Kauai County Family Court Records Search

Kauai County family court records are maintained by the Fifth Circuit Court at the Pu'uhonua Kaulike Building in Lihue, which serves both the island of Kauai and Niihau. This page explains how to find and request Kauai County family court records through the Fifth Circuit, whether you are searching online or coming in person.

Kauai County Fifth Circuit Court

The Fifth Circuit Court handles all family law matters for Kauai County. It is the smallest circuit by population in Hawaii. All family court filings for Kauai and Niihau go through the single courthouse in Lihue. There are no satellite family court locations on the island. The courthouse is the Pu'uhonua Kaulike Building on Ka'ana Street.

Family court civil clerk phone numbers: Courtroom 1 is (808) 482-2611 and Courtroom 3 is (808) 482-2391. Kids First for Kauai County is also reached at (808) 482-2330. The Special Services Division is at (808) 482-2570. Kauai Drug Court is at (808) 482-2363. CASA is at (808) 482-2350.

Use the official Fifth Circuit contact page to confirm current hours and the correct phone number before calling about your Kauai County family court records request.

Search Kauai Family Court Records Online

The Hawaii Judiciary's eCourt Kokua system is the official free search tool for Kauai County family court records. It covers most active and recent cases. You can search by party name or case number without creating an account. Results show filing dates, case types, parties, and hearing schedules.

Ho'ohiki is the second official search tool, focused on Family Court civil cases from 1983 to the present. Use it when eCourt Kokua does not return results for older Kauai filings. Neither system will show sealed adoption records, closed dependency cases, or records the court has restricted by order.

Requesting Kauai County Family Court Records

Free in-person access is available at the Fifth Circuit courthouse during business hours. You can review case files at no cost. Public access terminals are located in the law library and public access areas of the Pu'uhonua Kaulike Building. If you need printed copies, fees apply: $1.00 per page for standard copies, $2.00 per document for certified copies, and $3.00 per document for online downloads.

Mail requests are accepted. Write to the Legal Documents Branch at 3970 Ka'ana Street, Lihue, HI 96766. Include the case number, names of parties, case type, and the specific documents you need. Do not include payment with your initial request. The court will send an invoice after locating your records. Pay by money order or cashier's check. Allow 10 business days for processing plus additional time for mail delivery.

UIPA governs public records access. Under HRS §92F-11, the court must respond to your request within 10 business days. If they need more time, they must notify you in writing. Most Kauai County family court records are public; exceptions include sealed adoption files, confidential juvenile dependency records, and any file the court has restricted by order.

Types of Records at Kauai Family Court

Kauai County family court handles several types of cases, each producing its own set of records. Divorce filings are public and include the petition, financial disclosures, and the final decree. If minor children are involved, custody and parenting plans are part of the divorce file and are also accessible to the public.

Child custody orders, visitation schedules, and child support enforcement records are public. Paternity and parentage filings are open records as well. Domestic violence TRO petitions and the resulting protection orders are public documents. Gun violence protective order filings are also handled through family court and are generally accessible.

Adoption records are sealed under Hawaii law. Juvenile dependency and delinquency records are confidential and require a court order to access. Guardianship petitions for minors and adults are public unless the court orders otherwise. Estate and guardianship matters handled through the Fifth Circuit follow the same public access rules as other family court records.

Kauai County Family Court Forms

All Fifth Circuit family court forms are published on the Hawaii Judiciary website. The Kauai family court forms page covers TRO forms, divorce forms, parentage forms, gun violence protective order petitions, and adoption records request forms. Download forms from the official site to make sure you have the current Rule 9-compliant version.

If you need help completing forms, the Kauai Self-Help Center can be reached at (808) 909-2836. Self-help sessions are held at the courthouse; call ahead to confirm days and times. Staff can walk you through the forms for common family court matters including divorce, TRO, and parentage cases.

The Kauai Law Library is at the courthouse: 3970 Kaana Street, Suite 100, Lihue, HI 96766-1281. Phone (808) 482-2327, fax (808) 482-2553. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Library staff can help you find relevant statutes and court rules that apply to your case.

Download current Kauai County family court forms from the official judiciary site to make sure you are using forms that meet Rule 9 requirements.

Legal Framework for Kauai Records

Family court jurisdiction in Kauai County follows HRS Chapter 571, the same statute that governs all Hawaii family courts. The Fifth Circuit has authority over divorce, child custody and support, adoption, paternity, guardianship, domestic violence, and juvenile matters. Court procedures follow Hawaii Rules of the Courts of Record.

Public access rights are governed by HRS Chapter 92F. Under HRS §92F-11, any person can request public records and the agency must respond within 10 business days. Free in-person inspection is guaranteed; fees apply only when you request copies. Exceptions include sealed adoption records, confidential juvenile dependency cases, and any records restricted by court order.

Copy fees follow Hawaii Judiciary fee schedules derived from HRS §607-5: $1.00 per page in person, $2.00 per document for certified copies, and $3.00 per document for online downloads. These fees apply to Kauai County family court records the same as at other circuits.

Legal Help in Kauai County

Kids First at the Fifth Circuit supports parents and children going through custody and family court matters. Call (808) 482-2330. The Children's Justice Center for Kauai County is at 4473 Pahee Street, Suite M, Lihue, HI 96766, phone (808) 246-0923.

The Kauai Self-Help Center at (808) 909-2836 offers walk-in assistance for people filling out family court forms. Legal Navigator Hawaii (legalnavigatorhawaii.org) provides referrals to legal aid and self-help resources for Kauai County residents. The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii serves Kauai County for civil legal matters and can assist with family court cases for those who qualify financially.

The Kauai Law Library is open to the public and provides free access to legal research materials, court rules, and Hawaii statutes. No appointment is needed during regular library hours.

Cities in Kauai County

No communities in Kauai County currently meet the population threshold for dedicated city-level family court records pages. Residents of Lihue, Kapaa, Princeville, and other Kauai communities should use the Fifth Circuit Court resources listed on this page.

Nearby Counties

All Hawaii counties maintain family court records through their respective circuit courts.