Work Permits

Under the Hawaii Child Labor Law, a child labor certificate or “work permit” is required for working minors until they reach 18 years of age.  There is no charge for the certificate, and we will generally issue a certificate as long as: (1) the minor is not legally required to be in school, and (2) the minor’s employment is not hazardous.  There are two types of certificates, depending upon the age of the minor.  The procedures to obtain these certificates are explained below. Here is the link to the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for more detail. 

Certificate of Employment (for 14- and 15-year-old minors)

When a 14- or 15-year-old minor is hired, the employer is required to obtain a Certificate of Employment before the minor starts working.  For the certificate to be issued, please complete the  following:

 

Minors 14 and 15 years of age may work:


Proof of Age:

•Birth Certificate

•Hawaii driver’s license or driver’s permit

•State of Hawaii ID

•Military ID

•Immigration record (alien card, passport, visa)

•Hospital record

•School record (NOT school ID)

•Court record

•Baptismal certificate

NOTE:  A social security card is NOT an acceptable proof of age document. 

Certificate of Age (for 16- and 17-year-old minors) 

If you are 16 or 17 years old and would like to apply for a worker's permit, complete Google Form by clicking HERE.

The Certificate of Age (eCL-3) is valid only when accompanied by an approved proof of age document, which are both presented to the employer at the time of hire.  No promise of a job is needed to obtain this certificate. The minor will be issued a Certificate of Age to use until age 18.

There are no restrictions on hours except when the minor is required to be in school. When the minor is hired, the employer is required to: (1) verify the minor’s name and birth date on the Certificate of Age with the proof of age document; (2) record the Certificate of Age number; and (3) return the Certificate of Age and proof of age document to the minor.