Access free Alaska divorce records on any citizen throughout the state.
There are many reasons why a person may need to get divorce information; while some people utilize these records for genealogy purposes, others use them to check someone’s marital status, see if and how they got divorced, or for various other legal reasons.
In Alaska, record seekers can access search tools off and online to find the desired information. This right to information is codified in the Alaska Public Records Act (APRA), which guarantees unrestricted access to public divorce records at all levels for anyone interested.
No matter why you’re seeking divorce records, this resource will help you get all the information you need, making the process quick and affordable.
Are Divorce Records Publicly Available in Alaska?
According to the Alaska Public Records Act (APRA), divorce records in Alaska are available to interested parties, but there are several limitations.1 All divorce records are sealed and unavailable to the general public until 50 years after the divorce was officially recorded.
For instance, if a person requests a copy of a divorce record from 2010, the application will be denied. In this particular case, the record will become public only after 50 years, in 2060.
Access to Alaska divorce records before the 50-year period is available only to the individuals named on the records or their legal representatives (an attorney or an official representative with a letter signed and notarized by an individual present on the divorce record).
In Alaska, there are two types of divorce records available to interested persons:
- Regular Divorce Copies: These documents contain important information on the divorce, including the names of the divorced individuals, the date and the location of the divorce; regular divorce copies don’t bear an official seal;
- Certified Divorce Copies: These records provide the same information as the regular divorce copies, but they bear an official seal; they can be used for tax, legal, or other official purposes,
Divorce rates in Alaska are among the highest in the United States. According to a study published by Bowling Green State University, Alaska holds the top ranking for the highest divorce rates in the country, with an average rate of 32 divorces per 1,000 married women.2
Similar statistics come from the CDC, where Alaska ranks very high in divorce rates, with approximately 3.1 annulments per 1,000 residents.
How To Track Down Alaska Divorce Records
If an Alaskan wants to find divorce records, the state offers multiple ways to obtain them. Anyone interested has both online and offline resources to obtain the information they are looking for.
The main resource to find divorce records in Alaska is the Health Analytics and Vital Records Office (HAVRS), which is a division of Alaska’s Department of Health. On the HAVRS website, users can access a special section where they can request a regular or certified divorce certificate.
Divorce records ruled before 1950 can be obtained from the Clerk of the Superior Court in the district where that particular divorce was granted.3 On the other hand, for divorce records granted after 1950, requesters must contact the local Health Analytics & Vital Records office (HAVRS), depending on your county or city, either online or offline.
The fee for a divorce copy is $30, with an additional $25 for each extra copy requested simultaneously. The Divorce Copy Correction Processing Fee is $30, while the Apostille for certificates that will be used internationally is $12 for the first copy, with an additional $2 for each extra copy.
Check, money orders, credit and debit cards are accepted. Please double-check the fees and processing times before applying on the Vital Records website.
In Alaska, requesters can get divorce copies in four different ways.
Online: Requesters should first visit the Vital Records Office website, download, and complete the Alaska Divorce Copies Request Form. After you complete the form, send it together with proof of payment (credit and debit cards are accepted) to the following email address: hss.vr.apps@alaska.gov. Wait about 2 weeks for processing.
By Fax: People can also request divorce records via fax. For this, requesters must download, print, and complete the form mentioned above.
After this, the document can be faxed to Juneau Vital Records Office at (907)465-3618. Also, fax proof of payment together with the form.
Please call the office at (907)465-3391 10 minutes after you sent the documents to confirm whether they were received; processing takes about 2 weeks.
By Mail: Divorce records can be requested by mail. To do this, requesters have to download the Alaska Divorce Copies Request Form, print it, and complete it. The requester has to be one of the individuals on the certificate.
Any other inquirers can call (907)465-3391 for more information.
A photo ID will also be required. You can use a driver’s license, a state-issued ID, a passport, a military ID, or a tribal/BIA card. Mail the completed form, a copy of an ID as described, and proof of payment to the following address:
Alaska Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
You can choose the following shipping methods:
- Regular Mail (no fee, no tracking)
- Priority Mail ($9.00 fee, includes tracking, no signature needed)
- Priority Mail ($12.00 fee, includes tracking and signature)
- FedEx Alaska (no P.O. boxes; $25.00 fee, includes tracking and signature)
- FedEx USA (no P.O. boxes; $30.00 fee, includes tracking and signature)
Note: HAVRS strongly recommends you choose a shipping option that includes a signature upon receipt. Call 907-465-3391 if you need international shipping.
In-person: People who want to obtain a divorce copy in-person can only do this in Juneau or in Anchorage. Anyone who is interested in getting the documents in-person has to visit the Health Analytics and Vital Records Office (HAVRS) in either Juneau or Anchorage.
Requesters have to bring a photo ID and the completed application form (forms are available onsite too).5
Here are the locations available for in-person requests:
Health Analytics & Vital Records — Juneau (Main Office)
5441 Commercial Blvd.
PO Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Phone: (907)465-3391
Fax: (907)465-3618
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Health Analytics & Vital Records — Anchorage
3901 Old Seward Highway, Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907)269-0991
To be more specific, the office is located in the University Center, inside the DMV Office; it’s advisable to park your car on the south end of the building, enter, and sign in at any DMV kiosk to get started. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The fee for a divorce copy is $30, with an additional $25 for each extra copy requested simultaneously. The Divorce Copy Correction Processing Fee is $30, while the Apostille for certificates that will be used internationally is $12 for the first copy, with an additional $2 for each extra copy.
Divorce records can also be obtained online via the VitalChek service. Additional fees may apply.
Finding Divorce Records Through Alaska’s Boroughs & Cities
Interested parties can do a free public divorce records search in Alaska in multiple ways. While most requests are handled at the state level, some boroughs and cities offer access to divorce records finalized locally.
If you are looking for divorce records finalized in your borough or city, it’s better to contact the local government agencies to get a better service. Usually, you’ll be able to visit the local office, talk to the officials in person, and better explain what you are looking for.
Of course, the same state-wide rules apply – divorce records are confidential for the first 50 years and can only be issued to the individuals involved or their legal representatives. For divorces granted before 1950, users must refer to the Clerk of the Superior Court in their respective borough or district.
The following are some of the boroughs and cities that can help you find the divorce records you are looking for.
Anchorage Municipality: The most populous municipality or borough in Alaska is Anchorage Municipality. People looking for divorce records in Anchorage should visit the municipality’s website, where users can find a page detailing how to request public records.6 Users have to download and complete the municipal records request form.
The complete form should be sent to the following address:
Anchorage City Hall
632 West 6th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Similarly, you can send the completed form to the relevant service on this department list. The mailing address for the Health Department is:
Anchorage Health Department
825 L Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907)343-6718
Note: In-person requests are handled at the Anchorage City Hall, located at the address mentioned above.
Fairbanks North Star Borough: People who want to obtain divorce records in Fairbanks North Star Borough should visit the borough’s website to find the information needed to request the records. Users will have to download and complete the Public Records Request Form with the required information.
You can either request to inspect a document or ask for a copy. Before completing the request form, requesters should read the Public Records Request Policy. After completing the form, print it and send it to the following address:
Fairbanks North Star Borough
907 Terminal Street
P.O. Box 71267
Fairbanks, AK 99701
After 5 working days, you will receive a reply detailing the cost of the documents you need. For more information, contact the Fairbanks North Star Borough at 907-459-1000.
Anyone interested in in-person requests should visit the local office at the address mentioned above. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
All other boroughs refer divorce record seekers to state-level resources.
Tracking Family Heritage & Genealogy Through the Divorce Archives of Alaska
Some people like to learn more about their heritage, family history, and genealogy. For this, people need access to a variety of Alaska divorce records, historical documents, and various nuptial archives. These documents can be difficult to find, but there are multiple resources you can try in Alaska.
The best resource to use to track family heritage and genealogy is the Alaska State Archives website. Specifically, the users have access to a specific genealogy section on the website, which offers a plethora of resources, including a downloadable spreadsheet with vital statistics from 1816 to 1998.7 Also, users can also access the Collection Guides, where they can find multiple genealogy and vital statistics records.
If you want to study the documents personally or ask for an entire case file, make an appointment at the Research Center of the Alaska State Archives:
Alaska State Archives
2nd Fl., Alaska State Museum
395 Whittier St.
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: 907.465.2270
Fax: 907.465.2151
Email: archives@alaska.gov
Hours: Weekdays 10 AM to 4 PM
You can also find a divorce index, personal records, historical documents, and various archives at historical societies, religious institutions, or smaller public or private libraries. More information can also be found in historic preserved newspapers.
How To Check if Someone Had a Dissolution of Marriage in Alaska
Common law marriage is not legally recognized in Alaska. However, state authorities recognize that couples live in close relationships and recognize them as domestic partnerships. Because common law matrimony is not allowed in Alaska, there is no common law divorce.
Alaska record seekers can obtain dissolution of marriage records online, in person, by mail, or by fax. The Alaska Health Analytics & Vital Records Office handles all the requests.
Mail Requests: Requesters must download, print, complete, and submit the Alaska Divorce Copy Request Form, together with a photo ID and proof of payment to the following address:
Health Analytics & Vital Records
P.O. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
In-person Requests: Interested persons should visit either the Alaska Vital Records Office in Anchorage or Juneau, at the following locations:9
Health Analytics & Vital Records — Juneau (Main Office)
5441 Commercial Blvd.
PO Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
Phone: (907)465-3391
Fax: (907)465-3618
Office Hours: Weekdays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Health Analytics & Vital Records — Anchorage
3901 Old Seward Highway, Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907)269-0991
The office is located in the University Center, inside the DMV Office; it’s advisable to park your car on the south end of the building, enter, and sign in at any DMV kiosk to get started. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Fax Requests: Fax orders can be made by calling (907)465-3618. Record seekers have to send the completed form and proof of payment to the previously mentioned fax number. Also, call the office 10 minutes after sending the documents to confirm they were received.
Online requests are handled by VitalChek.
How To Approach the Divorce Process in Alaska: Filing & Handling Divorce Papers
Filing for a divorce is a seamless process in Alaska. Unlike other states, Alaska doesn’t require individuals to live for a specific time in the state.
To file for a divorce, only one spouse has to be registered as a resident in Alaska when you file the divorce papers. However, if the other spouse doesn’t reside in the state, the judge may not have jurisdiction to rule over payments or transfer of property following the divorce.
You can file for two types of divorces in Alaska — contested and uncontested. To file for an uncontested divorce (otherwise known as a dissolution), both parties have to agree on everything relating to the divorce, including the division of property, debt, alimony, child support, and child custody. For any other situations, the divorce will be considered contested.
The Alaska Court System offers a detailed online self-assistance page for people who want to file for a dissolution or divorce.11 Couples are advised to go through a mediation process before filing for a divorce.
If you file for a contested divorce, you can choose to file for either a no-fault or a fault-based divorce:
- No-fault Divorce – you can state that you and your spouse are incompatible.
- Fault-based Divorce – you will have to claim and prove that your spouse did something like adultery, personal indignities, cruel and inhumane treatment, is culpable of desertion, has a drug addiction or has a felony conviction.
In Alaska, you can also file to ask for marriage annulment if your spouse has an incurable mental illness.
Filing for divorce in Alaska can be done online, by mail, or in person. The fee for filing for divorce in Alaska is $250. If you cannot afford the fee, you can request a waiver based on this request for exemption form.
If both parties file the divorce at the same time, you don’t have to go through the service process.
On the other hand, if only you filed the papers, you have to serve your spouse the divorce documents, together with the summons. This will be done by the Alaska State Police or local police, depending on your location.
After the papers are served, you will have to file the Civil Rule 4(f) Affidavit to prove you did everything according to law.12 If you don’t file the affidavit in 120 days, the court will dismiss your case.
After getting served, your spouse can either agree or disagree in a formal divorce complaint. If the spouse doesn’t file a formal divorce complaint in 20 days, you may ask for a default separation. In this case, the judge may decide the divorce decree in your favor.
With the insight offered throughout this resource, you are ready to address, find, and obtain the Alaska divorce records you need; for additional record types, check out either the tutorial for finding marital records in AK or the Alaska free public information search instructions.
References
1Alaska Department of Law. (n.d.). Alaska Public Records Act (APRA). Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://law.alaska.gov/doclibrary/APRA.html>
2Westrick, K. K., & National Center for Family & Marriage Research, Bowling Green State University. (2022). Divorce Rate in the U.S.: Geographic Variation, 2018. Bowling Green State University. Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://www.bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/college-of-arts-and-sciences/NCFMR/documents/FP/westrick-payne-divorce-rate-US-geographic-variation-2020-fp-22-08.pdf>
3Alaska Court System. (n.d.). Trial Courts. Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://courts.alaska.gov/trialcourts/index.htm>
4Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Health. (n.d.). Health Analytics and Vital Records. Dhss.alaska.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://health.alaska.gov/dph/VitalStats/Pages/default.aspx>
5Alaska Department of Health. (2023, October). Alaska Divorce Certificate Request Form. Dhss.alaska.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://health.alaska.gov/dph/VitalStats/Documents/divorce/Divorce_Form.pdf>
6Municipality of Anchorage. (2018, September 5). Records Request. Muni.org. Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://www.muni.org/pages/recordsrequest.aspx>
7Alaska State Archives. (2021, June 2). Genealogy. Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://archives.alaska.gov/genealogy/genealogy.html>
8Alaska State Archives. (2022, June 28). Research Inquiry Form. Alaska Department of Education. Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://archives.alaska.gov/researchQ.html>
9Division of Public Health, Alaska Department of Health. (n.d.). Juneau Office. Dhss.alaska.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://health.alaska.gov/dph/vitalstats/pages/contacts/contact_juneau.aspx>
10Alaska Court System. (2023, September). DR-105 Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (with Children). Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/forms/docs/dr-105.pdf>
11Alaska Court System. (n.d.). Filing for Dissolution or Divorce – Ending Your Marriage. Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/family/shcstart.htm>
12Alaska Court System. (2019, August). CIV-135 Civil Rule 4(f) Affidavit. Retrieved December 14, 2023, from <https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/forms/docs/civ-135.pdf>