Get a certified Alaska Death Certificate

An officially certified death certificate from the Alaska DOH-HAVRS will have unique features to show its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate can vary depending on the year of issue, and it will contain essential details to confirm a person's identity and citizenship at death. A long-form (official) death certificate is used for legal purposes and differs from a short-form (informational) copy. The DOH-HAVRS has specific county guidelines, which may include distinct colors and layouts. Overall, official death certificates commonly feature the state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar’s signature and are printed on secure paper.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred.
• Cause of Death
• Medical Information Related to the Death
• Demographic Information: Age, occupation, marital status.
• Funeral and Burial Details: the method, date, place of disposition, and funeral director’s information.

Amending Alaska Death Certificates

To correct your Alaska death record, you will need to submit the original document or certified copies of forms either by mail or in person to the Juneau or Anchorage office. The DOH-HAVRS Special Services Unit handles all record corrections, making changes as addendums while preserving the original document. The amendment process for Alaska death records requires a completed amendment application, supporting documentation, and appropriate fees. Currently, there is a 3-month processing time for amended death certificates in Alaska, with no rush processing available.

The type of correction needed: common amendments include correcting misspelled names, updating dates or places of death, changing demographic information such as age, marital status, or occupation, and updating cause of death with proper medical documentation.

Complete the Application: Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics Request for Amendment form is available on the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) website or directly from the Bureau.

Supporting documentation: depends on the type of correction. For minor corrections, such as spelling errors, provide a valid ID and proof of the correct information (birth certificate, marriage certificate, or government ID). For medical corrections, a signed statement from the certifying physician or medical examiner is needed. More substantial changes, like legal name changes, may require a court order.

Submit your request: either by mail to the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics at P.O. Box 110675, Juneau, AK 99811-0675, or in person at the Bureau's office in Juneau or any regional offices.

The amendment fee: is $30.00 per certified copy, which includes the amendment process. Payment options include check or money order for mail applications, while in-person or online applications accept credit card payments.

Processing times: can vary, with standard amendments taking up to three months. More complex amendments involving medical or legal documentation may require additional review time. For significant changes like cause of death modifications, you may need to provide extra legal documentation or consult an attorney.

Important: Legal documentation or court action may be required for certain types of amendments to death certificates. Always verify the specific requirements for your situation with the Bureau of Vital Statistics.Note: All supporting documents to request changes to a birth certificate, including paternity, adoption, legal name changes, or corrections, must be original documents or certified copies and submitted via mail or in person.

You need an apostille when you file documents with a foreign government. It is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of a vital record for international use and is acceptable in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

Apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State for records initially filed with the Alaska Department of Public Health, such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the Alaska Lieutenant Governor's Office, you will need to provide the following items:

1. The certified copy of your death certificate, with the original signature and seal of the current Alaska State Registrar;
2. A completed Authentication Form (specify which country you will submit the document to) and
3. A payment of $5.00 per document – checks and money orders should be made payable to the “State of Alaska,” or you can provide your credit card information.

Submit your request to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor Authentication and Apostille Division at the following addresses:

In-person/by mail (standard or express courier):

Simultaneous requests by mail:

You can obtain an apostille simultaneously when requesting your records from the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics by mail or online; however, you cannot obtain an apostille when requesting in person at a local office. The application form is the same, but the fee is slightly higher at $30.00 for the certificate plus $12.00 for the apostille.

Next to "Reason for Request," you must write that you need an apostille and specify the country to which you submit the death record.

You can obtain a certified copy of an Alaska death certificate by ordering through the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics online, by mail, or in person at their Juneau office. You will need to provide the full name of the deceased, date of death, place of death, and your relationship to the deceased. The Bureau maintains death records for events that occurred in Alaska. You can also use authorized online filing services like VitalRecordsOnline.com to submit your request.

The fee for a certified copy of an Alaska death certificate is $30 through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $25 each. Expedited shipping is available for an additional fee but does not speed up processing time. When using an authorized online service like VitalRecordsOnline.com, fees start at $29.00 plus applicable state fees.

Yes, you can order an Alaska death certificate online through the Bureau of Vital Statistics or through authorized services like VitalRecordsOnline.com. Online ordering allows you to submit your request without visiting a government office. You will need to provide details about the deceased and valid identification proving your eligibility. Processing times typically range from 2 to 4 weeks.

Alaska death certificates are restricted records and are not available to the general public. Eligible requesters include the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased, the legal representative of the estate, a funeral director acting on behalf of the family, or anyone who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record. You must provide valid government-issued photo identification and proof of your relationship or legal interest when requesting a copy.