Bigamy is the act of marrying one person while being legally married to another. Polygamy is the practice or custom (often religious) of having more than one wife or husband at a time. Most states prohibit a party from having more than one marriage license at a time, and in most states bigamy is a crime.
In Alaska, as in most states, bigamy is illegal. Under Alaska Statutes Section 25.05.361, a person is prohibited from contracting or solemnizing a marriage when they have a living spouse from whom they have not been legally divorced. Bigamy is considered a class A misdemeanor in Alaska, which can result in a penalty of up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $25,000, or both. Polygamy, which involves having more than one spouse simultaneously, is also not legally recognized in Alaska and falls under the prohibition against bigamy. It's important to note that while certain religious or cultural practices may include polygamous relationships, these are not recognized as legal marriages under Alaska law.