns copies to you. You then must serve the other party unless they sign an Appearance and Waiver. If both parties agree on all terms, an uncontested dissolution can move through the court relatively quickly. Contested cases may require hearings, discovery, and mediation before the judge signs the decree.
Parents with minor children must attend Kids First before the court will finalize the case. In Hilo, call (808) 896-6465. In Kona, call (808) 322-8726. Third Circuit dissolution forms are available at courts.state.hi.us. Key forms include the Proposed Divorce Decree with Minor Children (Form 3F-P-260) and the Proposed Divorce Decree Without Minor Children (Form 3F-P-268). Forms are also available for pickup at the Hilo, Waimea, and Kona Family Court Legal Documents Counters.
The screenshot below is from the Third Circuit forms page showing dissolution of marriage self-help resources.
Visit the Third Circuit forms page to download dissolution packets and individual forms for Hawaii County cases.
The page includes downloadable form packets for both contested and uncontested dissolution of marriage cases in Hawaii County.
What Hawaii County Dissolution of Marriage Records Include
A dissolution of marriage case file in Hawaii County contains several types of documents. The complaint is the first one filed. It names both parties, lists the date of marriage, identifies any minor children, and states what the filing party is asking the court to order. This document becomes part of the permanent case file that the Third Circuit holds.
The final decree of dissolution is the court order that ends the marriage. It sets out all the terms. Those terms can cover alimony, child custody in both legal and physical forms, visitation and parenting time schedules, child support amounts and health insurance obligations, and division of marital property and debts. Property division can include the family home, other real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement plans, and personal items. Financial statements filed by both parties during the case are also part of the record.
Only adult family court records are public. Juvenile proceedings are sealed. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from any documents available to the public. This protects sensitive personal data while still keeping the core dissolution records accessible.
Historical Dissolution Records for Hawaii County
The Hawaii State Archives holds Third Circuit case files from 1854 to 1899, covering cases numbered 1 through 424. These are cataloged as MFL 56. The Archives also hold Fourth Circuit records from 1890 to 1899, which cover the Hamakua, Hilo, and Puna districts of the Big Island from when those areas were part of the Fourth Circuit. The Archives are at 364 S. King Street, Honolulu, and the copy fee is $0.25 per page plus $5 for certification.
The Hawaii State Archives divorce case files collection page describes what dissolution records are held, how they are organized, and how to request access. This is a useful starting point for anyone researching a historical dissolution from Hawaii Island. The screenshot below is from that Archives collection page.
The State Archives dissolution case files collection page details what Third Circuit historical records are available for Hawaii County.
The collection includes Third Circuit case files from 1854 to 1899 and can be searched for historical Hawaii County dissolution records.
For records more recent than 1899, contact the Third Circuit directly at the Hilo or Kona courthouse. Most records from the 20th century onward are still in court custody and can be found through eCourt Kokua or Ho'ohiki. The Hawaii State Archives genealogy research guide has more details on what other historical records are available through the Archives system, including vital records and land records from the same period.
The Hawaii Digital Archives has some early records available online. Not everything from the Third Circuit is digitized, but it is worth checking before requesting a trip to Honolulu or a paid copy from the Archives.
Court Structure in Hawaii County
Hawaii County has three types of state courts, each handling different kinds of cases. Knowing which court you need saves time.
The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil suits over $40,000, probate, guardianship, land title disputes, and jury trials. The Family Court handles dissolution of marriage, paternity, custody and visitation, child support, juvenile matters, and domestic violence Orders for Protection. The District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic and parking violations, civil claims under $40,000, and landlord-tenant disputes.
Dissolution of marriage cases always go to Family Court. If your case involves property worth more than $40,000, the Family Court still handles it as part of the dissolution. The Circuit Court does not split out property division into a separate case. All aspects of the dissolution are decided in a single Family Court proceeding.
Legal Resources for Hawaii County Dissolution
The Hawaii State Judiciary offers monthly "Divorce Law in Hawaii" public education seminars. These are free and open to anyone. The seminars explain the dissolution process, what the court can and cannot do, and how Hawaii law handles property, custody, and support. Check the Judiciary website for current dates and locations near you on the Big Island.
The self-help section of the Hawaii Judiciary website at courts.state.hi.us/self-help/divorce/divorce_facts covers the basics of dissolution law in plain language. It explains residency rules, grounds, what happens at hearings, and how the decree is entered. All Third Circuit forms are free to download at courts.state.hi.us.
For the text of Hawaii's dissolution statutes, see HRS Chapter 580 on Justia. This covers grounds for dissolution, jurisdiction, residency, and related procedural rules. Legal aid organizations serve the Big Island for people who cannot afford a private attorney. Contact legal aid early if you think you may qualify, as intake capacity is limited.
The Hawaii Department of Health holds divorce certificates for the period July 1951 through December 2002. After February 1, 2026, the DOH will no longer maintain these records. The DOH is at 1250 Punchbowl Street in Honolulu. See health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords for details on certificate requests. For cases outside that date range, go directly to the Third Circuit Family Court.
Cities in Hawaii County
Hilo is the county seat and the largest community on the Big Island. All dissolution of marriage cases in Hawaii County are filed at either the Hilo or Kona division of the Third Circuit Family Court.
Other communities on the Big Island include Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Captain Cook, and Pahoa. Residents of all these areas file dissolution cases at the Third Circuit Family Court in either Hilo or Kona.
Nearby Counties
Hawaii's other counties each have their own Family Court circuit. If you live outside the Big Island, check the county that matches where you are domiciled.