Legal Name Change in Hawaii: Administrative Process
Petition the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for an administrative name change. We’ll fill out the petition + every follow-up form for free.
Hawaii is unique: a legal name change here is an administrative proceeding through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, not a court case. You file a petition directly with the Lieutenant Governor’s office under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 574-5. The filing fee is approximately $50; newspaper publication is required for one week in a Hawaii newspaper of general circulation ($100-$300 typical); certified copies usually run $5-$10. The full process takes 8-12 weeks from filing to your signed name change certificate. We fill out all the forms — petition, publication notice, supporting documents — and walk you through Social Security, passport, DMV updates after approval.
Hawaii Name Change Forms
Hawaii’s administrative pathway uses a state petition form rather than standardized judicial forms.
The main petition filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Current name, requested name, reason, and residency declaration. Must be notarized.
Public notice published in a Hawaii newspaper for one week before approval can be issued.
Final administrative document signed by the Lieutenant Governor. Your legal proof of name change.
If you can’t afford the ~$50 filing fee. Approved based on financial hardship.
Step-by-Step Hawaii Name Change Process
Same 4-step administrative path statewide. No courtroom appearance required for most petitioners.
Step 1: File Your Petition with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office
File at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in Honolulu (mail-in or in-person filing). Bring your completed, notarized petition, the ~$50 filing fee or fee waiver request, and any supporting documents.
The petition must be notarized before filing — don’t sign until you’re in front of a notary. Banks, shipping stores, and most government offices offer notary services for a small fee.
Once received, the Lieutenant Governor’s office reviews your paperwork and assigns a case number. You’ll receive instructions on the publication requirement before your petition can be approved.
Step 2: Publish Notice (1 Week)
Hawaii requires publication of your petition in a Hawaii newspaper of general circulation for one week. Cost: $100-$300 depending on the newspaper.
The notice gives the public an opportunity to object before the name change is finalized. Compare prices among qualifying newspapers — they vary widely. After publication, obtain proof of publication from the newspaper and submit it to the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
Publication waivers may be available in cases of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault with supporting evidence. Submit a separate request when filing your petition.
Step 3: Administrative Review
Unlike most states, Hawaii’s process is purely administrative — there’s typically no court hearing. The Lieutenant Governor’s office reviews your petition, proof of publication, and any objections received.
If no valid objections are filed during the publication period, your petition moves toward approval automatically. The administrative review confirms your eligibility, residency, and that the change isn’t intended to defraud creditors or evade legal obligations.
If an objection is filed, the matter may be referred to circuit court for resolution. Most petitions proceed without objection.
Be sure your petition clearly states your reason for the change — personal preference, cultural significance, gender identity affirmation, simplifying pronunciation, or family reasons are all accepted.
Step 4: Get Your Certificate of Name Change
Once approved, you receive a signed Certificate of Name Change from the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Request several certified copies immediately — typically $5-$10 each.
After Your Name Change: Updating Your Documents
Federal first. Social Security, then everything else cascades.
Show 6-step update checklist
Form SS-5 with certified Hawaii name change certificate. Free, 2-4 weeks. Required first.
DS-82 ($130, certificate <1 year old) or DS-11 ($160). 6-8 weeks.
Bring certificate + new SS card to the county DMV. New Hawaii license usually mailed within 2-3 weeks.
Hawaii Office of Elections. Free. Update at the same time as your DMV visit if you prefer.
Form 8822 by mail. Free. Important before tax season.
Certificate + new license at branch. Same day.
Special Situations in Hawaii
Hawaii has specific procedures for minors, gender identity, and domestic violence survivors.
Show special situations (minors / gender / DV)
Minor Children Name Changes
Both parents must consent (or the petitioning parent must show diligent search). Under HRS § 574-5, reasonable efforts to notify the non-consenting parent are required.
- Both parents must consent — or the petitioning parent must prove diligent effort to locate and notify the other parent
- Court referral possible — contested minor name changes may be referred to family court
- Best-interest standard applies — the reviewer evaluates whether the change serves the child’s interests
- Single parent procedures — proof of reasonable efforts to locate the other parent may suffice
See our minor name change guide for the full process.
Gender Identity Name Changes
Hawaii recognizes gender identity as a legitimate reason for name change. No medical documentation or proof of transition is required.
- No medical proof required — simply state the change affirms your gender identity
- Publication waivers available — for safety concerns, request to skip newspaper publication
- Coordinate with gender-marker updates — time your name change with other ID updates
- Affirming process — the administrative pathway avoids a public courtroom appearance
See our gender identity name change guide.
Domestic Violence Exemptions
Survivors of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault qualify for additional protections during the administrative process.
- Publication waiver — petition to skip newspaper publication entirely
- Address confidentiality — your address may be kept confidential in records
- Expedited processing — faster review available for safety concerns
- Fee waivers — financial hardship requirements relaxed
Hawaii Name Change Cost Breakdown
Total: $200-$500 typical. $0-$100 with a fee waiver.
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| Expense | Hawaii Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | ~$50 | Office of the Lieutenant Governor; fee waiver available |
| Newspaper Publication | $100-$300 | 1 week, Hawaii newspaper of general circulation |
| Certified Copies (3-4) | $15-$40 | $5-$10 per copy |
| DMV License Update | $5-$25 | After receiving certified certificate |
| Passport Renewal | $130-$160 | DS-82 or DS-11 |
| Total | $200-$500 | Before fee waivers |
Other state guides
See all 50 state legal-name-change guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a legal name change take in Hawaii?
A Hawaii legal name change typically takes 8-12 weeks from filing to your signed Certificate of Name Change. The timeline includes the one-week newspaper publication, administrative review by the Lieutenant Governor's office, and processing of your certified copies. Hawaii uses an administrative pathway through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor under HRS § 574-5, not a court — so there is usually no hearing to wait for.
Can I change my name to anything I want in Hawaii?
The Lieutenant Governor's office will approve most reasonable name changes in Hawaii, but you cannot choose names that are obscene, fraudulent, or intended to deceive others. Names adopted to evade creditors or legal obligations, names that could cause confusion (like a celebrity's exact name), or names with numbers or symbols are typically rejected. The reviewer has discretion to deny petitions that serve no legitimate purpose.
Do I need a lawyer for a Hawaii name change?
No, you don't need a lawyer for a straightforward Hawaii name change. Because Hawaii's process is administrative — filed with the Lieutenant Governor's office rather than a court — most petitioners successfully represent themselves using the state petition form. You might want legal help if you're facing complex custody issues, are a domestic violence survivor needing extra protections, or anticipate that someone may object during publication.
What if someone objects to my name change in Hawaii?
Objections are rare in Hawaii. If someone files a valid objection during the one-week publication period, the Lieutenant Governor's office may refer the matter to circuit court for resolution. The objecting party must show that your name change would somehow harm them or serve an illegitimate purpose (such as fraud or evading obligations). Most petitions proceed without any objection and are approved administratively.
Can I change my child's name without the other parent's consent in Hawaii?
Hawaii law requires reasonable efforts to notify both parents of a minor's name change under HRS § 574-5. The Lieutenant Governor's office may proceed without the non-custodial parent's consent if you can prove diligent efforts to locate and notify them, or if waiving notice is necessary for the child's protection. Contested minor name changes may be referred to family court for a best-interest determination.
Will my Hawaii name change be recognized in other states?
Yes, your Hawaii Certificate of Name Change is valid nationwide. The Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution requires all states to recognize official name change documents issued by other states — including administrative certificates from the Hawaii Lieutenant Governor's office. Your certified Hawaii certificate serves as legal proof of your name change anywhere in the United States.
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We’ll generate your Petition for Change of Name, the publication notice, and supporting documents — filled out and ready to sign. Plus every Social Security, passport, and DMV form for after your approval.
Start Your Free Hawaii Name Change PetitionLast verified 2026-04-26 · Not legal advice · Terms · Privacy