Vital records, as their name suggests, are connected with central life events: birth, marriage, and death. Maintained by civil authorities, they are prime sources of genealogical information; but, unfortunately, official vital records are available only for relatively recent periods. These records, despite their recent creation in the United States, are critically important in genealogical research, often supplying details on family members well back into the nineteenth century. The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy, by Loretto Szucs and Sandra Luebking.
Vital records are not available at Alaska Borough Courthouses,
but at the state office.
Department of Health and Social Services
Bureau of Vital Statistics
5441 Commercial Blvd,
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 465-3391
The Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics is responsible for managing vital records in the State of Alaska. Vital records in Alaska include birth, death, fetal death, divorce and marriage certificate data, along with reports of adoption. For information about your family member’s Alaska vital record contact our Record Processing Unit: (907) 465-3391. Vital records are confidential and may not be released to a third party until 100 years after a birth, or 50 years after a death, marriage, or divorce.
Please print and fill out the appropriate form and mail to the address indicated. Electronic application forms cannot be accepted. Please allow four to six weeks after the request is received by the Bureau for delivery of the certificate.
Birth $20.00
A person may obtain only his or her own birth certificate, except for parents who may obtain their own child’s certificate. Send the form or a letter which includes the full name as it appears on the birth certificate; the date of birth; the town, city or village where the birth occurred; the father’s name; the mother’s first and maiden name; and your relationship to the person named on the birth certificate.
Get Birth Certificate Form
Death $20.00
Complete the form with the name of the deceased person as it appears on the death certificate; the date of death; the town, city or village where the death occurred; the reason why you are requesting the record; and your relationship to the person named on the death certificate. If you are not the spouse or parent of the deceased person, a letter or document from the office or the agency that needs the death certificate must be submitted with the request.
Get Death Certificate Form
Marriage $20.00
To receive a copy of a certificate for marriage that occurred in Alaska, fill out the application form. If you are not the bride or groom, a letter or document from the office or agency requiring the marriage certificate must be sent in with the request. Get Marriage Certificate Form
Divorce $20.00
For a copy of a divorce certificate, fill out the application form. Include the husband’s first and last name, the wife’s first and maiden name, the date of divorce, the place of divorce, the reason you need the record, and your relationship to the person whose record is requested.Get Divorce Certificate Form
Heirloom Birth Certificate $45.00
The same rules for obtaining a birth certificate apply to obtaining an heirloom birth certificate. However, friends or relatives may purchase a gift certificate to be redeemed by the individual or immediate family member. Provide as much information as possible.Get Heirloom Birth Certificate Form
State office has records beginning January 1913.
Money order should be made payable to Bureau of Vital Statistics. Personal checks are not accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone number is (907) 465-3391. This will be a recorded message.