Getting a Marriage License in Alaska

Marriage licenses are issued by the state's Health Analytics and Vital Records section: apply in person at the Vital Records office in Anchorage or Juneau, at an Alaska court office elsewhere in the state, or by mail. One party files the application at least three days before the license is issued, and both parties make a sworn statement (which may be signed before a notary or postmaster) about names, ages, residences, prior marriages and any relationship; both must be identified to the licensing officer's satisfaction and give Social Security numbers. The Department of Health says the license is available three business days after a completed application is received; the licensing officer may waive the wait for undue hardship. Once issued, the license is valid for 90 days. The application fee is $60, plus a mailing charge if the license is mailed. The signed license must be returned to Vital Records to register the marriage; a certificate of marriage costs $30 more.

Each person must be 18 or older, unless a superior court judge grants permission or the person is an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces. A judge may allow a 16- or 17-year-old to marry after a hearing if the marriage is in the minor's best interest, the other party is no more than three years older, and the parents consent (or are arbitrarily withholding consent, absent, in disagreement, or unfit to decide). No one under 16 may marry.