How to Apply For a Marriage License in Alaska

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013.

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Marriage is a social union, or legal contract, between two individuals that is usually recognized by the state, a religious authority, or both. In order to secure a civil marriage, one must follow the laws and procedures of the state or municipality where the ceremony will occur. The state of Alaska requires that the engaged couple file a joint application for a marriage license.

Preparing to Get Your License

• As of 2015, same sex marriage is legal in all 50 states. [1] X Research source
• Marriage between first cousins is permitted in Alaska, but not marriage between closer relatives, including parents or their siblings. [2] X Trustworthy Source National Conference of State Legislatures Bipartisan, nongovernment organization serving the members of state legislatures and their constituents Go to source

• A parental consent form can be acquired from the local court.
• A special exemption is granted to members of the armed forces, who are not required to get parental consent.

• In some cases, where it is proven that undue hardship would be incurred if the issuance of the license is delayed until the end of the waiting period, a licensing officer might be willing to waive the requirement. [5] X Research source

Plan a wedding in Alaska that will take place not more than three months after you apply for your license. Although you do not have to be a resident of Alaska to be married in the state, the license is only valid for weddings conducted within the state or in state waters. After three months, the license will expire. Therefore, it is important to have wedding plans settled before applying for the license. [6] X Research source

Applying for Your License

Secure the necessary information for the application. The application will require basic information like your current name, name as listed on birth certificate, Social Security number, address, date of birth, and place of birth. If either party has been married previously, they will also need to supply information about these marriages. That includes the name of spouse, the date and location of the wedding, as well as the date and place at which the marriage was terminated, and the way in which it was terminated (death, divorce, dissolution, or annulment).

Download and fill out the marriage license application. Download the application here. Use blue or black ink to fill out form. One applicant should fill in the information designated for “Party A,” and the other should separately fill out information in the column designated for “Party B.” Be careful not to sign the form until you have been sworn in by a licensing officer.

• You can find a list of courts with licensing officers here. The state recommends that you visit the one closest to the site of the wedding or whichever would be most convenient for picking up the completed license directly prior to the wedding. You must pick up the license from the same location that you submitted the application.
• The courts in Anchorage and Juneau do not accept marriage applications. Applications should instead be submitted to the local office of the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• Both parties must be present and sober. [8] X Research source
• If you are getting remarried and applying for a license less than sixty days after the termination of your last marriage, you should also bring a divorce decree to the licensing officer to confirm the completion of your divorce.
• Applicants under the age of 18 should bring a birth certificate certified within 30 days of the date of submission of the application.

Pick up the marriage license after three days. Contact the office ahead of time to verify that the application has been properly processed. Pick up the completed marriage license per specific instructions.

Wed before an officiant and two witnesses. After a ceremony at which the two parties have wed, the license should be signed by an officiant and two witnesses. The witnesses can be any two people of sound mind who were present at the wedding. The officiant should be a minister, priest, rabbi, judicial officer, or marriage commissioner. [9] X Research source Return the license to the court and then request a marriage certificate online from the site of the Bureau of Vital Records.