How to Get a Death Certificate in Alaska

Alaska death records are confidential for 50 years. For deaths in that window, Alaska Vital Records issues certified copies to:

• The spouse listed on the death certificate
• The parent(s) listed on the death certificate
• The deceased person's children
• The deceased person's siblings
• The Office of Public Advocacy, with certified Delegated Power of Conservatorship/Guardianship papers
• Attorneys and government agencies, with a letter on letterhead saying who they represent and why the record is needed, plus original certified or notarized supporting documents. Alaska Vital Records decides whether they are entitled

Once 50 years have passed since the death, the record becomes public and anyone can order a copy.

Executors: the state's list does not name executors or personal representatives. The request form has a "Legal representative (with documentation)" box, but the state does not say what documents an executor who is not a close relative should send. Contact Alaska Vital Records at BVSOffice@alaska.gov to confirm before ordering.

Veterans: by state law, if the person who died was a veteran and an Alaska resident, the bureau issues up to four certified copies free to a qualified person: the personal representative of the veteran's estate, a trustee of the veteran's revocable trust, or someone who needs the certificate to qualify for a death-related benefit (AS 18.50.320).

Alaska has no county or borough vital records offices. Certified copies come only from the state Health Analytics and Vital Records Section (HAVRS). The state office only has records for deaths that happened in Alaska.

Online through VitalChek

• VitalChek is the only online vendor Alaska Vital Records works with. Use the link on the official Vital Records Orders page
• VitalChek adds its own fees. The state does not publish the amount
• Expedited service is only available through VitalChek, for an extra fee
• Wait: at least 2-3 weeks, per the state FAQ

By mail

• Fill out the Alaska Death Certificate Request Form (Revision 04/2026)
• Mail it to: Health Analytics and Vital Records, P.O. Box 110675, Juneau, Alaska 99811-0675
• Shipping options: regular mail (no fee, no tracking), USPS Priority Mail with tracking ($13), or with tracking and signature ($18)
• Wait: 2-3 months, per the state FAQ

By fax

• Fax the same form to (907) 465-3618, with your card payment details and a copy of your ID
• Wait: same as mail, 2-3 months

In person

• Juneau: 5441 Commercial Blvd., Juneau, Alaska 99801. Phone (907) 465-3391
• Anchorage: 3901 Old Seward Hwy, Ste. 101, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. Phone (907) 269-0991
• Walk-in hours at both offices: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm (per the request form)
• Cash is accepted at walk-in offices only. The state does not say whether walk-in orders are filled the same day. Contact the office to confirm

About wait times: the state's FAQ says 2-3 weeks for VitalChek and 2-3 months for mail or fax. A current alert on the same page says processing is running 1-2 months due to high volume. Both are official. The state asks you not to contact the office unless your request has been pending longer than these times. Questions about certified copies go to BVSOffice@alaska.gov (allow 3-5 business days for a reply). General questions go to doh.havrs.info@alaska.gov.

Don't order twice. The office does not refund duplicate orders. If you send the same request more than one way (for example, online and by mail), you are charged for each.

• The request form, signed. Requests without a signature, a copy of your ID and payment are not processed
• A photocopy of a government-issued ID (not the original): driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, or Tribal/BIA card with a picture. An expired ID is accepted only if it expired less than one year ago. If you have none of these, call (907) 465-3391
• Payment: check or money order made out to "Alaska Vital Records Office", or a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) on the form. Cash at walk-in offices only. Returned checks cost $30
• Proof of relationship, only if the state can't check it in Alaska records:
• A spouse not married in Alaska: a copy of the marriage certificate
• A parent, if the deceased was not born in Alaska: the deceased's birth certificate listing the same parent(s)
• A child not born in Alaska: their own birth certificate listing the deceased as a parent
• A sibling not born in Alaska: their own birth certificate showing at least one parent in common

If the office needs more documents, it sends a letter. Your application expires 180 days after that letter if you do not respond.

For deaths in the last 50 years, Alaska issues certified copies only, and only to eligible people. The state does not describe an "informational" copy for recent deaths, or versions with or without the cause of death.

After 50 years, the record becomes public and anyone can order a Public Record White Copy for $15.

By law, the death certificate must be filed within three days after death and before burial, cremation, or removal of the body from the state. The doctor, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant signs the medical part within 24 hours, unless an official inquiry (such as a medical examiner case) is needed.

The funeral home's role: the funeral director, or the person acting as funeral director, who first takes custody of the body files the death certificate. They collect personal details from the next of kin and the cause of death from the doctor. The State Medical Examiner's Office says that if you use a funeral home, you can request copies from the funeral home when you make arrangements. Alaska does not require families to use a funeral home.

Even so, the state warns that orders cannot be filled until the record is registered, which may take up to 3 months after the death.

Banks, insurers, the court, and others handling the estate often each want their own certified copy. In Alaska, extra copies of the same record cost $25 each when ordered at the same time as the first, and processing can take months, so ordering enough up front can save a second wait. See our guide on how many copies to estimate your number.

Corrections are handled by the Special Services Unit. Email BVSSpecialServices@alaska.gov or call (907) 465-1200, and they will send the forms and instructions.

• Correction requests must be mailed or hand delivered, because original documents or certified copies are required. Court papers and other legal documents with original signatures can't be faxed or emailed
• Fees: the request form lists a $30 correction processing fee. The state's web fee list shows $60 for a record amendment that includes one certified copy ($30 processing plus a $30 copy). Special Services can confirm your total
• Time: the web page says to allow 16 weeks after the originals arrive, not counting shipping. The request form says 3 months. Expedited service is not available. Contact Special Services to confirm current timing
• Under state rules, the person asking for the change must prove it, and fees must be paid before the change is made

Alaska Vital Records says it only partners with VitalChek for online orders. The official ways to order are:

• VitalChek, through the link on the Alaska Vital Records Orders page
• Mail or fax, using the state request form
• In person at the Juneau or Anchorage HAVRS offices

The state specifically warns that orders placed through Govmore cannot be filled. If a website isn't one of the official channels above, don't use it.