Fairbanks Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Fairbanks starts with the state HAVRS system. The Fairbanks District Court is the local courthouse resource.

Fairbanks District Court

The Fairbanks District Court at 101 Lacey Street is where you go for marriage license assistance and commissioner appointments in the city. Courthouse staff can help with forms and direct you through the HAVRS process. Marriage commissioner appointments are $25 and authorize any person 18 or older to perform one ceremony under AS 25.05.261.

Requirements and Fees

Both applicants must appear together in person. Each needs a valid government-issued photo ID. Under AS 25.05.021, both must be sworn in and sign the application at the same time. The fee is $60 in person or $70 by mail. No blood test needed. No residency requirement applies. If either applicant was divorced within the past 60 days, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree. Alaska does not recognize common law marriage.

After the ceremony, order a certified copy: $30 for the first, $25 for each additional at the same time. A heirloom certificate is $65 for the first and $60 for each additional. Order online through VitalChek or at either HAVRS walk-in office.

Waiting Period and Validity

The mandatory 3-day waiting period under AS 25.05.031 starts when the license is issued. The ceremony can happen on day four or later. The license is valid for 90 days. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to HAVRS within seven days. The Anchorage HAVRS walk-in office at 3901 Old Seward Hwy, Suite 101 is the nearest in-person option for Fairbanks residents needing walk-in service, accessible by the Parks Highway.

Certified Copies and Historical Records

HAVRS maintains all Alaska marriage records from 1913 onward. Records are confidential for 50 years under Alaska Stat. 18.50.270, after which they become available to the public. Before the 50-year cutoff, eligible requesters include the parties to the marriage, their parents, adult children, siblings, and legal representatives. Order certified copies through VitalChek online or by mailing a request to HAVRS. Include the full names of both parties, the marriage date, and the ceremony location. The fee is $30 for the first certified copy and $25 for each additional copy in the same order. Heirloom certificates cost $65 for the first and $60 for each additional. In-person requests can be made at the Anchorage HAVRS office during business hours.

Mail-In Process for Fairbanks Residents

Because there is no walk-in HAVRS office in Fairbanks, most residents apply by mail to the Juneau HAVRS office. Download the application form from the HAVRS website at health.alaska.gov or call (907) 465-3391 to request a packet. Both applicants must sign the application together in front of a notary or authorized official. Send the completed application with a $70 check or money order. HAVRS will process the application and mail the license back to Fairbanks. Allow at least 1 to 2 weeks for processing and return mail delivery. Factor this timeline into your ceremony planning so the license arrives with enough time for the 3-day wait before your scheduled date. Some Fairbanks couples plan a trip to Anchorage to handle the application in person and combine it with other errands, paying $60 instead of $70.

Borough and Nearby Cities

Fairbanks is in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Other nearby communities in the borough include College and Farmers Loop.