Non-Resident permit · MI → AK
Is a Michigan Non-Resident Permit Valid in Alaska?
You can't get this permit: Michigan doesn't offer one to non-residents (michigan residents only: applicant must have resided in Michigan for at least 6 months (waivable for emergency licenses and for new residents who hold a valid CPL from another state); active-duty military with Michigan as home of record, or permanently stationed in Michigan, count as residents). Check your own state's permit against Alaska's recognition rules instead.
Why
- Michigan does not issue carry permits to non-residents (michigan residents only: applicant must have resided in michigan for at least 6 months (waivable for emergency licenses and for new residents who hold a valid cpl from another state); active-duty military with michigan as home of record, or permanently stationed in michigan, count as residents).
Under AS 18.65.748 a person holding a valid permit from another state is treated as an Alaska permittee (no resident-only condition); in practice recognition matters little because anyone 21+ who may legally possess may carry permitless. Under-21 carriers are NOT covered even with an out-of-state permit.
The permit (Michigan)
- Permit
- Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL)
- Issued by
- County clerk
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- No — Michigan residents only: applicant must have resided in Michigan for at least 6 months (waivable for emergency licenses and for new residents who hold a valid CPL from another state); active-duty military with Michigan as home of record, or permanently stationed in Michigan, count as residents.
The destination (Alaska)
- Recognition policy
- Honors permits from all states
- Permitless carry
- Yes (21+)
- Duty to inform
- Yes — proactive
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in Alaska
Crossing into Alaska swaps the rulebook. Here is what changes for a visiting carrier.
- Alaska imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. DPS FAQ: when contacted by a law enforcement officer while carrying concealed you must IMMEDIATELY inform the officer that you possess the firearm; failure to do so is a criminal offense (AS 11.61.220).
- Alaska sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Alaska allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- A loaded concealed handgun may be carried in a vehicle without a permit by anyone 21+ who may lawfully possess; the immediate duty to inform applies on any police contact.
Off-limits places in Alaska
Alaska bans carry in 4 kinds of places. The first on the list:
- K-12 schools and school grounds
- Child care facilities
Michigan vs Alaska: what changes at the state line
Crossing from Michigan into Alaska changes 2 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (21+)); out-of-state permits honored (All (resident permits only) → All states).
| Rule | Michigan | Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Permitless carry | No | Yes (21+) |
| Duty to inform police | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine limit | None | None |
| Out-of-state permits honored | All (resident permits only) | All states |
| Open carry | Yes, no permit | Yes, no permit |
Going the other way, an Alaska non-resident permit in Michigan: no such permit issued.
Permits that do work in Alaska
These non-resident permits are honored in Alaska, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.
- North Dakota non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
- Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
- Idaho non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
- Texas non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
- Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
- South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
Frequently asked questions
- Does Alaska honor a Michigan resident permit?
- Recognized — and permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Alaska treats the two permit types differently.
- Can an Alaska non-resident permit holder carry in Michigan?
- Alaska does not issue non-resident carry permits, so there is no such permit to carry in Michigan.
- Does Michigan issue non-resident carry permits?
- No. Michigan issues carry permits to residents only (michigan residents only: applicant must have resided in Michigan for at least 6 months (waivable for emergency licenses and for new residents who hold a valid CPL from another state); active-duty military with Michigan as home of record, or permanently stationed in Michigan, count as residents). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.
Official sources
- Alaska DPS — Concealed Handgun Permits (permit rules, AS 18.65.748 recognition, permitless 21+) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Alaska DPS — Frequently Asked Firearms Questions (duty to inform, permitless carry, prohibited places) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Reciprocity — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Concealed Pistol License Requirements — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Prohibited Premises (MCL 28.425o) — accessed 2026-08-08
- MCL 750.231a — exceptions incl. license issued by state of residence; vehicle transport — accessed 2026-08-08
- MCL 28.425f — duty to disclose to peace officer — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Concealed Pistol Application and Instructions — accessed 2026-09-27
- MCL 28.425j — Pistol training or safety program requirements — accessed 2026-09-27
- MCL 28.425l — License validity, duration and renewal — accessed 2026-09-27
- MCL 750.234f — Possession of firearm by person under 18 — accessed 2026-09-27
- Michigan Attorney General — Informational letter to Rep. Chatfield on open carry of firearms (Feb. 1, 2018) — accessed 2026-09-27