Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Maui County

Maui County dissolution of marriage records are filed at the Second Circuit Family Court, located at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku. The Second Circuit serves the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. This guide covers how to search for dissolution cases online, how to get copies of decrees and other documents, what fees apply, and where to find historical records for Maui County dissolution filings.

Second Circuit Family Court

The Second Circuit Family Court is the court that handles all dissolution of marriage cases in Maui County. It is based at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku and serves the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Under HRS Section 580-1, the Family Court of the circuit where you are domiciled has exclusive original jurisdiction over your dissolution case. For anyone living in Maui County, that means the Second Circuit.

The Legal Documents Branch is in Room 106 at 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, 96793-1679. Phone is (808) 244-2752, fax is (808) 244-2932, and hours are 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday except state holidays. This is where you go to file papers, pick up forms, and request copies of documents. General Family Court inquiries go to (808) 244-2700. Family Court records requests use the line (808) 244-2969.

The Maui County Clerk is at a separate location: 200 South High Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, phone (808) 270-7748. This office handles county-level records but is not the same as the Family Court. For dissolution filings and court records, go to the Family Court at Hoapili Hale.

ADA accommodations for court proceedings can be arranged. For District and Family Court matters call (808) 244-2855. For Circuit Court matters call (808) 244-2929. You can also email adarequest@courts.hawaii.gov with your request.

The screenshot below is from the Second Circuit Maui County forms page on the Hawaii State Judiciary website.

Visit the Second Circuit forms page to download dissolution of marriage form packets for Maui County cases.

The page has downloadable packets for dissolution with and without minor children, plus individual forms for financial disclosures and related matters in Maui County.

Searching Maui County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Online search tools make it possible to look up dissolution of marriage cases in Maui County without a trip to the courthouse. Both major Hawaii Judiciary portals cover Second Circuit records.

eCourt Kokua at jimspss1.courts.state.hi.us lets you search by party name or case number. The system covers all circuits and updates daily, with information posted within about 48 hours of a court event. Second Circuit case numbers follow the standard format with a "2" prefix. Document downloads cost $3 per document for the first 30 pages, then $0.10 per page after that. Subscriptions are $125 per quarter or $500 per year for unlimited downloads.

Ho'ohiki at courts.state.hi.us is the other statewide search tool. Both portals are free to search. They show docket entries, case status, and party names. Neither shows the full text of documents for free.

For in-person access, visit the Legal Documents Branch at Room 106 in Hoapili Hale. Staff can pull up case records, help you locate a filing, and make copies. Mail requests to the court take at least 10 business days to process. Responses sent back by mail take 15 to 20 business days. If you do not include a case number with your request, the court may charge a $5 name search fee. Payment by mail must be a money order, cashier's check, or certified check. Personal checks and cash are not accepted for mail requests. Do not send payment with your request form; the court will send you an invoice first.

The court record location image below shows the Second Circuit courthouse at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku.

See the Maui Second Circuit Court listing for location details and directions to Hoapili Hale in Wailuku.

Hoapili Hale at 2145 Main Street in Wailuku is where all Maui County dissolution of marriage cases are filed and records are kept.

How to File for Dissolution of Marriage in Maui County

Hawaii is a no-fault dissolution state. The main ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, which comes from HRS Section 580-41. You don't need to prove any fault on either side. You just need to show that the marriage cannot be saved. Living separate and apart for a sufficient period also qualifies as grounds under the same statute.

To file in Maui County, you must have been domiciled in Hawaii for at least six months. HRS Section 580-1 says the Family Court in the circuit where you live has jurisdiction. If you live on Maui, Molokai, or Lanai, the Second Circuit is your court. Military personnel stationed in Hawaii count as meeting the residency requirement even if another state is listed as their permanent home.

The filing process starts with the Complaint for Divorce, Automatic Restraining Order, and Summons. You file the originals and keep copies. The clerk stamps everything and assigns a case number. The other party must then be served unless they sign an Appearance and Waiver. After service, the case proceeds through negotiations, mediation if needed, and ultimately a hearing or agreed decree.

The minimum waiting period after service before finalization is 30 days. Uncontested dissolutions with limited assets and no children often resolve in 6 to 10 weeks once paperwork is in order. Contested matters take much longer. Discovery alone can run 2 to 6 months. Negotiations add 1 to 3 more months. Pre-trial preparation takes another 1 to 2 months. If the case goes to trial, add 3 to 6 months on top of that. The typical uncontested case runs about 2 to 3 months. The median time from filing to disposition in the Second Circuit runs about 4.5 months overall.

Parents with minor children must complete the Kids First program before the court finalizes the dissolution. Contact Kids First at (808) 244-2770. All Second Circuit dissolution forms are free at courts.state.hi.us. Forms include uncontested dissolution packets with and without children, the Matrimonial Action Information form, the Complaint with Automatic Restraining Order, Proof of Service, Income and Expense Statement, Asset and Debt Statement, and the Affidavit of Plaintiff.

Fees for Maui County Dissolution Filings and Records

Filing a dissolution of marriage in Maui County costs $215 if there are no minor children and $265 if there are children. Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income individuals. Ask the clerk for the fee waiver application when you come in.

For document copies, the cost depends on where and how you request them. Document downloads through eCourt Kokua cost $3 per document for up to 30 pages, and $0.10 for each additional page. Subscriptions for frequent users cost $125 per quarter or $500 per year for unlimited downloads. Certified copies from the Legal Documents Branch at the courthouse have their own per-page and certification fees; ask the clerk for the current schedule.

For older dissolution certificates, the Hawaii Department of Health holds records from July 1951 through December 2002. Certificates cost $10 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Visit health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords for the current request process. After February 1, 2026, the DOH will stop maintaining these records, so go to the court directly for any certificate needs after that date.

What Maui County Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain

Dissolution of marriage case files in Maui County contain several layers of documents. The complaint starts the case. Financial disclosures follow once both parties are involved. Proposed decrees come next as the parties try to agree. The final decree ends the case.

The final decree is the most important document for most people. It covers alimony provisions, child custody in both legal and physical form, visitation arrangements, child support monthly amounts, health insurance obligations for the children, and division of marital property. Property covered in the decree can include the marital home and other real property, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement plans, and personal items. Debt allocation is also set out in the decree. Once the judge signs it and it is filed, it becomes effective.

Only adult family court records are public in Maui County. Juvenile proceedings are sealed. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from any documents released to the public. The public version of a decree shows all substantive terms but with sensitive identifiers removed. If you are a party to the case, you may have access to unredacted versions through your attorney.

The Hawaii State Judiciary's divorce self-help page explains what documents are created during a Maui County dissolution case and how the public can request copies.

The page covers types of dissolution records and steps for requesting copies through the Second Circuit Family Court in Wailuku.

Historical Dissolution Records in Maui County

The Hawaii State Archives holds Second Circuit case files from 1848 to 1900 and from 1915, covering cases A1 through A319. These are cataloged as MFL 54. Archive indexes are available to help identify specific cases. The Archives are at 364 S. King Street in Honolulu. The copy fee is $0.25 per page plus a $5 certification fee. Call (808) 586-0329 to ask about accessing these records.

The Hawaii State Archives genealogy research guide walks through what dissolution records are held by the Archives and how to request them. Some historical records are also available through Hawaii Digital Archives online, which can be checked before arranging a visit or requesting paid copies.

For cases after 1900 that are not in the Archives, contact the Second Circuit directly. Use eCourt Kokua or Ho'ohiki to search for cases within the range of the court's electronic records. Records going back several decades are often available in these systems.

Legal Resources for Maui County Dissolution

The Hawaii State Judiciary offers free monthly "Divorce Law in Hawaii" seminars. These are public education events open to anyone who wants to understand how dissolution works in Hawaii. Check the Judiciary website for current dates and Maui locations.

Self-help resources for dissolution are available at courts.state.hi.us/self-help/divorce/divorce_facts. All Second Circuit forms are free to download at courts.state.hi.us. The forms include complete packets for uncontested cases with and without children, plus individual forms for each step of the process.

For the full text of Hawaii's dissolution statutes, see HRS Chapter 580 on Justia. Legal aid organizations serve Maui County residents who qualify based on income. Contact legal aid early if you need free help, as intake availability varies. The Maui Bar Association can also refer you to private attorneys who handle dissolution matters on the island.

Cities in Maui County

All communities on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai file dissolution of marriage cases at the Second Circuit Family Court in Wailuku. The qualifying cities below have their own detailed pages with local resources.

Other communities in Maui County include Lahaina, Makawao, Paia, Haiku, Hana, Lanai City, and Kaunakakai. All residents in these areas file dissolution cases at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku.

Nearby Counties

Hawaii's other counties each use their own Family Court circuit. If you live outside Maui County, check the right county page for your location.