What are Anchorage Public Records
Per the Alaska Open Records Act Sec. 40.21.150, Anchorage Municipality public records means any document, regardless of physical form, received or developed under law by a public agency in connection with a public activity or business. The term "public records" covers the following: photographic file, photo, plat, microfilm, drawing, letter, book, punch card, or digital records. Unless exempt by the Open Records Act, Anchorage Municipality public records are open to public inspection or viewing. That said, exempt public records in Anchorage Municipality includes:
- Records of adoption proceedings and vital statistics;
- Documents containing juvenile crime information;
- Public health records that may reveal a patient's health information;
- Records classified as "confidential" by state or federal laws;
- Data compiled by law enforcement agencies which may:
- interfere with enforcement proceedings;
- deprive an individual of the right to a fair trial;
- may violate an individual's right to privacy or confidentiality;
- disclose the identity of a confidential source;
- reveal law enforcement investigation techniques and strategies;
- Jeopardize the physical safety or life of the record subject.
- Documents detailing the names and contact details of participants in the Alaska Higher Education Savings Trust; AS 14.40.802
- Under AS 05.25.030, record pertaining to boat accidents and collisions;
- Trade secrets or proprietary information, according to AS 43.90.150
- Documents on procedures, strategies, or programs used in maintaining or restoring security in the state of Alaska;
- Preliminary or drafts used in decision-making by government agencies;
- Location and data on archeological sites and endangered species;
- Documents covered by an attorney-client privilege;
- Legally-exempt criminal investigatory documents that pertain to a criminal or civil proceeding;
- Technical information pertaining to software and hardware, the disclosure of which will jeopardize computer security;
- Surveillance techniques and security measures, which if disclosed, will create a risk to persons, data, or properties;
- Architectural and official building plans of government-owned facilities;
- Juvenile records and other sensitive compiled by law enforcement agencies;
- Information on crime witnesses and complainants;
- Data about pending litigation that involves a public agency or entity;
- Crime victim records maintained by an agency primarily responsible for the welfare of crime victims;
- A federal government-issued certificate of honorable discharge filed with a public agency;
- Information on bids for contracts are exempt until a public agency make a final decision;
- Minutes of the meeting of public entities closed to the public.
- voters registration data, such as email address, home address, and other identifying information;
- A public employee or employers' records pertaining to sexual harassment complaints or grievances filed by or against government personnel.
- Records pertaining to proceedings under the Alaska Medical Assistance False Claim and Reporting Act;
- Identifying information of participants in the Alaska savings program for eligible persons;
In addition to official sources, public county records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple county records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Anchorage Municipality Crime Statistics
The Anchorage Police Department maintains and collates records of arrests and crimes within the Municipality. Furthermore, it generates annual crime statistics for all index crimes. Per the 2019 index crime report, Anchorage documented 15,842 index crimes, consisting of 3,581 violent crimes and 12,261 property crimes The report also revealed the following index crime rates: 32 murders, 540 rapes, 621 robberies, 2,388 aggravated assaults, 1,692 burglaries, 9,038 larceny thefts, 1,531 motor vehicle thefts, and 93 arsons. In contrast, Anchorage documented 18,071 index crimes in 2016. When compared with the 2019 report, crime rates in the City fell by 12 percent.
Are Anchorage Municipality Criminal Records Public?
Per Alaska Statute AS 12.62.160, Anchorage criminal records are public records. Thus, requesters can make requests and receive copies of criminal records from the custodian agency. However, the Alaska Open Records Act prevents the disclosure of criminal records containing juvenile information. Only the record subject, parent, legal guardian, and other authorized persons can access juvenile criminal information. In addition, expunged or sealed criminal records are not open to the public. Information on crime victims and witnesses are also excluded from disclosed criminal records.
Anchorage criminal records are under the purview of the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Criminal Records, and Identification Bureau. Record seekers can obtain Anchorage criminal records by sending a request for a name-based search. In contrast, record seekers may opt to send the record bearer's fingerprint to the custodian body. For a name-based search for criminal record, interested persons must follow these steps:
- Complete one or more of these forms:
- Include a $20 money order or check;
- Send the aforementioned documents via mail to:
Criminal Records and Identification (R&I) Bureau
Division of Statewide Services
State of Alaska, Department of Public Safety
5700 East Tudor Road
Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone: (907) 269-5767
Fax: (907) 269-5091
Record seekers may request for criminal records using a fingerprint card. To use this option, send the record bearer's fingerprints on a FD-258 FBI fingerprint form via mail to:
Criminal Records and Identification (R&I) Bureau
Division of Statewide Services
State of Alaska, Department of Public Safety
5700 East Tudor Road
Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone: (907) 269-5767
Fax: (907) 269-5091
How to Obtain Anchorage Municipality Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Anchorage Police Department records all arrest events, and traffic or accident reports. Furthermore, it maintains an online request portal via which interested persons can obtain copies of police reports. Record seekers must create an account or login to the request venter to obtain police reports. Most importantly, requesters must fill out a consent form to access police reports on the request portal:
- Adult consent form: for record subjects;
- Adults with guardians: for legal guardians requesting on behalf of an incapacitated record bearer;
- Juvenile consent form: for parents or legal guardians requesting for their ward's juvenile records.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Anchorage Municipality
The Alaska Department of Public Safety updates and provides access to sex offenders' information via an online registry. Sex offenders' data, such as name, birth, aliases, and photograph are featured on the online registry. Through the online registry, record seekers can conduct map or name-based searches for sex offenders residing in Anchorage Municipality. To use the name-based option, record seekers must input the offender's name or search the list of sex offenders listed in alphabetical order. On the other hand, requesters can use the map-based search to pinpoint an offender's residence, employer, or school.
How to Find Anchorage Municipality Inmate Records
Requesters can find Anchorage inmate records at the Anchorage Correctional Complex. To obtain inmate records, contact the Anchorage Correctional Complex at:
1400 East 4th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 269-4100
Fax: (907) 269-4208
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Anchorage Municipality
Visitors can visit inmates at the Anchorage Correctional Complex. All visitors must sign up at the jail facility at least one hour before the scheduled visit.
The East Building of the Anchorage Jail receives visitors daily at 9:00 a.m, 10:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m, 2:00 p.m, 6:30 p.m, and 7:30 p.m.
In contrast, the East Building of the Anchorage Jail receives visitors on
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays ( 9 a.m, 10 a.m, 1 p.m, 2 p.m, 7 p.m, 8 p.m).
- Thursday: (1 p.m, 2 p.m only. No morning or evening visitation);
- Saturday & Sunday (8 a.m, 9 a.m, 10 a.m, 1 p.m, 2 p.m, 7 p.m, 8 p.m).
Anchorage Municipality Court Records
Anchorage Municipality court records are under the purview of the Alaska Court System. The Alaska Court System provides an offline and online repository of all court cases, such as criminal, civil, family, or probate court records.
Location of Courts in Anchorage Municipality
Anchorage Municipality houses the following courts:
Anchorage Borough Superior Court
Anchorage Superior Court
825 West 4th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 264-0514
Anchorage Borough District Court
Anchorage District Court
825 West 4th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 264-0514
Are Anchorage Municipality Court Records Public?
Per the Alaska Open Records Act, public members can access non-confidential court documents generated in Anchorage. However, confidential court records, such as child adoption court records and juvenile court records, are exempt from public disclosure.
The Alaska Court System is the custodian of all court records in Anchorage Municipality. Moreover, it provides access to court records generated by the Appellate Courts and Trial Courts. Record seekers can obtain court documents online via an online database maintained by the Alaska Court System.
Can You Look Up an Anchorage Municipal Court Record Online?
Interested persons can look up Anchorage court records online. The Alaska Court System maintains an online repository of all court documents created in the Municipality. Using the online searchable portal, interested persons may opt to search for court cases under the Appellate Court or the Trial Court. The Appellate Court search system enables requesters to search via these options:
- Search by appellate case number;
- Search by party name;
- Search by attorney name.
Conversely, record seekers can search for trial court documents using these search options:
- Search by case number;
- Search by plaintiff or defendant's name;
- Search by ticket or citation number.
How to Obtain Anchorage Municipality Civil Court Case Records
The Alaska Court System houses and issues copies of Anchorage Municipality court documents to interested parties. Furthermore, it issues the documents via an online searchable database. Record seekers can access Anchorage Municipality civil court cases via the Trial Court online searchable database. There are different search options for accessing civil court records on the platform:
- Search by case number;
- Search by plaintiff or defendant's name;
- Search by ticket or citation number.
In contrast, record seekers may obtain Anchorage Municipality civil court case records in-person at:
Anchorage District Court
825 West 4th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 264-0514
How to Obtain Anchorage Municipality Criminal Court Case Record
Interested persons or entities can obtain online copies of Anchorage Municipality criminal court records from the Alaska Court System. The Alaska Court System maintains an online repository of all court documents created in the Municipality. Using the online searchable portal, interested persons may opt to search for court cases under the Appellate Court or the Trial Court. The Appellate Court search system enables requesters to search via these options:
- Search by appellate case number;
- Search by party name;
- Search by attorney name.
Conversely, record seekers can search for trial court documents using these search options:
- Search by case number;
- Search by plaintiff or defendant's name;
- Search by ticket or citation number.
Alternatively, interested persons may receive criminal court records in-person at:
Anchorage Borough Superior Court
Anchorage Superior Court
825 West 4th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 264-0514
Anchorage Borough District Court
Anchorage District Court
825 West 4th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 264-0514
What are Anchorage Municipality Vital Records?
Anchorage Municipality vital records refer to all documentation of life events within the City. Documented life events generally include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. In addition, local and state public agencies are the designated custodians of vital records. Therefore, requesters must direct all requests for vital records to the designated record custodian. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, via the Bureau of Vital Statistics, maintains and issues divorce, marriage, death, and birth records to eligible applicants. By Alaskan statute, all vital records are confidential, and only eligible persons can obtain the records.
Where and How to Obtain Anchorage Municipality Divorce Records
The DHSS, via the Bureau of Vital Statistics, is the custodian of Anchorage Municipality divorce records. Thus, all interested persons must request divorce records either in-person or via mail to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Since vital records are confidential documents, the record custodian will only issue divorce records to record bearers and legal representatives of the record bearers. However, divorce records older than 50 years are accessible to the public.
To get a divorce certificate via mail or in-person, requesters must provide a completed divorce record request form, a copy of a photo ID, and payment for the requested document. For in-person requests, record seekers may visit one of these locations within business hours:
Anchorage Office
901 Old Seward Highway
Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-0991
Juneau (Main Office)
5441 Commercial Boulevard
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3391
Fax: (907) 465-3618
The Vital Records Offices are open to receive in-person requests on weekdays from 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Certified copies of Anchorage Municipality divorce documents cost $30, while additional copies cost $25. Furthermore, the Bureau of Vital statistics accepts money orders or checks for mail requests. Requesters can use any mode of payment for in-person requests.
In contrast, record seekers may send a mail request containing the required documents to:
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Where and How to Get Anchorage Municipality Marriage Records
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services keeps records of all Anchorage marriage licenses. Per the DHSS, Anchorage Municipality marriage records less than 50 years are confidential and accessible to only the record subjects and their legal representatives. Whereas marriage records above 50 years old are open to the public. Thus, interested applicants can request for marriage records from the DHSS via mail or in-person. Irrespective of the request method, record seekers must provide these documents:
- A completed marriage certificate request form;
- A copy of a photo ID
- The required fee.
To receive copies of certified or uncertified Anchorage Municipality marriage certificates, record seekers may send a mail request containing the required documents to:
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Record seekers may present the above listed documents in-person at the Bureau of Vital Statistics locations:
Anchorage Office
901 Old Seward Highway
Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-0991
Juneau (Main Office)
5441 Commercial Boulevard
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3391
Fax: (907) 465-3618
The Vital Records Offices are open to receive in-person requests on weekdays from 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Certified Anchorage Municipality marriage records cost $30, while additional copies ordered at the same time are $25 per page.
Where and How to Find Anchorage Municipality Birth Records
Residents and non-residents can find Anchorage Municipality birth records from 1913 to the present at the Bureau of Vital Statistics. In Alaska, birth records less than 100 years old are confidential documents. The Bureau of Vital Statistics will only issue confidential birth records to:
- The registrant listed on the birth document;
- Parent listed on the birth certificate;
- Legal guardians (must provide guardianship papers).
Eligible applicants must provide a copy of a photo ID when requesting for certified birth certificates. In addition, record seekers must present a completed birth certificate request form and the required search fee in-person or via mail requests.
To receive copies of certified or uncertified Anchorage Municipality birth certificates via mail, record seekers may send a mail request containing the required documents to:
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Record seekers may present the above listed documents in-person at the Bureau of Vital Statistics locations:
Anchorage Office
901 Old Seward Highway
Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-0991
Juneau (Main Office)
5441 Commercial Boulevard
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3391
Fax: (907) 465-3618
The Vital Records Offices are open to receive in-person requests on weekdays from 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Certified Anchorage Municipality birth certificates cost $30. Whereas additional copies ordered at the same time cost $25
Where and How to Find Anchorage Municipality Death Records
The Bureau of Vital Statistics provides access to Anchorage Municipality death records from 1913 to the present. Death records less than 50 years old are issued to:
- The deceased's family relations (surviving spouse, grandchild, grandparent, sibling, and child);
- Legal representative of the deceased's estate.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics requires interested persons to provide the following documents when requesting death certificates:
- A completed death certificate request form;
- Photocopy of the applicant's photo ID;
- The required search fee.
To receive copies of certified or uncertified Anchorage Municipality death certificates via mail orders, record seekers may send a mail request containing the required documents to:
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Record seekers may present the above listed documents in-person at the Bureau of Vital Statistics locations:
Anchorage Office
901 Old Seward Highway
Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-0991
Juneau (Main Office)
5441 Commercial Boulevard
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3391
Fax: (907) 465-3618
The Vital Records Offices are open to receive in-person requests on weekdays from 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Certified copies of Anchorage Municipality death records cost $30, while additional copies cost $25.
