HAWAII · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Hawaii
In Hawaii, apostilles are issued only by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor (the state's Secretary of State) at the State Capitol in Honolulu, with a state fee of $3.00 per document and a typical 7-10 business-day turnaround. If your document is not in English or is headed to a non-English-speaking country, you will also need a certified translation, and the order in which you translate and apostille matters. Translation HelpDesk provides USCIS-accepted certified translations at $0.05 per word (most civil documents run $15-25), delivered in 24-48 hours by our nearshore team in Chihuahua, Mexico. Every project is backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge and a free 250-word sample so you can confirm the quality before you commit.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii (serving as the state's Secretary of State).
HOW IT WORKS IN HAWAII
Getting an Apostille in Hawaii
In Hawaii, apostilles and certifications are issued exclusively by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, who serves as the state's Secretary of State, located at the State Capitol, 5th Floor, 415 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813. You begin on the state's online portal (hi.accessgov.com/apostille), print the application that is emailed to you, and submit it with your document by mail or in person (walk-in Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM-4:30 PM). Private documents such as powers of attorney, affidavits, and diplomas must first be notarized by a Hawaii notary public and then have the notary's signature certified at the Circuit Court Legal Documents Office before the Lieutenant Governor will apostille them. Hawaii birth, death, and marriage certificates issued before January 1, 2025 must be handled through the Department of Health Vital Records division, while those issued on or after that date can be sent directly to the Lieutenant Governor.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
For a Hawaii document going to a non-English-speaking country, get the apostille on the English original first, then have the certified translation cover both the document and the apostille certificate itself, so you never pay to translate twice. The most common mistake is translating a Hawaii birth certificate first and then trying to apostille the translation, but the Lieutenant Governor authenticates the official's signature on the original record, not a translation. For foreign documents used in Hawaii (for example, a Mexican birth certificate for USCIS), the apostille is obtained in the issuing country and we provide the certified English translation here, since Hawaii's office cannot apostille foreign records.
Translation HelpDesk provides the certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) that USCIS accepts, and can advise on whether you need the apostille before or after translation for your specific document and destination.
FEES & TIMING
Cost & Turnaround
Apostille fee: The Hawaii state apostille fee is $3.00 per document (money order, cash, cashier's check, or credit card via the online portal); confirm the current fee with the Lieutenant Governor's office before sending. Certified translation is priced separately at $0.05 per word, with most civil documents (birth, marriage, and death certificates) running about $15-25 each.
Typical processing: The Lieutenant Governor's office processes apostilles in roughly 7-10 business days with no expedited option; in-person drop-off is available Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM-4:30 PM in Honolulu, and mail-in is also accepted. Certified translations from Translation HelpDesk are delivered in 24-48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Hawaii?
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, who serves as Secretary of State, at the State Capitol, 5th Floor, 415 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813. It is the only office in the state authorized to issue apostilles and certifications for documents used abroad.
How much does a Hawaii apostille cost and how long does it take?
The state fee is $3.00 per document, payable by money order, cash, cashier's check, or credit card through the online portal. Processing typically takes 7-10 business days with no expedited service; you can drop off in person Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM-4:30 PM, or mail your document in. Always confirm the current fee with the office before sending.
Should I translate before or after getting the apostille?
For a Hawaii document going abroad, get the apostille on the English original first, then translate the document and the apostille certificate together. For a foreign document coming into the United States, it is apostilled in its home country first and then translated into English here. Doing it in the wrong order usually means paying to translate the same document twice.
My document is notarized. Can it be apostilled directly in Hawaii?
No. In Hawaii, a notarized document must first have the notary's signature certified at the Circuit Court Legal Documents Office where the notary is registered before the Lieutenant Governor will apostille it. Sending a notarized document straight to the Lieutenant Governor without that step is a common reason for rejection.
Will your translation be accepted by USCIS, and do you handle Hawaii vital records?
Yes. Our certified translations meet USCIS requirements and are backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge, with a free 250-word sample available first. Note that Hawaii birth, death, and marriage certificates issued before January 1, 2025 must be processed through the Department of Health Vital Records division before they can be apostilled.
Can Translation HelpDesk obtain the apostille for me?
We focus on the certified translation rather than the state apostille itself, but we prepare your translation in the correct sequence so the apostille step goes smoothly. Message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com for a free 250-word sample and certified translation delivered in 24-48 hours.