I Lost My Birth Certificate. What Should I Do?
Table of Contents
- What are Alaska Vital Records?
- Alaska Birth Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Birth Records
- Alaska Death Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Death Records
- Alaska Marriage Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Marriage Records
- Alaska Divorce Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Divorce Records
What are Alaska Vital Records?
Alaska vital records include birth, death, stillbirth, marriage, and divorce data for events that occur in the state. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics is the government agency in charge of vital records. The agency also handles records for adoption, paternity, health statistics, and amendments to vital records. They allow the public to request copies of vital records through the mail or fax. You can also order them through the VitalChek system online or via phone. Vital records in Alaska are confidential, so, therefore, only you, your family, or other legal representatives can obtain a copy of your records. After 100 or 50 years (for different types of records), the public may be granted access.
Alaska Birth Records
Alaska birth records refer to the documentation of all live births that occurred within the state. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics is the government agency in charge of collecting, storing, issuing, and preserving all birth records. You can request records through their local offices, by mail using a form on their website, by fax, using the same form, or by phone or internet and the VitalChek service. Only certain people can request copies of birth records, and when they do, they need to provide proper ID.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Birth Records
How do I find birth records in Alaska?
The best way to find birth records in Alaska is to contact The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. They offer a variety of ways to get copies.
How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Alaska?
You can visit a local health department office or order birth certificates online, by phone, through the mail, or even by fax using the form on The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics website.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Alaska?
A certified copy is $30, and each additional copy is $25. They also offer an heirloom birth certificate for $55. Other services may cost extra.
Who can request birth records?
Alaska's birth records are confidential for 100 years. Therefore, only the following people can get a copy of yours.
- Parent(s) listed on the certificate.
- Child listed on the certificate (if 14 years old or older) along with a school ID.
- Legal Guardian with certified guardianship papers.
- Third-Party requests must have a notarized letter of consent for the release of information from the certificate holder or legal guardian.
- Attorneys & Government Agencies must have a letter on their letterhead stating why they represent and why the record is needed. Must provide supporting documentation.
Are birth records public records in Alaska?
Vital records are confidential in Alaska, and birth records are sealed for 100 years. Then they may be opened up to the general public.
What information do I need when getting a copy of my Alaska birth certificate?
When requesting a copy of a birth record, you will need the following information:
- Driver's license.
- State-issued ID card.
- Passport.
- Military ID.
- Tribal/BIA card.
Where can I find historical vital records in Alaska for genealogy research?
The Alaska State Archives is the agency in charge of preserving all historical birth records. They have birth records going back to 1816.
How can I correct an error on my birth record?
To correct an error on a birth record, you must contact The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Special Services Unit, for help. They have a specific process for handling amendments.
Can I get a refund if my Alaska birth record is not available?
No, instead, you will receive a "Record not Found" document instead of the certificate.
Alaska Death Records
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains all death records for the state. You can request copies but only for someone you were related to or when you have the legal authority to do so. You must complete a specific form when requesting Alaska death records, and you must provide proper identification. Death records are kept confidential for 50 years and then made public record. All injuries about Alaska death records should be directed to the Alaska Vital Records office in Juneau.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Death Records
How do I find death records in Alaska?
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics is the agency that administers all death records for the state.
Are death records public in Alaska?
Only after 50 years do Alaska death records become public records. Before that, they are kept confidential.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Alaska?
A death certificate in Alaska costs $30, and each additional copy is another $25. To have your order expedited, it will cost you another 11.
How long does it take to get a copy of an Alaska death record?
If you visit one of the Vital Statistics offices in person, you can get a copy within 48 hours. If you order by mail, you may wait four weeks. Fax orders take about 2-3 weeks.
Who can request death records?
The only people eligible to request death records for someone are:
- Spouse (married in Alaska).
- Parent(s) (for children born in Alaska).
- Child(ren) of Decedent.
- Sibling of Decedent.
- Legal Guardian of Decedent.
- Office of Public Advocacy.
- Legal Representative/Attorney.
What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Alaska death certificate?
When requesting copies of death certificates, you must provide proof of authorization which means:
- Spouse name as listed on the death certificate
- Parent(s) names as listed on the death certificate
- Certified copy of child's birth with decedent name listed
- Certified copy of sibling's birth with one parent in common
- Certified guardianship papers along with documentation showing the death certificate is needed to establish personal or property rights.
- Certified guardianship papers
- If Legal Representative/Attorney then you need:
- A cover letter indicating who they represent.
- The original or certified documentation showing the death certificate is needed to determine property rights (e.g., beneficiary documents, last will, property deeds, and financial statements). Faxed documents are not accepted.
- Signed copy of the attorney-client agreement
You also need to provide proper ID such as:
- Driver's license.
- State-issued ID card.
- Passport.
- Military ID.
- Tribal/BIA card.
Where can I find historical death records in Alaska?
Alaska State Archives is the agency that preserves all vital records for the state. They began keeping them in 1816, and you can find historical death records there.
How can I correct an error on someone's death record?
To correct an error on a death certificate in Alaska, you must contact the Alaska Vital Statistics Office Special Services Unit.
Can I get a refund if my Alaska death record is not available?
No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.
Alaska Marriage Records
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics is the agency who keeps all marriage records and issues copies of your marriage certificate. There are many reasons why you might need a copy of your Alaska marriage records, such as changing your name, applying for credit, filing insurance, and others. The state makes it easy to request a copy in person, by fax or mail, by phone or through the internet using VitalChek. Marriage records are kept secure for 50 years; then, they are opened up to the public. You can get copies if you are legally entitled to do so by filing a request and paying the fee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Marriage Records
Are Alaska marriage records public?
Not for 50 years. After that, marriage records are opened up to public access.
What Alaska marriage records are available?
Alaska began saving vital records in 1816.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Alaska?
You can obtain one in person within 48 hours. However, if you order it by mail or fax, you will wait anywhere from 2-4 weeks.
How much does an Alaska marriage certificate cost?
A certified copy of your marriage certificate costs $30 and then $25 for each additional copy. For expedited records, you must pay another $11.
When requesting records, what information do I need?
In order to request a copy of your marriage certificate, you will need the following information:
- Driver's license.
- State-issued ID card.
- Passport.
- Military ID.
- Tribal/BIA card.
How do I get a copy of an Alaska marriage record?
You can download the order form from the Vital Statistics office and mail it with your payment to:
Alaska Vital Records Office - Juneau
5441 Commercial Blvd.
Juneau, AK 99801
You may also visit one of their offices in person, or order online, by fax, or by phone.
Who can request a copy of my Alaska marriage records?
Only the following people may gain access to your marriage records for the first 50 years:
- Either bride, groom, or spouse.
- Legal Representative with a cover letter stating who you represent on the marriage record along with a notarized original release form from that person.
How do I correct a marriage certificate in Alaska?
Corrections to all vital records in Alaska are handled by the Special Services Unit of the Vital Statistics office.
Alaska Divorce Records
Alaska's Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics is the agency in charge of divorce certificates. They collect, maintain, and issue them upon request. After a divorce, if you want to change your name, you need to supply a copy of your divorce certificate. This agency allows you to request certified copies through the mail using their downloadable form by fax, phone, or internet using the VitalChek service. Divorce records are kept confidential for 50 years; then, they are opened up to the public.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Divorce Records
Can I find divorce records online in Alaska?
Only if they are older than 50 years, divorce records, like many other vital records in Alaska, are kept confidential for several years before opening them up to the public.
How do I find old divorce records?
The Alaska State Archives is the agency in charge of preserving all historical divorce records. They have vital records dating back to 1816. Many of their records are stored online for easy access.
How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?
Complete the downloadable form on the Vital Statistics office website and mail it to:
Alaska Vital Records Office
PO. Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
You may also order by phone or online through VitalChek or visit any vital records office in person.
How much does it cost for a certified copy of my divorce certificate?
You must pay $30 for each certified copy of your divorce certificate and $25 for each additional copy. If you want it expedited, you must pay an additional $11.
What information is needed to search for an Alaska divorce record?
When you request a copy of your Alaska divorce records you must supply one of the following:
- Driver's license.
- State-issued ID card.
- Passport.
- Military ID.
- Tribal/BIA card.
Only the people listed below may get a copy:
- Either party listed on the divorce certificate.
If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?
No, all search fees are non-refundable. However, you will receive a "Record not Found" receipt.
How do I correct my divorce certificate?
All amendments to vital records are handled by the Special Services Unit of the Alaska's Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
