North Slope Borough Death Records
Death records for North Slope Borough are maintained at the state level by Alaska's Health Analytics and Vital Records Section. The borough does not keep vital records locally. If you need a certified death certificate for someone who died in North Slope Borough, or want to search historical records from Barrow and the surrounding Arctic region, this page covers every step of the process and lists all available resources, including the Barrow Birth, Marriage, and Death Records collection at FamilySearch that dates to 1902.
North Slope Borough Overview
How North Slope Death Records Work
North Slope Borough was incorporated on July 2, 1972. The Borough Clerk is located at P.O. Box 69, Barrow, AK 99723-0069, phone (907) 852-4800. Like every Alaska borough, it does not maintain vital records. All death certificates for events within the borough are held by the Health Analytics and Vital Records Section (HAVRS) at the state level. The borough clerk handles municipal records and local government matters, but vital statistics fall under state authority.
Alaska Statute AS 18.50 controls all vital records statewide. Death records become public after 50 years. Records from before 1975 are now accessible to any researcher. Records from 1975 onward are restricted to close family members and legal representatives. North Slope Borough's remoteness means that for some older records, documentation was inconsistent, and researchers may need to consult alternative sources for pre-1913 deaths in the area.
Statewide death registration began in 1913, though general compliance came later in some Arctic communities. North Slope Borough, centered on Barrow (now known as Utqiagvik), has records that date back well before formal territorial registration. The Barrow Birth, Marriage, and Death Records (1902-1959) collection at FamilySearch is a key resource for pre-statehood Arctic research.
Requesting North Slope Death Certificates
Certified death certificates for North Slope Borough are ordered through the state HAVRS system. Options include in-person at a state office, online through VitalChek, or by mail or fax with the official form. Email is not accepted.
The Anchorage office at 3901 Old Seward Hwy, Ste. 101, Anchorage, AK 99503, phone (907) 269-0991, is the most accessible state location for North Slope Borough 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 requests go to Health Analytics and Vital Records, P.O. Box 110675, Juneau, AK 99811-0675.
The first certified copy costs $30. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost $25 each. An apostille costs $42. A record verification costs $2.50. VitalChek standard orders process in 2 to 3 weeks. Mail and fax submissions take 2 to 3 months. All requests need a completed form, ID copy, and payment. Missing any of these will result in the request being returned unprocessed.
Note: Submit through one method only to avoid duplicate charges and delays.
Historical North Slope Death Record Collections
The most significant historical collection for North Slope Borough is the Barrow, Birth, Marriage, and Death Records (1902-1959) available at the FamilySearch Catalog. This collection covers Barrow, the principal community on the North Slope and the northernmost city in the United States. The records document over 57 years of vital events in the Arctic and are invaluable for researchers working on Inupiat family histories and early 20th century Arctic settlement patterns.
The Alaska State Archives at 395 Whittier St., Juneau, AK 99811-0571, phone (907) 465-2270, is the official repository for these territorial records. In partnership with FamilySearch, the Archives has scanned over 1.1 million documents from the territorial period. Researchers looking for specific records from North Slope communities should contact the Archives to inquire about available record groups for the Barrow area and the North Slope precinct more broadly.
The statewide Alaska Vital Records 1816-2005 collection at FamilySearch includes North Slope Borough materials within the broader territorial registration system. The Alaska State Library provides additional research guides for Arctic Alaska, including resources specific to Inupiat community research.