Anchorage Death Records
Anchorage death records are maintained by Alaska's Health Analytics and Vital Records Section (HAVRS). The state has a walk-in office right in Anchorage at 3901 Old Seward Hwy, making it one of only two cities in Alaska where you can request a certified death certificate in person. This guide covers how to request Anchorage death records, what historical collections exist for Alaska's largest city, and where to find local genealogy resources including the Anchorage Public Library obituary index and the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery burial list.
Anchorage Overview
Anchorage Death Records and the State System
Anchorage is part of the Anchorage Municipality, and all death records for events within the municipality are maintained by the Health Analytics and Vital Records Section (HAVRS). The Municipality of Anchorage does not issue death certificates. The Municipal Clerk at 3601 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone (907) 264-0514, handles local government records but refers all vital records requests to the state.
Alaska Statute AS 18.50 governs all death records statewide. Records are restricted for 50 years after the date of death. Records from before 1975 are now public. Records from 1975 onward require an eligible relationship. Eligible requesters include the spouse listed on the certificate, parents, children, and siblings of the deceased, plus legal representatives with proper documentation.
Alaska's death registration system began in 1913, with general compliance reached by about 1930. The Anchorage area has records dating back to the early 20th century, when the city was established as a railroad construction camp in 1914. The Alaska Vital Records collection at FamilySearch includes the Alaska, Anchorage, Coroner's Records (1900-1959), one of the earliest Anchorage-specific collections available online.
Requesting an Anchorage Death Certificate
Certified Anchorage death certificates are ordered through HAVRS. The Anchorage walk-in office at 3901 Old Seward Hwy, Ste. 101, Anchorage, AK 99503 is the most convenient option for local residents. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., phone (907) 269-0991. You can also order online through VitalChek, by mail, or by fax.
The Juneau office at 5441 Commercial Blvd., Juneau, AK 99801, phone (907) 465-3391, fax (907) 465-3618, also accepts walk-in requests. Mail goes to Health Analytics and Vital Records, P.O. Box 110675, Juneau, AK 99811-0675. The first certified copy costs $30. Additional copies at the same time cost $25 each. An apostille for foreign use costs $42. Online orders through VitalChek take 2 to 3 weeks. Mail and fax submissions take 2 to 3 months.
All requests need a completed application form, a copy of a government-issued ID, and payment. A driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, or BIA tribal card all qualify. Requests missing ID or payment are returned without processing. As of late 2024, online requests through VitalChek process in about 5 to 7 weeks and mail-in or fax requests take about 8 weeks.
Note: Do not submit your request through more than one channel at a time, as this causes duplicate orders and extra charges.
Anchorage Historical Death Records and Collections
Anchorage has notable historical collections available for genealogical research. The Anchorage, Coroner's Records (1900-1959) at FamilySearch documents investigated deaths from before and after the city's founding. The broader statewide Alaska Vital Records 1816-2005 collection at FamilySearch includes Anchorage records within the territorial registration system. Alaska Vital Records 1816-1964 at MyHeritage provides an additional indexed search for early records.
The Alaska State Archives at 395 Whittier St., Juneau, AK 99811-0571, phone (907) 465-2270, is the official repository for state and territorial records. Researchers can consult the Vital Statistics by Name index, downloadable from the Archives website, to find specific names in the statewide collection that includes Anchorage records.
Anchorage Genealogy Resources
The Anchorage Public Library provides genealogy resources including the Anchorage Obituary Index Online, which covers January 1, 1981 through October 1, 2001. For obituaries after 2001, print newspaper obituary indexes are available at the Alaska Collection in the library. The Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery website also links to a Master Burial List searchable by last name. These tools can help confirm death dates before ordering a certified certificate.
The Anchorage Genealogical Society, based at PO Box 212265, Anchorage, AK 99521, assists researchers with Anchorage and statewide family history. The society holds local indexes and can connect researchers with others working on the same family lines.
The Alaska State Library genealogy resources page covers statewide tools that apply to Anchorage research. The Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch covers Anchorage deaths reported from 1962 to the present. The Municipality of Anchorage website at muni.org provides general government information and contacts for the local administration.