Public Records in the Nome Census Area

The Nome Census Area has no local borough government, so public records here are kept by state agencies and the City of Nome. Court filings, land records, arrest records, and vital records all run through Alaska state offices. This page explains which agencies hold different types of public records in the Nome Census Area, how to reach them, and what to expect when you make a request.

How Nome Census Area Records Work

The Nome Census Area sits in the Unorganized Borough of Alaska. That means there is no county or borough government to handle local record-keeping. Instead, state agencies fill that role. The Alaska Court System, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska Department of Public Safety, and the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics all maintain records for this area.

The City of Nome does keep records for its own operations. The city's Clerk handles local building permits and zoning matters through the Planning Department. You can reach the City of Nome at nomealaska.org. For court and property records, though, you go to state offices.

The Alaska Public Records Act, codified at AS 40.25.100 through AS 40.25.295, governs how records are handled statewide. Under AS 40.25.110, every person has the right to inspect public records. Agencies must respond to requests within 10 working days. They can provide the records, deny with explanation, or give a cost estimate if the search will take significant time.

Note: Because the Nome Census Area lacks a borough government, there is no centralized local records office. Each type of record requires contacting a different state agency.

Nome Court Records and Case Search

The Nome Superior and District Courts serve the Nome Census Area. The courthouse is at 113 Front Street, Nome, AK 99762, phone 907-443-5216. This court is part of the Second Judicial District. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Superior Court in Nome handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $100,000, domestic relations matters, and probate. District Court covers misdemeanors, civil cases up to $100,000, and small claims up to $10,000.

You can search Nome court records online through CourtView. This free statewide system lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or citation number. Case types include civil (CI), criminal (CR), small claims (SC), probate (PR), and minor offenses (MO). Keep in mind that records before 1990 may only exist as paper index cards and are not in the online system.

To get copies of court documents, you contact the Nome court directly. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $2.00 per page. If you need an audio recording of a proceeding, the fee is $20.00 per CD. Research that requires staff time is billed at $30.00 per hour.

The City of Nome website also has local court information. You can view it at nomealaska.org. The city's screenshot below shows the Nome public information portal.

For cases with complex histories or sensitive matters, it is best to call the court clerk directly. Staff can confirm whether a specific file is publicly available and estimate how long it will take to fulfill a copy request.

Nome Census Area Land and Property Records

Real property records for the Nome Census Area are maintained by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources through the Nome Recording District. The DNR Recorder's Office handles all deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and subdivision plats for this region.

You can search recorded documents online through the DNR Recorder's system at dnr.alaska.gov. The search tools include name search by grantor or grantee, survey search, document number search, and subdivision name search. Records from 1970 to the present are in the online index. Pre-1970 records require a direct contact with the Recorder's Office.

The DNR Recorder's Office screenshot below shows the land records search system and recording fee information.

Recording fees are $20 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. To get a certified copy, you pay the $5 certification fee plus the per-page copy charge. There is no comprehensive online property tax portal for the Nome Census Area since there is no borough government to administer property taxes. Property tax is not levied in unorganized areas of Alaska.

Alaska Mapper at mapper.dnr.alaska.gov provides GIS access to land records. You can use it to check land ownership and land use in and around Nome. The data shown in Alaska Mapper is for reference, and source documents remain the official legal record.

Note: Recording documents in Nome requires either mailing them to the DNR Recorder's Office or visiting in person. There is no local recording office in Nome itself.

Arrest Records and Law Enforcement in Nome

The Alaska State Troopers Nome Post provides primary law enforcement for the Nome Census Area. The post phone number is 907-443-5555. Troopers handle the area outside Nome city limits. The Nome Police Department serves within city boundaries.

Arrest records are open to public inspection under AS 40.25.110. You can submit a written request to the State Troopers or the Nome Police for arrest records in their jurisdiction. Some law enforcement records may be restricted under AS 40.25.120 if they relate to ongoing investigations or confidential informant information.

For statewide criminal history background checks, the Alaska Department of Public Safety operates the Self Service Request Portal at backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov. A report costs $20 for the initial search and $5 for additional copies. You can also mail requests to the Criminal Records and Identification Bureau at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, phone 907-269-5511.

The background check system covers adult misdemeanor and felony arrests and convictions. Juvenile records, infractions, and most violations are not included.

Nome Area Vital Records

Births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the Nome Census Area are recorded by the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics in Juneau. You can order certified copies online through VitalChek at health.alaska.gov.

Fees are $30 for the first certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate, and $25 for each additional copy of the same record. Online orders through VitalChek take 2 to 3 weeks plus shipping. Mail and fax orders take 2 to 3 months. Most vital records are restricted to people named on the record or their authorized representatives. Historical records older than 50 years (for deaths, marriages, and divorces) or 100 years (for births) are open to anyone.

You can contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics by email at BVSOffice@alaska.gov for standard requests or BVSSpecialServices@alaska.gov for corrections, paternity, adoptions, and amendments.

Nearby Census Areas and Boroughs

The Nome Census Area borders other regions of western Alaska. Each uses state agencies for records.