{"id":17074,"name":"Anchorage","state_id":4,"county_id":522,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:36:41.933-07:00","updated_at":"2024-09-20T14:18:52.393-07:00","meta_description":"Officiate weddings in Anchorage. Marriage ceremonies in the State of Alaska must be performed by an authorized person. AMM meets all requirements. Get Ordained Today!","head_tag":"American Marriage Ministries Guide to Performing Marriage in Anchortown","tagline":"Ready for a Frontier Wedding","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eIf 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\u0026rsquo;s living conditions are, the state\u0026rsquo;s natural wonders make it worth the while. It\u0026rsquo;s home to the stunning Northern Lights and the tallest mountain in North America, Mt. McKinley.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIf you\u0026rsquo;re considering getting hitched in America\u0026rsquo;s Last Frontier, we\u0026rsquo;re all for it. The state\u0026rsquo;s most populous city, Anchorage, is home to a handful of spectacular venues, like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.alaskacollection.com/lodging/talkeetna-alaskan-lodge/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTalkeetna Alaskan Lodge\u003c/a\u003e and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.alaskarugby.org/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAlaska Mountain Rugby Grounds\u003c/a\u003e, which both offer large, architecturally stunning spaces that are perfect for a big celebration.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOr if you want to tap more into your adventurous side, book a package with \u003ca href=\"https://www.alaskahelicoptertours.com/?_vsrefdom=adwords\u0026amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2rSH9P_PgQMVYPPjBx1RNQmHEAAYASAAEgIUQPD_BwE\"\u003eAnchorage Helicopter Tours\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;They\u0026rsquo;ll fly you to the top of a glacier to say your vows. You can keep it simple by eloping, or have a party of up to 50 people. You\u0026rsquo;re guaranteed an adrenaline rush and an epic \u0026ldquo;I do\u0026rdquo; that you\u0026rsquo;ll never forget.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhether you\u0026rsquo;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.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eStep\u0026nbsp;1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the ordainment process. According to Alaska Statute 25.05.261(a)(2), the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e(1) \u0026ldquo;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;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e(2) by a marriage commissioner or judicial officer of the state anywhere within the jurisdiction of the commissioner or officer; or\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e(3) before or in any religious organization or congregation according to the established ritual or form commonly practiced in the organization or congregation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you do not fall into any of these categories, that\u0026rsquo;s no problem. You can get \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eordained in the state of Alaska\u003c/a\u003e with AMM to qualify as a priest or minister. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe other option is to skip becoming ordained and get permission to perform a ceremony by obtaining a marriage commissioner appointment from an Alaskan court. However, you\u0026rsquo;ll have to pay an additional fee to do so.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Anchorage\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow 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 \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/officiant-training\"\u003ewedding training pages\u003c/a\u003e, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes to the marriage license, it\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to obtain and complete it, be sure to double check that they have a valid marriage license before the ceremony.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIn Anchorage, once you have performed the ceremony and signed the marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. The couple will take care of the rest. So, take the rest of the day off and head down to Anchorage Brewing Company. You\u0026rsquo;ve earned it!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003ch3\u003eFile for the Marriage License from an Alaskan Court Office\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow let\u0026rsquo;s turn our attention to the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibilities.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nYou can get started on your marriage license by downloading a PDF of the marriage application \u003ca href=\"http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/VitalStats/Documents/marriagel/Marriage_License.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e. Once printed off and completed, mail it or bring it to the Vital Records Section (VRS) office in person, in either Juneau or Anchorage, or one of the other \u003ca href=\"http://www.courts.alaska.gov/courtdir/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ecourthouses\u003c/a\u003e sprinkled throughout the state prior to the ceremony.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhen you go to the office, also remember to bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver\u0026rsquo;s license, passport, military ID, or Tribal/BIA card.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBelow is important information pertaining to marriage licenses issued in Anchorage. For clarification on what this information means you can check out our \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/officiant-training/marriage-license-waiting-period-expiration-and-return\"\u003eMarriage License Laws Explained\u003c/a\u003e page.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the marriage has taken place and the certificate has been signed by the couple and the officiant, the couple will need to mail the original Certificate of Marriage to the VRS office in Juneau or Anchorage within one year. If the deadline is missed, the couple will need to reapply and pay another license fee.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Anchorage is the most populous city in the state, there\u0026rsquo;s no shortage of space. The city stretches almost 2,000 square miles \u0026ndash; 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.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThroughout the spring and summer, there are a few major events that attract visitors in high numbers. The world\u0026rsquo;s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, kicks off in downtown Anchorage on the first Saturday of every March, so you\u0026rsquo;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\u0026rsquo;t schedule your wedding on a day that attracts crowds and traffic.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnchorage\u0026rsquo;s public bus system is officially (and hilariously) named the \u0026ldquo;\u003ca href=\"http://www.muni.org/Departments/transit/PeopleMover/Pages/mapsandstops.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePeople Mover\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026rdquo; It\u0026rsquo;s a reliable and cheap way to get around the city.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIf you\u0026rsquo;d rather navigate Anchorage by car, you won\u0026rsquo;t have too much of a problem, as there is only one major roadway: Highway 1. By the way, it\u0026rsquo;s known as one of the most scenic drives in America.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIf you don\u0026rsquo;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.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDue to Alaska\u0026rsquo;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.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nUnless you\u0026rsquo;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.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan anyone officiate a wedding in Anchorage, Alaska?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eUnder Alaska state law, a minister, rabbi, elder or other religious leader is empowered to solemnize marriage. They also need to me 18 or older.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I change my name after I get married in in Anchorage, Alaska?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no place where you can specify your married name on your marriage certificate. If you want to change your name after marriage, request a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much is the marriage license fee in Anchorage?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA $60 application fee, and since it\u0026rsquo;s a bit expensive, remember to time it correctly. Once you pick up your marriage license, you need to use it within three months. After this time, it expires and you\u0026#39;ll have to begin the process all over again.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e3601 C Street, Suite 128 Anchorage, AK 99503\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e$60\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e3 Days\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration: \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3 Months\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eBy mail or in person by the couple\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}