How to Find Alaska Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Alaska Deaths

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Alaska had Spanish settlements since 1598 in San Juan. Alaska became a territory of the United States in 1850 and a state in 1912. County registration was required in 1907. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1920 in Alaska.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Death Records Choose a time period: Before 1913 After 1913 to the present Death year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1913

Alaska did not keep records before 1906. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Records that give death information:
Church Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc)	Cemetery Records Census Bible Records

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Deaths from 1906 thru 1949

• 1906 - A few Alaska cities and counties started keeping death records
• 1920 - Alaska Statewide death registration began

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Alaska Deaths Indexes
Try 1st:
	1889–1945 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; A very few records start before 1906, dates vary by county. Copy the index or write the film number down to order so you will be able to view the record. See view record below.
Try 2nd:
	1899–1949 - at Alaska Death Index Project, Alaska GenWeb	Free; There are two indexes, 1899–1940 and 1941–1949. You click on the correct range of surnames. Be sure to read their directions. You will need to order the record from the Alaska Department of Health.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

With the exact date of death from the index

Alaska Deaths Films
1889–1942 - Certificate and Record of Death at FamilySearch.org	$; minimal cost at FamilySearch Centers for rental fee. Free; at Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
1927–1945 - Alaska Death Certificates at FamilySearch.org	$; minimal cost at FamilySearch Centers for rental fee. Free; at Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
1899–Present - Alaska Department of Health.	$; The death certificates may be obtained through the Department of Health. "Death certificates become public records fifty (50) years after the date of death."
Other records with death information

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Deaths after 1919

PART A: You know the exact date of death

With an exact date (from your records), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

Order Alaska Deaths Certificates
1899–Present - Alaska Department of Health.	$; The death certificates may be obtained through the department of health. They are restricted to immediate family members.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

Try:
Social Security Death Index (SSDI)
	1937 to present at Genealogy Bank	Free; most current version; few records before 1962; gives place where the last benefit was sent
Don't want to order the death record?		Search other records with death information

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Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records

Restrictions for persons born who died within the last 50 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:

• The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
• The current spouse of the person on the certificate
• The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
• The sibling of the person on the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

• You will need to list the reason why you want the death certificate.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

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