How Non-Residents Can Elope in Alaska: A Complete Marriage License & Elopement Guide (2027)

ALASKA
Written By Paige Kleckner

Okay so you’re eloping in Alaska. Amazing choice, terrible instructions from the state on how to actually make it legal. I did the digging so you don’t have to. Here’s your permission slip: everything you need, start to finish, to get your marriage license sorted without losing your mind (or a whole afternoon on the DMV website equivalent).

Step 1: Apply for Your Alaska Marriage License

  • | DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM | Download the application provided by State of Alaska.

Alaska Marriage License Application

  • | COMPLETE + SUBMIT FORM | Take your form + fee to the nearest Alaska Vital Records Office or Alaskan Court Office. Find the nearest office here.

Juneau, Alaska Vital Records Office contact information
Vital Records Office Website
Alaska Court Office
Couple in wedding attire drinking champagne together on a lush green mountainside after eloping in Alaska

Step 2: Wait the 3-Business-Day Processing Period

⏳Weekends & holidays don’t count — Wait 3 days for processing | plan ahead if applying near a weekend

🚨Tight timeline? The wait can sometimes be waived for hardship — ask a licensing officer

📅 License is valid for 90 days (3 months) after issue — don’t wait too long to say “I do”

Groom lifting bride's leg while kissing her on a rocky Alaska shoreline, mountains and lake in the background

Step 3: Pick Up Your Marriage License ($60)

  • | PAY FEE | $60for in-person pick up. $73 to have your marriage certificate mailed to you

  • | NOTARIZE IF MAILING | Sign the form in front of a notary public or postmaster if you are applying from out of town before you travel.

  • | BRING ID | such as a driver's license or passport.

Newly eloped couple laughing together in the car while holding a bottle of tequila to celebrate their Alaska elopement
 

Step 4: Return Your Marriage License Within 7 Days

  • | SIGN THE LICENSE | Your officiant, one witness, and you must sign the license.

  • | RETURNING THE LICENSE | The officiant or couple must mail or return the signed original to the Vital Records office within7 days of the wedding

blue hiking backpacks with wooden just married signs next to irange and red bouquet of flowers
a couple instanding in the green valleys of Hatcher Pass, Alaska

State of Alaska website

for additional info

Bride raising her bouquet in celebration while groom kisses her head after their Alaska marriage license elopement, mountains and lake in background
elopement services
Illustrated logo of two skeletons facing each other with a heart between them, encircled by a decorative floral wreath
Paige Kleckner