Ketchikan Marriage License

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

Ketchikan District Court

The Ketchikan District Court at 415 Main Street handles civil and criminal matters for the borough. Marriage commissioner appointments cost $25 and authorize any person 18 or older to perform one wedding ceremony in Alaska under AS 25.05.261.

Requirements and Fees

All marriage licenses in Alaska come from the state through HAVRS. Both applicants must appear together with valid photo ID. Under AS 25.05.021, both must be sworn in and sign at the same time. Fee: $60 in person, $70 by mail. No blood test. No residency requirement. If either was divorced in the past 60 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Alaska does not recognize common law marriage.

After the ceremony, order a certified copy: $30 for the first, $25 for each additional. Order through VitalChek or at the Juneau HAVRS office at 5441 Commercial Blvd. The 3-day waiting period under AS 25.05.031 begins when the license is issued. The license is valid for 90 days.

Waiting Period and Validity

The 3-day waiting period under AS 25.05.031 cannot be waived for any reason. It starts when HAVRS issues the license. The ceremony cannot happen until three full days after the issue date. The license is valid for 90 days. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to HAVRS within seven days. Ketchikan officiants typically mail the license back to either the Juneau or Anchorage HAVRS office. The Juneau office is the nearest walk-in location for Southeast Alaska. See the Alaska Court System marriage FAQ for additional details.

Who Can Perform the Ceremony

Clergy, judges, magistrates, and justices of the peace can all perform legal marriages in Alaska. The Ketchikan District Court processes marriage commissioner appointments for $25 per ceremony. Any adult 18 or older can be appointed as a commissioner, which authorizes one ceremony anywhere in Alaska. Ketchikan is known for its waterfront setting and scenic rainforest scenery. Outdoor and waterfront ceremonies are popular here. Alaska has no legal restriction on where a ceremony can take place, so couples have wide flexibility in choosing a venue.

Certified Copies and Records

HAVRS maintains all Alaska marriage records from 1913 forward. Records are confidential for 50 years under Alaska Stat. 18.50.270. After the 50-year period ends, records are public. Certified copies before the 50-year cutoff are available to parties of the marriage, parents, adult children, and legal representatives. Order through VitalChek online or by mailing a request to HAVRS with the 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 are $65 for the first copy. In-person orders can be placed at the Juneau HAVRS office at 5441 Commercial Blvd (907-465-3391).

Borough and Nearby Cities

Ketchikan is in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. The nearest larger city in Southeast Alaska is Juneau, accessible by ferry.