How to Officiate a Wedding in Anchorage, Alaska

If you have a soft spot for a more rustic way of life and an appreciation for natural beauty, you might be a fan of the state known as the Last Frontier: Alaska. This is not a land for the faint of heart -- with its long, subarctic winters and strange daylight hours, which fluctuate throughout the year. But as extreme as this state’s living conditions are, the state’s natural wonders make it worth the while. It’s home to the stunning Northern Lights and the tallest mountain in North America, Denali.

If you’re considering getting married in Anchorage, we’re all for it. As the state’s most populous city, Anchorage is home to some spectacular venues, like the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge and the Alaska Mountain Rugby Grounds. These venues offer large, architecturally-stunning spaces that are perfect for a big celebration.

Or if you want to tap more into your adventurous side and get married on a glacier in Alaska, why book a package with Anchorage Helicopter Tours? They’ll fly you right to the top to say your vows! You can keep it simple by eloping with just an officiant and a single witness, or invite a party of up to 50 people. You’re guaranteed an adrenaline rush and an epic “I do” that you’ll never forget.

Whether you’re a long-time resident or a prospective visitor, our guide has all the info you need to start moving forward with your wedding plans.

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to Alaska Statute 25.05.261(a), the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies:

• (1) “A minister, priest, or rabbi of any church or congregation in the state, or by a commissioned officer of the Salvation Army, or by the principal officer or elder of recognized churches or congregations that traditionally do not have regular ministers, priests, or rabbis, anywhere within the state;
• (2) by a marriage commissioner or judicial officer of the state anywhere within the jurisdiction of the commissioner or officer; or
• (3) before or in any religious organization or congregation according to the established ritual or form commonly practiced in the organization or congregation.”
• (4) by an individual holding an elective public office in the state.

If you do not fall into any of these categories, that’s no problem. You can get ordained in Alaska with AMM to qualify as a "minister" to meet the requirement in subsection (1). AMM's online ordination process is free and takes only a minute to finish. Once you have been ordained by AMM, you're authorized to officiate a wedding anywhere in Alaska, and your ordination never expires. 

If you prefer not to get ordained, you can become a temporary "marriage commissioner" by registering with the Alaska Court System and paying a fee (approximately $30). You must know the exact date of the wedding before applying to be a marriage commissioner; if the date changes, or you wish to officiate a second wedding, you must reapply. 

STEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Anchorage

Now that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor like no other, but can also feel like a lot of pressure. You might like our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.

Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.

STEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

When it comes to the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain and complete it, be sure to double check that they have a valid marriage license before the ceremony. You will returned the completed license to Health Analytics & Vital Records. 

In Anchorage, after you have performed the ceremony and signed the marriage license (along with one witness), it's your responsibility to return the completed document to the Health Analytics & Vital Records within seven days. (The license must be recieved within this timeframe.)

Once that's done, you've successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. So, take the rest of the day off and head down to Anchorage Brewing Company. You’ve earned it!
 

File for the Marriage License from an Alaskan Vital Records Office

Now let’s turn our attention to the couple’s responsibilities.

You can get started on your marriage license by downloading a PDF of the marriage application here. Once the application is printed off and completed, mail it or bring it to a Health Analytics and Vital Records Section (HVRS) office in person (Juneau or Anchorage), or to one of the other courthouses sprinkled throughout the state. You must apply for your marriage license at least three (3) days prior to the ceremony, and up to three (3) months before the ceremony. 

When you go to the office, also remember to bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, military ID, or Tribal/BIA card.

Below is important information pertaining to marriage licenses issued in Anchorage. For clarification on what this information means you can check out our Marriage License Laws Explained page.

After the marriage has taken place and the certificate has been signed by the officiant and a witness, the officiant must return the original Certification of Marriage to the HAVRS office in Juneau or Anchorage within seven (7) days. If the return deadline is missed, the couple may need to apply for a new license, though it may be accepted provided certain conditions are met. To avoid complications in registering the marriage, return the license on time! 

The Basics

While Anchorage is the most populous city in the state, there’s no shortage of space. The city stretches almost 2,000 square miles – which makes it bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island. You can see six different mountain ranges from the city: the Chugach, Kenai, Talkeetna, Tordrillo, Alaska and Aleutian.

Throughout the spring and summer, there are a few major events that attract visitors in high numbers. The world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, kicks off in downtown Anchorage on the first Saturday of every March, so you’re bound to face major crowds in town that weekend. The rest of the year, the city stays pretty calm, but you may want to check the calendar to make sure that you don’t schedule your wedding on a day that attracts crowds and traffic.

Transportation

Anchorage’s public bus system is officially (and hilariously) named the “People Mover.” It’s a reliable and cheap way to get around the city.

If you’d rather navigate Anchorage by car, you won’t have too much of a problem, as there is only one major roadway: Highway 1. By the way, it’s known as one of the most scenic drives in America.

If you don’t want to go to the expense and trouble of renting a car, ridesharing services Lyft and Uber are now well-established and fairly reliable both during the day and at night.

Weather

Due to Alaska’s geographic positioning at 61 degrees North, days are extra long during the summer, while winter days are extra short, making for long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Average summer temperatures range from the mid 50s to the upper 70s during the day, while winter temps fluctuate from about 5 to 30 degrees.

Unless you’re prepared for your wedding and guests to be buried in snow, you should probably plan your special day between mid-May and September, when the weather is at its most pleasant (and the wildlife is most visible and accessible.)