Service of process in Hawaii
In Hawaii, the court clerk issues a summons when the complaint is filed, and service may be made statewide by the sheriff or a sheriff's deputy, by a county chief of police or authorized subordinate, by a person specially appointed by the court, or by any person who is not a party and is at least 18. Hawaii does not license process servers, and Rule 4 does not set a fixed number of days within which service must be completed.
ProcessServerState provides procedural-information-only summaries of state process-server rules. This is not legal advice. Service of process is a critical step in litigation — if you fail to serve correctly, your case can be dismissed. For complex or contested matters, consult a licensed attorney or a court self-help center. Not affiliated with any court or sheriff's office.
Is a license required in Hawaii?
Hawaii does not license or register process servers. Under HRCP Rule 4(c), any non-party aged 18 or older may serve civil process.
Who may serve process in Hawaii?
- County sheriff
- Any non-party adult (18+)
- Certified / registered mail
- Publication (by court order)
Service deadline (Hawaii)
HRCP Rule 4 sets no fixed deadline to complete service after filing; the clerk issues the summons 'forthwith' on filing (Rule 4(a)). General dismissal-for-want-of-prosecution rules may still apply.
UIDDA: Hawaii has adopted the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act for interstate service.
Sheriff / Marshal civil-process route
Civil-process fees are set by each county and listed on the local sheriff's civil-process page. Not all counties publish a fee schedule — confirm with the county where service will be made.
Statute / Rule citation
Haw. R. Civ. P. (HRCP) Rule 4; see also HRS § 634-21
UIDDA: Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 624D (UIDDA), eff. 2012
Interstate service from Hawaii
Hawaii has adopted the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (UIDDA), which provides a streamlined process for issuing an out-of-state subpoena based on one issued in the trial state. Service of an initial summons across state lines follows the receiving state's rules.
Sources for Hawaii
Other states with no license requirement
Check a different state
Verified against Hawaii primary sources on June 16, 2026. Read how we verify on our methodology page, or browse every citation in the source manifest.
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ProcessServerState provides procedural-information-only summaries of state process-server rules. This is not legal advice. Service of process is a critical step in litigation — if you fail to serve correctly, your case can be dismissed. For complex or contested matters, consult a licensed attorney or a court self-help center. Not affiliated with any court or sheriff's office.