Search Unalaska Marriage Records
Unalaska marriage records are part of the Alaska state vital records system and are handled through the Unalaska Court in the Aleutians West Census Area. Also known as Dutch Harbor, Unalaska is one of the most remote cities in Alaska, located in the Aleutian Islands chain. Residents who need to apply for a marriage license or order a certified copy of a marriage certificate rely heavily on the local court and mail or online services for HAVRS requests. This page covers all the options available to people searching for Unalaska marriage records.
Unalaska Quick Facts
How to Get Unalaska Marriage Records
Certified copies of Unalaska marriage records come from the Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records Section. Because Unalaska is accessible only by plane or boat, mail and online ordering are the most practical options for most residents. The Anchorage HAVRS office at 3901 Old Seward Hwy Ste 101, Anchorage, AK 99503 handles walk-in requests and can be reached at (907) 269-0991. 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.
Online orders go through VitalChek. Expedited service takes about three to four weeks. Mail requests go directly to HAVRS. The HAVRS vital records page has current order forms, fees, and eligibility information. The first certified copy is $30. Additional copies of the same record requested at the same time are $25 each. Alaska restricts marriage records for 50 years from the event date. After that point, they are public and open to anyone who requests them.
Mail is the most common method for Unalaska residents. Factor in shipping time when you plan your request. Sending your order with a prepaid return envelope can speed things up slightly. Plan for at least three to four weeks even with expedited processing through VitalChek.
The Alaska HAVRS vital records page above is where Unalaska residents submit mail and online requests for certified marriage certificates.
Unalaska Court and Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses in Unalaska are issued at the Unalaska Court, located at 2049 Airport Beach Road, Unalaska, AK 99692. Phone: (907) 581-1365. Both applicants must appear together in person and bring valid government-issued photo ID. The in-person license fee is $60. Mailed applications cost $70.50. Having a local court in Unalaska is useful given how remote this community is. Couples do not have to travel to Anchorage or Juneau just to apply for a license.
Alaska law requires a three-day waiting period after you apply for a license. Under AS 25.05.261, the license is valid for 90 days from the date it was issued. If no ceremony takes place within that period, the license expires. The Alaska Court System directory shows the full listing for the Unalaska Court, including hours and contact information.
The Unalaska Court is part of Alaska's Third Judicial District. Court staff can process your application and answer procedural questions, but they cannot give legal advice. Marriage commissioner appointments can also be made through the court for couples who need an officiant.
The Alaska Court directory above shows the Unalaska Court location and contact details for marriage license applications in the Aleutians West Census Area.
Marriage License Requirements in Unalaska
Both parties must be at least 16 years old to marry in Unalaska. Under AS 25.05.171, applicants between 16 and 17 need written parental or guardian consent before the license is issued. Both people must appear in person at the Unalaska Court with valid photo ID. There is no residency requirement. Out-of-state visitors and non-residents can apply for an Unalaska marriage license under the same rules.
Some marriages are not allowed. AS 25.05.021 prohibits marriages between close relatives. Alaska does not recognize common law marriage. Two people living together in Unalaska, regardless of how long, are not legally married without a license and a formal ceremony. Under AS 25.05.301, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to HAVRS after the ceremony. For remote locations like Unalaska, this step is especially important to make sure the record gets into the state system so certified copies can be ordered later.
Note: Alaska does not have a residency requirement for marriage licenses, making Unalaska a valid and fully legal location to marry for anyone traveling to the Aleutians.
Alaska Marriage Law and Unalaska Records
All Alaska marriages are governed by Title 25 of the Alaska Statutes. The process for Unalaska residents follows the same statewide rules as anywhere in Alaska. Apply at the local court, wait three days, hold a ceremony within 90 days, and make sure the officiant returns the certificate to HAVRS. Once the record is in the state system, certified copies can be ordered at any time through HAVRS or VitalChek.
Restricted records within the 50-year window require proof of eligibility. Eligible requesters include the parties named in the record, their immediate family, and legal representatives with proper documentation. For older records, the Alaska State Archives at archives.alaska.gov may hold materials relevant to the Aleutian Islands region. The FamilySearch genealogy database also has digitized collections covering parts of Alaska's early territorial period. For questions about Alaska family law, the Alaska Court Self-Help Center has free online resources.
Aleutians West Census Area Marriage Records
Unalaska is the largest community in the Aleutians West Census Area. Marriage records for Unalaska residents are part of the state vital records system. For more information about how records work in this census area, visit the area page.
Other Alaska Cities
Unalaska is far from other qualifying cities. For marriage records in other parts of Alaska, these cities use the same state vital records process.