Vital records in Alaska — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records — are handled at the state level by Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics. Marriage licenses are issued locally by the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics or any Alaska court office.
What this page covers: Alaska vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics. For marriage licenses, contact the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics or any Alaska court office in the borough where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
Vital Records Databases
9 official Alaska vital records sources.
Vital Records
Alaska Counties
All 30 Alaska counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in Alaska?▼
Alaska's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. Borough or census area-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search Alaska court cases?▼
Alaska's court system is headed by the Alaska Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court (4 districts) and District Court. Many Alaska courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search Alaska business entities?▼
The Alaska Office of the Lieutenant Governor / Division of Elections (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in Alaska?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some borough or census area offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific borough or census area page for details.
How do I obtain a Alaska birth or death certificate?▼
Alaska vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the Alaska Department of Health (Bureau of Vital Statistics) and, in many cases, by local borough or census area clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are Alaska property records free to search?▼
Most borough or census area-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a Alaska sex offender?▼
The Alaska sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.