Haines Borough Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Haines Borough means working with Alaska's statewide HAVRS system, with the Haines District Court serving as the local resource for license assistance and marriage commissioner appointments. This page covers what you need to apply, fees, the waiting period, and how to get a certified copy of your certificate.

How to Get a Marriage License in Haines Borough

Marriage licenses in Haines Borough are issued by the Alaska Department of Health through the Health Analytics and Vital Records Section (HAVRS). The Haines District Court is the local resource where couples can get assistance with the application. Haines is in the First Judicial District, which covers Southeast Alaska. The borough is relatively small and remote, accessible mainly by ferry and air, so planning ahead is especially important here.

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 before a licensing officer and sign the application together. The license fee is $60 in person or $70 by mail. No blood test is required, and there is no residency requirement. Couples can apply here regardless of where they live.

If either applicant was divorced within the past 60 days, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree. The licensing officer must see it before issuing the license. This rule applies statewide and has no exceptions.

Haines District Court

The Haines District Court serves the borough under the First Judicial District. Staff can direct you to the right forms and help with marriage commissioner appointment requests. This is also where judges and magistrates authorized to perform ceremonies are based.

The 3-Day Waiting Period

Under AS 25.05.031, Alaska requires a mandatory three-day waiting period after the license is issued. No exceptions exist. The license becomes valid on day four. It stays valid for 90 days. If the ceremony does not happen within 90 days, the license expires and you must apply again and pay again.

Given Haines's remote location and limited ferry and flight schedules, build extra time into your plans. Apply several weeks before the intended ceremony date so the waiting period, travel logistics, and any document questions can be handled without rushing. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to HAVRS within seven days so the marriage is officially recorded.

Alaska Vital Records Offices

Because Haines is a small borough, most residents use the mail-in process or travel to the Juneau HAVRS office, which is accessible by ferry from Haines. The Juneau office is the closer of the two state walk-in locations.

Certified copies can also be ordered through VitalChek online. This adds a service fee but allows remote ordering without a trip to the office.

Getting Your Marriage Certificate

After the ceremony, the signed license must be returned to HAVRS within seven days. Once recorded, you can order a certified copy. The first certified copy costs $30, and each additional copy ordered at the same time is $25. A decorative heirloom certificate is $65 for the first copy and $60 for each additional. Alaska marriage records are confidential for 50 years, then become public. Historical records for Haines and the surrounding First District area can be found through the Alaska State Archives and the FamilySearch Alaska collection.

Alaska Marriage Law Overview

Alaska marriage law is in Title 25, Chapter 25.05. Key rules: AS 25.05.011 covers who may marry; AS 25.05.021 covers the application; AS 25.05.031 sets the three-day wait; AS 25.05.261 authorizes marriage commissioners. Alaska does not recognize common law marriage. Any person 18 or older can be appointed as a marriage commissioner for $25 at any Alaska court. The Alaska Court System marriage FAQ has full details on this process.

Communities in Haines Borough

Haines Borough includes the city of Haines and surrounding communities such as Klukwan. No communities in the borough meet the qualifying population threshold for individual city pages on this site. All marriage license applications for residents go through the state HAVRS system.

Nearby Boroughs

These boroughs border or are near Haines. All use the same state HAVRS licensing process.