Are Divorce Records Public in Alaska?
Divorce records in Alaska are sealed and unavailable to the general public until 50 years after the divorce is recorded. For instance, records of divorces that happened in 2020 will not be available as public records until 2070, with some exemptions. Eligible parties who may request these records before they are available to the public include individuals who were involved in the divorce, as well as their attorneys.
How to Find a Divorce Record in Alaska
Divorce records are documents that show details of divorces finalized in the Alaska state courts. A divorce record provides such vital information as the names of the parties involved as well as where and when the divorce was finalized. Some records may also include important details regarding asset division, spousal and child support, and custody information. The three types of divorce records available in Alaska are divorce certificates, divorce decrees, and divorce records.
Divorce records are considered court records and may, therefore, be searched on official or third-party public record websites. Divorce records can offer personal information on minors, finances, and sensitive criminal information like domestic abuse. Because of this, divorce records, certificates, and decree availability is usually much lower than other types of public records because of the personal nature of divorces. Simply put, divorce records are significantly harder to obtain and search for than other types of public records.
Alaska Divorce Certificate
A divorce certificate is a document that confirms that a divorce occurred between two people on a specific date. It also shows the names of the two people who were involved in the divorce as well as where the separation was finalized. This is the most widely used divorce document even though it contains limited information about the divorce.
Divorced parties intending to remarry or file for name changes need this document. A divorce certificate can only be issued to the two people involved in the divorce.
There are two basic types of divorce certificates: certified divorce certificates and regular divorce certificates.
- Certified divorce certificate: A certified copy of a divorce certificate contains all the same information as a regular copy but also has an official seal. It is usually more expensive than a regular copy and the one needed for legal, tax, and other official purposes.
- Regular divorce certificate: This contains the same details as the certified copy, but it doesn’t bear a seal
Understanding Alaska Divorce Decrees
A divorce decree is a document that contains the final divorce judgment issued by a family court. It contains all the information provided in the divorce certificate as well as more detailed information regarding the terms of the divorce settlement. Such details include visitation rights and schedules, custody arrangements, and alimony information.
A divorce decree can be issued whether the marriage dissolution went to trial or not. If the divorce involves a trial, the presiding judge will determine the terms of the settlement. If, however, the couple chooses a non-trial settlement, then the divorce decree will contain the terms of settlement they agreed upon. In both cases, the divorce decree will be issued by a court.
A divorce decree is binding to both parties. It is only accessible to the divorce parties and their respective attorneys.
Understanding Alaska Divorce Records
A divorce record provides the most complete picture of a divorce. It is the complete case file of the dissolution of marriage and details of all the court proceedings resulting in the divorce. That means it contains the divorce decree, which is the final judgment and terms of settlement of the divorce. It also contains every record generated during court proceedings leading to the final judgment. A divorce record is important if any of the parties choose to challenge the final decisions of the court.
How to Obtain a Divorce Certificate in Alaska
The Vital Records Office of the Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records maintains and provides copies of divorce certificates for the state. It is possible to obtain divorce certificates in Alaska by requesting them:
- Online
- By mail
- In person
By Mail
When requesting an Alaska divorce certificate by mail, start by completing a Divorce Certificate Form. The requester must be one of the parties named in the divorce certificate. Any other person who wants to obtain the certificate should call (907) 465-3391 for further instructions.
The requester will need to provide a valid means of identification, such as a driver’s license, military ID, state-issued ID, tribal/BIA card, or passport. The form contains fields for the following:
- Names of the two parties
- Dates of marriage and divorce
- City/town/village of divorce
- Purpose of the request
- The requester’s relationship to either of the parties on the certificate
- The requester’s phone number and signature
Alaska Vital Records charges $30 for the first certified copy of a divorce certificate and $25 for each additional copy requested alongside the first copy. Copy fee is payable by a check or money order made out to the Alaska Vital Records Office or with a credit card.
Mail the completed application form, copy of government-issued ID, and fee to:
Alaska Vital Records Office
P.O.Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
The Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records recommends priority and registered mail services for delivering divorce certificates. These options cost more than regular mailing services. Their shipping fees are:
- Priority Mail: $8
- Express Mail: $26
- FedEx: $24.25
Note that opting for any of these three mailing options does not mean that the requester will enjoy expedited service. For requests to be processed faster, the requester should tick the “Expedited (Rush) Service” box in the form. This will attract an extra fee of $11. Send an application requesting expedited processing by e-mail or fax.
By E-mail and Fax
First, complete the Divorce Certificate Form. Send it to hss.vr.apps@alaska.gov when choosing the email option. To deliver the request by fax, download, print, and complete the application form and then fax it to the Juneau Vital Records Office at (907) 465-3618. Call the office ten minutes after sending the fax to confirm it was received.
In Person
To obtain a divorce certificate in person, the requester must visit either the Anchorage or Juneau office of Alaska Vital Records with a completed application form.
Anchorage Office
Health Analytics & Vital Records
3601 C Street, Suite 128
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-0991
Fax: (907) 269-0994
Open: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Juneau Office
Health Analytics & Vital Records
5441 Commercial Blvd.
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, Ak 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3391
Fax: (907) 465-3618
Open: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Fees for in-person requests are the same as for mail requests.
How to Find Out if Someone is Divorced in Alaska
A person can find out if someone is divorced in Alaska by requesting their divorce certificate. Requests for Alaska divorce certificates can be made online, by mail, fax, or in person at the Alaska Vital Records Office. Note that access to Alaska divorce certificates is restricted for 50 years per AK Stat § 18.50.310. Hence, the record seeker must be able to prove that they are legally entitled to the record.
Alternatively, an individual can find out if someone is divorced by sending a request to the Alaska State Archives. The Office has a Research Inquiry Form that a requester must submit to be able to retrieve divorce information about an individual.
How to Find Public Divorce Records Online
A requester can find public divorce records online by submitting a Research Inquiry Form to the Alaska State Archives. To be able to use this tool, an inquirer must provide their name, agency/division, mail stop, phone, address, city, state, zip code, email, and information about the divorce record, like the name of the divorce parties, divorce date, and location. Paper copies of divorce records cost $0.10 per page duplication fee and $50 per hour for processing fees.
Alternatively, interested persons can search for divorce records in Alaska via third-party websites. These databases require record seekers to provide basic information about divorce parties, like their names, divorce dates, and divorce locations. Although record seekers may be able to get divorce information from third-party sites, such information cannot be used for official purposes.
How to Obtain Divorce Court Records in Alaska
Divorce records and decrees are available at the courts where the divorces recorded were finalized. Since these records are confidential for the first 50 years, they can only be issued to the parties involved in the divorces or their representatives. Therefore, requesters will be required to provide valid IDs while applying.
The Alaska court system provides forms for requesting divorce records. The form needed varies depending on the courthouse where the request will be submitted.
- For Anchorage, Sand Point, and Saint Paul Island courthouses, use the TF-311 ANCH form
- For the Fairbanks courthouse, use the TF-311 FBKS form
- For the Palmer courthouse, use the TF-311 PA form
- For other courthouses in Alaska, use the TF-311 form
Compulsory fields that requesters need to fill out in these forms include those providing the following details:
- Requester’s name
- Requester’s agency
- Phone and fax numbers
- Mailing address and email address:
- Case name and number
Requesters can use these forms to request divorce decrees and divorce records by ticking the appropriate checkboxes. With this form, they can request plain, certified, exemplified, and authenticated copies of divorce records.
The corresponding fees for these types of divorce record copies are:
- Plain copies: $5 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy
- Certified copies: $10 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy
- Exemplified copies: $15 for each copy
- Authenticated copies: $15 for each copy
Requesters are also required to pay a research fee of $30 per hour. The amount of time it will take to search out the records depends on the period the divorce occurred and the amount of information provided in the form. For example, it will take longer to search out a divorce record if there is no case number on the request form.
Requesters can submit completed application forms for divorce court records in person, by mail, and by fax.
Visit the appropriate courthouse where the divorce happened to submit a request in person. Submit the completed application to the Office of the Clerk of the Court. In Alaska, the only way to receive plain copies of divorce records is in person. The Clerk’s Office will send certified, exemplified, and authenticated copies to requesters’ mailing addresses.
To submit a mail request for divorce records, send the completed application form, required documents, and fees to the mailing address of the Clerk of the Court in the city/town where the divorce was finalized. Requesters can also send their applications to the email address and/or fax numbers of the Alaska courthouses of interest. Find these contact details on the courthouse pages on the Alaska Court System website.
Alaska Court System also has an online repository for searching for court records. Use it to retrieve the records of divorces finalized before 1990. To pull the records of a divorce using the search tool on the portal, provide its case number and/or names of the parties involved in the divorce. The public can only view records retrieved using this method.
Government public record search portals and third-party public record websites both may provide court records search tools, which can help find divorce records, though record availability usually varies widely. Divorce records in particular, may simply not be available through either source.
How to Request for Audio Copies of Divorce Records
It is also possible to request audio recordings of divorce trials or judgments in Alaska. The state’s courthouses charge $20 per audio CD of court session recordings.
There are four different request forms for requesting these audio transcripts depending on the location of the trial court where a divorce was heard.
- For Anchorage, Sand Point, and Saint Paul Island courthouses, use the TF-304 ANCH form.
- For the Fairbanks courthouse, use the TF-304 FBKS form
- For the Palmer courthouse, use TF-304 PA form
- For every other courthouse in Alaska, use TF-304 form
Does Alaska Recognize Common-Law Marriage
The state of Alaska recognizes the validity of common-law unions established in states where this type of marriage is legal. Common-law couples who relocate to Alaska are free to continue with their marriage arrangement without getting a license. Couples united in a common-law marriage live together and are seen by other members of their community as married. They also ideally enjoy the benefits of being in a marriage. However, the Alaska law system does not permit residents to leave for other states simply to validate a common-law marriage and then return. People enter common law marriage to avoid situations such as divorce. However, states that recognize common-law marriages also require a divorce to terminate such relationships.
What are Dissolution of Marriage Records?
Dissolution of marriage records is a mutual agreement between a couple in which both parties agree to the terms of ending the marriage. For instance, the couple must agree on living arrangements, property distribution, division of debts, and support and custody of minor children. In Alaska, a dissolution of marriage records decree has the same effect as a divorce decree. However, marriage dissolution procedures differ from divorce procedures. The major difference between a marriage dissolution record and divorce is the couple's stand regarding their issues. The couple can file for a dissolution of marriage records if they agree on all issues, but if they disagree, one of them can file for divorce.
How to Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Alaska
Record seekers can find dissolution of marriage records online, by mail, fax, or in person at the Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records Office. Online requests are processed through an approved third-party record provider. Fax orders can be made by calling (907) 465-3618. Record fees for fax orders are only payable by credit card, and the requesters must call the Office 10 minutes after sending the fax to confirm receipt.
Mail requests require submitting an Alaska Divorce Certificate Request Form alongside a copy of a government-issued ID with the appropriate fees payable by check, money order, or credit card) to:
Health Analytics and Vital Records
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
In-person orders can be made by visiting any of the Alaska Vital Records Offices at Juneau (Main Office) or Anchorage Office. Walk-in office hours at the Juneau Office are from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, while orders can be made from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, at the Anchorage Office. The Alaska Vital Records Offices are located at:
Alaska Vital Records Office
Juneau (Main Office)
5441 Commercial Blvd.
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3391
Fax: (907) 465-3618
Anchorage Office
3901 Old Seward Hwy, Ste. 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-0991
How to Find Divorce Papers Online
A plaintiff can find divorce papers online on the Alaska Court System website. First, click on the “Self-Help” menu on the homepage. When the self-help page opens, click on the “Family Law link” and then click on the Forms menu.
