Valdez Marriage Records
Valdez marriage records span well over a century, with documented events going back to 1871 in the precinct's historical record. Today, marriage records for Valdez are maintained by the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics through HAVRS, and the Valdez Court handles local marriage license applications. Whether you need a certified copy of a recent marriage certificate or want to research an ancestor's marriage in this Prince William Sound community, this page covers the sources and steps available to you.
Valdez Quick Facts
How to Get Valdez Marriage Records
Certified copies of Valdez marriage records are issued by the Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records Section. You can request them in person, by mail, or online. The Anchorage office at 3901 Old Seward Hwy Ste 101, Anchorage, AK 99503 is the closer option for Valdez residents. Phone: (907) 269-0991. The Juneau office is at 5441 Commercial Blvd, Juneau, AK 99801, phone (907) 465-3391. Both are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Online orders go through VitalChek, which processes Alaska vital records requests with expedited turnaround of about three to four weeks. Mail orders go directly to HAVRS. The HAVRS vital records page has order forms, fees, and eligibility rules. The first certified copy costs $30. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $25 each. Alaska restricts access to marriage records for 50 years from the event date. After that, they are public. Valdez records entered the state system around 1913 per SSA data.
The Alaska HAVRS page above is where Valdez residents order certified marriage certificates through the state vital records system.
Valdez Court and Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses in Valdez are issued at the Valdez Court, located at 213 Meals Avenue, Valdez, AK 99686. Phone: (907) 835-2266. Both applicants must appear in person together with valid government-issued photo ID. The in-person fee is $60. Mailed applications cost $70.50. After applying, Alaska law requires a three-day waiting period before the license can be used. Under AS 25.05.261, the license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. If no ceremony occurs within that time, it expires and the process starts over.
The Valdez Court serves the surrounding Chugach Census Area region. Having a local court in Valdez is practical for a community that sits at the end of the Richardson Highway on Prince William Sound. The Alaska Court System directory has the full listing for the Valdez Court, including hours and contact information. Court staff can help with the license application but cannot provide legal advice.
The Alaska Court directory above shows the Valdez Court listing for marriage license applications in the Chugach Census Area.
Historical Valdez Marriage Records
Valdez has one of the longer documented record histories in Alaska. The FamilySearch catalog includes Valdez birth, marriage, and death records starting from 1871, making this collection especially valuable for anyone researching early Alaska history or territorial-era families. The full catalog entry is available at FamilySearch catalog 2866655. These records are digitized and can be searched and viewed online at no cost.
The Alaska State Archives in Juneau holds original documents and collections related to the Valdez precinct that may include materials beyond what is digitized on FamilySearch. Their collection guides at archives.alaska.gov can help you identify what is available for specific time periods. Valdez was an entry point for the 1898 Klondike gold rush era, so its historical records reflect both an Indigenous population and waves of settlers. Church records from this period may also hold marriage data not captured in civil government files.
The FamilySearch catalog entry above covers Valdez birth, marriage, and death records going back to 1871, making it one of the oldest documented Alaska precinct collections available online.
Marriage Requirements for Valdez Residents
Both parties must be at least 16 years old to apply for a marriage license in Valdez. Under AS 25.05.171, those between 16 and 17 need written parental or guardian consent before the license can be issued. Both must appear at the Valdez Court with valid photo ID. There is no residency requirement in Alaska. Visitors can marry in Valdez under the same rules as residents.
Prohibited marriages are defined in AS 25.05.021. Alaska does not allow marriages between close relatives. Common law marriage is not recognized in Alaska. Couples living together in Valdez for any length of time are not legally married without a license and ceremony. Under AS 25.05.301, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to HAVRS after the ceremony. This step enters the record into the state system and allows certified copies to be ordered later.
Note: Valdez is in the Chugach Census Area, which has no borough government. Marriage licenses and state records go through the state court and HAVRS systems directly without a borough layer in between.
Chugach Census Area Marriage Records
Valdez is in the Chugach Census Area. Marriage licenses and records for Valdez go through the state court and vital records systems. For more information about records in this census area, visit the area page.
Other Alaska Cities
Valdez is in a remote part of southcentral Alaska without nearby qualifying cities. For marriage records elsewhere in Alaska, these major cities use the same state vital records process.