Skagway Municipality Marriage Records

Marriage records from Skagway Municipality are maintained by the Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records Section, which holds certified marriage certificates for all of Alaska. Skagway became a municipality in 2007 and has kept official marriage records going back to the Gold Rush era. Whether you need a recent certificate or want to search historical records from the late 1800s and early 1900s, the state vital records system and the Alaska State Archives are the right places to look. This page explains how to find, request, and use marriage records from Skagway.

How to Get Skagway Marriage Certificates

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

Place your order at the HAVRS order page. The cost is $30 for the first certified copy and $25 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Records less than 50 years old are restricted to the people named on the certificate, their parents, spouse, legal guardian, or someone with a court order. Records older than 50 years are open to anyone under AS 25.05.301.

The HAVRS order portal is the official way to request certified marriage certificates from Skagway Municipality.

VitalChek offers online ordering for Alaska marriage certificates with expedited delivery in 3 to 4 weeks. This works well for people who cannot travel to a HAVRS office.

Marriage License in Skagway Municipality

The Skagway Court at 7th and Spring Street, Skagway, AK 99840, phone (907) 983-2368, handles marriage license applications. Under AS 25.05.021, both applicants must apply together. The fee is $60 in person or $70.50 by mail. After the license is issued, both parties must wait three days before the ceremony. The license stays valid for 90 days. Both applicants must be at least 18, or 16 to 17 with parental consent. Alaska does not allow common law marriage.

Bring a valid photo ID and know your Social Security number when you apply. The Alaska Court System directory has current hours and contact details for the Skagway Court. Given Skagway's small size, calling ahead is a good idea to confirm availability before you go.

The court directory provides current contact information for the Skagway Court where marriage licenses are issued.

Destination Weddings in Skagway

Skagway is a popular destination for weddings due to its setting and the Gold Rush atmosphere of the historic district. Under AS 25.05.171, authorized officiants include ministers, clergy, judges, and magistrates. Many couples come to Skagway specifically for a destination wedding. The license must be in hand before the ceremony, and the three-day wait applies. Plan ahead if you are traveling from outside Alaska.

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and file the certificate with the state within 30 days under AS 25.05.261. The certificate then goes into the HAVRS system and becomes the official legal record of the marriage. Couples who marry in Skagway and then leave Alaska should make sure they have the contact information for HAVRS in case they need to follow up on the certificate after they return home.

Historical Marriage Records from Skagway

Skagway birth, marriage, and death records from 1898 to 1959 are preserved at the Alaska State Archives. These records start at the very beginning of Skagway's existence as a community, when thousands of people passed through on their way to the Klondike goldfields. Some records from the period are fragmentary because of the chaotic nature of the Gold Rush, but significant documentation survives. St. Saviour's Church in Skagway also kept a baptisms index from 1899 to 1956 that may supplement the official records.

Records older than 50 years are public under AS 25.05.301. The Alaska State Archives genealogy page explains how to access these historical records. FamilySearch has indexed some early Skagway records and may have relevant entries for the Gold Rush period. Genealogists researching ancestors who passed through Skagway often find the church records and official vital records work best together.

The Yukon Archives in Whitehorse, Canada, also holds records related to the Skagway area, since many people who moved through Skagway went on to settle in the Yukon. Cross-border family research may require checking both Alaska and Canadian archives.

Alaska Marriage Laws for Skagway Municipality

State law governs all marriages in Skagway the same as anywhere else in Alaska. AS 25.05.021 covers who can marry and how to apply for a license. AS 25.05.171 sets the rules for the ceremony. AS 25.05.261 requires officiants to file the certificate within 30 days. AS 25.05.301 establishes the 50-year access rule for vital records.

For answers to common questions about marriage in Alaska, the Alaska Court System marriage FAQ is a good starting point. Residents who need legal help can contact Alaska Legal Services for assistance with records or legal questions.

Nearby Boroughs

These Southeast Alaska boroughs are near Skagway Municipality. All use HAVRS for marriage records.