An amendment to the Alaska Marriage Code approved by the Legislature adds elected officials to the group of individuals who may formalize a marriage.
House Bill 20 passed the Legislature on May 2 and went to Gov. Bill Walker for his signature. Others already on that list include ministers, priests, rabbis or commissioned officers of the Salvation Army, marriage commissioners or judicial officers, or any religious organization or congregation.
Legislators said the change improves access to formalizing a marriage in rural areas where fewer officials are pre-approved by the state.
“Part of our role as elected government officials is to reduce red tape and make government accessible to the public,” said Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, sponsor of the bill. “HB 20 allows elected officials to be good stewards of government while providing a user-friendly service to the public,” he said.
