Valdez Marriage License

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

Valdez District Court

The Valdez District Court at 213 Meals Ave handles civil and criminal matters for the area. Marriage commissioner appointments can be made here for $25, authorizing any person 18 or older to perform one ceremony in Alaska under AS 25.05.261. The court is under the Third Judicial District.

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 Anchorage HAVRS office. The 3-day waiting period under AS 25.05.031 begins when the license is issued and cannot be waived. The license is valid for 90 days.

Waiting Period and Validity

The mandatory 3-day waiting period under AS 25.05.031 begins when HAVRS issues the license. It cannot be waived for any reason. The license is valid for 90 days. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to HAVRS within seven days. Valdez officiants typically mail the signed license to the Anchorage HAVRS office, though it can also be mailed to the Juneau office.

Who Can Perform the Ceremony

Clergy, judges, magistrates, and justices of the peace can all legally perform marriages in Alaska. The Valdez District Court also processes marriage commissioner appointments under AS 25.05.261. Any adult 18 or older can pay $25 at the court to be appointed as a commissioner for one ceremony anywhere in Alaska. This process is useful for Valdez couples who want a specific person to officiate, such as a friend from the pipeline community or a local guide. Valdez is surrounded by dramatic mountain and fjord scenery, and outdoor ceremonies are common in the summer months. There are no legal restrictions on where a ceremony is held in Alaska.

Certified Copies and Records

HAVRS stores all Alaska marriage records from 1913 onward. Records are restricted for 50 years under Alaska Stat. 18.50.270. After that, they are publicly available. Before the 50-year cutoff, eligible requesters include parties to the marriage, their parents, adult children, siblings, and legal representatives. Order certified copies through VitalChek online or by mailing a written request to HAVRS. Include both parties' full names, 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. Valdez residents can also request copies in person at the Anchorage HAVRS office at 3901 Old Seward Hwy, Suite 101, accessible via the Richardson Highway. Heirloom certificates cost $65 for the first copy. Call (907) 269-0991 with questions about record availability or order processing.

Borough and Nearby Cities

Valdez is in the Chugach Census Area. The nearest major city is Anchorage via the Richardson Highway.