Big Lake Marriage Records
Big Lake marriage records are part of the Alaska state vital records system and are processed through the Wasilla Court in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Big Lake is an unincorporated community west of Wasilla and Palmer, and residents use the Wasilla courthouse for marriage license applications. Certified copies of marriage certificates come from the state HAVRS offices in Anchorage or Juneau. This page covers how to find Big Lake marriage records, apply for a license, and request official copies.
Big Lake Quick Facts
How to Get Big Lake Marriage Records
Certified copies of Big Lake marriage records are issued by the Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records Section. The Anchorage office is the closest option for Big Lake residents: 3901 Old Seward Hwy Ste 101, Anchorage, AK 99503. Phone: (907) 269-0991. Big Lake is about 60 miles from Anchorage, so visiting in person is a reasonable option. The Juneau office is at 5441 Commercial Blvd, Juneau, AK 99801, phone (907) 465-3391. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You can also order online through VitalChek, which is the state-authorized service for Alaska vital records. Expedited orders take about three to four weeks. Mail orders go directly to HAVRS. The HAVRS vital records page has current order forms, fees, and eligibility information. The first certified copy is $30. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $25. Alaska restricts marriage records for 50 years from the event date. After that, they are public.
Records that are less than 50 years old can only be requested by the parties named, their immediate family, or authorized legal representatives. If you are requesting on behalf of someone else, bring documentation showing your authorization.
The Alaska HAVRS vital records page above is where Big Lake residents submit requests for certified marriage certificates through the state system.
Wasilla Court Serving Big Lake
Big Lake does not have its own courthouse. Marriage licenses for Big Lake residents are issued at the Wasilla Court, located at 3201 E Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Wasilla, AK 99654. Phone: (907) 352-3200. Wasilla is about 15 miles east of Big Lake. Both applicants must appear together at the courthouse with valid government-issued photo ID. The in-person fee is $60. Mailed applications cost $70.50.
Alaska requires a three-day waiting period between when you apply and when you can use the license. Under AS 25.05.261, the license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. If no ceremony takes place in that window, the license expires. The Alaska Court System directory has the full Wasilla Court listing with hours and contact information. Court staff can help process your application but cannot provide legal advice.
The Alaska Court directory above shows the Wasilla Court listing that serves Big Lake for marriage license applications in the Mat-Su Borough.
Marriage License Requirements for Big Lake
Both parties must be at least 16 years old. Under AS 25.05.171, applicants between 16 and 17 need written parental or guardian consent before the license can be issued. Both people must appear at the Wasilla Court with valid photo ID. Alaska has no residency requirement. Visitors and out-of-state residents can apply for a marriage license in the Mat-Su Borough the same as anyone who lives here.
Some marriages are not permitted. AS 25.05.021 bars marriages between close relatives. Alaska does not recognize common law marriage. Two people who have lived together in Big Lake for years are not legally married without a license and a formal ceremony. Under AS 25.05.301, the person who performs the ceremony must return the signed marriage certificate to HAVRS after the event. This step enters the marriage into the official state record and makes certified copies available in the future.
Mat-Su Borough Records and Alaska Law
Big Lake is an unincorporated community. There is no city government here. Marriage records and license applications go through the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and state systems. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has its own local government that handles certain public records, but marriage licenses are issued exclusively through the Alaska court system. If you have questions about borough-level records, the borough government can help direct you to the right resource.
For historical records of marriages in the Mat-Su Valley, the Alaska State Archives at archives.alaska.gov holds original documents. FamilySearch has digitized collections including Palmer Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from 1935 to 1959, which covers the broader Mat-Su area. The Alaska Court Self-Help Center has free online resources about marriage and family law for people with general questions.
Note: Big Lake residents who want to avoid the drive to Wasilla can also submit a mailed application to the court, though both parties still need to appear in person at some point to finalize the license.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Marriage Records
Big Lake is in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. All marriage licenses and records for this community are part of the borough-wide system. For more details on how marriage records work across the Mat-Su Borough, visit the borough page.
Nearby Mat-Su Area Cities
These Mat-Su area communities are near Big Lake. All use the same state vital records system and Wasilla Court area for marriage licenses and certified copies.