In Alaska, certified death certificates are issued by Alaska Health Analytics & Vital Records Section, Alaska Department of Health. The state fee is $30 for the first certified copy and $25 for each additional copy.
Here is who can order a certified copy, how to order it, and how long it takes, taken from the office’s own pages. Fees and times change, so check the office’s page before you pay.
How much a death certificate costs in Alaska
| Item | State fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $30 |
| Each additional copy | $25 |
Additional copies $25 each (same record ordered at the same time, per CDC). VitalChek charges extra.
Who can order a certified copy
Spouse listed on the certificate, parent(s) listed on the certificate, children of the decedent, siblings of the decedent, the Office of Public Advocacy with conservatorship/guardianship papers, and attorneys or government agencies with proper documentation.
How to order
- Online (official vendor: VitalChek)
- In person
In-person service is at the state's Anchorage and Juneau offices; no county issuance is mentioned.
How long it takes
State page: "at least 2 – 3 weeks for requests made through VitalChek.com" and "2 – 3 months for requests made through mail or fax"; a death may take up to 3 months after it occurs to be registered.
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The funeral home’s role
The office’s pages do not describe the funeral home’s role. Many families ask the funeral director to order the first copies when arrangements are made.
Records date from the 1890s, but many deaths before 1930 were never registered. Every request must include a copy of the applicant's photo ID; fax orders are also accepted.
How many copies to order
Most banks, insurers, pension plans and government agencies each want their own certified copy. Count the accounts and policies before you order, because ordering more later means another application and fee. How many death certificates you need has a worksheet.
Who decides the funeral in Alaska
State law sets who has the right to make funeral arrangements. See who has the right to make funeral decisions in Alaska.
Related guides
- What to do when someone dies: the first 24 hours
- Who to call when someone dies, and in what order
- How much a funeral costs, line by line
- Help paying for a funeral: Social Security, VA and FEMA
- Official funeral resources for every state
Sources
- Alaska Health Analytics & Vital Records Section, Alaska Department of Health
- CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records (Alaska)
Checked 2026-09-24. General information, not legal advice.