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Alaska Public Records

Alaska Freedom of Information law facilitates requests for people interested in viewing public records. Every state has its own public records law.

Alaska has an estimated 6.5 million public records, including everything from court records to birth certificates. While many of these records are now digital files instead of hard copies, locating a record can still be a challenge.

You must first know what type of record you’re searching for and the agency that would have it in its possession.

Then, you will submit a request form and follow the process to obtain the requested documents.

In the best-case scenario, you can find the information from a public record search online. However, it is not always that simple.

In Alaska, you can access any record from any agency. However, every government department does have different requirements, and you will need to follow specific procedures.

What does the Alaska public records law say?

The Alaska Public Records Act states that most records in possession of municipal and state agencies are subject to public disclosure. You may request the documents in person or by mail. All branches of government are subject to the law.

Unlike other states, Alaska has a state response time and an appeals process. It means the state offers more protection for citizens.

How can I access public records in Alaska?

Accessing public records in Alaska depends on the type of record you want to see. You can submit a request to the city clerk for general public records for your specific city.

You need to reach out to that record-holding agency for other records such as criminal, inmate, court, or vital records.

Regardless of which agency has the records, you’ll likely need to submit a public records request, which should include:

• Your name and contact information
• The complete description of the document, including date, name, agency, etc.
• A time frame that you’d like to receive the materials by
• The delivery method of documents, email, or UPS

Every public records office has different business hours. Always check with your local office before requesting in person.

Alaska criminal records

A criminal record, also known as a rap sheet, provides a list of criminal offenses associated with a specific person. It should detail instances of arrest, prosecution, and convictions. Employers usually access these records to run a background check on new employees.

• Alaska is an open records state. It means that it provides all criminal history information to members of the public upon request.
• The Alaska Department of Public Safety is responsible for maintaining the majority of criminal records in the state.

What’s on an Alaska criminal record?

Criminal records generally provide the following information when accessed:

• The name of the person
• Aliases
• Physical descriptors, including tattoos and birthmarks
• Charges
• Convictions
• Court orders
• Warrants
• Probation and orders
• Convictions

Where can I find Alaska criminal records?

The Alaska Criminal Justice Information is maintained by the Department of  Public Safety and is accessed by submitting a person’s name or a person’s fingerprints. The State of Alaska says submitting fingerprints is the best way to get accurate records.

You can file a request online using the Alaska Department of Public Safety website or by completing the Request for Criminal Justice Information form and submitting it by mail.

The processing fee for a public records request is $20 for a name search and $35 for a fingerprint search.

The Alaska Department of Public Safety:
5700 East Tudor Road
Anchorage, AK 99507

Phone number: 907-269-5511

Alaska inmate records

All Alaska inmate records are maintained by the Alaska Department of Corrections

You can search inmate records online for the following correctional institutions.

• Alaska State prisons
• Alaska Federal prisons
• Alaska County jails

What’s on an inmate record?

An Alaska inmate record has the following information:

• Inmate’s name
• Date of birth
• Charges, including domestic violence
• Sentence
• Location of the inmate, including police department or state government prison
• The term of imprisonment
• Physical descriptions
• A photograph of the inmate

Where can I find Alaska inmate records?

The Alaska Department of Corrections maintains inmate records, but there isn’t an online database like other states have.

Alaska suggests calling the Department of Corrections in Anchorage.

Department of Corrections – Juneau
P.O. Box 112000
Juneau, Alaska 99811-2000
Phone: 907-465-4652

Department of Corrections – Anchorage
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1800
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: 907-269-7397

You can access online third parties to search Alaska inmate records using nationwide jail databases.

• Alaska Inmate Lookup – DOC Inmate Locator

Alaska court records

Alaska court records allow people to review court documents and court proceedings.

The Alaska Court system maintains court records in the state.

The types of Alaska public court records include:

• Civil trials
• District Court
• Superior Court
• The Court of Appeals
• The Supreme Court

What’s on an Alaska court record?

You must request an Alaska public court record with the judiciary that the case took place.

Court records are dense and contain a lot of information. The most relevant information includes:

• Court minutes
• Case files
• Dockets
• Orders of the court
• Judgment documentation
• Jury records and files
• Witness documentation

Where can I find Alaska court records?

In many states, a request must be issued to a specific court clerk, but there’s a searchable database in Alaska that makes it much easier to locate court documents.

You will search the Alaska Court System website for information on appellate court and trial court cases. The best way to search for a case is to search by case number, but searching by name or citation number will suffice.

Court records are often one of the more complex records to access since most files are kept by individual courts.

Alaska Court System:
101 Lacey Street
Fairbanks, AK 99701

Phone number: 907-264-0514

Alaska vital records

Vital records are considered public records, although access is limited to people associated with the person listed on the record.

For instance, if you’re trying to find a certified copy of a marriage certificate, you must be listed on the certificate or a family member of the person listed.

It applies to all vital records, including birth records, death records, marriage licenses, and divorce records.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services the Division of Public Health maintains vital records in the state.

What information is needed to request an Alaska Birth Certificate?

You need specific information to access a birth record in Alaska.

The information that you can expect to provide is:

• The first, middle, and last name on the birth certificate
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• The mother’s full name before marriage
• The father’s full name

Where can I find an Alaska Birth Certificate?

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services the Division of Public Health maintains birth certificates.

You can order a copy of a birth certificate online using VitalCheck or by completing the Alaska BIRTH Certificate Request Form and submitting it by mail, fax, or in person.

Physical Address:
5441 Commercial Blvd.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: 907-465-3391

HAVRS mailing address:
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-067

The charge for one copy of a birth certificate is $30, and $25 for any additional copies.

What information do I need for a death certificate in Alaska?

You will need specific information to request a death certificate from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services the Division of Public Health.

• First, middle, and last name of the deceased
• The date of the death
• The date of birth for the deceased birth
• The city or village the death occurred
• Full name of the deceased mother before marriage
• Full name of the deceased father

Where can I find an Alaska death record?

You can access Alaska death records online using the VitalCheck website or by completing the Alaska DEATH Certificate Request Form and submitting it by mail, fax, or in person.

Physical Address:
5441 Commercial Blvd.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: 907-465-3391

HAVRS mailing address:
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-067

A copy of an Alaska death record is $30, and $25 for every additional copy.

What information do I need to request a marriage certificate in Alaska?

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services the Division of Public Health requires that you submit specific information to access an Alaska marriage certificate.

• The date of the marriage
• The city or village where the marriage happened
• First, middle, and last name of the groom or spouse
• First, middle, and last name of the bride or spouse

Where can I find an existing Alaska marriage record?

You can access an Alaska marriage license online using the VitalCheck or by completing the Alaska MARRIAGE Certificate Request Form and submitting it by mail, fax, or in person.

Physical Address:
5441 Commercial Blvd.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: 907-465-3391

HAVRS mailing address:
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-067

A copy of an Alaska marriage record is $30, and $25 for every additional copy.

What information do I need to request a divorce certificate in Alaska?

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services the Division of Public Health requires specific information to access divorce records.

• The first, middle, and last name of Spouse 1
• The first, middle, and last name of the Spouse 2
• The date of the divorce
• The date of the marriage
• The city or village the divorce was filed

Where can I find an Alaska divorce record?

You can access an Alaska divorce record online by using the VitalCheck website, or by completing the Alaska DIVORCE Certificate Request Form and submitting it by mail, fax, or in person.

Physical Address:
5441 Commercial Blvd.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: 907-465-3391

HAVRS mailing address:
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-067

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services the Division of Public Health charges $30 for a copy of a divorce certificate. It is $25 for every additional copy.

Alaska Property Records

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources Recorder’s Office maintains public property records.

• Deeds
• Mortgages
• Reconveyances
• Notice of Liens, Claim of Liens, and Release of Liens
• Uniform Commercial Code Statements
• Security Agreements
• Judgments and Decrees from courts
• Federal and State Tax Liens
• Child Support Enforcement Liens
• Satisfactions and Releases of Leins

What information do I need to request property records in Alaska?

You will need different information to access different types of property records in Alaska.

If you have questions pertaining to any public property record, contact your local Recorder’s Office.

Where can I find an Alaska property record?

You will use the DNR Land Records Search Utility to search for public property records online.

For any other inquiries, contact your local Recorder’s Office.

Example – Kenai Peninsula Recorder’s Office
110 Trading Bay Rd STE 105
Kenai, AK 99611

Phone number: (907) 283-3118

FAQs

Can an Alaska Public Record request be submitted by non-residents of the state?

Only residents can request state documents in some states, but that’s not the case in Alaska.

The Alaska Public Records Act specifically states that all citizens can request public records, even from another state.

Is there a records custodian in Alaska?

The Alaska Public Records Act mentions a records custodian

However, it’s usually a person within each state agency instead of one person.

What exemptions exist in Alaska?

All state agencies must release public records as requested. However, the law does say that the Alaska Railroad Corporation is not considered a state agency and is therefore exempt from providing documents.

Common exemptions in Alaska statutes like juvenile records, medical documents, and active investigations are exempt from the law, as are more specific forms like those containing information on boat accidents, state savings programs, or trust programs.

How long does it take Alaska to respond to a public records request?

The law provides a specific response time. Public officials are to respond to a request within ten business days.

Some states don’t have a response time written into the law, but Alaska Public Records Act provides more specifics than others.

What kind of enforcement is in place for misuse of Public Records in Alaska?

The Alaska Public Records Act that no one is to obstruct the process of obtaining public records. If foul play is suspected, the person requesting the documents can seek an injunction.

An injunction is a court order that would direct the record keeper to stop obstructing the process and release the records.

Is there an appeal process in Alaska?

While some states do not have an appeals process in place, the state of Alaska does. If a requester is denied access to public records by any public agency or doesn’t receive them in a timely fashion, the person can appeal within 60 days of the original request.

An administrative appeal is sent to the head of the agency where the records are held. A request for injunctive relief, where a court orders the record keeper to stop obstructing your right to view public records, should be sent to an Alaskan district court.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in Alaska?

You will have fees associated with accessing and copying records, but the cost to obtain requested records should be minimal, according to the law.