Petersburg Borough Marriage License
Getting a marriage license in Petersburg Borough starts with the state HAVRS system. The Petersburg District Court is the main local resource for license assistance, and the Juneau HAVRS office is the nearest walk-in state vital records location for most residents. This page covers what to bring, fees, the waiting period, and how to get your certified certificate.
Petersburg Borough Overview
How to Get a Marriage License in Petersburg Borough
All marriage licenses in Alaska are issued by the state through HAVRS. The Petersburg District Court is the local court resource for the borough. Petersburg is on Mitkof Island in Southeast Alaska and is accessible primarily by ferry and air. The borough is in the First Judicial District, which covers all of Southeast Alaska. The Juneau HAVRS office, accessible by ferry, is the nearest walk-in state vital records location.
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 applies.
If either applicant was divorced within the past 60 days, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree. The officer must see it before issuing the license.
Petersburg District Court
The Petersburg District Court handles civil and criminal matters for the 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 under AS 25.05.261.
| Court | Petersburg District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 103 Main Street Petersburg, AK 99833 |
| Phone | (907) 772-3824 |
| District | First Judicial District |
The 3-Day Waiting Period
Alaska requires a mandatory three-day waiting period under AS 25.05.031. No exceptions. The day of issuance does not count as day one. The license is valid for 90 days. If the ceremony does not happen within 90 days, it expires. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to HAVRS within seven days to officially record the marriage.
Alaska Vital Records Offices
The Juneau HAVRS office is the nearest walk-in location for Petersburg residents and is accessible by Alaska Marine Highway ferry. The Anchorage office is also available for those who fly there. Mail-in applications go to the Juneau address.
| HAVRS Juneau | 5441 Commercial Blvd, Juneau AK 99811-0675 (907) 465-3391 |
|---|---|
| HAVRS Anchorage | 3901 Old Seward Hwy Ste 101, Anchorage AK 99503 (907) 269-0991 |
| bvsoffice@alaska.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Order certified copies through VitalChek online. A service fee applies.
Getting Your Marriage Certificate
After HAVRS records the marriage, order a certified copy: $30 for the first, $25 for each additional at the same time. Heirloom certificates: $65 for the first, $60 for each additional. Not accepted for legal use. Alaska marriage records are confidential for 50 years. Historical records for the Petersburg region are available at the Alaska State Archives and through FamilySearch Alaska.
Alaska Marriage Law Overview
Alaska marriage law is in Title 25, Chapter 25.05. AS 25.05.011 covers who may marry; AS 25.05.021 covers the license process; 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. See the Alaska Court System marriage FAQ for full details.
Communities in Petersburg Borough
Petersburg Borough includes the city of Petersburg and the surrounding area on Mitkof Island and nearby areas. No communities in the borough meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. All marriage license applications go through the state HAVRS system.
Nearby Boroughs
These boroughs border or are near Petersburg Borough. All use the same state HAVRS licensing process.