Fairbanks Death Records
Fairbanks death records are maintained by Alaska's Health Analytics and Vital Records Section (HAVRS). All certified death certificates for Fairbanks must be requested through the state vital records system. Fairbanks is part of Fairbanks North Star Borough, and like all Alaska boroughs, the local government does not issue death certificates. This page covers how to request a Fairbanks death certificate, where to find historical collections dating back to 1907, and what local genealogy resources are available through the Fairbanks Genealogical Society and University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Fairbanks Overview
Fairbanks Death Records and the State System
Fairbanks is located in Fairbanks North Star Borough, which was incorporated on January 1, 1964. The borough does not keep vital records. All death certificates for Fairbanks residents are issued exclusively by HAVRS. The Fairbanks North Star Borough Administration at 907 Terminal Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 handles local government matters but does not process vital records requests.
Alaska Statute AS 18.50 governs all vital records statewide. Death records are restricted for 50 years from the date of death. Records from before 1975 are public. Newer records require proof of an eligible relationship. Death records for Fairbanks events are available from 1913 onward through the state registration system, with some territorial-era records dating to 1907 available through FamilySearch.
The Fairbanks area has well-documented historical records because of its early role as a gold rush supply center and Interior Alaska hub. The Alaska Vital Records 1816-2005 collection at FamilySearch includes Fairbanks records within the broader territorial registration system. Specific Fairbanks collections include Death Certificates (1907-1935) and the Fairbanks Death Register (1907), both at the FamilySearch Catalog.
Requesting Fairbanks Death Certificates
Certified death certificates for Fairbanks are ordered through the state HAVRS portal. You can submit in person at a state office, online through VitalChek, or by mail or fax. Email is not accepted for certified copies.
The Anchorage office at 3901 Old Seward Hwy, Ste. 101, Anchorage, AK 99503, phone (907) 269-0991, is the closer of the two state walk-in offices for Fairbanks residents. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Juneau office at 5441 Commercial Blvd., Juneau, AK 99801, phone (907) 465-3391, fax (907) 465-3618, is open the same hours. 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. An apostille costs $42. A record verification costs $2.50. VitalChek orders take 2 to 3 weeks standard. Mail and fax submissions take 2 to 3 months. Every request needs a completed form, government ID copy, and payment.
Note: Submit through one method only to avoid duplicate charges and processing delays.
Historical Fairbanks Death Records
Fairbanks has some of the best-documented historical death records in Interior Alaska. The Alaska, Fairbanks, Death Certificates (1907-1935) and the Alaska, Fairbanks, Death Register (1907) are both available through the FamilySearch Catalog. These collections predate the formal statewide registration system and represent some of the earliest systematic death record-keeping in Interior Alaska.
The Alaska State Archives at 395 Whittier St., Juneau, AK 99811-0571, phone (907) 465-2270, is the official repository for these territorial-era records. Companion collections for Fairbanks include Birth Records (1904-1967) and Marriage Records (1905-1969) at FamilySearch, which can help fill in family details. The Fairbanks Precinct records are considered among the most complete precinct-level holdings in the state.
Fairbanks Genealogy Resources
The Fairbanks Genealogical Society at P.O. Box 60534, Fairbanks, AK 99706-0534 assists researchers with Fairbanks and Interior Alaska family history. The society holds local indexes and connects researchers with others working on similar lines. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, PO Box 756808, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6811, phone (907) 474-2791, holds extensive collections including historical newspapers, periodicals, and primary source materials for Interior Alaska research.
Cemetery records for Fairbanks are indexed at Find a Grave, BillionGraves, and the Fairbanks, Alaska Cemetery Records collection at Ancestry. The Alaska State Library genealogy guide covers additional statewide resources relevant to Fairbanks research. The Fairbanks North Star Borough website at fnsb.gov provides local government contacts and information.