Wasilla Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Wasilla means working through Alaska's state HAVRS system. Palmer Superior Court is the nearest courthouse resource.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Wasilla

Marriage licenses in Wasilla are issued through the state via HAVRS. There is no local vital records office in Wasilla itself. The most convenient in-person option for Wasilla residents is the Anchorage HAVRS office at 3901 Old Seward Hwy, Suite 101, about 40 to 50 miles south via the Parks Highway. The Palmer Superior Court at 435 S Denali Street in Palmer, just 10 miles east, also provides court services including marriage commissioner appointments.

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. 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.

Palmer Superior Court - Nearest Resource

The Palmer Superior Court handles civil and criminal matters for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and assists with marriage commissioner appointments. Any person 18 or older can be appointed as a commissioner for $25, authorizing them to perform one ceremony in Alaska.

Waiting Period and Certificate

The mandatory 3-day waiting period under AS 25.05.031 begins when the license is issued. The license is valid for 90 days. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to HAVRS within seven days. Order a certified copy of the marriage certificate after registration: $30 for the first, $25 for each additional. Order through VitalChek or at either HAVRS walk-in office. See the Alaska Court System marriage FAQ for more details.

Certified Copies and Historical Records

HAVRS holds all Alaska marriage records from 1913 onward. Records are confidential for 50 years under Alaska Stat. 18.50.270. After that period ends, records become publicly accessible. 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. Wasilla residents can request copies in person at the Anchorage HAVRS office at 3901 Old Seward Hwy, Suite 101 (907-269-0991), which is about 40 to 50 miles south via the Parks Highway. In-person requests are typically processed same-day. Heirloom certificates, suitable for framing, cost $65 for the first copy and $60 for each additional. Mail requests to the HAVRS Juneau office take longer, typically 1 to 2 weeks including transit time in both directions.

Borough and Nearby Cities

Wasilla is in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Nearby communities in the borough include Palmer, Big Lake, and Meadow Lakes.