The laws for public records in Alaska can be found under Alaska Statute 40.25.110, which outlines what records are available and when. Unless otherwise specifically and explicitly provided in another law protecting an agency or certain information, all public agencies are open to inspection of any of their records during normal hours of operation. Also stipulated within the law is the ability for public agencies to charge a fee for public records retrieval and copying. While these fees are subject to change at any time, they are supposed to only be to cover the working expenses of the records search and copy materials. In 1990, this cost was established based upon a small expense to the agency, and the same rules established then are followed now, meaning agencies are only supposed to increased prices as to keep in line with inflation.
Public records are a vital tool to keeping public agencies accountable and for maintaining our links to the past. Below you will find out how to access some of the most popular types of public records requested.
Are birth certificates available to the public in Alaska?
Birth certificates are confidential in Alaska. They can only be released to either the holder of the birth certificate or a valid legal representative. The only exception is that parents are able to obtain birth certificates for their own children. However, public access to Alaska birth records becomes available 100 years after the birth occurred.
How do you order a certified copy of a birth certificate in Alaska?
Certified copies of Alaska birth certificates can be requested through the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics (Alaska Vital Records)/Health Analytics and Vital Records Section by mail, email or fax. In-person requests can be made at the Anchorage or Juneau Vital Records Offices. Expedited certified copies and be ordered online through VitalChek.
Are Alaska death records public?
Alaska death records are considered confidential. Only spouses, parents, children, siblings or legal representatives related to the estate of the person on the certificate can request copies of a death certificate in the state. However, 50 years after the death occurred the records become publicly available and are available to everyone.
How can you get a copy of a death certificate in Alaska?
Certified copies of death certificates in Alaska can be ordered by mail, email or fax through the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics (Alaska Vital Records)/Health Analytics and Vital Records Section. They can be acquired in-person at the Anchorage or Juneau Vital Records Offices. Online orders can be placed through VitalChek.
Are Alaska marriage records public?
Marriage certificates are considered public records in Alaska. This means that they can generally be viewed by anyone. However, only the parties named on a marriage certificate are able to obtain certified copies of the certificate.
How can you get a copy of a marriage certificate in Alaska?
A certified copy of an Alaska marriage certificate can be obtained from the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics (Alaska Vital Records)/Health Analytics and Vital Records Section by mail, email or fax. They can also be ordered in-person at the Anchorage or Juneau Vital Records Offices. The fastest way to get a certified copy of an Alaska marriage certificate is by ordering one online from VitalChek. Only the people named on the certificate can order a certified copy.
Are divorce records public in Alaska?
Divorce records are protected in Alaska and are confidential for 50 years following the event. Only the individuals listed on the divorce records or their legal representatives can request copies of divorce certificates that are less than 50 years old.
How do you get a copy of your Alaska divorce decree?
An Alaska divorce certificate request can be made in-person at the Anchorage or Juneau Vital Records Offices. They can also be ordered by mail, email and fax through the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics (Alaska Vital Records)/Health Analytics and Vital Records Section. Certified copies can also be ordered online through VitalChek.
Are Alaska adoption records public?
Adoption records are not public in Alaska. Adult adoptees that are at least 18 years old can obtain their own original birth certificates without restrictions using something called an OBC form. Adult adoptees can also request descriptive information regarding birth parents and siblings.
Are court records public in Alaska?
Alaska residents are entitled to access to all records held by state and local governments unless there is a law forbidding the release of a specific record. Both appellate court cases and trial cases can be searched using a tool provided by the Alaska Court System.
Are Alaska criminal records public?
Alaska is an open records state that provides criminal history information to the general public. An Alaska statute authorizes any person to receive Alaska criminal justice information. In Alaska, the Department of Public Safety, Criminal Records and Identification (R&I) Bureau is responsible for maintaining most criminal records.
Where can you search for criminal records in Alaska?
Alaska criminal records can be obtained by submitting a request based on a name search to the Department of Public Safety, Criminal Records and Identification (R&I) Bureau. Any person who is the subject of a criminal record in Alaska is authorized to view or purchase the entire record.
Where can you search for Alaska property and land records?
The State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources provides a search portal to help users locate, research and verify ownership for land use and authorizations on all land owned or managed by the state. The State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources provides a search portal for state records that can help to identify property ownership and liens using deeds, mortgages, reconveyances, notices of lien, claims of lien and more.
How do you check your driving record in Alaska?
Driving records in Alaska can be requested through your local DMV office online or in person upon completing the Alaska Request for Driving Record (Form 419) form. Due to the fact that all license records in Alaska are confidential, people may only check their own records unless they have permission to obtain a record for another person.