Uncontested divorce in Alaska

Who can use the process for agreed cases in Alaska

• Dissolution: if you and your spouse agree on everything, you file one joint petition together and attend a short hearing (you can ask to appear by phone or waive appearance).
• If you disagree, one spouse files a divorce complaint.

Before you file in Alaska

Who can file (residency)

You or your spouse must be an Alaska resident when you file, which generally means you are in Alaska and plan to stay. There is no minimum number of months. Military members stationed in Alaska for 30 days count as residents. To decide custody, the children usually must have lived in Alaska for 6 months.

Waiting period

Generally you must wait at least 30 days after filing before the judge will sign the final divorce or dissolution decree.

Law

AS 25.24.080, AS 25.24.090; Alaska Court System Self-Help Center · Alaska Court System Self-Help Center (Start a divorce or dissolution case)

Forms, fees and filing in Alaska

Official forms

Divorce forms (Alaska courts)

Court self-help

Divorce self-help (Alaska courts)

Filing fee

$250 to open a divorce or dissolution case (Administrative Rule 9, effective 5/1/2023)

If you can't afford the fee

File TF-920, Request for Exemption from Payment of Fees, with your papers. The court rules on it (usually within a few days) before your summons is issued. Form and instructions: https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/courtfees.htm

E-filing

Alaska uses TrueFiling in many courts; check with your local court. You can also file by mail.

If you agree on only some issues

Not required, but the court offers free mediation in divorces with children and in custody cases; you can ask the court to refer you. If you are a domestic violence victim, you can't be required to mediate: https://courts.alaska.gov/mediation/index.htm

An uncontested divorce in Alaska, step by step

1. Check that you can file in Alaska

   You or your spouse must be an Alaska resident when you file, which generally means you are in Alaska and plan to stay.

2. See if you qualify for the simpler process

   Dissolution: if you and your spouse agree on everything, you file one joint petition together and attend a short hearing (you can ask to appear by phone or waive appearance).

3. Fill in the official forms

   Use the court's official divorce forms: Divorce forms (Alaska courts)

4. File, and pay the fee or ask for a waiver

   $250 to open a divorce or dissolution case (Administrative Rule 9, effective 5/1/2023) Can't afford it? File TF-920, Request for Exemption from Payment of Fees, with your papers. Alaska uses TrueFiling in many courts; check with your local court.

5. Have your spouse sign or be served

   In a divorce, your spouse must be served with the summons and complaint by certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt, or by a process server.

6. Wait out the waiting period

   Generally you must wait at least 30 days after filing before the judge will sign the final divorce or dissolution decree.

7. Get the final decree

   The judge signs the final decree (judgment), which ends the marriage. Get a certified copy and keep it.

Questions about uncontested divorce in Alaska

More about divorce in Alaska

• All Alaska divorce laws
• Alaska divorce forms and filing fees
• Alimony in Alaska
• Child custody and support in Alaska
• Serving divorce papers in Alaska
• Divorce timeline estimator for Alaska
• Divorce checklist for Alaska
• Uncontested divorce: how it works
• Divorce waiting periods by state

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