Marriage licenses in Alaska are handled locally, and the details that matter — the fee, the wait, how long the license lasts — are set by state law. This page collects the statewide rules from Alaska’s own official sources, then links every county guide we have verified so far.
The statewide rules
- Who issues the license: Alaska Vital Records offices (Juneau and Anchorage) and Alaska Court offices elsewhere in the state – NOT borough/county clerks; application by mail to Vital Records also accepted
- License fee (statewide): $60
- Waiting period: 3 business days – the license is available for pickup (or mailing) 3 business days after a completed application is received
- License validity: 90 days once the license is issued and picked up (the application itself is valid for 1 year)
- Witnesses: 2 competent witnesses must be present at the solemnization (AS 25.05.301); the completed license is signed by one witness
- Minimum age: 18; a 16- or 17-year-old requires a court order AND written consent of legal parents/guardians, with no more than a 3-year age difference between the parties; no one under 16 may marry
- Residency / where to apply: Both Alaska residents and nonresidents are eligible; the license is valid only for marriages performed in Alaska or Alaska state waters
- Who can officiate: Persons authorized under AS 25.05.261, including judges and clergy, and any person 18 or older who first obtains a one-day marriage commissioner appointment from an Alaska court (AS 25.05.081) – e.g., a friend or relative
- Courthouse ceremonies: Yes – marriage commissioners (including court-appointed commissioners) perform ceremonies; the court fee schedule (Admin. Rule 9) lists $25 for performing a marriage ceremony and a $25 marriage commissioner fee
Alaska counties in this directory
We have published 4 verified county guides for Alaska so far. License fees on the verified county pages currently run from $60 to $60. 0 of them publish a separate ceremony fee. Browse them all: Browse all Alaska county guides — and use the search on the homepage to jump straight to your county.
Source for the statewide rules: https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/marriage-license/ (checked 2026-11-09). County figures are checked separately against each county’s own official page and carry their own verified dates. Always confirm with your county clerk before you go — this is not a government site.