Access Ketchikan Public Records
Ketchikan public records are maintained by the City of Ketchikan and the Ketchikan Gateway Borough in Southeast Alaska. Residents and researchers can find city government documents, police reports, property records, court filings, and more through the city clerk's office, the police department, the borough, and state agencies. This guide explains how to search Ketchikan public records and which office handles each type of document.
Ketchikan Overview
Ketchikan City Clerk and Public Records
The City of Ketchikan is a first-class city in Southeast Alaska. The City Clerk's office at 334 Front Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901 (phone 907-225-3111) is the main records custodian for city government documents. The Clerk maintains city-owned property records, cemetery records, ordinances and resolutions, city council meeting minutes and agendas, and the municipal code and charter. These records are the official account of city governance in Ketchikan.
Public records requests go through the city's online records portal at ketchikan.gov/PublicRecords. The portal lets you submit requests and receive responses electronically. The city's main website at ketchikan.gov provides department-level navigation and contact information for all city offices. Under Alaska Public Records Act AS 40.25.100-40.25.295, you have the right to inspect public records, and city agencies must respond within 10 working days.
The screenshot below is from the Ketchikan public records request page, showing the city's online submission system for official records.
The City of Ketchikan public records portal handles requests for city government documents including council minutes, ordinances, and municipal files.
| Office | City of Ketchikan - City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 334 Front Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901 |
| Phone | 907-225-3111 |
| Public Records | ketchikan.gov/PublicRecords |
Ketchikan Police Department Records
The Ketchikan Police Department is at 361 Main Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901, phone 907-225-6631. The department handles law enforcement for the city. Records requests for incident reports, accident reports, and arrest information go through the police department records division. The department's page is at ketchikan.gov/police. Press releases and recent activity are posted at ketchikan.gov/press-releases-0, which is a useful way to find information about recent incidents without filing a formal request.
The screenshot below is from the Ketchikan Police Department page, which explains the records request process and other department services.
The KPD page covers records requests, fingerprinting services, and contact information for law enforcement matters in Ketchikan.
The Ketchikan Police Department also offers fingerprinting for licensing and legal purposes. The Ketchikan Correctional Center is a separate facility reachable at 907-225-6585. For statewide criminal history background checks, use the DPS Self Service portal at backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov. The fee is $20 per report. You need both a social security number and an Alaska driver's license or DMV-issued ID. The Criminal Records Bureau is at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, phone 907-269-5511.
Note: Police records that involve active investigations or juvenile subjects may be withheld under exceptions found in AS 40.25.120, which lists categories of records exempt from public disclosure in Alaska.
Court Records in Ketchikan
The Ketchikan Superior and District Courts serve the city and surrounding area. The courthouse is at 415 Main Street, Room 400, Ketchikan, AK 99901, phone 907-225-3195. These courts are part of the First Judicial District, which covers Southeast Alaska. Superior Court handles felony cases, civil matters over $100,000, domestic relations, and probate. District Court covers misdemeanors, civil cases up to $100,000, and small claims up to $10,000.
Many Ketchikan court records are searchable online through CourtView at courts.alaska.gov. The system lets you search by party name or case number and shows case status, docket entries, and filing dates. Certain records are not available online under Administrative Rule 40(a): sealed cases, juvenile matters, and some domestic violence protective orders are excluded. For those, contact the Ketchikan court clerk at 907-225-3195 to request access or certified copies.
Court copy fees follow the Alaska Court System schedule: $10 for the first certified copy, $3 for each additional copy of the same document, $5 for the first uncertified copy, and $20 per CD for audio recordings. Research time that goes beyond basic lookup is billed at $30 per hour. In-person visits are typically faster than written requests for obtaining copies.
Ketchikan Property Records
Property records for Ketchikan involve both the city and the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. The borough handles property assessment and tax records for the broader area. The city clerk maintains records of city-owned property separately. For recorded documents like deeds, mortgages, and liens, the Alaska DNR Recorder's Office manages the statewide system at dnr.alaska.gov/ssd/recoff. Ketchikan is within the Ketchikan Recording District.
The DNR name search covers grantor and grantee records from 1970 forward. Document type and date range searches are also available. Pre-1970 records exist as paper books in the Recorder's historical files. The Recorder's Anchorage office is at 907-269-8875 and the Fairbanks office is at 907-452-3521 for research appointments. The Alaska Mapper at mapper.dnr.alaska.gov provides an interactive view of state land ownership and parcel data useful for Ketchikan area property research.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough also has its own public records portal. The borough's records page provides access to meeting minutes, ordinances, and other official materials. Residents needing both city and borough records should plan to contact each entity separately, as the city and borough maintain distinct records systems in Ketchikan.
Vital Records and Additional State Resources
Ketchikan residents ordering certified vital records go through the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics. Births, deaths, marriages, and divorces are held by the state, not local government. Access is restricted to those named on the record or their authorized representatives until time embargoes pass. Online orders go through VitalChek.com; in-person visits are available at the Anchorage or Juneau BVS offices. First copies cost $30, with $25 for each additional. Full ordering details are at health.alaska.gov. The Juneau office is more accessible for Southeast Alaska residents including Ketchikan.
The Alaska State Archives in Juneau holds historical government records dating back to territorial and district court records from 1884. Researchers can submit inquiries to archives@alaska.gov or call 907-465-2270. The archives hold nearly 24,000 cubic feet of state records, including court records and agency documents relevant to long-term research in Southeast Alaska. The Alaska legislature's BASIS system at akleg.gov provides access to bills, session laws, and committee records from 1993 forward.
Business entity records for Ketchikan companies are maintained by the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. You can search by entity name, entity number, officer name, or registered agent at the division's website. The main phone is 907-465-2550.
Nearby Cities
These Alaska cities are accessible through the same state public records systems as Ketchikan.
Ketchikan Gateway Borough Records
Ketchikan is the seat of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. For borough-level public records, see the borough page.