Sitka Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Sitka starts with the state HAVRS system. Sitka Superior Court is the local courthouse resource.

Sitka Superior Court

The Sitka Superior Court handles civil and criminal matters for the city and borough and assists with marriage commissioner appointments. Any person 18 or older can be appointed as a commissioner for $25 to perform one 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.

The Juneau HAVRS office at 5441 Commercial Blvd (907-465-3391) is the nearest walk-in state vital records location, accessible by ferry or floatplane. After the ceremony, order a certified copy: $30 for the first, $25 for each additional. Order through VitalChek or at the Juneau HAVRS office.

Waiting Period and Validity

The 3-day waiting period under AS 25.05.031 begins when the license is issued. No exceptions. The license is valid for 90 days. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to HAVRS within seven days. See the Alaska Court System marriage FAQ for full process details.

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 that period, records 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. Sitka residents can also make in-person requests at the Juneau HAVRS office at 5441 Commercial Blvd (907-465-3391), which is accessible by ferry or floatplane. Heirloom certificates suitable for framing are available for $65 for the first copy and $60 for each additional. Processing times are faster for in-person requests than for mail. Call (907) 465-3391 to ask about a specific record or to check on the status of a pending order. Mail requests go to: Alaska HAVRS, P.O. Box 110675, Juneau, AK 99811. Allow 1 to 2 weeks for mail processing and return delivery. Expedited processing is not available by mail.

Borough and Nearby Cities

Sitka is in the Sitka City and Borough. Nearby Southeast Alaska cities include Juneau and Ketchikan.