Honolulu County Court Records Search
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Honolulu County, encompassing the entire island of Oahu, is served by the First Circuit of the Hawaii State Judiciary. Three trial courts operate within this circuit—the Circuit Court, the District Court, and the Family Court—each maintaining its own set of case records across criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Court records generated by these tribunals document every phase of litigation, from initial filings and pleadings through evidence, witness information, judgments, and sentencing details. The First Circuit Court, headquartered at Kaahumanu Hale in downtown Honolulu, also exercises exclusive jurisdiction over probate, land court, and tax appeal matters for the county.
For those searching Hawaii court records, several official resources are available, including clerk offices at each courthouse, public access terminals, and the Judiciary’s online case information system. The Hawaii State Judiciary website provides direct access to electronic case data, while HawaiiCourts.us may help users locate publicly available court case information across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Honolulu County?
Honolulu County court records can be searched through online databases, in-person visits to courthouse clerk offices, or written requests submitted by mail, fax, or email.
Online searches are conducted through eCourt Kokua, the Judiciary’s public case information portal. The system provides access to the following case types at no charge for basic case information viewing:
- Traffic cases
- District Court, Circuit Court, and Family Court criminal cases
- District Court, Circuit Court, and Family Court civil cases
- Land Court and Tax Appeal Court cases
- Supreme Court and Intermediate Court of Appeals cases
When a PDF icon appears next to a docket entry in eCourt Kokua, the associated document is available for online purchase and immediate download. Document pricing works as follows:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Individual document (1–30 pages) | $3.00 flat rate |
| Each additional page beyond 30 | $0.10 |
| Quarterly subscription (unlimited downloads) | $125.00 (non-refundable) |
| Annual subscription (unlimited downloads) | $500.00 (non-refundable) |
Parties to a case who register as Judiciary Electronic Filing System (JEFS) users can access their own case documents at no charge.
In-person requests require completing the Request to Access Court Records form (1CP858) and presenting it at the Legal Documents Branch of the court that maintains the case. Requests are processed on a first-come basis. If no case number is provided, a $5.00 name search fee applies.
Mail, fax, and email requests use the same 1CP858 form, sent to the custodian of records at the relevant court. Do not include payment with the initial request—the court will issue an invoice detailing applicable fees. Prepayment is required before copies are provided. Acceptable payment methods include money order, cashier’s check, and certified check. Allow at least 10 business days for processing, and 15 to 20 business days for mailed requests.
Court locations and contact information for the First Circuit:
| Court | Address | Phone | In-Person Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court (Kaahumanu Hale) | 777 Punchbowl St, Honolulu, HI 96813 | (808) 539-4303 (Legal Documents) | By appointment, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon–Fri |
| District Court (Kauikeaouli Hale) | 1111 Alakea St, Honolulu, HI 96813 | (808) 538-5149 (Legal Documents) | First come, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Mon–Fri |
| Ewa/Pearl City District Court | 870 Fourth St, Pearl City, HI 96782 | (808) 534-6900 | First come, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Mon–Fri |
| Kaneohe District Court | 45-939 Pookela St, Kaneohe, HI 96744 | (808) 534-6300 | First come, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Mon–Fri |
| Wahiawa District Court | 1034 Kilani Ave, Wahiawa, HI 96786 | (808) 534-6200 | First come, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Mon–Fri |
| Waianae District Court at Kapolei | 4675 Kapolei Pkwy, Kapolei, HI 96707 | (808) 954-8575 | First come, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Mon–Fri |
| Family Court (Kapolei Judiciary Complex) | 4675 Kapolei Pkwy, Kapolei, HI 96707 | (808) 954-8310 (Legal Documents) | By appointment, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon–Fri |
The Circuit Court filing window and file room hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays. Rural courts and the Traffic Violations Bureau operate from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Email contacts for record requests include civil.1cc@courts.hawaii.gov (Circuit Court) and fccivil.1cc@courts.hawaii.gov (Family Court). The court information concierge desk at Kaahumanu Hale can be reached at (808) 539-4767, and the District Court concierge at (808) 538-5767.
Are Court Records Public in Honolulu County?
Most court records in Honolulu County are open to the public. The Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) grants individuals the right to inspect and copy government records, including court records, during business hours. The Hawaii Court Records Rules (HCRR) further govern what information is accessible and what must remain confidential.
Records that are restricted or closed to public access include:
- Juvenile records – Sealed by statute, rule, or court order and not available for public inspection.
- Adoption and guardianship records – Generally confidential. The Family Court Adoption Records office can be reached at (808) 954-8145.
- Mental health commitment records – Closed to public disclosure.
- Sealed records – Any case or document a court has ordered sealed.
- Personal identifying information – Under HCRR Rule 2.19, social security numbers, tax identification numbers, financial account numbers, and passwords must be redacted from publicly accessible court documents. Parties filing documents bear responsibility for redacting this information before submission. Confidential details are submitted separately on a Fly Sheet for Documents Containing Confidential Information (HCRR Form 1).
Non-conviction arrest records and cases with pending outcomes are also classified as confidential and are not available to the general public.
Honolulu County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Honolulu County—felonies, misdemeanors, petty misdemeanors, and certain infractions—are adjudicated by the Circuit Court (felonies and jury misdemeanor trials) and the District Court (misdemeanors, petty misdemeanors, and violations). The Family Court handles criminal cases involving domestic matters.
Searching criminal court cases online can be done through two systems:
- eCourt Kokua – Provides free viewing of basic criminal case information from District Court, Circuit Court, and Family Court. Documents with a PDF icon can be purchased for $3.00 per document (up to 30 pages).
- eCrim – The Adult Criminal Conviction Information website maintained by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center allows searches of adult conviction records by name, social security number, gender, or date of birth. Each search costs $5.00, and a printable eCrim report costs $10.00.
In-person criminal record searches can be conducted at the clerk’s offices listed above or at designated public access locations throughout the state, where conviction records are available for viewing.
Statewide criminal history checks are issued by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC), a division of the Department of the Attorney General. These checks cover adult criminal convictions only—juvenile records are excluded. Two types of background checks are available:
- Name-based – A search of criminal history by name.
- Fingerprint-based – A more thorough search using digital or ink-rolled fingerprints.
The processing fee is $30.00 per request, payable by money order or cashier’s check. To submit a request by mail, complete the HCJDC-073 form and send it to:
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
Kekuanaoa Building
465 S. King Street, Room 102
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 587-3279
Written requests to the court for criminal or motor vehicle record searches should be sent to the geographical court where the case was heard, including the subject’s name, case type, and case identification number if known.
Honolulu County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Honolulu County is divided between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court handles civil claims exceeding $40,000, while the District Court adjudicates civil claims up to $40,000, small claims under $5,000, and landlord-tenant disputes. The District Court Civil Division can be reached at (808) 538-5151.
Accessing civil court records follows the same general process described in the case lookup section. Basic case information is viewable at no cost through eCourt Kokua, and document copies can be purchased online or requested at the courthouse.
Fees for in-person copies at the First Circuit courthouse are governed by HRS § 607-5 and court rules:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Name search by clerk | $5.00 per name |
| Copy of document – first page | $1.00 |
| Each additional page | $0.50 |
| Microfilmed document copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $2.00 per document |
| Exemplification | $4.00 per document |
| Microfilm service fee | $5.00 per case record |
| Off-site storage retrieval | $5.00 per case record or per box |
| Expedited/rush request | $10.00 (plus all other applicable charges) |
Expedited requests made in person before noon are fulfilled within four hours the same day. Requests made after noon are completed within four business hours, which may extend into the next business day. Written expedited requests receive an invoice within five business days.
The Circuit Court filing fees schedule provides a complete list of fees for initiating civil actions, motions, and related filings. Court forms for Oahu, including the record request form and fee schedule, are available on the First Circuit forms page.
Small claims cases (amounts under $5,000) are filed at the District Court. No attorneys are involved in small claims proceedings, and the process is designed to be accessible to self-represented parties.
Honolulu County Family Court Records
The First Circuit Family Court, located at the Kapolei Judiciary Complex, has jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, adoption, domestic violence protective orders, juvenile delinquency, and guardianship matters. The Family Court Service Center (Hookele) at (808) 954-8290 assists the public with family court procedures and forms.
Requesting family court records can be done in the following ways:
- In person – Visit the Family Court Legal Documents office at 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, HI 96707. Service is by appointment only, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (last appointment), Monday through Friday except state holidays. Phone: (808) 954-8310.
- By mail, fax, or email – Submit a completed 1CP858 form to the Family Court. Email: fccivil.1cc@courts.hawaii.gov.
- Online – View basic family case information through eCourt Kokua. Family Court civil and criminal case data are both available.
Per the Hawaii Court Records Rules, only adult family court records are open to public inspection. Juvenile family court records are sealed by statute and barred from public access. Adoption records are confidential; inquiries should be directed to the Adoption Records unit at (808) 954-8145.
Domestic violence protective orders can be filed through the Family Court. The Domestic Abuse TRO Hotline is available at (808) 538-5959. The Kids First Hotline, which assists with child-related family court matters, can be reached at (808) 954-8281.
Marriage and divorce records are classified as vital records in Hawaii. The Hawaii State Department of Health maintains these records through its Office of Health Status Monitoring. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be ordered online or by mail. Fees for certified copies are $10.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy, plus a $2.50 general administration fee for online and mail orders (bringing the online total to $12.50 per first copy). Acceptable mail payments include money order or cashier’s check payable to the Hawaii State Department of Health. The Oahu Vital Records office is located at 1250 Punchbowl Street, Room 103, Honolulu, HI 96813; Phone: (808) 586-4539.
Effective February 1, 2026, the Hawaii Department of Health no longer maintains divorce records. Divorce decrees and related documents must now be obtained from the clerk of the Family Court where the divorce was adjudicated.
Birth and death certificates are also issued by the Department of Health. Eligible requesters—defined under Hawaii Administrative Rules 11-117—include the registrant, parents, legal guardians, spouses, children, and other authorized individuals. To request a birth certificate, submit a completed birth certificate request form with a valid government-issued photo ID. Death certificates require a completed death certificate request form and supporting eligibility documentation. Fees are $10.00 for the first certified copy and $4.00 for each additional copy, with the $2.50 administration fee added for online and mail orders. In-person orders are accepted at the Vital Records office during hours of 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; payment methods include cash, cashier’s check, money order, and certified check. The Marriage License Office within the same building is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Honolulu County Probate Court Records
The First Circuit Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters in Honolulu County, including the administration of decedents’ estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and adoptions. The Estate and Probate Branch can be contacted at (808) 539-4399.
Searching probate records online is possible through eCourt Kokua, where estate and probate case information is available. Case identification numbers for probate matters follow specific formatting conventions (e.g., P-16-1-456 converts to 3LP161000456 in the search system). The eCourt Kokua information page provides guidance on entering legacy case numbers into the new system format.
Historical probate records dating from 1847 to 1917 have been digitized and are accessible through the Digital Archives of Hawaii, maintained by the Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services. Additional historical records may be available at the Hawaii State Archives.
Requesting copies of probate records in person requires visiting the Circuit Court Legal Documents Branch at Kaahumanu Hale, 777 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Service is by appointment, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For mail or fax requests, submit the completed 1CP858 form to the same address. The standard copy fees apply—$1.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page, and $2.00 for certification per document. Records stored on microfilm incur a $5.00 per-case service fee, and files retrieved from off-site storage cost $5.00 per case or box.
Probate records relating to guardianships and conservatorships of minors or incapacitated persons may contain confidential information that is not available for public review. The clerk’s office can advise on which portions of a probate file are accessible. For general probate case inquiries, the Circuit Court information concierge desk is available at (808) 539-4767, and the Court Annexed Arbitration Program can be reached at (808) 534-6000 for cases involving alternative dispute resolution.