Sitka Public Records Search
Sitka public records are managed by the City and Borough of Sitka, a unified home rule municipality in Southeast Alaska. Residents and researchers looking for court documents, police reports, property records, or municipal filings can access most materials through the city and borough's clerk office or through state agencies. This guide covers the main sources for Sitka public records, how to request them, and what to expect from each office.
Sitka Overview
Sitka Public Records Through the Municipal Clerk
The Municipal Clerk for the City and Borough of Sitka is the primary records custodian for local government documents. The clerk's office is at 100 Lincoln Street, Sitka, AK 99835, phone 907-747-1811, email clerk@cityofsitka.org. The office handles public records requests for assembly minutes, ordinances, resolutions, election records, and other city-borough materials. Official requests can also be submitted online through the city's public records request page at cityofsitka.com.
The screenshot below is from the Sitka Municipal Clerk public records request page, which shows the online submission form and outlines the request process for Sitka residents and researchers.
The Sitka public records request portal walks you through submitting a formal request to the city and borough government for official documents.
The City and Borough of Sitka main website at cityofsitka.com is the hub for all local government information. From there you can navigate to individual departments and find contact details for the office that holds a specific type of record. Under AS 40.25.110, every person has a right to inspect public records in Alaska. The city must respond within 10 working days with records, a denial, or a cost estimate if the search will take significant staff time.
| Office | City and Borough of Sitka - Municipal Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Lincoln Street, Sitka, AK 99835 |
| Phone | 907-747-1811 |
| clerk@cityofsitka.org | |
| Records Request | cityofsitka.com |
Sitka Police Department Records
The Sitka Police Department is at 304 Lake Street, Sitka, AK 99835. The business line is 907-747-3245 and fax is 907-747-1075. The department runs a 24-hour dispatch center. Written records requests are processed by the Records Division within 5-10 business days. Copying fees apply for each request. The department's page is at cityofsitka.com.
The screenshot below shows the Sitka Police Department page, which explains how to request police records and contact the department for law enforcement information.
The SPD page outlines the records request process, including written submission requirements and the 5-10 business day processing window for Sitka police records.
Mugshots from Sitka Police Department arrests are generally available to the public. They may be withheld if releasing them could harm an ongoing investigation or if the subject is a juvenile. The Sitka Jail is a short-term holding facility used for pre-arraignment detention. Inmate information requests go to the jail at 907-747-3245.
For statewide criminal history, use the Alaska DPS Self Service Portal at backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov. The fee is $20 for a first report. You need a social security number plus an Alaska driver's license or state ID number. The DPS Criminal Records Bureau is at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, phone 907-269-5511.
Note: Sitka Police Department records requests are processed in writing only; walk-in or phone requests for report copies are not accepted without a prior written submission.
Court Records in Sitka
The Sitka Trial Courts serve the city and borough. The courthouse is at 304 Lake Street, Suite 202, Sitka, AK 99835, phone 907-747-3291. These courts are part of the First Judicial District, which covers Southeast Alaska. Superior Court in Sitka handles felony cases, civil matters over $100,000, domestic relations, and probate. The District Court handles misdemeanors, civil cases up to $100,000, and small claims up to $10,000.
Court records are searchable online through CourtView at courts.alaska.gov. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows filing dates, case status, docket entries, and party information. Some records are not available online, including sealed cases, juvenile matters, and certain domestic violence protective orders. For those records, contact the Sitka court clerk directly at 907-747-3291.
To get certified copies of court documents, contact the Sitka court clerk. Standard court fees apply: $10 for the first certified copy, $3 for each additional copy of the same document. Regular (uncertified) copies start at $5. Audio recordings cost $20 per CD. Requests that take significant research time are charged at $30 per hour under the Alaska Court System fee schedule.
The Alaska Court System emphasizes that CourtView is not a substitute for a criminal history records check. A separate background check through DPS is needed if you require a formal criminal history report. CourtView searches may not show all cases and some records are removed after certain periods under statute or court order.
Sitka Property Records
The Sitka Assessor's office handles property assessment and ownership records for the city and borough. The assessor is at 100 Lincoln Street, Sitka, AK 99835, phone 907-747-1830, email assessing@cityofsitka.org. You can search property records online by address, parcel number, or owner name. GIS mapping tools are available through the borough's system to view parcel boundaries and related data.
For recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens, the Alaska DNR Recorder's Office maintains the statewide record at dnr.alaska.gov/ssd/recoff. Sitka falls within its own recording district. The recording system allows name-based searches (grantor/grantee), document type searches, and date range searches from 1970 forward. Documents recorded before 1970 exist as paper books and require contacting the Recorder's office in Anchorage at 907-269-8875 or Fairbanks at 907-452-3521.
The Sitka City and Borough main site screenshot below shows the city portal, which links to assessing, clerk, and police department resources all in one place.
The official Sitka city and borough website is the main hub for local government records, covering assessing, the clerk's office, police, and court-related information.
Vital Records for Sitka Residents
Births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that occurred in Alaska are recorded by the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics under the Department of Health. Records are restricted to those named on the document or authorized representatives until embargo periods expire: 100 years for births and 50 years for marriages, divorces, and deaths. Online ordering goes through VitalChek.com; mail and in-person orders are also accepted at the Anchorage or Juneau BVS offices. Full details are at health.alaska.gov.
Fees are $30 for a first certified copy and $25 for each additional copy. Mail and fax orders take 2-3 months. VitalChek.com orders take 2-3 weeks plus shipping. Contact BVSOffice@alaska.gov for questions about records processing. The Juneau BVS office is the more accessible option for Sitka residents given its Southeast Alaska location. BVSSpecialServices@alaska.gov handles corrections, paternity, adoptions, and amendments.
Nearby Cities
These Alaska cities are in the broader Southeast Alaska and state network for public records access.
Sitka City and Borough Records
Sitka is a unified city and borough. See the full borough page for additional public records coverage.