Palmer Public Records

Palmer public records are maintained by the City of Palmer and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, which has its administrative seat in Palmer. As the borough seat of the Mat-Su Valley, Palmer serves as a central hub for records across the region. Residents searching for city government documents, police reports, court filings, or property records can access them through city offices, the borough clerk, the Palmer courts, and state agencies. This guide covers each source for Palmer public records.

Palmer City Records and Public Records Requests

The City of Palmer at palmerak.org is a first-class city in the Mat-Su Valley. The City Manager's Office handles public records requests for the city. The office is at 423 S Valley Way, Palmer, AK 99645, phone 907-745-4811, fax 907-745-4276, email records@palmerpolice.com. You can submit a records request online at palmerak.org. The city's public records page explains the request process and what types of records are available.

The screenshot below is from the Palmer city records request page, showing the online submission form for requesting city government documents.

The Palmer city records request portal handles submissions for city ordinances, council minutes, police reports, and other official city documents through the City Manager's Office.

Palmer Police Department Records and Fees

The Palmer Police Department is at the same address as City Hall: 423 S Valley Way, Palmer, AK 99645. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Reports are not available until after the department completes its approval process, so turnaround time varies by case. The department also serves as a Secondary PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point), providing central dispatch for Palmer Police and Fire.

Palmer police records have a specific fee schedule. Officer reports cost $10 for the first 10 pages and $0.35 per page after that. Collision reports are $10 plus $0.35 per page. Dispatch logs run $5 plus $0.35 per page. Audio recordings cost $20 plus $0.54 per minute of review time and $5.40 per minute of redaction time. Video recordings are $50 plus the same time-based rates. General document copies are $0.25 per page. Payment is accepted as cash or check, and it must be paid before records are released. Contact records@palmerpolice.com or call 907-745-4811 to confirm current fee amounts before submitting a request.

For statewide criminal history, use the DPS Self Service portal at backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov. The fee is $20 for a first report. You need a social security number and an Alaska driver's license or DMV ID number. The DPS Criminal Records Bureau is at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, phone 907-269-5511. This check covers adult arrests and convictions from the state's criminal history repository.

Note: Palmer Police records fees must be paid in full before any records are released; partial payments are not accepted under the current fee schedule.

Palmer Building Permits and Community Development Records

Building permits and community development records for the City of Palmer are handled through the Community Development department. The building permits page at palmerak.org covers permit applications, inspection scheduling, and related records. These documents are public records and can be requested through the same City Manager's Office that handles other city records.

The screenshot below is from the Palmer Community Development building permits page, which is the source for permit records and construction documentation in Palmer.

The building permits page covers permit applications and inspection records, which are part of the public record for construction and development activity in Palmer.

Property records for Palmer are maintained by the Mat-Su Borough Assessing Department. The borough's online property tool at myproperty.matsugov.us lets you search by owner name, address, or parcel number. For recorded deeds and legal property instruments, search the Alaska DNR Recorder's Office at dnr.alaska.gov/ssd/recoff. Palmer falls within the Matanuska Recording District. The Anchorage Recorder's office handles this district and can be reached at 907-269-8875.

Palmer Court Records

The Palmer Superior and District Courts serve the Mat-Su Valley area including all of Palmer. The courthouse is at 435 South Denali Street, Palmer, AK 99645, phone 907-746-8181, fax 907-746-8152, email 3PACopyRequests@akcourts.gov. Court hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's window is closed on Wednesdays from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Protective orders and mental commitment petitions are accepted in person until 3:45 PM; petitions sent by fax or email after that time are processed the next business day.

Palmer court records are searchable online through CourtView at courts.alaska.gov. You can look up civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and small claims cases by party name or case number. The system shows case status, docket entries, and scheduled hearings. Excluded cases include sealed files, juvenile matters, and certain domestic violence protective orders. For those, contact the Palmer court clerk directly.

Record requests sent online or by email take 2-4 weeks to process. If you need copies sooner, visit the courthouse in person during business hours. Certified copy fees are $10 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same document. Uncertified copies start at $5. Audio recordings cost $20 per CD. Telephonic hearings for Palmer courts use a public access line at 1-888-788-0099 with Meeting ID 283 884 5637. As part of the Third Judicial District, Palmer courts handle cases from across the Mat-Su Valley.

Mat-Su Borough Records in Palmer

Palmer is the seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The Mat-Su Borough Clerk at 350 E Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645 (phone 907-861-8683) maintains borough election records, active and inactive government records, retention schedules, and meeting notices for the full borough area. Borough public records can be accessed through the portal at matsu.gov/public-records. This covers a wide range of Mat-Su Borough administrative documents beyond what the City of Palmer holds.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is one of the largest boroughs in Alaska by land area. Its records span a large number of communities in addition to Palmer itself. The borough's Code Compliance office at 350 E Dahlia Ave (phone 907-861-7801) also generates records related to zoning and code enforcement across the borough. Vital records for Palmer residents are maintained by the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics at health.alaska.gov. Births, deaths, marriages, and divorces are restricted to those named on the record or authorized representatives outside of historical embargo periods. Certified copy fees start at $30.

Nearby Cities

These communities are in the Mat-Su Valley and share many of the same borough and court records systems as Palmer.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Records

Palmer is the seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. See the borough page for additional public records coverage across the Mat-Su Valley.