Getting Married in Alaska

What could be more romantic than a wedding in the glittering snow of Alaska?

Why get married in Alaska?

Frozen plains, wild animals, deep river fjords, snowy wilderness, the last frontier… these are just some of the images conjured up by Alaska, where a wedding can be as romantic and sparkly as you could ever wish for. Juneau, the capital, is built between Mt Juneau and the Gastineau channel. It’s Alaska’s largest city, located in the southeast, and offers some of the best glacier viewing in the world.

Fairbanks is Alaska’s second largest city and was founded on gold discovered nearby, which led to the gold rush of 1903‐4. Anchorage started out because of the need for a railroad to the interior of Alaska and is named after the first Post Office opened there in 1915. As Alaska’s largest city, it has the highest population with nearly half of all Alaskans living there.

What kind of wedding ceremony can I have here?

You can have your wedding ceremony anywhere on land, so you can choose anything from a glacier field (via helicopter) to a chapel on a lake or at one of the many spectacular glacier gardens. If you want a religious service you should contact the church of your choice direct. Details of churches are obtainable from Alaska Tourism (see Further Information).

Is it wedding weather?

Southwest Alaska (average maximum)

Northern Alaska

Where can I find further information?

American Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
London
W1A 1AE
Tel: 0207 499 9000
www.usembassy.org.uk

Alaska Tourism
Tel: 01293 449146
www.travelalaska.com

Alaska Vital Records
5441 Commercial Blvd
Juneau
AK 99801
Tel: 00 1 907 465 3392
Fax: 00 1 907 465 3618

Disclaimer

Confetti makes reasonable efforts to obtain data from reliable sources and to keep the contents reasonably accurate. However, specifications and requirements may change and confetti cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content or information. We strongly advise you to consult other sources of information including the embassies or consulates of the countries in question or local lawyers.

What’s the flight time?

10 hours

What’s the time difference?

GMT‐8

Do I need a visa to enter the country?

No.

What’s the wedding paperwork?

• Residency There are no residency requirements and you can avoid the three working‐day waiting period before a marriage licence is granted by applying by post in advance.
• Medical checks None required.
• Proof of ID You will be required to appear in person at one of the marriage bureaus with your passports. (For addresses, see Where can I find further information?).
• Divorced A certified copy of your decree absolute will be required if your previous marriage ended within sixty days of your application.
• Widowed If you are widowed, you will be required to produce the death certificate of your former spouse.
• Age restriction You must both be 18 years old or over. If either of you is under 18, you should contact a bureau office for additional instructions.
• Name change If you have changed your name by deed poll, you’ll need to supply legal proof, stamped and signed by a solicitor. This also applies if a married woman has reverted to her maiden name.
• Adopted If you are adopted, you must produce your adoption certificate.

How do I obtain a marriage license?

There is a three‐day waiting period before a license can be granted. Application can be made in person, by phone, fax or letter. The waiting period begins once the necessary information is received. If your application is made by phone or fax a hard copy of the information must follow by mail. You must provide the following:

• Both of your names
• Your address
• Your telephone numbers
• All the appropriate documents listed in What’s the wedding paperwork

You can download an application from www.hss.state.ak.uk. Once your licence has been issued, it is valid for ninety days.