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Death certificates

Death certificates in Alaska

In Alaska, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $30 from the Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Records. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $25. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.

Last checked on the Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Records site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.

How to order in Alaska

Ordering a certified copy of a death certificate in Alaska
OfficeAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Records
First certified copy$30
Each extra copy, same order$25

Online orders through VitalChek may add vendor fees.

Who can orderThe spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased, with proof of relationship if needed. The Office of Public Advocacy, attorneys, and government agencies may also order with supporting documents. Death records become public after 50 years.
ID you needSend a copy of a government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, or tribal ID with a photo.
Ways to orderOnline, by mail or in person.

The state takes online orders only through VitalChek, a private company, which adds its own fee. By mail or in person costs only the state fee.

At the state offices in Anchorage and Juneau. Requests can also be sent by fax.

How long it takesAt least 2 to 3 weeks through VitalChek and 2 to 3 months by mail or fax. The office reports current processing times of 1 to 2 months because of high volume.

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.

For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.

Questions people ask

How much is a death certificate in Alaska?
$30 for the first certified copy from the Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Records, and $25 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Online orders through VitalChek may add vendor fees.
Who can order a death certificate in Alaska?
The spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased, with proof of relationship if needed. The Office of Public Advocacy, attorneys, and government agencies may also order with supporting documents. Death records become public after 50 years.
How do I order a death certificate in Alaska?
You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. Send a copy of a government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, or tribal ID with a photo.

Sources

  1. Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Records: health.alaska.gov/en/services/vital-records-orders/
  2. Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Records: health.alaska.gov/dph/VitalStats/Documents/death/death_form.pdf
  3. CDC/NCHS: Funeral Directors' Handbook on Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting, 2019
  4. FTC: Complying with the Funeral Rule (cash advance items)