Marriage License Fee in Alaska

The Alaska Department of Health, through Vital Records, issues the license and sets the application fee. The fee on this page refers to the cost to process the marriage license application itself, not the cost of a ceremony, officiant, or certified copies later. Alaska's marriage license is valid only for marriages performed in Alaska or Alaska State waters, so the fee pays for a license that can only be used within the state.

Both Alaska residents and nonresidents may apply, and no blood test is required, but the license still must be issued by Alaska Vital Records or an Alaska court office before the ceremony can occur. This page explains the statewide fee, how to pay it, and the timing rules that affect when the license can be used.

The Alaska marriage license page lists a $60.00 Marriage License Application fee for standard processing. If the license is mailed out, the total is $70.00, which reflects the $60.00 application fee plus $10.00 for Priority Mail with tracking.

Because the fee is set by the state Vital Records office, the base amount does not change by location, but the way you submit the application (in person or by mail) can affect the total. The fee is tied directly to the application and issuance process and does not cover optional services such as certified copies of the marriage certificate.

In practice, that means you can apply through the Vital Records office in Juneau or through a local court office that accepts marriage license applications. Use the Alaska Court System directory to find a court office near you and confirm local submission procedures or pickup availability.

Even though court offices can accept applications, the license is still issued under the authority of Alaska Vital Records, so statewide rules and fees apply regardless of where you submit the application. Contact the office you plan to use before you visit to confirm hours and any appointment rules.

The first step is to complete the Marriage License Application form and submit it with the required fee. The application asks for identifying information for both parties and requires information about any previous marriages, including the dates the prior marriage began and ended.

Because the license is valid only in Alaska or Alaska State waters, you should apply only if your ceremony will occur within Alaska. Once the application is received and the waiting period has passed, the issuing office will release the license for pickup or mailing based on the submission method you chose.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor maintains a directory of notaries by community, which can help if you need a local option. This flexibility means you can complete the notarization before visiting a court office, which can shorten the time needed on the day you submit the application.

Because the issuing office cannot process an application that is not properly notarized, confirm notarization requirements early and bring the notarized form when you submit your application and fee. If you plan to use a court office, ask whether the office provides notary service on-site and whether appointments are required.

For visitors, that means your travel schedule must allow time for the application to be received, the three-business-day waiting period to run, and pickup or delivery before the ceremony. If you plan to apply by mail from out of state, add shipping time on both ends and consider the Priority Mail option for tracking.

If you plan to apply in person after you arrive, confirm local office hours and the earliest pickup date after the waiting period so you can coordinate your officiant, venue, and any travel plans.

Payment is made to Alaska Vital Records. If you apply by mail and need the license mailed back to you, the state notes a $10.00 Priority Mail option that brings the total to $70.00 and provides tracking. Regular mail can take up to four weeks or longer and cannot be tracked.

Because the waiting period does not start until the application is received, mailing time can extend the overall timeline. If you are on a tight schedule, submitting in person or using Priority Mail helps reduce uncertainty.

The Department of Health explains that you must wait at least three full business days after submission before you can pick up the license and before the marriage ceremony can be performed. The waiting period starts when the application is received, not when it is mailed, so the submission method affects the timeline.

For in-person applications, this can mean a short delay between submission and pickup. For mailed applications, the waiting period begins after delivery, which can add days or weeks depending on shipping time and office processing schedules.

The Department of Health states that the marriage must be performed before the three-month expiration or the license will no longer be valid. The state also notes that refunds and extensions cannot be granted.

That means if the license expires before the ceremony occurs, you must submit a new application and pay the fee again. Because the validity window is fixed at three months, schedule your application so the issuance date falls within three months of the planned ceremony date.

The Department of Health states that if either party has been married previously, the beginning and ending dates of all previous marriages must be listed on the application. The state also requires a copy of the divorce decree if the divorce or dissolution occurred less than sixty days prior to applying for the marriage license.

This documentation requirement can slow down the application if you do not have the decree available, so gather it in advance if the prior marriage ended within the last two months. If the prior marriage ended earlier, the state does not require the decree but still requires accurate dates.

The court also notes that a marriage may be performed in any religious organization according to its established ritual or form. This statewide list is important for planning because the license fee does not include any officiant services.

Couples should confirm their officiant qualifies under Alaska law and arrange the ceremony separately from the license application.

The court system states that anyone can perform the ceremony if they first obtain a marriage commissioner appointment from an Alaska court, and the person must be at least 18 years old but does not need to be an Alaska or U.S. resident. The court lists a $25 fee to process the marriage commissioner appointment application.

There is no statewide waiting period for the appointment, but the court notes that procedures vary by judicial district and some districts ask applicants to submit the request at least a week before the wedding. Contact the local court office for the timing and submission details.

The Department of Health explains that a Certificate of Marriage, which shows that the marriage is registered with the state, costs an additional $30 and can be ordered after you return your signed marriage license. This certificate is the document typically used for name changes, insurance, or other legal updates.

Because it is an extra fee, plan for it separately if you know you will need certified documentation. Ask the issuing office about how and when to order the certificate and the acceptable payment method at that time.

Another common delay is failing to provide the divorce decree when a divorce or dissolution occurred within 60 days of applying. Mailing delays can also push back the waiting period start date, especially if regular mail is used.

Finally, couples sometimes plan a ceremony outside the three-month validity window or before the three-business-day waiting period expires. Confirm timelines with the office handling your application to avoid rescheduling.