Alaska Vital Records

History of Vital Records in Alaska

Alaska, often referred to as “America’s Last Frontier,” became the 49th state in 1959. Today, its population is still under 1 million, at slightly over 721,000. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) is headquartered in Juneau. Alaska’s Health Analytics & Vital Records (VR) in Anchorage and Juneau have records dating back to the 1890s; however, many events before 1930 were not registered with the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Under Alaska law, all vital records are strictly confidential until they are released as public records after 100 years for births and 50 years for all other events.

Some vital records are accessible to the public, while others are confidential and available only to family members. Upon request, the Vital Records Office (VR) can make certified copies of any record available to any applicant with a direct and tangible interest.

Birth records are only available to persons who can prove a direct and tangible interest in them during this time. Only parties named on the marriage certificate, legal representatives, and anyone with an established legal right can access the document. Only spouses, parents, children, siblings, or legal representatives related to the person’s estate on the certificate can request copies of a death certificate.

Individuals with a genealogical interest in specific vital records may contact the Vital Records Office to determine if they meet the authorization requirements, or they may search the numerous available public archives.

Find out what information birth, death, marriage, and divorce records contain, how to acquire them, and how to obtain certified copies.

Where to Get Alaska Vital Records

The Alaska Department of Health’s Health Analytics & Vital Records Section is responsible for certifying and issuing all birth, death, and marriage certificates for events that occurred in Alaska. There are only two vital records-issuing offices in Alaska: Juneau and Anchorage. You can search for where to request a replacement from the list below of all Alaska counties’ health departments. The list contains locations, contact information, and access to online applications for requesting birth, death, and marriage certificates. The list provides addresses, contact information, and access to online applications for requesting vital record certificates.

Ordering Alaska Vital Records Online

Ordering Alaska Vital Records online is quick and effortless and involves two simple steps:

1. Complete the online application and upload your documents, and
2. Process your order.

You can order an Alaska birth, death, or marriage certificate online if you fulfill the Health Analytics & Vital Records Section’s eligibility criteria. You will be prompted to upload copies of the required documents during the secure online application process. Therefore, please confirm that you possess them before starting the online application.

Vital Records Online facilitates the process of gathering, generating, and submitting the required documents, providing complete guidance and direction throughout the application. The online application can be efficiently completed from any internet-enabled device in as little as five minutes, helping to ensure application approval by preventing common mistakes and missing documents.

✔︎ First-Class mail tracking is included with every online application.

✔︎ Additional copies of your certified vital records can be purchased for the state’s fee during the online application to save future costs.

✔︎ Vital Records Online’s support team manages scanning, printing, and finding a notary for your application and documents. Discover how the online ordering and premium handling process works.

Ordering Alaska Vital Records In Person or By Mail

If you live near a vital records office, you can request your vital record copies in person. However, be aware that there are only two offices in Alaska (one in Juneau and one in Alaska), so you may face long queues. Confirm when the office is open for walk-ins if you apply in person. Alternatively, you can apply online, by fax, or by mail.

The steps are generally the same whether you apply for vital records in person or by mail. If you choose to apply in person at the vital records office, prepare to complete the following tasks:

• Gathering your documents
• Getting photocopies of your documents
• Completing the correct form, and
• Finally, presenting everything to the health department during regular business hours.

Additionally, by mail, you will need the following:

• purchasing an envelope,
• including a physical check or a money order,
• obtaining a notarized sworn statement (if required), and
• issuing it to the DOH-HAVRS.

If you prefer to submit your application packet by mail, it is advisable to purchase mail tracking to ensure your package arrives at the correct office. Be sure to review your application and the instructions to avoid the risk of application rejection due to errors or missing information.

❗️ Ensure that your required documents, application, and payment are submitted to the correct health department that issues certified copies of the original record.

❗️ A notarized application is only required for third parties or legal representatives who request certified vital record replacements in Alaska.

Requirements

Understanding the application terms and requirements is crucial before gathering the documents needed for your request.

Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization

The table below outlines the necessary information and documents required to order certified copies of Alaska birth, death, and marriage certificates. If you do not have any of the accepted forms of identification, a secondary ID may be accepted; however, you must contact Health Analytics & Vital Records for assistance.

All applicants are required by Health Analytics & Vital Records to verify their identity. A government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, is required for most record types; however, a student ID is also accepted for birth certificate requests. Expired IDs are accepted if they have not expired for longer than one year. For a complete list of accepted IDs, refer to the application form for the requested certificate.

What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Alaska?

The requirements and conditions for ordering a vital record copy from Health Analytics & Vital Records depend on the type of certificate and personal circumstances. The eligibility conditions and requirements for each certificate type are provided in the following table.

State ID Requirements

What Information is Required to Apply for Vital Records in Alaska?

When applying for a vital record in Alaska, applicants must provide key identifying information related to the record type. This may include names, dates, locations, and other relevant details to ensure accurate identification and processing of the request.

Who is Authorized to Order

Who can request vital records in Alaska?

The certificate holder can request a certified copy of their vital records, provided they submit proof of identity with the request.

If you request a birth, death, or marriage certificate on someone else’s behalf, check the eligibility requirements for the specific record type you need to ensure that you are authorized. The list below specifies which third parties are authorized to apply for each certificate type.

✔︎ If you can provide documentation of legal interest or hold a Power of Attorney from the person on record, you are eligible to request the vital record for that person.

❗️ Third-party requests for Alaska birth certificates must include a notarized letter of consent from the certificate holder or their legal guardian.

Notarized Statement

Do I need a notary with my application?

The Alaska Department of Health does not require applicants to obtain notarized statements when requesting certified copies of their birth or marriage certificates, nor do they require notarizations for death certificates requested by immediate family members of the individual on record. However, a notarized statement may be necessary when an eligible third-party representative requests a vital record.

❗️ A notarized sworn statement is required under the following circumstances:

• When a third party is requesting a certified copy of an Alaska birth certificate (if the third party is not the parent, child, or legal guardian of the individual on record)

• When an attorney or governmental agency requests a certified copy of an Alaska birth certificate

✔︎ Vital Records Online includes an online notary service in your application packet. Otherwise, when choosing a local public notary, you must bring your ID when creating this document.

Note: All applicants are required by Health Analytics & Vital Records to provide a copy of their ID, including third-party applicants who are also submitting notarized statements.

Costs and Fees

The cost of your vital records request will depend on HAVRS’s fees for each certificate type, the method of submission, and whether a notarized statement is required.

Vital Records Online’s Application Filing Service starts at $29 for online orders of birth, marriage, divorce, or death records. HAVRS charges a $30.00 fee for each birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate and $25.00 per additional copy (if ordering more than one copy of the same certificate).

✔︎ Additional copies can be requested in the same order to save future costs in case your vital records are lost, destroyed, or stolen.

VitalRecordsOnline.com processing fee is $29.

Processing and Delivery Times

How long will it take to receive my vital records from Alaska?

Processing and replacement times for birth, death, or marriage certificates vary. Please review the current processing and delivery times below. When ordering through Vital Records Online, you can request expedited processing of your documents and application packet. The method you choose to submit your application and documents can also affect the total time it takes to receive your vital record in the mail.

Processing and replacement times for birth, death, or marriage certificates depend on various factors, including the ordering method used and whether a notary is required.

✔︎ All VRO orders include an online notarization service that can be performed virtually during checkout.

❗️ Account for 2-3 additional days in your application process to obtain a notary (if necessary) and meet your state’s application submission deadline.

❗️ A simple error, typo, or missing document can cause wait times to double, repeat shipping costs, or expose personal information.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Apostille

An apostille is necessary to file a vital record with a foreign government. The Authentications Department issues apostilles for all certified birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates.

How can I get an apostille for a vital record?

You can acquire apostilles for Alaska’s vital records online via Vital Records Online or from the Secretary of State’s office.

Vital Records Online offers comprehensive apostille services for Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce Certificates across all 50 US states. Acknowledged by governments, organizations, and is legally valid in more than 100 countries. The service comes with expert support, starts at $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

1. Complete the Apostille Express online application.
2. Submit the required documents for approval.
3. Receive your apostille document.

In some instances, the entire process can be accomplished online, eliminating the requirement for a hard copy of your documents. Once your apostille document is prepared, we’ll dispatch it to you through FedEx or DHL. Regardless of your location, whether within the U.S. or abroad, rest assured that your documents will reach you. We utilize reputable courier services for global delivery.

If you order a new certificate from Health Analytics & Vital Records, you can request an apostille by simply indicating the country for which it is needed in the application form and paying the additional $12.00 fee. Alternatively, you can send your certified copy to the Lt. Governor’s office, Authentications Department, at the address below. However, you must order new copies if your certificates were issued before 2005.

1. The Principal’s signature on a statement or document that otherwise obligates the Principal in some manner (the Principal is the person whose signature is notarized).
2. A notarial certificate. A sample notarial certificate is available for viewing below.
3. The notary’s signature.
4. The expiration date of the notary’s commission.
5. An imprint of the notary’s seal that is reproducible if photocopied or faxed. Under Alaska law, embossed seals must be shaded with pencil or ink.

If you are manually sending your certificates, you must submit any request for vital records and documents to the DOH-HAVRS Authentications Department in Juneau at the following address:

For express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:

Office of the Lt. Governor,
Authentications Department,
PO Box 110015,
Juneau, AK 99811

For standard mail, use the following address:

Office of the Lt. Governor,
Authentications Department,
PO Box 110015,
Juneau, AK 99811

You can reach the office at (907) 465-3520 or online at https://ltgov.alaska.gov/notaries-public/authentications-and-apostilles/

Corrections and Amendments

If you need to make a correction or amendment to a birth, marriage, or death certificate, you must contact Health Analytics & Vital Records’ Special Services Unit, which handles all vital record amendments. The process and required documents can vary depending on the type of certificate being amended and the changes to be made. All changes will be made as addendums to the record; no entity can alter the original document.

The requirements for requesting changes or amendments vary depending on which vital record needs to be changed.

Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application;
2. Supporting documentation;
3. Appropriate fee(s);

Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, and marriage certificates.

Searching Public Records

Where can I search for free public records?

Under Alaska law, all birth records are made public after 100 years, while all other vital records are made public after 50 years. Finding free public records can be tricky, but many of Alaska’s vital records are freely accessible to the public. If you have substantial time to review records, you can browse Alaska’s archives of birth, marriage, and death records to find the information you need.

Are Alaska Vital Records Open to the Public?

Many state records in Alaska are public; however, access to them depends on the record type and the year in which the birth, death, or marriage occurred.

You can also utilize various third-party websites to research specific vital records. These websites can serve as valuable reference points in your research, enabling you to browse records from beyond your physical location. However, the data on these websites may not be consistent with official government records. To search for a record on a third-party website, you must provide the following information:

• The location of the record you’re looking for, including the city, county, or state where it was recorded.
• The name of the person on record, if it is not a minor.

Alaskan residents have the right under the Alaska Public Records Act to inspect or obtain copies of public vital records.

How Can I Verify That My AK Vital Records Are Official?

To ensure you have an official, certified copy of your certificate, look for details such as stamps, embossed seals, and signatures from the state health department. Remember that certified copies can only be obtained from the Department of Health’s vital records offices in Anchorage and Juneau. If your certificate is an informational copy, it will likely be accompanied by a stamp or large print stating something similar to “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity.”

What Are the Differences Between Authorized Copies of Alaska Vital Records Versus Informational Copies?

Authorized Copy: 

Certified copies of vital records are legal documents that can be used in official legal matters, such as establishing identity. Therefore, only people with a “direct and tangible interest” in a vital record can request certified copies.

To receive a certified birth, death, or marriage certificate, you must provide proof of identity to confirm that you are legally entitled to the certified copy.

Informational Copy: 

In Alaska, you can also order informational copies of birth or marriage certificates, referred to as “heirloom certificates.” Family or friends can purchase heirloom certificates, though the requester must still provide a valid ID when applying. Note: These certificates are not official legal documents. They are intended only for display or personal reference.

Find more references regarding birth, death, and marriage certificates in the resources section.