Issues
List all Issues
Policy Archive: view by date
Policy Archive: view by issue
Policy Archive: view by type
Family Sub Issues
The Marriage Debate
Marriage in the 50 States
familyfacts.org
Map of the Family





   ISSUES  > Family and Marriage
 
Alaska  
[printer-friendly]

State Information

Government Website: http://www.state.ak.us/

Outline of State Law
Current Status of Law Concerning Marriage and Date of Passage 1963 - Statute Passed (Revised 1996)  1998 - Constitutional Amendment Passed 
State Law Prohibits/Voids Same Sex/Same Gender Marriage yes  no 
State Law Defines Marriage between a Man and a Woman yes  yes 
State Law Denies Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages Solemnized in Other States yes  yes 
State Law States that Same Sex Marriage is not Aligned with State Public Policy no   no 
State Law Defines "Spouse" as Referring Only to a Person of the Opposite Sex Who is Married as Husband or Wife no  no 

Statutory Provision

Alaska Statues. Title 25. Chapter 5.

Section 11. Civil Contract.
Marriage is a civil contract entered into by one man and one woman that requires both a license and solemnization.

Section 13. Same Sex Marriage.
(a) A marriage entered into by persons of the same sex, either under common law or under statute, that is recognized by another state or foreign jurisdiction is void in this state, and contractual rights granted by virtue of the marriage, including its termination, are unenforceable in this state.

(b) A same-sex relationship may not be recognized by the state as being entitled to the benefits of marriage.

Constitutional Provision

Marriage. To be valid or recognized in this State, a marriage may exist only between one man and one woman.

Current Legislative Activity

  • A bill [HJR-32] that would strengthen the current language of the Constitutional Amendment died on June 9, 2006 when the legislature adjourned. It would have extended the language of the Constitutional Amendment on marriage passed in 1998 to limit marriage-like benefits to same-sex couples.

U.S. Senators
US Senators and their Comments on FMA

Lisa Murkowski, Republican
http://murkowski.senate.gov/
This senator was appointed in 2002, therefore not present for the federal DOMA vote in 1996. The senator voted for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.

Ted Stevens, Republican
http://stevens.senate.gov/
This senator voted for the federal DOMA in 1996 and for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.



Click here to return to the Marriage in the 50 States main page.