ABOUT RECIPROCAL BENEFICIARY RELATIONSHIPS

A reciprocal beneficiary relationship is a legal partnership between two people who are prohibited from marriage (HRS §572C-2). Certain rights and benefits which are presently available only to married couples are extended to the two individuals who enter into a reciprocal beneficiary relationship. Those persons entering into a reciprocal beneficiary relationship must register their relationship as reciprocal beneficiaries with the Department of Health.

The Department of Health is responsible only for registering the relationship. The Department of Health neither makes any determination of the validity of the reciprocal beneficiary relationship nor is an information source on the rights and benefits extended to reciprocal beneficiaries.

• Who is eligible to enter into a reciprocal beneficiary relationship
• How to register a reciprocal beneficiary relationship

Either party to a reciprocal beneficiary relationship may terminate the relationship by filing a declaration of termination of reciprocal beneficiary relationship with the Department of Health.

The Department of Health is responsible only for recording the declaration of termination. The Department of Health neither makes any determination of the validity of the termination of reciprocal beneficiary relationship nor is an information source on the consequences of the termination to the former reciprocal beneficiaries.

• How to file a declaration of termination of reciprocal beneficiary relationship

Getting Information on Registering a Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship or Filing a Declaration of Termination of Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship by Telephone

Information on registering a reciprocal beneficiary relationship or filing a declaration of termination of reciprocal beneficiary relationship with the Department of Health may be obtained via the telephone system, any day or any time, by calling (808) 586-4533.

Contacting The Department of Health by E-mail

To send an e-mail message, click on vr-info@mail.health.state.hi.us now.

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WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER INTO A RECIPROCAL BENEFICIARY RELATIONSHIP

• There are no state residency or U.S. citizenship requirements.
• The two individuals entering into a reciprocal beneficiary relationship must both be at least 18 years of age.
• Neither of the two individuals entering into a reciprocal beneficiary relationship can already be married nor be a party to another reciprocal beneficiary relationship.
• The consent of each individual entering into the reciprocal beneficiary relationship cannot have been obtained by force, duress, or fraud.
• The two individuals entering into a reciprocal beneficiary relationship must be prohibited by state law from marrying one another, which include but are not limited to relationships such as brother and sister of the half as well as to the whole blood, uncle and niece, aunt and nephew, widowed mother and her unmarried son, and two persons of the same sex/gender.

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HOW TO REGISTER A RECIPROCAL BENEFICIARY RELATIONSHIP

• Prepare and file a Registration of Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship form with the Department of Health (Registration forms may be downloaded from this site -see below).
• The Registration form must be notarized - contact your local bank about notary public services.
• A fee of $8.00 (money order or cashier’s check only - made payable to the State Director of Finance - and no cash or personal checks will be accepted) must be paid at the time of the filing of the Registration form.
• At least one stamped, self-addressed, legal-sized envelope must be provided along with the Registration form - two stamped, self-addressed, legal-sized envelopes must be provided if the two Certificates (see below) are to be sent to two different addresses.
• The notarized Registration form, payment, and envelope must be sent by postal mail to:

RBR Office
P.O. Box 591
Honolulu, HI 96809-0591

• After being registered, two Certificates of Registration of Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship (one for each party) will be sent by postal mail using the provided stamped, self-addressed, legal-sized envelope(s).
• Registration will not be accepted and Certificates of Registration will not be issued on a walk-in basis.
• Copies of the Certificate of Registration are available upon written request, sent to the same address listed above, at a fee of $8.00 per copy (payment must be made in the same manner as for the initial registration), and a stamped, self-addressed, legal-sized envelope must be provided along with the request and payment.

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HOW TO FILE A DECLARATION OF TERMINATION OF RECIPROCAL BENEFICIARY RELATIONSHIP

• Prepare and file a Declaration of Termination of Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship form with the Department of Health (Declaration of Termination forms may be downloaded from this site -see below).
• The Declaration of Termination form must be notarized - contact your local bank about notary public services.
• A fee of $8.00 (money order or cashier’s check only - made payable to the State Director of Finance - and no cash or personal checks will be accepted) must be paid at the time of the filing of the Declaration of Termination form.
• At least one stamped, self-addressed, legal-sized envelope must be provided along with the Declaration of Termination form - two stamped, self-addressed, legal-sized envelopes must be provided if the two Certificates (see below) are to be sent to two different addresses.
• The notarized Declaration of Termination form, payment, and envelope(s) must be sent by postal mail to:

RBR Office
P.O. Box 591
Honolulu, HI 96809-0591

• After filing, two Certificates of Termination of Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship (one for each party) will be sent by postal mail using the provided stamped, self-addressed, legal-sized envelope(s).
• Declarations of Termination will not be accepted and Certificates of Termination will not be issued on a walk-in basis.
• Copies of the Certificate of Termination of Reciprocal Beneficiary Relationship are available upon written request, sent to the same address listed above, at a fee of $8.00 per copy (payment must be made in the same manner as for the initial application), and a stamped, self-addressed, legal-sized envelope must be provided along with the request and payment.

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HOW TO OBTAIN REGISTRATION OR DECLARATION OF TERMINATION FORMS

Registration and Declaration of Termination forms may be picked up at the following locations:

Honolulu - Department of Health building
Lobby area (1^st floor)
1250 Punchbowl St. (corner of Beretania and Punchbowl Streets)
Call 586-4533 for more information

Hilo - Governor’s Liason Office
75 Aupuni Street
Call 974-6262 for more information

Kailua-Kona - Governor’s Liason Office
75170 Hualalai Road, #D114
Call 329-9066 for more information

Wailuku - Governor’s Liason Office
2264 Aupuni Street, #1
Call 243-5796 for more information

Lihue - Governor’s Liason Office
3060 Eiwa Street, #106
Call 274-3100 for more information