Hawaii Background Check & Apostille Guide

Issuing agency

Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) — Attorney General's Office

Steps to request and apostille your record

1. STEP 1Request Your Background Check

   • Hawaii state background checks are processed by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC), a division of the Attorney General's Office.
   • For immigration purposes, request a fingerprint-based 'Access & Review' of your own arrest record. Fingerprints are required to obtain your full Hawaii criminal history.
   • You have two submission options:
   • In-Office: Schedule an appointment by calling the Criminal History Record Checks Unit (CHRC) at (808) 587-3279. The in-office fee is $55. Walk-ins are not accepted — appointments are mandatory. The office is located at 465 S. King Street, Room 102, Honolulu, HI 96813.
   • By Mail: Download the fingerprint request form from the HCJDC website. Have your fingerprints taken on a standard FD-258 card at a local law enforcement agency, then mail the completed form, fingerprint card, and $35 fee (check or money order payable to 'Attorney General') to the HCJDC office.

2. STEP 2Receive Your Results

   • Standard processing takes 3-5 business days after the HCJDC receives your submission.
   • If you request a notarized copy (recommended for immigration), allow 7-10 business days.
   • Results are mailed to the address you provide on the application form.
   • The report covers Hawaii state records only. Review it carefully for accuracy before proceeding to apostille.

3. STEP 3Apostille Your Background Check

   • Hawaii does not have a Secretary of State. Apostilles are issued by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
   • Submit your original background check document along with the apostille application form (available at ltgov.hawaii.gov) and a $1.00 fee per document.
   • You can apply online through the Lieutenant Governor's Apostille and Certification Online Portal, which allows electronic payment and real-time tracking of your application.
   • For mail requests, send to: Office of the Lieutenant Governor, State Capitol, 5th Floor, 415 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813.
   • Processing takes 7-10 business days. No expedited service is available.

4. STEP 4Translate via EcuadorTranslations.com

   • After your document is apostilled, submit it to EcuadorTranslations.com for certified Spanish translation and notarization.
   • Upload a clear scan or photo of your apostilled background check through the EcuadorTranslations.com order form.
   • Cost: $150 per document ($130 each when ordering 3 or more documents). Turnaround: 3 business days.
   • Your translated and notarized document will be delivered digitally, ready for your Ecuador visa application.

Apostille authority

Key notes

• Hawaii does not have a Secretary of State — the Lieutenant Governor handles apostilles and document authentication.
• In-office fingerprinting at HCJDC is by appointment only. Call (808) 587-3279 to schedule.
• The mail-in option ($35) is significantly cheaper than in-office ($55), but in-office allows you to verify your fingerprints were captured correctly.
• Hawaii has the lowest apostille fee in the country at $1.00 per document, but no expedited option is available.
• Request the notarized version of your background check if you plan to apostille it — this adds a few days but is required for the apostille.

Sources and verification