Question: How can I get a death certificate if the mortuary is out of business? This is for a relative who died some years ago and no one else in the family has a copy.
Answer: As you indicated, death certificates are typically ordered through the mortuary that handled the funeral arrangements, soon after the person’s death. The state Department of Health doesn’t have an online ordering system that is open to the public — as it does for birth and marriage certificates — but it is developing one, according to its website. In the meantime, eligible applicants can order a certified copy of a death certificate in person or by mail. You can download the form at 808ne.ws/death. This is for deaths that occurred in Hawaii.
On the form, you, as the requester, must state the decedent’s name, date and place of death, Social Security number, your relationship to the deceased and the reason for the request. By law, vital records such as birth, marriage and death certificates are issued only to people with a direct and tangible interest in the record, a category that includes close relatives. You can see the full eligibility list at 808ne.ws/dcinfo.
The fee is $10 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same death certificate ordered at the same time. If you order by mail, you can pay with cashier’s check, certified check or money order payable to the state Department of Health. If you order in person, you can use any of those payment methods, plus cash or a credit card.
To order by mail, send the order form, payment and a photocopy of your valid, government-issued photo ID to:
State Department of Health
Office of Health Status Monitoring, Issuance/Vital Statistics Section
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801
If you prefer to order in person, Oahu has walk-in service at the main Department of Health building, at 1250 Punchbowl St., which is at the corner of Beretania and Punchbowl streets. Go to Room 103 on the first floor. Service is available Mondays through Fridays (excluding holidays) from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
You’ll need to show your valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID, and submit the form and payment.
To apply in person on the neighbor islands, contact your district health office. For more information:
Hawaii County: 808ne.ws/birec
Maui County: 808ne.ws/mauirec
Kauai County: 808-241-3498
Q: In the neighborhoods that have to make an appointment for bulky pickup, how far in advance and how often can you make an appointment?
A: Appointments can be made up to three months in advance. You can make one appointment a month, unless you live in Waikiki, in which case you can reserve bulky pickup weekly. You must say in advance what items will be picked up. This is according to the city’s Department of Environmental Services, via opala.org.
Mahalo
Thank you very much to the special person who found my wallet and turned it in to Michelle at a bank in Waikiki. Michelle called to inform me that my wallet was found by a person who wished to remain anonymous. May your kindness and thoughtfulness come back to you many times over! Happy holidays to you! — Grateful in Manoa
Mahalo
On Nov. 27, I went to the VA offices to apply for a VA ID. I want to thank Shawn at the information desk, the security officers who got me to the right floor, Norman at the ID desk and Jermaine G., health benefits adviser, who help me and advised me of other benefits of which I was not aware. Everyone there was outstanding and kept thanking me for my service. We are so lucky to have VA employees like these and all the other staff who help our veterans. — Aloha, Frank E.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
