Introduction to Alaska Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get an Alaska Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.    

Alaska Death certificates have been maintained by the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics for individuals that died in the state of Alaska since 1890; however, many events before 1930 were never registered with the Bureau.

Alaska Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Alaska state law, Alaska Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Spouse of Person Named on the Alaska Death Certificate
• Mother/Father of Person Named on the Alaska Death Certificate
• Child of Person Named on the Alaska Death Certificate
• Sibling of Person Named on the Alaska Death Certificate
• Legal Guardian of Person Named on the Alaska Death Certificate (A legal guardian must submit a certified copy of the guardianship papers granted by the court when requesting a Death certificate.)  

Alaska Death Certificate for Genealogy Purposes

Anyone can obtain an Alaska Death Certificate, 50 years or later from the date of the Death for genealogy or other reasons.

Alaska Death Certificate Ordering Options

Options Option 1 – Order Alaska Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Alaska Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Alaska Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Alaska Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Alaska Death certificate online.  It usually takes 4-6 week upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Alaska Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Alaska Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Alaska Death certificate
• Sex on the Alaska Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Alaska Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Alaska Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Alaska Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number

 

Bureau of Vital Statistics

PO Box 110675

Juneau, Alaska 99801

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Alaska: You may go to any county health department in the State of Alaska to obtain a certified copy of an Alaska Death certificate. Most Alaska Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Alaska Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for an Alaska Death certificate is $20.00, which includes one certified copy of the Alaska Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Alaska Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $20.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.