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 Records Act. Depending on the type of record, 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 Do I Need to Search for Alaska Vital Records Online?

To search for records online, 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.

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 also managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a reliable 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 providing it is not a juvenile

What is the Difference Between a Certified Record and an Informational Copy?

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

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 records of Alaska divorce records from 1950 to date. Submitted applications must include a completed request form, a photo ID, 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.

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 that 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 of the registrant and the requestor
• The purpose of the request

All requests must be enclosed completed with a copy of a government-issued photo ID as well as 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

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 ID 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

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.