Are Alaska Vital Records Open to the Public?
Most Alaska vital records fall under the umbrella of public records. As public records, they can be accessed by members of the public in compliance with the Alaska Public Record Act. Depending on the record type, requesters may obtain vital record information in person, by mail, or online. However, access to official records is typically restricted to a smaller group, namely the individual on record, close family members, and any legal representative.
What Information Shows Up in Alaska Vital Records?
Alaska vital records are official documents generated by state agencies after a vital event occurs within their jurisdiction. These events include births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, as well as related occurrences like adoptions, pregnancy terminations, separation, and others. The provisions for the management and dissemination of these records are outlined in Chapter 18.50. Vital Statistics Act of the Alaska Code.
How to Find Alaska Vital Records Online
While most government offices do not provide an option for remote vital records search, these offices allow inquirers to request Alaska vital records online. For an online vital record request to be processed, requesters will need to provide information related to the search, such as:
The registrant's name
- Date of the event
- Time of the event
- Relationship to the requester
- Name of the presiding judge (for divorce or marriage records)
Members of the public may also be required to provide a copy of a valid government-issued picture I.D. along with a signature.
Some third-party aggregate sites also manage and disseminate publicly available vital records. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a convenient jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide the following:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.
How Do I Obtain Alaska Vital Records?
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) Health Analytics and Vital Records Division is responsible for maintaining vital records in the state. Requests for vital records can be made online, by mail, or in person at the local county health departments.
The first step to obtaining a vital record in Alaska is completing the proper vital records request form. Parties must also pay the search and copy costs. Restricted records require requesters to provide legitimate identification before obtaining the record.
Publicly available vital records are managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a convenient jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.
Requesters must provide relevant information associated with the record to conduct an online search for vital records. Some of these include:
- The registrant's name
- Date of the event
- Place of the event
- City or county where the life event occurred
- First and last name of parents
- Presiding judge (for marriage or divorce records)
Certified Copy vs Informational Copy: Understanding the Difference
Requesters can use certified copies of vital records to establish the identity of the named registrant, while they cannot use informational documents for official identification. In addition, certified copies are often used for legal and business purposes, such as applying for a driver's license or passport. Informational copies cannot be used for legal verifications and typically include a stamp across the face saying, "Informational, not a valid document".
Are Alaska Marriage Records Public Information?
Yes. Alaska marriage records are generally open to the public, especially if the marriage records are 50 years or older. However, access to marriage records within the last five decades is restricted to a smaller group, namely the parties named on the marriage certificate, legal representatives, and anyone with an established legal right.
How Do I Obtain Alaska Marriage Records?
Public marriage records can be obtained using third-party search platforms that offer this service. Members of the public can also obtain copies of Alaska marriage certificates by submitting a request to the Alaska Health Analytics & Vital Records Section. The office maintains records of marriage events that have occurred in the state since the 1890s. To obtain records by mail, requesters must send a completed application form with the appropriate fee to:
Department of Health and Social Services
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
How to Get an Alaska Marriage Certificate.
To get an Alaska marriage certificate, those who are interested are required to submit a request either via mail or in-person to the Office of Vital Statistics Alaska. Eligible members of the public can fill out the Alaska marriage certificate request form and submit it online, through the mail, or in person. The requester would need to provide a valid I.D. and pay a fee of $30 for the first copy and $25 for any additional copy. Individuals who seek to get an Alaska marriage certificate can also check third-party sites from which a marriage certificate can be ordered.
Are Divorce Records Public Information?
Yes. Members of the public can typically access Alaska divorce records. Records of marriage dissolutions remain protected for 50 years from the event, after which they can be inspected or viewed by almost anyone. During the first 50 years, divorce records may only be viewed by the parties involved and any legal representative.
Individuals who wish to obtain copies of a divorce record may be required to state their relationship to the registrant(s) on paper. Divorce records fall into three general categories: divorce certificates, divorce records, and divorce decrees. While requesters can obtain certificates through the ADHSS Health Analytics and Vital Records Division, the Alaska Court System maintains divorce certificates and divorce decrees.
How Do I Obtain Alaska Divorce Records?
Interested persons can find divorce information using third-party sites that offer this service. Members of the public may also obtain records by contacting the ADHSS. The state office maintains Alaska divorce records from 1950 to the present. Submitted applications must include a completed request form, a photo I.D., and the appropriate fee. Divorce records may also be available via mail at:
Department of Health and Social Services
Alaska Health Analytics & Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Most mail requests take an average of four weeks to process.
How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in Alaska
Individuals who want to get a certified divorce certificate in Alaska can do so by filling out and submitting the Alaska divorce certificate request form at the Bureau of Vital Statistics in person or via mail. Individuals who wish to obtain a certified divorce certificate in Alaska can also check private sites that offer this service to obtain a certificate. The fee required to obtain an Alaska-certified divorce certificate is $30 for the first copy and $25 for any additional copy.
Please note that dissolution of marriage records that are below 50 years in Alaska are not accessible to the public.
Are Alaska Birth Records Public Information?
Alaska birth records are confidential until 100 years after the event occurred. During this time, the records are only available to persons who can sufficiently prove a direct and tangible interest in them. Those who can order birth certificates include:
- The registrant ordering a birth certificate replacement
- The registrant's parents or legal guardians
- Persons authorized by court order and third parties bearing a notarized letter of consent
- Legal representatives of eligible persons.
Access to Alaska birth records becomes unrestricted after the 100-year period has elapsed.
How Do I Obtain Alaska Birth Records?
Interested and eligible persons can access Alaska birth records by querying the Division of Public Health of the ADHSS. Requests can be made by downloading and completing the Alaska birth certificate request form. The application must legibly state:
- The name of the registrant
- The maiden name of the registrant's mother and the father's full name
- The place and date of the birth
- The relationship between the registrant and the requestor
- The purpose of the request
All requests must be enclosed with a copy of a government-issued photo I.D. and a cheque or money order payment of $30. Supporting documents may also be included (if relevant to the request). Applicants can submit all requests in person or via mail to:
Alaska Vital Records Office
5441 Commercial Blvd
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK
Phone: (907) 465-3391
Is a Birth Certificate a Public Record in Alaska?
No. Birth certificates are not considered public records in Alaska under the Health Analytics and Vital Records law. Members of the public eligible to obtain a birth certificate who are interested in getting a copy of an original birth certificate can send a request to the Department of Health. One can also request a replacement birth certificate if the original birth certificate is missing. Third-party sites that offer this service are another option for ordering a birth certificate.
Are Alaska Death Records Public?
Death records in Alaska are restricted to the decedent's family members and their legal representatives for a limited time. After 50 years, however, they become public death records. Officials can also waive limitations for anyone performing a death certificate search if they can prove a direct and tangible interest in the record.
How Do I Obtain Death Records in Alaska?
Requests for Alaska public death records can be made to the state's vital record office by downloading and completing the Alaska death certificate request form. This death record search by name must be enclosed with the indicated I.D. requirements and fees and delivered in person or via mail to:
Alaska Vital Records Office
5441 Commercial Blvd
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK
Phone: (907) 465-3391
Is a Death Certificate Public Record in Alaska?
No, death certificates are considered confidential in Alaska and can only be accessed by close members of the family of the deceased or a legal representative of the deceased. Eligible members of the public who seek to get an Alaska death certificate can send a request online, via mail, or in person to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Another option would be to check out private aggregate sites.
How Do I Obtain Sealed Vital Records in Alaska
In compliance with Alaska's public record laws, sealed vital records can be made available to persons who can sufficiently prove the relevance of the sealed record in protecting a legal right or staking a financial claim. To obtain a sealed record, interested and eligible persons must petition a state-licensed judge for a court order or request a signed consent form from the subject(s) of the record. With these documents, the requestor may query the appropriate record custodian for the record of interest.
What are Vital Statistics Alaska?
Vital statistics Alaska are records of all vital events that took place in Alaska. This record includes birth records, death records, marriage records, and divorce records. The Bureau of Vital Statistics Alaska is concerned with recording, filing, and managing vital statistics in Alaska. Members of the public interested in getting a record can visit the Department of Health Alaska in person.
Address:
Located inside the Department of Motor Vehicles office,
3901 Old Seward Hwy Suite 101, Anchorage,
Alaska 99503.
To find Alaska vital statistics, Phone: (907) 269-0991
