Sitka City and Borough Marriage Records

Marriage records from Sitka City and Borough are held by the Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records Section, the state office that keeps certified marriage certificates for all of Alaska. Sitka served as Alaska's capital under Russian rule and has one of the longest written records of any community in the state. If you need a certified copy of a recent marriage certificate or want to research marriages going back to the 1800s, the state vital records system and the Alaska State Archives are where to look. This page covers what you need to know to find, order, or research Sitka marriage records.

How to Request Sitka Marriage Certificates

Certified marriage certificates from Sitka are held at HAVRS. The Juneau office at 5441 Commercial Blvd, Juneau AK 99801, phone (907) 465-3391, is the most convenient for Sitka residents. The Anchorage office at 3901 Old Seward Hwy Ste 101, Anchorage AK 99503, phone (907) 269-0991, is also available. Sitka is accessible by Alaska Marine Highway, so traveling to Juneau is an option. Both HAVRS offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Order a certified copy at the HAVRS order page. The fee is $30 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy ordered at the same time is $25. Records less than 50 years old are restricted to the named parties, their parents, spouse, legal guardian, or someone with a court order. Records older than 50 years are public under AS 25.05.301. You will need the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the marriage.

HAVRS is the official source for certified Sitka marriage certificates and all other Alaska vital records.

VitalChek handles online orders for Alaska marriage certificates. Expedited delivery typically takes 3 to 4 weeks. This is a good option for people who need a copy quickly and cannot travel to Juneau or Anchorage.

Getting a Marriage License in Sitka

Marriage license applications in Sitka City and Borough are handled at the Sitka Municipal Clerk, 100 Lincoln Street, Sitka, AK 99835, phone (907) 747-1811. This is the local office that issues the license. The state fee is $60 in person and $70.50 by mail. Under AS 25.05.021, both applicants must appear together. After the license is issued, both must wait three days before the ceremony. The license is valid for 90 days.

The Sitka Superior Court at 304 Lake Street, Sitka, AK 99835, phone (907) 747-3291, handles legal matters related to marriage including annulments and name changes. The Sitka District Court is at the same address. Both applicants must be at least 18, or 16 to 17 with parental consent. Alaska does not recognize common law marriage. You need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number to apply.

The Alaska Court System directory lists the Sitka Superior and District Courts along with contact information for marriage-related legal proceedings.

Marriage Ceremonies in Sitka

Sitka is a popular destination for weddings because of its setting among mountains and ocean. Under AS 25.05.171, authorized officiants include ministers, clergy, judges, magistrates, and justices of the peace. Many Sitka churches offer ceremony services, including St. Peter's By the Sea Episcopal Church, Sitka Lutheran Church, and others. After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and file the certificate with the state within 30 days under AS 25.05.261.

Destination weddings in Sitka follow the same rules as any Alaska marriage. The license must be obtained beforehand, the three-day wait must be observed, and the certificate must be filed after the ceremony. People who come to Sitka from outside Alaska should plan ahead to make sure the license is in hand before they arrive for the ceremony.

Historical Marriage Records from Sitka

Sitka's marriage records go back further than any other Alaska community in the modern record system. Sitka marriage records from 1816 to 1933 are among the oldest official records in Alaska. Sitka birth, marriage, and death records from 1817 to 1960 cover nearly a century and a half of the community's recorded history. Sitka coroner's records from 1912 to 1944 may also provide supplementary information for family researchers. These records span the Russian era, the early American territorial period, and beyond.

All records older than 50 years are public under AS 25.05.301. The Alaska State Archives collection guides describe what is available for Sitka and how to access it. FamilySearch has indexed some early Sitka records and may have relevant entries for Russian Orthodox baptism and marriage records from the 1800s.

The Alaska State Archives collection guides are the best resource for finding Sitka's pre-statehood marriage records and other historical vital records from this part of Southeast Alaska.

Russian Orthodox records from Sitka are particularly valuable for researchers. The Russian Orthodox Church in America kept detailed registers of baptisms, marriages, and deaths for Sitka and other Southeast Alaska communities starting in the early 1800s. Some of these have been microfilmed and are available through FamilySearch and other genealogy databases. Historical Sitka newspapers including the Daily Sitka Sentinel (1940 to present), the Sitka Thlinget (1908 to 1912), and the Alaskan (1885 to 1893) may also carry marriage announcements that help researchers fill in gaps.

Alaska Marriage Statutes for Sitka City and Borough

Alaska marriage law applies uniformly across the state. AS 25.05.021 sets out who can marry and how. AS 25.05.171 covers the ceremony, including who must be present and what must be said. Under AS 25.05.261, the officiant has 30 days to file the signed certificate. AS 25.05.301 establishes the 50-year access restriction and defines who can request a copy of a recent record.

For plain-language answers to common questions, the Alaska Court System marriage FAQ is a helpful starting point. Sitka residents who need legal help with marriage records or marriage law questions can contact Alaska Legal Services or consult a local attorney.

Nearby Boroughs

These Southeast Alaska boroughs are near Sitka. All marriage records are held at HAVRS.