Alaska
Alaska Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get Them
Alaska is a closed-record state for death certificates. Records stay confidential and are not open to the general public until 50 years after the death. Until then, only the decedent's spouse, parents, children, siblings, legal representatives, and authorized agencies may obtain a certified copy.
Are Death Records Public in Alaska?
No. Alaska is a closed-record state, so a death certificate is not a public record at the time of death. Under the Alaska Vital Statistics Act (AS 18.50), all vital records are confidential and may only be released to eligible people.
A death record becomes public 50 years after the date of death. Once that period passes, anyone may order a copy from the state for genealogical or research purposes.
This differs from federal practice. The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) confirms there is no national death-records database; every certificate is issued by the state where the death occurred. Alaska keeps tight control over who may access its records during the confidential window.
Who Can Request an Alaska Death Record?
During the 50-year confidential period, only people with a direct relationship or legal interest may request a certified death certificate. The Alaska Department of Health lists the qualified applicants as:
- The spouse named on the certificate
- A parent listed on the death certificate
- A child of the decedent
- A sibling of the decedent
- Legal representatives, including the Office of Public Advocacy with certified guardianship papers
- Attorneys and government agencies, with a letter on letterhead stating whom they represent and why the record is needed
Applicants who were not born or married in Alaska may need to provide supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate, to prove the relationship. You must also submit a valid government-issued photo ID with your request.
For broader context on how states treat sensitive death data, see Are Cause of Death Records Public? and Are Autopsies Public Records?
How to Get an Alaska Death Certificate
Certified death certificates are issued by Health Analytics and Vital Records, a unit of the Alaska Department of Health. You can order in three ways.
Order Methods
- Online: Through the state's authorized vendor for fast processing.
- By mail or fax: Complete the official death certificate application and submit it with a copy of your photo ID.
- In person: At the Anchorage or Juneau vital records offices.
Fees
The fee is $30 for the first certified copy and $25 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Fees are set by the state and can change, so confirm the current amount with the office before sending payment.
Processing Time
Online orders typically take about 2 to 3 weeks. Mail or fax requests can take 2 to 3 months. Note that a death must be registered before a certificate can be issued, which can take up to 3 months after the death occurs.
Is the Cause of Death Public in Alaska?
No. Because Alaska is a closed-record state, the cause of death is not public during the 50-year confidential period. It appears on the certified death certificate, which is released only to eligible family members, legal representatives, and authorized agencies.
This means a member of the public cannot obtain cause-of-death details for a recent Alaska death. If the death was investigated by the State Medical Examiner's Office, autopsy and investigative findings carry their own access restrictions and are not released to the general public on request. See Are Birth Certificates Public Records? for how Alaska handles other restricted vital records.
How Far Back Do Alaska Death Records Go?
Alaska's formal statewide death registration system dates to the early statehood era and earlier territorial recordkeeping. Records that are at least 50 years old are treated as public and may be ordered by anyone for genealogical research through Health Analytics and Vital Records.
For deaths that fall outside Alaska's public window, national resources can help locate basic facts. The Social Security Administration maintains a public Death Master File, but under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 it excludes deaths within the most recent 3 calendar years. The CDC/NCHS likewise confirms there is no single federal death-records database, so the state office remains the authoritative source for an Alaska certificate.
Alaska Death Records: Quick Facts
| Question | Alaska answer |
|---|---|
| Open or closed record? | Closed record |
| Waiting period until public | 50 years after the date of death |
| Who can request (confidential period) | Spouse, parent, child, sibling, legal representatives, authorized attorneys and agencies |
| Fee | $30 first copy; $25 each additional |
| Issuing office | Health Analytics and Vital Records, Alaska Department of Health |
| Governing statute | Alaska Vital Statistics Act (AS 18.50) |
Disclaimer: This page provides general legal information about public records access in Alaska, not legal advice. Eligibility rules, fees, and processing times change. Always confirm current requirements directly with Health Analytics and Vital Records before submitting a request.
For records in other states, see Death Records by State.
Sources
This article cites Alaska's Department of Health vital records office, the Alaska Vital Statistics Act, the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, and the Social Security Administration; the full list appears below.
Sources and References
- Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Records, Vital Records Orders(health.alaska.gov).gov
- Alaska Department of Health, Vital Records and Certificates(health.alaska.gov).gov
- Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Records Division(health.alaska.gov).gov
- Alaska State Legislature, Alaska Statutes Title 18, Chapter 50 (Vital Statistics Act)(akleg.gov).gov
- CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Where to Write for Vital Records(cdc.gov).gov
- Social Security Administration, Death Master File (Limited Access)(ssa.gov).gov