Access Tanaina Public Records

Tanaina public records are held by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Alaska State Troopers, and the Alaska Court System. With roughly 6,338 residents (2025 data), Tanaina is a Census Designated Place (CDP) within the Mat-Su Borough and has no city government of its own. All public records for Tanaina residents, including property data, police reports, and court filings, flow through borough offices and state agencies. This guide explains how to find and request those records.

Mat-Su Borough Records for Tanaina

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is the governing authority for the Tanaina CDP. The Borough Clerk's Office handles public records requests for the entire borough at 350 E Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645, phone 907-861-8683. The borough's public records information page is at matsu.gov/public-records, and the full borough site is at matsugov.us. Requests can be submitted in person during business hours or in writing to the clerk's office.

The borough operates under the Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25.100). Agencies must provide an initial response within 10 working days, with the day the request is received counted as Day 0. If records production requires more than 5 staff hours in a calendar month, the borough charges actual personnel costs for the time over that threshold. A deposit may be required before work begins on complex or large requests. The borough does not have to create, compile, or summarize records that do not already exist.

The screenshot below shows the Matanuska-Susitna Borough website, the primary gateway for public records requests for Tanaina residents.

The matsugov.us site provides the clerk's contact info, records request process, and links to borough departments that hold Tanaina area records.

Tanaina Property Records

Property records for Tanaina are in the Mat-Su Borough online system at myproperty.matsugov.us. The system covers more than 80,000 borough parcels and allows searching by owner name, address, or parcel ID. Results show ownership information, taxable value, and tax records. This is the right tool for checking current owners, reviewing past assessments, or comparing property values in the Tanaina area.

The Borough Assessor is Oliver Querin at 350 East Dahlia Ave, Palmer, AK 99645, phone 907-745-9642. The assessor handles questions about assessment values, exemptions, and the formal appeals process. Tanaina parcels are assessed annually based on value as of January 1. If you believe a property is incorrectly assessed, the appeal starts with the assessor's office. Unresolved disputes go before the Mat-Su Borough Board of Equalization.

Recorded documents for Tanaina properties, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, are on file with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office for the Matanuska Recording District. Search the grantor/grantee index at dnr.alaska.gov/ssd/recoff/, or call the Anchorage DNR office at 907-269-8875 to make an appointment for in-person research. Pre-1970 records require searching historical books and may need staff assistance.

The screenshot below shows the Mat-Su Borough property search system, which covers all Tanaina parcels.

The Mat-Su property portal is the main tool for looking up ownership, tax records, and assessed values for parcels within the Tanaina CDP.

Law Enforcement Records for Tanaina

Tanaina does not have its own police department. Law enforcement in this unincorporated area is provided by the Alaska State Troopers. The Wasilla Police Department serves within Wasilla city limits only and does not cover the Tanaina CDP. For Trooper responses in the Tanaina area, contact the Alaska Department of Public Safety through dps.alaska.gov.

Criminal background check requests go to the DPS Criminal Records and Identification Bureau at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, phone 907-269-5511. The cost is $20 for the first report and $5 for each additional copy. You can request online through the Self-Service Portal at backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov, though this requires both a Social Security number and an Alaska driver's license or DMV ID number. Mail requests accept payment by cash, check, or money order only.

The DPS criminal history report covers adult arrests and convictions for misdemeanor and felony offenses. Infractions, violations, and most juvenile records are not included. The report contains convictions, dismissed charges, and not-guilty findings. Third-party requests require a signed consent form from the record subject and an Unsworn Falsification Statement. Incomplete forms are returned to the requester without processing.

Note: For non-emergency Trooper dispatch in the Mat-Su Valley area, use the general state trooper post phone number for the area. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

Court Records for Tanaina Area Residents

Tanaina residents use the Palmer Trial Court at 435 South Denali Street, Palmer, AK 99645, phone 907-746-8181. Palmer is the Mat-Su Borough seat and serves as the main court for most of the valley including Tanaina. The Palmer courts are part of the Third Judicial District. Superior Court handles felony cases, civil matters over $100,000, domestic relations, and probate. District Court handles misdemeanors, civil cases up to $100,000, small claims, and traffic violations.

CourtView at courts.alaska.gov allows free online searching of court records from Palmer and all other Alaska courts. Search by party name, case number, or citation. The system shows case type, filing date, status, and scheduled hearings. Certified copies are $10 for the first and $3 for each additional copy of the same document. The request form for Palmer courts is TF-311 PA. Research requiring staff time is charged at $30 per hour.

Cases not available online include those sealed by court order, juvenile matters, foreign domestic violence protective orders, and cases removed under AS 22.35.030 following acquittal or dismissal. For those records, contact the Palmer trial court clerk directly during business hours.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough

All borough-level records for Tanaina are maintained through the Mat-Su Borough government in Palmer. The borough page covers assembly minutes, planning records, and regional documents.

Nearby Cities

These qualifying cities are near Tanaina and have their own public records pages.