How to Search Alaska Criminal Records (Start Here)

Alaska criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository and the Alaska Court System. These are separate databases that may show different information.

What this page covers: Alaska state-level criminal history searches, state court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.

Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), use the Alaska Court System to find the court file and case details. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.

Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. State court records contain the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.

Statewide criminal-history agency
Background Checks – Alaska Department of Public Safety
Public name-based search
Alaska Criminal Court Records | AlaskaCourtRecords. ...
Fingerprint-based screening
Background Checks – Alaska Department of Public Safety
Sex offender registry
Alaska Sex Offender/Child Kidnapper Registry
Open records statute
Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25)
Number of counties
30 boroughs/census areas
Population
740,133
Households
273,954
Median Income
$89,336
Median Home Value
$320,900
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Alaska repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.

Alaska Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)

Alaska DPS issues complete state criminal history reports; court system records are separate (CourtView).
$20 name-based / $35 fingerprint
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Name-based or fingerprin
Primary method
How to submit
Alaska Department of Pub
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
Alaska Stat. §12.62
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What's in a state criminal check (typical %)
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.

What Changed in 2026 — Alaska Criminal Records

2026
Alaska state-only check active
The Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) continues to process state criminal history checks via dps.alaska.gov.
2026
Alaska background check fee structure
Current fee for an Alaska state-only check: $20 name-based / $35 fingerprint. Method: Name-based or fingerprint via walk-in or mail.
2026
Alaska statutory framework
Alaska criminal history records are governed by Alaska Stat. §12.62 and disseminated through Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS).
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside Alaska, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements the state-only result.

The 4-Step Alaska Criminal Records Pathway

1
Step 1 — Confirm what you need
For most non-employment uses, an Alaska state-only check from the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) is sufficient.
2
Step 2 — Choose your method
Name-based or fingerprint via walk-in or mail. Current fee: $20 name-based / $35 fingerprint.
3
Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at dps.alaska.gov — never a third-party data broker.
4
Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Alaska Criminal Records

❌ Myth: "Alaska background check shows everything."
✓ Truth: False. The Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) check covers ONLY Alaska arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only dps.alaska.gov (the official Alaska repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under Alaska law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most Alaska public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The Alaska state check shows Alaska-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.

Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)

Related Criminal Records Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Criminal records
Sample Alaska counties: Aleutians East · Anchorage · Bethel · Bristol Bay · Denali

Criminal Records Databases

6 official Alaska criminal records sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Criminal Records

Alaska Appellate Courts - State of Alaska
Official Free
Use the link below to search for an appellate case . You may search by the case number, a party to a case, or an attorney participating in a case. You can also enter a case number or trial court case number in the "Look Up Case" box in the upper right corner of this screen.
🌐 appellate-records.courts.alaska.gov
Home Page - Alaska Court System
Official Free
Alaska Bar Association Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct Alaska Judicial Council U.S. Bankruptcy Court U.S. District Court U.S.
🌐 courts.alaska.gov
Alaska
Official Free
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the state agency charged with providing functions relative to the protection of life, property, and wildlife resources. Department members enforce criminal laws, traffic laws and regulations, wildlife laws and regulations, fire laws and regulations, and are additionally responsible for a number of public safety related functions such as search and rescue, court services, and criminal justice records.
🌐 backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov
Sex Offender/Child Kidnapper Registry
Official Free
This means 1) offenders convicted of an Alaska Statute for an offense that occurred after August 10, 1994, defined as a “sex offense” in AS 12.63 , are required to register with the Alaska Sex Offender Registry.
🌐 sor.dps.alaska.gov
Alaska inmate locator - VINELink
Official Free
We cannot provide a description for this page right now
🌐 vinelink.vineapps.com
District of Alaska
Official Paid
Web Calendar of Upcoming Public Events United States District Court for the District of Alaska · The information reflected on this schedule is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended as official court notification or as a substitute for such notification
🌐 ecf.akd.uscourts.gov

Alaska Counties

All 30 Alaska counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Anchorage Fairbanks North Star Matanuska-Susitna Kenai Peninsula Juneau Bethel Ketchikan Gateway Sitka Kodiak Island Aleutians East Bristol Bay Denali Haines Lake And Peninsula

Frequently Asked Questions

Alaska's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS). Begin the request at dps.alaska.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Alaska statute.

Most adult criminal-history information in Alaska is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) explains who can request what at dps.alaska.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.

A state check from the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) (dps.alaska.gov) covers only criminal activity within Alaska. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.

Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS). The Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) documentation at dps.alaska.gov lists each authorized requester category.

If you find an error on your Alaska criminal history, the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at dps.alaska.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.