Alaska Criminal Records

This guide explains how to find Alaska criminal records, arrest records, court records, warrant information, inmate records, and the public sex offender and child kidnapper registry, and how Alaska's background-check and record-clearing laws work. It was last reviewed in June 2026 using official Alaska sources, and it points you to the state and county agencies that hold each type of record. You can also start a name search using the tool on this page.

How do I look up a criminal record in Alaska?

There are three main ways to find Alaska criminal-record information:

• Alaska DPS Criminal Records name-based check. Under Alaska Statute AS 12.62.160, any member of the public may request a name-based criminal history check from the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Records & Identification Bureau. The fee is $20 for a name-based search. You can request it online at backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov, by mail, or in person at a DPS office or many local police departments. The check returns conviction records and current offender information.
• Court records through CourtView. The Alaska Court System operates CourtView, a free statewide online case search covering trial court cases filed since 1990. It is a public search, not a formal criminal history check, and some cases are excluded or removed by statute or court order.
• An online people-search tool like the one on this page, which compiles public-record data from many sources into one report. These tools are for personal knowledge only and are not a substitute for an official DPS record check or an FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)-compliant background check.

A fingerprint-based state check ($35) or a combined state-and-federal check ($47) is the most reliable way to confirm a record belongs to a specific person. A name-only search can return results that belong to someone with the same or a similar name.

Are Alaska criminal records public?

It depends on the type of record. Alaska's Public Records Act (AS 40.25.110) establishes a broad right of public access to government records. Under AS 12.62.160, any person may obtain a criminal history check from the DPS, but what is released publicly is limited to conviction records, current offender information, and identification data. Non-conviction information, such as arrests that did not result in a conviction, is generally not released to the public. Sealed records are also not publicly available. Court case records filed since 1990 are generally open to the public through CourtView unless they have been sealed or removed by law.

Where can I look up Alaska arrest records?

Arrest records are held by the agency that made the arrest, such as a city police department, a borough or municipal police department, or the Alaska State Troopers. Under Alaska's Public Records Act, most arrest records are available to the public, though records involving open investigations, juveniles, victims, and certain other categories may be withheld. Many agencies have online records or can provide copies by request. Remember that an arrest record is different from a conviction record: it shows a person was taken into custody, not that they were found guilty of anything.

How do I find court records in Alaska?

Alaska uses a unified statewide court system, and the Alaska Court System operates two online portals for public record searches. Both are free:

• Trial court cases (criminal, civil, domestic, probate): search through CourtView at records.courts.alaska.gov. Cases go back to approximately 1990. You can search by party name, case number, or citation number statewide, not just for Anchorage.
• Appellate cases: search through the Appellate Courts search portal.

Note: CourtView is not a substitute for an official criminal history check. Some cases are removed from public view by statute or court order, including sealed cases, certain dismissed criminal cases, and cases where a conviction was set aside. For older cases (pre-1990), contact the clerk of the court where the case was filed.

How do I look up warrants in Alaska?

The Alaska State Troopers (part of the Alaska Department of Public Safety) publish a public list of active warrants issued in connection with State Trooper cases at dps.alaska.gov/ast/warrants. The list is updated regularly and includes names and charges. For warrants issued by local police agencies, contact the relevant city police department or the court clerk in the jurisdiction where the case was filed. Active warrants may also surface on third-party background reports, but the issuing court or agency is the authoritative source.

Do arrests show up on background checks in Alaska?

For employment, tenant, and credit screening done through a consumer reporting agency, the federal FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) controls what can be reported. Under the FCRA, an arrest that did not lead to a conviction generally cannot be reported once it is more than seven years old. Alaska has no separate state-level employment background check statute, so federal rules apply. An official Alaska DPS name-based background check only returns conviction information and will not include arrests that never became convictions.

How far back does a background check go in Alaska?

Alaska follows the federal FCRA rules. Key points:

• Arrests that did not lead to a conviction cannot be reported by a consumer reporting agency once they are older than seven years.
• Criminal convictions can generally be reported without a time limit under federal law.
• The seven-year limit on non-conviction items does not apply when the position pays $75,000 or more per year.
• Alaska does not have a statewide "ban the box" law restricting when employers can ask about criminal history (though the city of Anchorage has a local ordinance for city employers and contractors).

A conviction that appears on the official DPS record stays on the public record permanently unless it is set aside or sealed. The FCRA seven-year limit controls only what a background-check company may report, not what the underlying record contains.

How do I find someone in jail or prison in Alaska?

It depends on where the person is held:

• State prison or correctional facility. The Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) provides inmate location information through VINELink, a free online service at vinelink.com. Select "Alaska," then enter the person's name or DOC number to look up their current facility, custody status, and tentative release date. You can also call the DOC at 907-269-7397 or reach VINELink by phone at 1-800-247-9763.
• Local jail. People awaiting trial or serving short sentences are held in a borough or municipal jail; contact the local law enforcement agency or check their online jail roster if available.
• Federal custody. For federal cases, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator rather than the Alaska DOC.

How do I find out if someone is on probation or parole in Alaska?

Parole and probation in Alaska are both supervised by the Alaska Department of Corrections Division of Pretrial, Probation, and Parole. The DOC can be reached at 907-269-7367. A person's supervision status may also appear in VINELink for registered users. Probation allows a person to serve a sentence in the community under court-set conditions rather than in a correctional facility, and parole is supervised release from prison before the full sentence is served.

What crimes are felonies in Alaska?

Alaska has four felony levels under AS 12.55.125, ranging from most to least serious:

• Unclassified felonies: The most serious offenses, including first-degree murder, first-degree sexual assault, kidnapping, and sex trafficking. First-degree murder carries 30 to 99 years in prison and a fine up to $500,000.
• Class A felonies: Up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Examples include first-degree assault and first-degree robbery.
• Class B felonies: Up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000. Examples include first-degree burglary and extortion.
• Class C felonies: Up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $50,000. Examples include first-degree stalking and evidence tampering. A third or subsequent DUI within a 15-year lookback period also becomes a Class C felony under AS 28.35.030.

These ranges are the statutory maximums; Alaska uses a presumptive sentencing framework that sets typical sentencing ranges based on criminal history, and judges may adjust sentences based on aggravating or mitigating factors.

What crimes are misdemeanors in Alaska?

Alaska misdemeanors are divided into two classes under AS 12.55.135:

• Class A misdemeanor: Up to one year in jail and a fine up to $25,000. Examples include fourth-degree assault, resisting arrest, and reckless endangerment.
• Class B misdemeanor: Up to 90 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. Examples include disorderly conduct, prostitution, and fourth-degree theft.

Misdemeanor sentences are served in a local jail rather than a state prison. Class A is the more serious of the two, carrying substantially higher maximum penalties.

Are traffic violations crimes in Alaska?

Most routine traffic citations in Alaska are infractions rather than criminal offenses. An infraction carries a maximum fine of $300, no jail time, and points on your driving record, but it does not create a criminal record and will not appear on a standard background check. More serious driving offenses are different: a first DUI (Driving Under the Influence) under AS 28.35.030 is a Class A misdemeanor carrying a minimum of 72 hours in jail, a fine of at least $1,500, and a license suspension; a third or subsequent DUI within a 15-year lookback period becomes a Class C felony with mandatory minimum jail time and fines starting at $10,000.

Is the Alaska sex offender and child kidnapper registry public?

Yes. Alaska maintains a free, searchable public registry at sor.dps.alaska.gov/Registry/Search, operated by the Alaska DPS. The registry includes both sex offenders and child kidnappers. You can search by name, address, zip code, city, or registration status. The site shows the registrant's photo, convictions, address, and workplace information. The information may not reflect registration changes within the past seven days due to processing time.

How long must a sex offender register in Alaska?

Under AS 12.63.020, the registration period depends on the offense:

• Single non-aggravated offense: 15 years from the date of unconditional discharge. Annual registration verification is required.
• Aggravated sex offense or two or more non-aggravated offenses: Lifetime registration with quarterly verification required.

The 15-year period is extended if a registrant is incarcerated or fails to comply with registration requirements. A registrant may petition the superior court for early termination of the registration duty by showing they no longer pose a risk to the public, but this requires a court hearing and is not automatic. The most serious offenders face lifetime registration with no possibility of early removal.

How do I clear or seal my criminal record in Alaska?

Alaska has very limited options for clearing a criminal record, and there is no general expungement law that destroys records. The main options are:

• Set-aside (Suspended Imposition of Sentence). Under AS 12.55.085, a court may suspend the imposition of a sentence for certain lower-level offenses and place the person on probation. If probation is successfully completed, the court may set aside the conviction, which removes the legal effect of the conviction. However, a set-aside does not erase or seal the record: it remains on CourtView and in background check databases. Excluded offenses include DUIs, sex offenses, felony crimes against persons, and offenses involving firearms.
• Sealing for false accusation or mistaken identity. Under AS 12.62.180, a criminal history record may be sealed if the person can show by clear and convincing evidence that the record is based on a false accusation or mistaken identity. This is a narrow remedy, not available simply because a charge was dropped or a sentence completed.
• Juvenile records. Most juvenile records are automatically sealed within 30 days of a minor's 18th birthday or release from court jurisdiction under AS 47.12.300, with certain exceptions for serious felonies.

Because the options are narrow and the rules are specific, consulting an Alaska criminal defense attorney is advisable before proceeding.

Do I need a lawyer to clear my record in Alaska?

You are not legally required to hire an attorney. The courts and the Alaska DPS publish the forms needed to request a set-aside or to correct record errors. However, because Alaska's record-clearing options are limited and eligibility is fact-specific, many people find it worthwhile to at least consult an attorney or a legal-aid clinic before filing. A procedural mistake can cost you an opportunity to obtain relief on a specific offense, and an attorney can review whether you actually qualify before you spend the time and fees on a petition.

How long does a felony stay on your record in Alaska?

An Alaska felony conviction stays on your record permanently unless you obtain a set-aside under AS 12.55.085 (available only for limited offenses) or a sealing based on false accusation. There is no automatic deletion of a felony after any number of years. The FCRA seven-year rule discussed above limits what a background-check company may report for certain non-conviction items; it does not erase the underlying conviction record. For employment and licensing purposes, a felony on your record may affect professional licenses, firearm rights, and other civil rights even after a sentence is served.

Are juvenile records private in Alaska?

Juvenile delinquency records are generally confidential and unavailable to the public under AS 47.12.300. The court is required to seal most juvenile records within 30 days of the minor's 18th birthday or the court's release of jurisdiction, whichever is later. Exceptions include traffic offenses and certain serious felonies (Class A and B felonies against persons and first-degree arson). If a juvenile was tried as an adult, the records related to adult charges may be sealed five years after completion of the sentence, as long as the person has no disqualifying adult convictions. Sealed juvenile records are accessible only to law enforcement, courts, and parties specifically authorized by statute.

Municipality of Anchorage criminal records

Municipality of Anchorage is Alaska's most populous area, home to approximately 287,000 residents - about 39 percent of the state's entire population. Criminal cases filed in Anchorage are searchable through the statewide CourtView portal at records.courts.alaska.gov, covering cases back to 1990. There is no separate Anchorage-specific criminal case portal; CourtView covers all Alaska judicial districts in one search. For copies of specific case files, contact the Anchorage Superior Court or District Court clerk directly. For an official criminal history check involving a specific person, use the Alaska DPS name-based search.

Official Alaska criminal record sources

• Alaska DPS Background Checks - request a public name-based criminal history check ($20) or fingerprint check from the Criminal Records & Identification Bureau.
• Alaska CourtView (Trial Court Records) - free statewide public case search for criminal and civil cases filed since 1990.
• Alaska Court System: Search Cases - directory of court search tools, including appellate and trial court portals.
• Alaska Sex Offender/Child Kidnapper Registry - free public search by name, address, or location, operated by the Alaska DPS.
• Alaska State Troopers Active Warrants - publicly accessible list of outstanding warrants issued in connection with State Trooper cases.
• Alaska Department of Corrections - inmate location, facility information, and the VINELink notification system for custody status.
• Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25.110) - Alaska Department of Law overview of the public's right to access government records.

Disclosure: criminal.com may earn a commission when you use the people-search tool on this page, which is powered by a third-party background-check service. Results from such tools are for your personal knowledge only and may not be used to make decisions about employment, housing, credit, tenant screening, or any other purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). An arrest record or mugshot is not proof of guilt. This page is general information about Alaska public records, not legal advice; for advice about your situation, consult an attorney. Information was last reviewed in June 2026 and laws may change.