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HRS §574-2

Naming children on birth certificates

This section tells the birth registrar how to list a child's name on a birth certificate. For children born to married parents or later made legitimate, parents choose the name. If parents disagree, a court decides what is best for the child.

courtsparentsstate agencies

The statute, as written — Legitimate children

The registrar of births shall register any child born in wedlock as having both a family name and a given name chosen by one of the child's parents, or, if the parents do not agree on the name or names, the name or names specified by a court of competent jurisdiction to be in the best interests of the child; provided that the name or names of the child, if already registered on the birth certificate, need not be changed until the court order specifies otherwise. The registrar shall register any child legitimated, as provided in section 338-21, as having both a family name and a given name chosen by the child's parents, or, if the parents do not agree on the name or names, the name or names specified by a court of competent jurisdiction to be in the best interests of the child.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§338-21 Rights and birth certificates for children of unmarried parents

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.