How to Find Alaska Marriage Records
Alaska was permanently founded by Russians from 1799 to 1867. The United States purchased Alaska in 1867 and made it a territory. In 1959 Alaska became the 49th state. Alaska is divided into boroughs rather than counties. There were no marriage records kept until 1913 when statewide registration of marriages began.
Finding Alaska Marriage Records
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More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate. |
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? |
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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records
Marriages Before 1913
Before 1913, no government marriages were recorded in Alaska. Church marriage records are included in the following Findmypast collection.
- United States Marriages – Alaska, 1895-1944 ($) index and images
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the other sections below, try searching for marriage information in other records.
| 1. Look first in | 2. Then search |
| Church Records |
Census Records |
Marriages 1913 to Present
Obtain the Record
Online records are available in the following collections:
- 1816-2005: Alaska Vital Records at FamilySearch; index & images
- 1895-1944: United States Marriages – Alaska at Findmypast - index ($)
With a date (from your records), you can order a copy of the marriage certificate for a fee from the following:
| Order Alaska Marriage Certificates | ||||
| 1913–Present - Alaska Division of Public Health. | $; Order marriage certificates through the Alaska Division of Public Health. They are restricted to the bride and groom in the last 50 years.[1] | |||
See list of restrictions for ordering marriage records.
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When ordering Alaska marriage records: The marriage application may be obtained from the closest courthouse to where the couple was married. The map will help show the divisions. The application may contain important genealogical information but it not considered proof that the marriage occurred. |
Restrictions for Obtaining Marriage Records
Restrictions for obtaining certificates for couples who married within the last 50 years[2]:
The following may obtain a copy of the marriage certificate for those who married within the last 50 years:
- The bride or groom may obtain a copy of their own marriage certificate.
- Legal representative must submit a certified copy of the legal document.
You need to supply:
- Copy of government-issued picture ID of the person requesting the marriage certificate.
Related Wiki Articles
Sources
- ↑ Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/VitalStats/Pages/default.aspx
- ↑ Alaska department of Health And Social Services, Division of Public Health, "Under Alaska law, all Vital Statistics records are strictly confidential until they become public records. Births become public records 100 years after the event; deaths, marriages, and divorces become public records 50 years after the event." http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/VitalStats/Pages/marriage/default.aspx