Alaska Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Alaska divorce records are official recordings of divorce events that transpired within the state. Such records typically reveal divorcees' names, dates, custody, and financial agreements. In Alaska, divorce records are important for legal and genealogy-related purposes. For instance, concerned parties may use the records for name changes, marriage applications, and inheritance cases.

The Alaska Public Records Act allows public access to divorce records generated in the state's superior court divisions. Persons interested in accessing divorce records may do so via the options provided by official record custodians. These options may include online searchable portals or mail-in access.

Divorce in Alaska: Alaska has one of the highest divorce rates in the US, with a rate of 3.1 per 1,000 residents in 2025. The Alaska Department of Health also revealed that 2,299 divorce events occurred in 2021.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Alaska

Types of divorce documentation in Alaska include the following:

Divorce certificates: This is a one-page document that outlines the divorcees' names, divorce date, and location. Interested parties may only obtain the records from the Alaska Vital Records Division.

Divorce decrees: Divorce decrees are documents of court orders or judgments regarding divorce case proceedings. The records may also include information on child custody and support, financial agreements, and attorney names. The superior court clerks' offices are the official custodians of such records. Note that they only provide information on events that occurred within areas under their jurisdiction.

Divorce case records: In Alaska, divorce case records typically contain all documents filed in relation to a divorce case proceeding. These documents may include financial statements, affidavits, case summaries, and criminal reports. The superior court clerk's office is also a custodian of divorce case records.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	Alaska Department of Health, Vital Records Division	Proof of legal divorce and genealogical research.	Names, date, county, case number
Divorce Decree/Judgment	Court Clerks' Offices	Details of the settlement and terms	Rulings, custody orders, and property division
Divorce case records	Court Clerks' Offices	Proof of legal divorce and genealogical research	Case summaries, financial statements, social security numbers, and related filed documents.

Public Access and Confidentiality of Alaska Divorce Records

Section 40.25.120 of the 2019 Alaska Statutes classifies vital records, such as divorce records, as confidential documents. This means only eligible parties can view or access the records. Record subjects, legal representatives, and government entities are generally eligible to access divorce records.

Eligible parties may find copies of divorce certificates via the Alaska Department of Health's Health Analytics and Vital Records Division. The agency attends to in-person and mail-in requests at:

Mailing Address and Fax Number

Physical address

With that being said, the general public may access Alaska divorce records under these conditions:

• They have a notarized, signed consent from the record subject.
• It has been more than 50 years since the divorce date.

Note that the state may still redact certain information from the general public. Examples of such exempted information include the following:

• Court-sealed divorce information.
• Personal identifying data about minors in a dissolved union.
• Financial statements.
• Tax information.

What Information Do Alaska Divorce Records Include?

Divorce records in Alaska typically contain information on the following:

• The case party's name and contact information.
• Case identifiers, such as case number and filing date.
• Divorce date and location.
• Case information, such as complaints, summons, judgments, and custody and financial arrangements.

Divorce records may contain various information, depending on the document type and format. A divorce certificate only provides basic information about a divorce event.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Alaska

Persons or entities may locate Alaska divorce records via these options:

• Online searchable portals via the Alaska Court System.
• Mail-in, in-person, or phone-based requests via the Alaska Vital Record Division and court clerks' offices.

Record custodians may charge fees before disclosing court records to interested parties. The fees may vary based on the record custodian, the number of requested copies, and the document format.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Vital Records Division	Alaska Department of Health	All years	Certificates only	$30 for the first copy and $25 per additional copy.
Judiciary Portal	Alaska Court System	All years	Case search	Free or per-page fee
County Clerks	Local Superior Courts	All years	Certified decrees and divorce case records	Varies

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Alaska

In Alaska, a certified copy of divorce records bears a seal of authentication, such as a court clerk's or agency's official seal and signature. Certified divorce records are crucial for most legal processes like name changes, remarriage applications, and property divisions. Persons or entities seeking to request certified divorce records may do so by following these steps:

Step 1. Identify the court where the divorce was finalized.

Alaska's Vital Record Division and county superior court clerks are the official custodians of certified divorce documents. The former offers statewide access to certified divorce records. In contrast, local court clerks allow access to divorce cases filed within a county.

Step 2. Contact the clerk's office.

Contact the record custodian and use any of their available request options. For example, the Alaska Vital Records Division allows mail-in or in-person access to records in its custody. To make a request, an inquirer must complete the agency's request form and send it to their email or in-person address.

Likewise, county clerks offer mail-in or in-person access to records. The Municipality of Anchorage Court Clerk's Office allows mail-in requests. Inquirers must send a written request via email or mail to:

Step 3. Provide the necessary details.

You are typically required to provide relevant search information to access divorce case records in Alaska. For instance, the Anchorage Municipality Clerk requires a written request that includes these details:

• Case party names
• Case identifiers like the case number and type.
• The requester's name and mailing address.

Step 4. Pay the required fee.

Record custodians may charge fees for retrieving and producing certified copies of divorce records. For example, the state's Vital Records Division charges $30 for the first copy and $25 per additional copy ordered at the same time. For mail-in requests, the fees must be a money order or check made payable to the Alaska Vital Records Office.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order	Legal Use
Certified Certificate	Alaska Vital Records Division	Spouse, attorney, court (for records less than 50 years). All public members (for records older than 50 years).	Proof for remarriage, name change
Certified Decree	County Clerk / Court	Party or counsel	Legal enforcement
Informational Copy	Divorce case files	All parties	Genealogical/historical use.

Why Search for Divorce Records in Alaska?

Persons or entities may search Alaska divorce records for verifiable proof of divorce events. Such records play a crucial role in the following processes:

• Name changes and related probate matters: Alaska superior courts may require divorce decrees or certificates before granting name change requests from divorcees. The documents are also important in probate matters, such as wills and trust cases.
• Remarriage application: Divorcees are typically required to provide divorce certificates when applying for marriage licenses. The court may request divorce certificates or decrees for this procedure.
• Genealogy research: Interested parties may search divorce records to trace family ancestry. Record seekers may obtain early divorce records from the superior court clerk in the county where the event occurred.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Alaska?

Alaska divorce records remain indefinitely in the custody of designated record custodians. These agencies are only required to keep the records confidential for 50 years after the divorce date. Divorce records older than 50 years are publicly accessible in public domains. Nevertheless, the court or other record custodian may still redact confidential divorce information from public access. Concerned parties may also request that the court seal specific information from public access. The record will typically redact records that infringe on a person's personal rights.