ALASKA DIVORCE GUIDE

How to File for Divorce in Alaska
Without a Lawyer

Filing for divorce in Alaska without an attorney costs $250 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of No minimum (must be resident). Alaska is a equitable distribution state. An uncontested divorce typically takes 1-2 months. Victoria AI guides you through every step with Alaska-specific instructions.

$250
Filing Fee
None
Waiting Period
No minimum (must be resident)
Residency
1-2 months
Timeline

Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team

Alaska Divorce Requirements at a Glance

Filing Fee$250 (The filing fee is $250 statewide. Alaska has a unified court system with consistent fees across all locations.)
Residency RequirementNo minimum (must be resident)
Waiting PeriodNone
Property DivisionEquitable Distribution (fair, not equal)
Grounds for DivorceIncompatibility of temperament (no-fault), Failure to consummate, Adultery, Conviction of felony, Willful desertion, Cruel treatment, Habitual intoxication, Incurable mental illness
No-Fault Only?No (fault grounds available)
Uncontested Timeline1-2 months
Contested Timeline6 months to 2+ years
Fee Waiver Available?Yes
~3,500
Divorces per year in Alaska
~65%
Pro se filers
1-2 months (uncontested)
Average duration
$250
Median filing fee

Alaska Residency Requirements

To file for divorce in Alaska, you must meet the following residency requirement: No minimum (must be resident).

Alaska has no specific durational residency requirement. You simply must be a resident of the state at the time of filing. Alaska is unique in this regard among U.S. states.

Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Alaska's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.

How to File for Divorce in Alaska: Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to file for divorce in Alaska without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.

STEP 1

Meet Residency Requirements

Alaska has no specific durational residency requirement. You simply must be a resident of the state at the time of filing. Alaska is unique in this regard among U.S. states.

STEP 2

Gather Required Forms

Download the official Alaska divorce forms: Complaint for Divorce, Summons, Child Support Guidelines Affidavit. All forms are available from the Alaska courts website.

STEP 3

Complete Your Petition

Fill out the divorce petition (DR-100) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).

STEP 4

File with the Court

File your completed petition with the Alaska court and pay the filing fee of $250. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.

STEP 5

Serve Your Spouse

Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Alaska rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.

STEP 6

Complete Financial Disclosure

Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Alaska law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.

STEP 7

Wait for Response & Complete Waiting Period

Alaska has no mandatory waiting period. Once all paperwork is properly filed and requirements are met, the divorce can be finalized. This makes Alaska one of the fastest states for divorce.

STEP 8

Finalize Your Divorce

Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Alaska, this typically takes 1-2 months. The court will issue your final divorce decree.

Required Forms for Alaska Divorce

These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Alaska. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.

Complaint for Divorce

DR-100

Initiates the divorce case

Summons

CIV-100

Notifies spouse of action

Child Support Guidelines Affidavit

DR-305

Required if children

Property and Debt Division

DR-800

Lists assets and debts

Alaska Divorce Costs & Filing Fees

The filing fee to start a divorce in Alaska is $250. The filing fee is $250 statewide. Alaska has a unified court system with consistent fees across all locations.

Cost TypeAmount
Court Filing Fee$250
Service of Process$50-$100 (varies by method)
Certified Copies$5-$25 per copy
Total DIY Uncontested$350-$1,000 (uncontested DIY)

Fee Waiver Available in Alaska

If you cannot afford the filing fee, Alaska offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.

Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.

Serving Your Spouse in Alaska

After filing your divorce petition in Alaska, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.

Acceptable Methods of Service in Alaska

Personal Service

A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.

Certified Mail

Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.

Acceptance of Service

Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.

Service by Publication

If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.

Important: Proof of Service

You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Alaska courts are strict about service requirements.

Property Division in Alaska

Equitable Distribution State

Alaska is a equitable distribution state.

Alaska is an equitable distribution state. The court divides marital property fairly based on factors including length of marriage, earning capacity, age and health, conduct during marriage, and the desirability of awarding the family home to the custodial parent.

Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Alaska law applies to your specific property.

Child Support in Alaska

Alaska uses the Income shares model per Civil Rule 90.3.

Alaska uses Civil Rule 90.3 for child support calculations. It considers both parents' adjusted annual incomes, the number of children, and custody arrangement. The formula varies based on primary, shared, or divided custody.

Spousal Support Factors in Alaska

  • Length of marriage
  • Age and health of parties
  • Earning capacity
  • Financial condition
  • Conduct of the parties
  • Division of property

Alaska Divorce Timeline: What to Expect

Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Alaska divorce.

Uncontested Divorce

1-2 months

When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.

Contested Divorce

6 months to 2+ years

When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.

Typical Alaska Divorce Timeline (Uncontested)

1

File Petition

Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $250 filing fee

2

Serve Your Spouse

Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers

3

Response Period

20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response

4

Waiting Period

None - Alaska has no mandatory waiting period. Once all paperwork is properly filed and requirements are met, the divorce can be finalized. This makes Alaska one of the fastest states for divorce.

5

Final Judgment

Court issues your final divorce decree

Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.

What Makes Alaska Divorce Unique

No residency duration requirement

No mandatory waiting period

One of the fastest states for divorce

Civil Rule 90.3 child support guidelines

Strong preference for joint custody

Key Alaska Divorce Laws

  • Alaska Statutes §25.24.050Grounds for Divorce
  • Alaska Statutes §25.24.160Division of Property
  • Alaska Civil Rule 90.3Child Support Guidelines

Alaska Divorce FAQ

Common questions about filing for divorce in Alaska without an attorney.

Victoria AI Knows Alaska Divorce Law

Get 24/7 guidance specific to Alaska's forms, procedures, and requirements.

Alaska-specific forms

Guidance through every required form

Financial disclosure wizard

Complete your financial affidavit step-by-step

Child support calculator

Using Alaska's exact guidelines

AI document drafting

Create properly formatted legal documents

Evidence notebook

Organize and categorize case documents

24/7 AI guidance

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Not Legal Advice

Victoria provides legal information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your case, consult an attorney.

Official Sources

All Alaska divorce information verified from official state court sources.

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