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Alaska public records: who holds what

In Alaska, deeds are recorded by the State Recorder's Office, Department of Natural Resources; birth and death certificates come from the Health Analytics & Vital Records Section, Alaska Department of Health; and requests for other government records fall under the Alaska Public Records Act. Below: who holds every other record, what copies cost and the official link for each office.

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. Who holds what in Alaska
  2. Public records law in Alaska
  3. How Alaska organizes its records
  4. Other records: background checks, voters, businesses, maps
  5. Boroughs and census areas in Alaska
  6. Warnings from official sources
  7. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  8. Official directories
  9. Sources

Who holds what in Alaska

The office that keeps each record, and the fee the law or the office sets for a copy. Open a record type for the full rules, ordering steps and older records.

RecordWho holds itCopy fee
DeedsState, not county or borough: the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State Recorder's Office records all land documents in 34 recording districts, served by two offices (Anchorage, 550 West 7th Ave., Suite 108, (907) 269-8876; Fairbanks, 3700 Airport Way, (907) 452-3521). Alaska has no counties and boroughs do not record deeds.1$1.25 first page, $0.25 each additional page of the same instrument (photocopy); full-scale plat copies $5.00/sheet on paper, $12.00/sheet on mylar; conformed copy at time of recording $2.00 (limit 1).2
Property recordsNo county or state property tax office: property tax is levied, assessed and collected by organized boroughs, unified municipalities (e.g., Municipality of Anchorage, City and Borough of Juneau) and some cities. Areas outside organized boroughs form a single unorganized borough with no borough government.3—
Court recordsUnified state court system (Alaska Court System) administered by the Alaska Supreme Court; trial courts are the Superior Court (general jurisdiction) and District Court (limited jurisdiction), organized in four judicial districts. No county courts.4Copies $5.00 first document, $3.00 each additional document (per document, not per page); certified copies $10.00 first, $3.00 each additional of same document; exemplified/authenticated $15.00 each; research $30.00 per hour; audio CD $20.00. Request with form TF-311 from the court where the case was filed.5
Marriage recordsState: Department of Health, Health Analytics & Vital Records (Juneau and Anchorage offices) issues marriage licenses and holds marriage certificates; most court locations also issue licenses (not Anchorage or Juneau courts).6$30 first certified copy, $25 each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time; heirloom certificates $65/$60; apostille $12 first/$2 additional; expedited orders only via VitalChek (extra fees).7
Divorce recordsDivorce case file and decree: the Superior Court (Alaska Court System) location where the case was filed. One-page divorce certificate: Health Analytics & Vital Records.8Court: copies $5.00 first document/$3.00 each additional; certified $10.00 first/$3.00 each additional of same document.9
Birth certificatesState only: Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics & Vital Records (formerly Bureau of Vital Statistics), offices in Juneau (P.O. Box 110675, Juneau 99811-0675; walk-in 5441 Commercial Blvd.) and Anchorage (3901 Old Seward Hwy, Ste. 101).10$30 first certified copy, $25 each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time; heirloom $55/$50; apostille $12 first/$2 additional; Priority Mail $10 (tracking) or $14 (signature).11
Death certificatesState only: Health Analytics & Vital Records, Department of Health (Juneau/Anchorage).10$30 first copy, $25 each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time; correction processing $30; apostille $12/$2.12
Probate and willsSuperior Court (Alaska Court System) has probate jurisdiction statewide; filed at the court location for the judicial district.13—

Public records law in Alaska

Alaska Public Records Act (Alaska Statutes AS 40.25.100 - 40.25.295 (regulations 2 AAC 96)) Read the law14

This law covers records that agencies hold, such as a county office's correspondence or a property file. Recorded deeds, vital records and court files usually have their own rules, set out in each record section.

Who can ask
Every person; the statute grants the right to "every person" and contains no residency requirement. Recorders' offices are expressly covered.15
Response time
Executive-branch agencies (2 AAC 96.325): as soon as practicable, but not later than the 10th working day after receipt, furnish disclosable records and explain any non-disclosure; may be extended by up to 10 more working days with notice for listed reasons, and further only by the attorney general in extraordinary circumstances. Time waiting for fee payment arrangements is excluded; no response by the deadline may be treated as a denial.16
Copy fees
Copy fees may not exceed the agency's standard unit cost of duplication. If production for one requester in a calendar month exceeds five person-hours, the agency must charge the personnel costs (not more than actual salary and benefit costs), payable before the records are disclosed; the agency may require payment in advance of the search. Agencies may reduce or waive fees in the public interest, and may waive a fee of $5 or less if it is less than the cost of arranging payment. Courts, the University and the Alaska Railroad set their own fees (AS 40.25.110(f)-(h)).14
If a request is refused
Executive-branch agencies: written appeal to the agency head within 60 working days after the denial (or after the response deadline passes); then appeal the final administrative order to superior court. Injunctive relief in superior court is available without exhausting administrative remedies.17
What is exempt
AS 40.25.120(a) exempts, among others: vital statistics and adoption records (handled under AS 18.50); juvenile records; medical and public-health records; records confidential under federal or state law; FERPA-protected records; certain law-enforcement records (interference with proceedings, fair trial, privacy, confidential sources, techniques, safety); plus further enumerated categories. Criminal justice information is separately confidential under AS 12.62.160.15

How to write a public records request

How Alaska organizes its records

  • No counties: Alaska is divided into organized boroughs (some unified city-boroughs) and one unorganized borough with no borough government. County-level record functions are handled by the state (deeds, UCC, courts, vital records, business names) or by boroughs/cities (property tax).18
  • Single state recording system: DNR State Recorder's Office, 34 recording districts, two offices (Anchorage and Fairbanks). Recording districts do not match borough boundaries; use DNR Find Your District.19
  • Unified state court system with four judicial districts; marriage licenses can be obtained at most court locations as well as Vital Records.6
  • Criminal cases ending in acquittal or (non-plea) dismissal are removed from the public court website after 60 days.20

Other records: background checks, voters, businesses, maps

Criminal history checks

Who holds it
Alaska Department of Public Safety, Criminal Records and Identification (R&I) Bureau, Central Repository.21
Fee
Name-based state check $20; fingerprint-based state check $35; fingerprint state + national (FBI) $47.00. Extra copy $5 if ordered with the original.21
Who may order
Any person may obtain past conviction and current offender information (not nonconviction or correctional treatment information); "interested persons" screening for supervisory power over minors/dependent adults get more; record subjects get their full record. Name checks on another person through the paper form require the subject's signed authorization; an online name-based request service is offered.22

Sex offender registry

Summary
Alaska Sex Offender & Child Kidnapper Registry (Department of Public Safety): sor.dps.alaska.gov/sorpublic23

Inmate and jail lookups

State prisons
Alaska Department of Corrections: "Find an Inmate" links to VINELink (Alaska site).24

Voter records

Access
Voter registration records are public except date of birth/age, SSN, driver's license number, voter ID number, place of birth and signature; a voter may keep the residential address confidential by giving a separate mailing address.25
How to get it
Voter lists are sold by the Division of Elections; contact any divisional office.26

Business names (DBA)

Who keeps them
State only: Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Corporations Section). No county/borough DBA filing. A DBA is the name on an Alaska Business License (AS 43.70); optional Business Name Registration (5 years) or Reservation (120 days) under AS 10.35.27
Search
Search Corporation Database: commerce.alaska.gov/…; business licenses via License Search.28

Liens and UCC filings

UCC filings
UCC financing statements are filed centrally with the DNR UCC Central File, 550 West 7th Ave., Suite 108A, Anchorage (including transmitting-utility filings); fixture filings and filings for as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut go to the recording office for the related real property (recording district).29
Search fee
$15.00 per name searched; $25.00 with copies.29
Other liens
Judgments, federal and state tax liens and child support liens are recorded at the Recorder's Office in the recording district.30

GIS and parcel maps

State GIS portal
Alaska Geoportal (Alaska Geospatial Office): gis.data.alaska.gov (redirects to akgeoportal.alaska.gov).31
Land records
DNR Alaska Mapper (state land ownership/status) and DNR land records (case files, status plats, BLM master title plats): mapper.dnr.alaska.gov, dnr.alaska.gov/landrecords32

Historical and genealogy records

State archives
Alaska State Archives (Division of Libraries, Archives & Museums), APK Building, 395 Whittier Street, Juneau; (907) 465-2270; [email protected]. Holds state government records and select district (1884-1912) and territorial (1912-1959) government records, including District Court records, plus Recorder's Office microfilm and scanned historic recording books.33
Fees
Black & white copies $0.20/page; color $1.00/page; staff time/scanning $60.00 per hour (prorated in 15-minute increments); prepayment required.34
Vital access
Marriage and death certificates closed 50 years, births 100 years; marriage license applications are open (except blood-test results); adoption records sealed.35

Boroughs and census areas in Alaska

Alaska's boroughs and census areas do not record deeds: the state Recorder's Office does, by recording district. See Alaska recording districts to find the office for a property.

The borough or census area with a full guide

Each guide lists the office for every record type, the official online searches, copy fees, phones and hours.

All boroughs and census areas

Warnings from official sources

  • Seller-impersonation / deed fraud (DNR State Recorder's Office)36
  • Third-party vital-record sellers charging high "processing" fees (Health Analytics & Vital Records)10
  • Deceptive official-looking solicitations and look-alike websites/e-mail addresses (e.g., "akk.gov", "ak-gov.org") (Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing)37
  • Court search is not a background check (Alaska Court System)38

Official copies vs look-alike sites

A certified copy comes only from the office that holds the record; reports and "research copies" sold by commercial sites are not issued by any Alaska office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Official directories

Lists that name the office in every borough or census area.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from; all 39 sources were checked on November 4, 2026. Fees and rules change, so check the office's own page before you pay or travel.

  1. Recorder's Office homeAlaska DNR Recorder's Office
  2. Recording FeesAlaska DNR Recorder's Office
  3. AS 29.45.010 Property taxAlaska State Legislature
  4. Court System InformationAlaska Court Systemarchived copy
  5. Trial CourtsAlaska Court Systemarchived copy
  6. Marriage FAQ (Self-Help)Alaska Court Systemarchived copy
  7. Marriage Certificate Request FormAlaska Department of Healtharchived copy
  8. Vital Records FAQsAlaska Department of Healtharchived copy
  9. Filing Fees & Fee WaiverAlaska Court Systemarchived copy
  10. Health Analytics & Vital Records homeAlaska Department of Healtharchived copy
  11. Birth Certificate Request Form (Revision 07/2024)Alaska Department of Healtharchived copy
  12. Death Certificate Request FormAlaska Department of Healtharchived copy
  13. AS 22.10.020 Jurisdiction of the superior courtAlaska State Legislature
  14. AS 40.25.110 Public records open to inspection and copying; feesAlaska State Legislature
  15. AS 40.25.120 Public records; exceptions; certified copiesAlaska State Legislature
  16. 2 AAC 96.325 Response to request; time limitsAlaska State Legislature (Alaska Administrative Code)
  17. 2 AAC 96.340 Appeal from denial; manner of makingAlaska State Legislature (Alaska Administrative Code)
  18. AS 29.03.010 Unorganized borough establishmentAlaska State Legislature
  19. Recorder's/UCC - Places of RecordAlaska DNR Recorder's Office
  20. AS 22.35.030 Records concerning criminal cases resulting in acquittal or dismissalAlaska State Legislature
  21. Background ChecksAlaska Department of Public Safety
  22. AS 12.62.160 Release and use of criminal justice information; feesAlaska State Legislature
  23. Department of Public Safety homeAlaska Department of Public Safety
  24. Department of Corrections homeAlaska Department of Correctionsarchived copy
  25. AS 15.07.195 Certain information in voter registration records confidentialAlaska State Legislature
  26. ResearchAlaska Division of Electionsarchived copy
  27. Reserve or Register a NameAlaska DCCEDarchived copy
  28. Corporations SectionAlaska DCCEDarchived copy
  29. UCC Filing FeesAlaska DNR Recorder's Office
  30. Recorder's Office FAQsAlaska DNR Recorder's Office
  31. Alaska GeoportalAlaska Geospatial Office
  32. DNR MapsAlaska DNR
  33. Alaska State Archives homeAlaska State Libraries, Archives & Museums
  34. Fee ScheduleAlaska State Archives
  35. GenealogyAlaska State Archives
  36. What to Do If You Suspect Deed Fraud (PDF)Alaska DNR Recorder's Office
  37. WARNING: Deceptive Solicitations and ScamsAlaska DCCEDarchived copy
  38. Search CasesAlaska Court Systemarchived copy
  39. Court DirectoryAlaska Court Systemarchived copy