Quickly obtain certified Alaska birth, marriage, and death certificates with Vital Records Online’s secure, dependable, US-based online service. Your documents will arrive promptly, and your personal information will remain confidential.
Summary:
Alaska, considered “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 never 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 only obtainable by 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.
People with a genealogical interest in specific vital records may contact the Vital Records Office to see if they meet the authorization requirements, or they may search the many available public archives.
Find out what information birth, death, marriage, and divorce records contain, how to acquire them, and how to obtain certified copies.
Start your application online for AK vital records
Request a certified copy of live birth for your baby or child.
Birth, death, and marriage certificates are significant documents in our lives. These vital records prove identity, citizenship, and family ties. They can also help resolve legal matters, claim an inheritance, and research family ancestry. Through these records, you can gain valuable insights about your forebears, such as their given names, birth and death dates, and places of residence. If you have lost a birth, marriage, or death certificate, it is urgent to request a certified replacement and promptly file a police report.
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 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.
❗️If you’re seeking ancestral records for genealogy research in Alaska, they are freely available from various public archives.
Visiting Vital Records Office
Ordering Vital Records Online
Alaska’s residents have different methods for obtaining vital records from their home state – in-person, by mail, fax, or online. The DOH’s Health Analytics & Vital Records Section produces and certifies each copy if requirements are met, and instructions followed for each birth, death, and marriage certificate. Each vital record has a unique application; however, placing the request is simple once you understand the requirements.
The associated costs, eligibility criteria, required documents, and processing times can vary depending on the type of record you need and how you order it. Regardless of how you decide to submit your application, it is essential to review the instructions and requirements before making your request.
Ordering Alaska Vital Records online is quick and effortless and involves two simple steps:
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, so confirm that you possess them prior to 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, and it helps ensure application approval by preventing common mistakes or 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. Learn more about how the online ordering and premium handling process works.
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, fax, or via 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:
Additionally, by mail, you will need the following:
If you prefer submitting your application packet by mail, it is advised 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.
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 shows the information and documents needed 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, though a student ID is also accepted for birth certificate requests. Expired IDs are accepted if they are not expired 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 certificate type and personal circumstances. The eligibility conditions and requirements for each certificate type are provided in the following table.
| Certificate | Required Information | ID Requirements Options |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Date of Birth, Father's Name, Full Name at Birth, Mailing Address, Mother's Maiden Name, Phone Number, Place of Birth, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature | College ID, Passport, State Non-Driver ID, Tribal ID, US Military ID |
| Death Certificate | Date of Birth, Date of Death, Email, Father's Name, Full Name of Person of Record, Mailing Address, Mother's Maiden Name, Phone Number, Place of Death, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature | Driver's License, Passport, State Non-Driver ID, Tribal ID, US Military ID |
| Marriage Certificate | Bride Name, Date of Marriage, Email, Groom Name, Mailing Address, Place of Marriage, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature | College ID, Driver's License, State Non-Driver ID, Tribal ID, US Military ID |
Who can request vital records in Alaska?
The certificate holder can request a certified copy of their vital records, though they must provide 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.
| Certificate | Authorized People |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Attorneys, Children, Government Officials, Legal Guardian, Parents, Third-Party with Notarized Letter of Consent |
| Death Certificate | Office of Public Advocacy, Parents, Person on Record, Siblings, Spouse |
| Marriage Certificate | Bride, Groom, Spouse |
✔︎ 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 have a notarized letter of consent to release information from the certificate holder or legal guardian.
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:
✔︎ 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.
The cost of your vital records request will depend on HAVRS’s fees for each certificate type, how you submit your application, and whether or not you need to obtain a notarized statement.
Vital Records Online’s Application Assistant 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.
| Certificate | Fee | Additional Copy | Rush State Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $30.00 | $25.00 | $11.00 |
| Death Certificate | $30.00 | $25.00 | $11.00 |
| Marriage Certificate | $30.00 | $25.00 | $11.00 |
VitalRecordsOnline.com processing fee is $29.
How long will it take to receive my vital records from Alaska?
Birth, death, or marriage certificate processing and replacement times vary. Check the current processing and delivery times below. When ordering through Vital Records Online, you can request to expedite your documents and application packet. The method you choose to submit your application and documents can also affect the total time until you receive your vital record in the mail.
Processing and replacement times for birth, death, or marriage certificates depend on various factors, such as the ordering method used and whether or not a notary is needed.
| Certificate | Processing Time | Rush Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | within 4 weeks | 2-5 business days |
| Death Certificate | within 4 weeks | 2-5 business days |
| Marriage Certificate | within 4 weeks | 2-5 business days |
✔︎ All Vital Records Online includes 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.
When requesting your records through Vital Records Online, you can monitor the progress of your order throughout the processing and delivery of your application with first-class mail postage.
If you mail the application packet to the vital records health department manually, remember to purchase first-class mail tracking to know when your application arrives successfully. The DOH-HAVRS ships all vital records via USPS first-class mail to your home for protection but does not claim responsibility for misdirected or lost certificates. You should immediately file a report if your birth certificate is lost. A simple error, typo, or missing document can result in extended wait times, repeat shipping costs, or expose your personal information.
❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the Alaska counties office locations directory.
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.
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, within the U.S. or beyond, rest assured 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 in the same application by simply indicating which country you need it for in the application form and providing the additional $12 fee. Alternatively, you can send your certified copy to the Lt. Governor’s office’s Authentications Department at the address below. However, you must order new copies if your certificates were issued before 2005.
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/
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 the changes or amendments vary depending on which vital record needs changing.
Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require the following:
Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, and marriage certificates.
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, but access to them will depend on the record type and the year when the birth, death, or marriage occurred.
You can also utilize various third-party websites to research specific vital records. These websites can be good reference points in your research, allowing you to browse records 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:
Alaskan residents have the right under the Alaska Public Records Act to inspect or obtain copies of public vital records.
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 come with a stamp or large print stating something comparable to “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity.”
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 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.
Visit the official Alaska government website at https://health.alaska.gov/dph/VitalStats/Pages/default.aspx
