Alaska Background Checks

The Bureau of Vital Statistics issues certified copies of birth, death, marriage and divorce documents that may be used in Alaska background checks. Mostly though, these would be self background checks or searches for family since the individual named on the original document and his or her parents are usually the only ones who can request copies of vital records. Alaska law holds that birth certificates are not public information until 100 years after the birth date.

Death certificates are granted public access in Alaska 50 years after the date of death. Family members of the deceased may request a certified copy of the death certificate. Persons who are legally authorized may also request a death certificate copy by stating on the application the reason for the request. Marriage and divorce documents are both made public 50 years after their licensed or granted date. Either person named on the original documents may request a copy for records for their own Alaska background checks. Persons with authorized legal access stating their request reason may also apply for copies of these documents.

Birth, death, marriage and divorce record copies are all 25$ for the search fee and 20$ for the document from the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics. Mailed requests typically take about 4 weeks of processing time from the date they are received. Copies of vital records, such as those for self or family oriented Alaska background checks, may be requested in person from a Vital Statistics office in Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau.

In person records requests may include same day processing, but two days may be required depending on request volume. In person processing time may also depend on whether the complete information and identification are supplied. There may be limited types of certificate copies available at any of the Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau offices for personal or family records for Alaska background checks. It’s best to phone the office first before visiting.

Anchorage location:
Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics
3601 C St., Suite 128
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-0991
Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm

Fairbanks location:
Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics
615 23rd Ave., Suite 300
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: (907) 452-4863
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm

Juneau location:
Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics
5441 Commercial Blvd.
PO Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99801

Phone: (907) 465-3391
Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm

The State of Alaska, Department of Public Safety, is permitted to dispense statewide criminal records information to “any person” under the law. This information includes Alaska criminal charges and dispositions, but excludes sealed records. Name searches and fingerprint Alaska background checks are available from the Department. The fingerprint check request must be submitted on form FD-258. Fingerprint checks are considered more accurate overall than name based checks.

The fingerprint Alaska background checks have a $35 fee, while the name based search cost is $20. Children and dependant adult screening criminal background checks are also available for public consumption. Applicant screens and sex offender information is also supplied to requestors through the State of Alaska, Department of Public Safety. Criminal records request forms must be signed as “true and correct.”

State of Alaska
Department of Public Safety
Criminal History Record Repository
5700 East Tudor Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99507

Phone: (907) 269-5767