KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Kenai Peninsula Borough Public Records?

According to the APRA, Kenai Peninsula public records include information received or developed by a public agency, or a private contractor on behalf of a public agency. Public records may be books, writings, papers, drafts, and all other records, regardless of physical characteristics or format. The act states that public records also include records preserved for the agency's informational value or as evidence of the agency's operations. However, Alaska law states that not all records should be open to public disclosure. The following are examples of exempted information:

• Public health and medical records
• All records that would disclose confidential procedures and techniques used for law enforcement prosecutions or investigations
• Proprietary information and trades secrets
• All records where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement efforts and proceedings
• Juvenile records unless the law requires disclosure
• Adoption proceedings and vital statistics
• Records containing plans, procedures, or programs, used to restore, maintain, or establish security
• Any information that could endanger the physical safety or life of an individual
• All records considered confidential under law

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.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Crime Statistics

The Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) publishes annual crime statistics for the state as received from local law enforcement. However, the DPS does not provide crime statistics for Kenai Peninsula as the borough has no central law enforcement agency. Nonetheless, the state's crime reports include figures from Kenai, Homer, and Soldotna cities, the three most populous cities in Kenai Peninsula Borough.

In 2020, the report showed a total of 291 offenses for Kenai, 158 for Homer, and 132 for Soldotna. Reported offenses include criminal homicide, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. However, both Homer and Soldotna had no criminal homicide report in 2020. Furthermore, Homer also did not report any robbery throughout the year.

Are Kenai Peninsula Borough Criminal Records Public?

Alaska law generally provides strict guidelines for access to Kenai Peninsula criminal records. For instance, all persons may request desired records with written permission or processed fingerprints from the subject of the record.

In addition, the Alaska Department of Public Safety provides access to criminal history information through its Criminal Records and Identification Bureau (R&I). Interested persons may conduct name-based or fingerprint-based searches by submitting completed copies of the name-based request form, or visiting one of the R&I's walk-in locations. All requests require government-issued identification, $20 for the first copy, and $5 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously. Mail requestors should use checks or money orders made out to the "State of Alaska." Interested persons may send mails or otherwise contact the R&I using the details below:

Criminal Records and Identification Bureau
Division of Statewide Services
Alaska Department of Public Safety
5700 East Tudor Road
Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone: (907) 269-5767
Fax: (907) 269-5091
Email: dps.criminal.records@alaska.gov

How to Obtain Kenai Peninsula Borough Police Reports and Arrest Records

Persons interested in Kenai Peninsula Borough police reports or arrest records must contact the agency with jurisdiction over the incident. Since the borough has no central law enforcement agency, Kenai Peninsula Borough arrest records and police reports are obtainable from police departments in the borough. Interested persons should contact the relevant police department with details of the desired records. All requests should include the names of involved or arrested persons, incident date, incident description, and other known details. Parties should submit requests to any of the following agencies:

• Soldotna Police Department
• Kenai Police Department
• Seward Police Department
• Homer Police Department
• Whittier Police Department
• Anchorage Police Department

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Kenai Peninsula Borough

The Alaska Department of Safety maintains an online registry of sex offenders in the state. Persons interested in Kenai Peninsula Borough sex offender records may search the registry by entering the offender's first name, last name, address type, full or partial address, or zip code. The database contains each inmate's full name, aliases, residential and employer addresses, and conviction information - such as dates, court details, and offense description. The registry also displays the person's photograph and personal information, including a date of birth, employer, race, gender, and other physical descriptors.

How to Find Kenai Peninsula Borough Inmate Records

Inmates in Kenai Peninsula Borough are housed at any one of six facilities in the county. Persons interested in Kenai Peninsula Borough inmate records must contact each facility with the person's details. Interested applicants should submit requests that contain the inmate's full name, jail number, booking information, and charge details. Record seekers should forward requests to any one of the following:

• Homer Community Jail
• Kenai Peninsula Youth Facility
• Spring Creek Correctional Center
• Seward Community Jail
• Wildwood Pretrial Facility
• Wildwood Correctional Center

How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Jail?

Family and friends interested in visiting incarcerated persons in Kenai Peninsula Borough should schedule appointments by contacting one of the following facilities:

• Seward Community Jail
• Wildwood Pretrial Facility
• Kenai Peninsula Youth Facility
• Spring Creek Correctional Center
• Wildwood Correctional Center
• Homer Community Jail

Visitation specifics vary between Kenai Peninsula Borough facilities. For instance, the Seward Community Jail only allows visits from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturdays. On the other hand, the Spring Creek Correctional Center requires prospective visitors to apply for visitation and wait for notification from the inmate. If approved, the visitor must adhere to the center's contact and visitation schedule options which differ between General Population, Punitive Segregated, Maximum Custody, and Administrative Segregated Offenders.

Generally, all visitors should present valid identification upon entry. Furthermore, Kenai Peninsula Borough facilities require that visitors do not appear in provocative, revealing, or otherwise inappropriate dressing.

Court Records

In Kenai Peninsula Borough, court cases are handled by Superior and District Courts that exercise varying levels of jurisdiction. For instance, the Superior Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases, and hears felonies, probate matters, juvenile cases, guardianships, and domestic relations cases. However, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Superior Court rarely hears civil cases within the District Court's jurisdiction.

The borough's District Courts have limited jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases, but hear ordinance violations and most misdemeanors. District Courts also have Small Claims divisions for cases less than $10,000 divisions but may hear state cases over wage payment if the claim is a maximum of $20,000.

Locations of Courts in Kenai Peninsula Borough

Kenai Superior Court
125 Trading Bay Drive
Suite 100
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3110

Homer District Court
Building A
3670 Lake Street
Homer, AK 99603
Phone: (907) 235-8171
Fax: (907) 235-4257

Kenai District Court
125 Trading Bay Drive
Suite 100
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3110

Seward District Court
410 Adams Street
Seward, AK 99664
Phone: (907) 224-3075

Are Kenai Peninsula Borough Court Records Public?

According to Administrative Rules 37.5 through 37.8 Kenai Peninsula Borough court records are accessible to the general public. Anyone may submit requests for court records or visit the overseeing courts to inspect desired records. Although the rules state that courts must use the least restrictive means available to limit access where necessary, courts generally deny access to records that disclose sensitive information or breach privacy rights.

Can You Look Up a Kenai Peninsula Borough Court Case Online?

The Alaska Court System allows members of the public to search online for Kenai Peninsula Borough court case information via a public access website. Record seekers may search by case number, name, ticket number, or citation number. Users should note that the case number search requires the entire case number, including leading zeros and dashes. Online case information includes party details, docket specifics, and case disposition.

How to Obtain Kenai Peninsula Borough Civil Court Case Records

Interested persons may contact Kenai Peninsula Borough Superior or District Courts to obtain civil court case records. Interested persons may visit the court to submit record details, or mail completed copies of the court records request form. The court charges $5 for a single document or portion of a document, and $3 for each additional copy of the same record if requested at the same time. Certified copies cost an extra $10 per document and $3 for each additional certified copy of the same record. Payments are accepted via cash, checks, or money orders. However, only in-person requestors may use cash. Interested parties should note that a search fee applies if the case number is unknown. All persons may submit requests to the overseeing court's address:

Kenai Superior Court
125 Trading Bay Drive
Suite 100
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3110

Homer District Court
Building A
3670 Lake Street
Homer, AK 99603
Phone: (907) 235-8171
Fax: (907) 235-4257

Kenai District Court
125 Trading Bay Drive
Suite 100
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3110

Seward District Court
410 Adams Street
Seward, AK 99664
Phone: (907) 224-3075

How to Obtain Kenai Peninsula Borough Criminal Court Case Records

Any applicant seeking Kenai Peninsula Borough criminal court records may mail a completed court records request form or visit the court that heard the case. Requestors must provide all known criminal court case information and pay required fees. The applicable request fee is $5 per document or portion and $3 per extra copy of the same record if requested simultaneously. In addition, a $10 charge is applicable for each certified copy and $3 for a subsequent certified copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Requests that do not include case numbers will incur search fees.

All fees are acceptable via checks, money orders, or cash. However, mail requestors cannot send cash with requests. Applicants should send criminal court record requests to the court that heard the desired case using the following details:

Kenai Superior Court
125 Trading Bay Drive
Suite 100
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3110

Homer District Court
Building A
3670 Lake Street
Homer, AK 99603
Phone: (907) 235-8171
Fax: (907) 235-4257

Kenai District Court
125 Trading Bay Drive
Suite 100
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3110

Seward District Court
410 Adams Street
Seward, AK 99664
Phone: (907) 224-3075

What are Kenai Peninsula Borough Vital Records

Kenai Peninsula Borough vital records are government-generated records of life events, including marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Interested persons may request Kenai Peninsula vital records from the borough's Superior Court or the Health Analytics & Vital Records Division of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. However, not all vital records are available to the public.

Where and How to Obtain Kenai Peninsula Borough Divorce Records

The Kenai Superior Court Clerk's Office maintains divorce records and issues copies to interested parties. Requestors who need Kenai Peninsula Borough divorce decrees may complete the court's request form or send written requests with the names of both parties to the divorce, and the divorce date. Applicants should note that copy fees may apply, including an hourly research fee if the case number is unknown. All payments for Kenai Peninsula divorce decrees require cash, checks, or money orders. Interested persons should submit mail or in-person requests to the following address:

Kenai Superior Court
125 Trading Bay Drive
Suite 100
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3110

In addition to divorce decrees, records are also available as divorce certificates from the state's Vital Records Division. However, access to Kenai Peninsula Borough divorce certificates is restricted to the following persons for 50 years after the divorce date:

• Either party to the divorce
• Either party's legal representative
• Anyone that can prove legal entitlement to the record

An eligible person may complete a divorce certificate request form with the full names of both spouses, date of marriage, date of divorce, and city or village of divorce. Each Kenai Peninsula divorce certificate costs $30 for the first copy and $25 for each additional copy of the same record. Payments are acceptable via checks and money orders payable to the "Alaska Vital Records Office." Requestors may also use credit cards from Discover, American Express, Mastercard, or Visa. Applicants should send mail or fax requests with valid government-issued identification using the details below:

Alaska Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Fax: (907) 465-3618

Where and How to Get Public Kenai Peninsula Borough Marriage Records

Public Kenai Peninsula marriage records are available at the Alaska Vital Records Office. Members of the public can only obtain marriage records 50 years after the date of marriage. To obtain a Kenai Peninsula marriage certificate, each person should complete a marriage certificate request form with the full names of both parties to the marriage, date of marriage, and city or village of marriage. The first copy costs $30, while each additional copy costs $25. Fees are payable via cards from Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover. Interested parties may also pay with money orders or checks made out to the "Alaska Vital Records Office." All requests must include valid identification and should be submitted to the following address:

Alaska Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Fax: (907) 465-3618

Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Kenai Peninsula Borough

Marriage records are obtainable from the state's Vital Records Office. Under Alaska law, all marriage records are confidential until after 50 years from the date of marriage. Kenai Peninsula Borough marriage certificates less than 50 years old are only available to the following persons:

• One of the spouses
• Either spouse's legal representative
• Any requestor that can prove legal interest in the record

If eligible, each requestor must submit a marriage certificate request form with valid government-issued identification, and a check or money order payable to the "Alaska Vital Records Office." Marriage records cost $30 for the first copy and $25 for each additional copy. Record seekers may also provide credit card information for Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or Visa cards. All persons should submit completed requests to the:

Alaska Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Fax: (907) 465-3618

Where and How to Find Kenai Peninsula Borough Birth Records

The Alaska Vital Records Office maintains Kenai Peninsula Borough birth records and only entertains requests from the following persons if the record is less than 100 years old:

• Child listed on the certificate if at least 14 years old and with current school ID
• Parents listed on the current birth certificate
• Legal guardians with relevant documentation
• Attorneys and government agencies with a letter on their letterhead and supporting documentation
• Any requestor with a notarized letter of consent from the person listed on the certificate or a legal guardian

Eligible parties should complete the birth certificate request form with the listed person's full name, date of birth, city or village of birth, mother's full name before marriage, and father's full name. Kenai Peninsula birth certificates cost $30 for the first copy and $25 for each extra copy of the same certificate if ordered simultaneously. Payment requires a credit card, check, or money order. Cards must be from Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express card, while checks or money orders should be payable to the "Alaska Vital Records Office." Requests should be submitted to the:

Alaska Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Fax: (907) 465-3618

Where and How to Find Kenai Peninsula Borough Death Records

For 50 years after the date of death, the Alaska Vital Records Office will only issue Kenai Peninsula Borough death records to the following parties:

• The decedent's spouse with proof of marriage
• The decedent's parent with a birth certificate if the child was born in Alaska
• The decedent's children, siblings, legal guardian, legal representative, or attorney, all with supporting documentation
• Office of Public Advocacy with certified guardianship papers

Record seekers should fill the death certificate request form with the decedent's full name, date of death, city or village of death, date of birth, the father's full name, and the full name of the decedent's mother before marriage. Requestors are charged $30 for the first copy of each Kenai Peninsula Borough death certificate, and $25 for each subsequent copy of the same record ordered at the same time. The Vital Records Office accepts checks or money orders made out to the "Alaska Vital Records Office," and also receives payment via Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover cards. All requesters should enclose request forms, payment, and valid identification and submit to the:

Alaska Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Fax: (907) 465-3618