What is a background check?
A background check is an investigation into an individual’s criminal record, employment history, driving record, education, finances, or other aspects of their personal history.
Background checks are often performed by an organization or company in order to screen a subject before a significant financial or legal agreement. However, individuals regularly perform background checks on themselves to make sure that the public information on them matches their personal records.
For more general information on background checks, consult our Background Checks FAQS page.
How do I run a criminal background check in Alaska?
Alaska has a statute that allows “Any Person” to receive state criminal justice information by filling out and submitting a form to the Alaska Department of Public Safety Criminal Records and Identification Bureau.
People can search for documents relating to their own criminal history, or the criminal history of another individual.
There are two methods of requesting searches:
1. Fingerprint Identification Request – The recommended type of background check. Fingerprints must be submitted in addition to the completed form. If the subject of the search is different from the requester, the subject must sign the form, indicating they have given their permission for the search.
The fee for a fingerprint-based check is $35, along with $5 for every additional copy. Payment must be made by check or money order.
2. Name Search Request – A background check based on searching by an individual’s name. While these are easier to submit, they may not bring up criminal history filed under other names that a fingerprint-based search would bring up. There are two types of forms: one for those requesting their own criminal history, and one for those requesting the criminal history of another person.
The fee for a name search request is $20, along with $5 for each additional copy. Payment must be made by check or money order.
- Criminal Justice Information from record subject
- Criminal Justice Information from other than record subject
All requests must be submitted to the following address, either by mail or in-person:
Criminal Records and Identification Bureau
5700 E. Tudor Road
Anchorage, AK 99507
The Bureau can be reached by telephone at (907) 269-5767 or via fax at (907) 269-5091. Results can be mailed or faxed, but not both unless additional copies are purchased.
What can I do if my Alaska criminal history record has incomplete or inaccurate information?
The State of Alaska Department of Public Safety allows individuals to request that mistakes on an arrest record or other state criminal history information document be removed or corrected.
This can be done by filling out a Request to Correct Criminal Justice Information form and submitting it by mail or in-person to the address below. There is no fee to submit the form.
Criminal Records and Identification Bureau
5700 E. Tudor Road
Anchorage, AK 99507
The form allows you to request to correct one of the following problems with an arrest record or other criminal history document:
- Mistaken identity / Falsely accused
- Personal descriptors in error
- Charge information in error
- Missing/wrong court or prosecutor disposition information
- Set aside information is missing
If court documents that support the need for correction are available, they should be attached and submitted along with the form.
How do I search Alaska court records?
Alaska court records can be searched online using the CourtView service provided by the Alaska Court System. In addition to its court case file search feature, CourtView enables users to pay bail, fines and restitution online with a credit or debit card.
CourtView allows users to search court records using the following criteria:
- By case number
- By name
- By ticket/citation number
However, certain court records may be temporarily or permanently inaccessible through CourtView, such as cases involving juveniles or cases that resulted in an acquittal or dismissal.
If you can’t find the court record you are looking for through CourtView, you should submit a request to the clerk of court in the county where the case was filed. This can be done in person, through the mail, by email, or by fax. Generally, the first copy of a court document requested costs $5, while each additional document costs $3.
Click here for case file request forms for major Alaska municipalities, and click here for Alaska Court System contact information.
Where can I find Alaska driving records online?
Alaska driving records are available online through the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles. The fee for one driving record is $10 and it will be delivered in PDF format to the email address that you provide. You will need Adobe 8.0 or higher to view the PDF driving record.
In order to verify your identity, the Alaska DMV requires the following information:
- First name
- Last name
- Date of birth
- Driver’s license number
- Social security number
Click here to make an online request for an Alaska driving record. If you have any questions, contact the Alaska DMV toll-free at 855-269-5551.
How do I look up Alaska vital records such as birth certificates and marriage licenses?
Vital records are records of important life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that are kept by government agencies and accessible upon request.
Vital records are not public records that can be viewed by anyone, but the subject(s) of the record and authorized family members can view them in-person or order copies through a number of means. Additionally, one or more vital records may be required to complete a background check.
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Vital Records Office enlists the services of the third-party vendor Vital Chek to enable individuals to order copies of vital records online. The government-endorsed service offers vital records from 50 U.S. states and territories.
Available vital records include:
- birth certificates
- death certificates
- marriage records
- divorce records
Click here to place an order with Vital Chek.
For more information, contact the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Vital Records Office at 907-465-3391.
How do I search for a person’s sex offender status in Alaska?
Those convicted of sex-related crimes or certain crimes against children in Alaska are required by law to register as sex offenders. Additionally, offenders in the registry are required to notify law enforcement as soon as possible in the case of a physical address change or email address change, or they will be labeled “non-compliant”.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety makes the Alaska Sex Offender/Child Kidnapper Registry available online to the general public in the interest of public safety. Users may search by name, city, area, or email address/internet name. However, certain low-risk offenders may not be viewable in the online database.
Click here to perform a search of the Alaska Sex Offender/Child Kidnapper Registry. It’s important to stay informed about potential threats in your neighborhood in order to take the necessary precautions.
How do I perform a credit history background check in Alaska?
Performing a credit check in Alaska follows the same process as in other states. A federal law known as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) grants every American one free annual credit report each from the three main U.S. credit bureaus:
In order to obtain your free credit report from one of these three bureaus, you must provide the following information:
- Full name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Social security number
