| Circuit Court | Fifth Circuit Court — Legal Documents Branch (Lihue) |
|---|---|
| Clerk address | Puuhonua Kaulike, 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766 |
| Phone | Circuit Court (808) 482-2300; Legal Documents (document filing, records requests) (808) 482-2330; District Court Clerks, Courtroom 2 (808) 482-2645; Family Court Courtroom 1 (808) 482-2611; Family Court Courtroom 3 (808) 482-2391 |
| Hours | 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday except state holidays; public counter service 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Earliest records noted | Varies by court — older files may be on paper or microfilm |
| Plain copy fee | $1.00 for the first page of each document, plus $0.50 for each additional page |
| Certified copy fee | $2.00 certification fee per document, in addition to the copy charges |
Kauai County is the state Judiciary's Fifth Circuit (there is no Fourth Circuit — it was folded into the Third Circuit on Hawaii island in 1943). Circuit, District, and Family Court cases for Kauai and Niihau are all heard at one courthouse, Puuhonua Kaulike in Lihue, which keeps it simpler to find a case than on the multi-island Second and Third Circuits.
As in every Hawaii county, Kauai County's own government keeps no court records — the Fifth Circuit's Legal Documents Branch, part of the state Judiciary, holds every Circuit, District, and Family Court file for the island, and those cases are searchable through the statewide eCourt Kōkua system.
Because Circuit, District, and Family Court all share the Lihue courthouse, requests are generally routed by courtroom rather than by a separate building: District Court matters go through Courtroom 2, and Family Court matters are split between Courtroom 1 (juvenile, guardianship, adoption) and Courtroom 3 (divorce, paternity, family criminal).
Search Kauai County court records online
Circuit Court
Fifth Circuit Court — Legal Documents Branch (Lihue)
- Cost
- Free case search on eCourt Kokua; per-page and certification fees for copies
- Coverage
- Fifth Circuit Court felony, civil, probate, land court, and tax appeal cases for Kauai and Niihau
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Probate
Puuhonua Kaulike, 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue.
Other courts
Fifth Circuit District Court — Courtroom 2 (Lihue)
- Cost
- Free case search on eCourt Kokua; per-page and certification fees for copies
- Coverage
- Misdemeanors, DUI matters, traffic citations, and civil cases up to the district court limit for Kauai
- Records
- Criminal, Civil, Traffic
(808) 482-2645.
Other courts
Fifth Circuit Family Court — Courtrooms 1 and 3 (Lihue)
- Cost
- Free case search on eCourt Kokua for non-confidential cases; per-page and certification fees for copies
- Coverage
- Divorce, paternity, and family criminal matters (Courtroom 3); child protective services, juvenile, guardianship, and adoption (Courtroom 1)
- Records
- Family
Courtroom 1 (808) 482-2611; Courtroom 3 (808) 482-2391. Juvenile and adoption cases are confidential and not searchable online.
Other courts
eCourt Kōkua (statewide case search)
- Cost
- Free to search; document purchase $3.00 or $0.10/page, whichever is greater
- Coverage
- Statewide case search that includes all Fifth Circuit cases
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, Traffic
Start at the Judiciary's Search Court Records page for current eCourt access and system availability; the direct service may close for maintenance. Confirms which courtroom is handling a Family Court matter before you call.
What is available online
eCourt Kokua covers non-confidential Fifth Circuit Court, District Court, and Family Court dockets from the Lihue courthouse. Documents marked with a PDF icon can be purchased online. Family cases involving minors, adoption, and many domestic-violence matters are confidential and excluded from public search.
Which clerk has your record
In Hawaii, the clerk who keeps a file depends on which court heard the case. Check the court name on the case notice, citation, or order, then use the office and coverage details above to identify the record holder. Court names and responsibilities differ by state; a county clerk may not keep court case files. For federal cases, see the PACER guide. The full court structure is on the Hawaii page.
| Court | Typical cases | Records kept by |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Courts (First, Second, Third, and Fifth Circuits) | Felony criminal cases; Civil cases above the district court's jurisdictional limit; Land Court and Tax Appeal Court matters | Legal Documents Branch (Chief Clerk's Office) of the Circuit Court for that circuit |
| District Courts | Misdemeanors and violations; Traffic citations; Civil claims up to the district court limit | Legal Documents Branch (Chief Clerk's Office) of the District Court for that circuit |
| Family Courts | Divorce, custody, and paternity; Adoption; Child protective and juvenile cases | Legal Documents Branch (Chief Clerk's Office) of the Family Court for that circuit |
Request records in person or by mail
Kauai County clerk offices
Puuhonua Kaulike, 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: Circuit Court (808) 482-2300; Legal Documents (document filing, records requests) (808) 482-2330; District Court Clerks, Courtroom 2 (808) 482-2645; Family Court Courtroom 1 (808) 482-2611; Family Court Courtroom 3 (808) 482-2391
Hours: 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday except state holidays; public counter service 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Circuit, District, and Family Court records. Contact the Fifth Circuit's Legal Documents Branch at Puuhonua Kaulike, 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, or mail the Neighbor Island Request Form (2DP332) there, noting the courtroom (2 for District Court; 1 or 3 for Family Court) if known. Do not send payment with the form; the branch invoices copying and handling fees, payable by money order or certified/cashier's check, before sending copies.
Online. Search eCourt Kokua first to confirm the case exists and to purchase available documents directly rather than mailing a request.
Fees
| Item | Typical cost in Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | $1.00 for the first page of each document, plus $0.50 for each additional page |
| Certified copy | $2.00 certification fee per document, in addition to the copy charges |
Fees are set under HRS §607-5 and the fee schedules in the Rules of the Circuit Courts (RCCH 2.2) and Rules of the District Courts (RDCH 2.2); the amounts above are printed on the Judiciary's current Request to Access Court Record forms (1CP855, revised 08/2025, and SCP351). A $5.00 per-name search fee applies when no case number is given, and the Judiciary's Schedule of Fees and Costs (form 2DP331) adds $1.00 per page for microfilmed documents, $5.00 microfilm and off-site retrieval fees, $10.00 for rush requests, and fax charges. Invoices for written requests include certification unless the request says "no certification service needed." eCourt Kokua downloads are a flat $3.00 for documents up to 30 pages plus $0.10 per page beyond that; a $125 quarterly or $500 annual subscription covers unlimited downloads.
Need a copy an agency will accept? See how to get certified copies of court records.
Sealed and restricted records
Hawaii's Hawaii Court Records Rules (HCRR), adopted by the Supreme Court, govern which case information the Legal Documents Branch can show the public. Rule 9 covers how confidential personal information must be filed separately, and Rule 10.4 governs access to documents that a court has sealed or restricted. The clerks of each court are required to give public access to non-confidential dockets and documents through courthouse public-access terminals, but must restrict confidential, sealed, or restricted records to the parties and their attorneys.
The Hawaii guide lists every category of sealed and restricted record, and our guide to expunging or sealing a criminal record explains how to remove one from public view.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kauai County government keep court records?
No. Kauai County government runs police and county services, but all Circuit, District, and Family Court records for Kauai and Niihau are kept by the state Judiciary's Fifth Circuit Court at the Lihue courthouse.
Why is Kauai the Fifth Circuit if there's no Fourth?
Hawaii once had a separate Fourth Circuit covering part of Hawaii island; it was merged into the Third Circuit in 1943. The numbering was never changed, so Kauai has remained the Fifth Circuit.
Which courtroom handles a Kauai divorce or custody case?
Divorce, paternity, and family criminal matters go through Courtroom 3 of the Fifth Circuit Family Court. Juvenile, guardianship, and adoption matters go through Courtroom 1.
Can I search Kauai court cases online?
Yes, through eCourt Kokua, the same statewide system used for every Hawaii circuit. It is free to search; confidential family, juvenile, and adoption cases will not appear.
Sources
- Hawaii State Judiciary — General Information Contact (Kauai) — https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/kauai
- Hawaii State Judiciary — Circuit Courts — https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/circuit/circuit_courts
- eCourt Kōkua — https://www.courts.state.hi.us/legal_references/records/search_court_records
- County of Kauai — official website — https://www.kauai.gov/Home
- Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center — eCrim — https://ecrim.ehawaii.gov/ahewa/
- Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center — Name-Based Background Check — https://ag.hawaii.gov/hcjdc/criminal-history-records-check/name-base-background-check/
- Hawaii State Judiciary — Instructions for Accessing Court Records — https://www.courts.state.hi.us/hawaii-state-judiciary-instructions-for-accessing-court-records
- Hawaii State Judiciary — Submit a Written Request to Access/Purchase a Court Record — https://www.courts.state.hi.us/accessing_court_records_step3
- Hawaii Court Records Rules (HCRR) — https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hcrr.pdf
- Hawaii State Judiciary — Request to Access Court or ADLRO Record, District Court (form 1CP855, fees) — https://www.courts.state.hi.us/docs/1FP/1CP855.pdf
- Hawaii State Judiciary — Schedule of Fees and Costs for Frequently Requested Services (form 2DP331) — https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2DP331.pdf
- Hawaii State Judiciary — How to Access Court Records, First Circuit (form 1FP1091) — https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1FP1091.pdf
- HRS §607-5 — Costs; Circuit Courts — https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol13_Ch0601-0676/HRS0607/HRS_0607-0005.htm
- HRS §831-3.2 — Expungement Orders — https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0801-0853/HRS0831/HRS_0831-0003_0002.htm
- United States District Court for the District of Hawaii — https://www.hid.uscourts.gov/
See also: all Hawaii counties.