Find Public Records in the Northwest Arctic Borough

The Northwest Arctic Borough is a second class borough in Arctic Alaska with its seat in Kotzebue. Public records here include court filings, recorded property documents, law enforcement records, and borough administrative files. The Borough Clerk serves as both the main records custodian and the local Recording District office. This page explains where to find Northwest Arctic Borough public records and how to request them.

Northwest Arctic Borough Clerk and Records Office

The Northwest Arctic Borough Clerk handles official borough records and also serves as the Recording District office for the region. The Clerk's Office is at 163 Lagoon Street, Kotzebue, AK 99752, phone 907-442-2500. Borough Administration is at P.O. Box 1110, Kotzebue, Alaska 99752, fax 907-442-2930. Mayor Dickie Moto leads the borough government.

The Clerk's duties cover a wide range of official functions. These include recording monthly Assembly meetings, preparing meeting packets, maintaining an indexed file for public inspection, attesting deeds and documents, administering oaths, serving as custodian of the borough seal and official records, and supervising all municipal elections.

The borough website at nwabor.org provides department contacts and general information. The Clerk's page at nwabor.org/departments/clerk/ has details on records requests and the recording process. The screenshot below shows the borough's official website.

Under the Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25.110), all persons have the right to inspect public records of the borough. Agencies must respond to requests within 10 working days. If a search takes more than five person-hours per month, the borough can charge its actual personnel costs. Most requests are handled by contacting the Clerk's Office directly by phone, email, or mail.

Note: Because Kotzebue is only accessible by air or water, requests sent by mail may take longer to process than in areas with road access. Phone and email contact are often faster starting points.

Northwest Arctic Recording District Documents

The Northwest Arctic Borough Clerk's Office doubles as the local Recording District office. This means property documents, legal instruments, and other official filings are recorded right at the same location at 163 Lagoon Street, Kotzebue.

Documents that can be recorded here include deeds, mortgages, liens, Uniform Commercial Code filings (UCCs), military discharges, powers of attorney, and plat maps. When you record a document in the Northwest Arctic Borough, it becomes part of the permanent public record and is open for public viewing.

The Clerk's Office screenshot below was sourced from nwabor.org/departments/clerk/ and shows the recording services available.

For a broader search of recorded documents across Alaska, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office at dnr.alaska.gov maintains a statewide index from 1970 to present. You can search by grantor or grantee name, document type, or subdivision. Standard recording fees under the DNR system are $20 for the first page and $5 for each additional page.

Ownership patterns in the Northwest Arctic Borough are complex. NANA Regional Corporation holds significant ANCSA land. Federal and state lands also cover much of the region. Knowing which land category a parcel falls under helps determine where to look for title and ownership information.

Kotzebue Court Records and Case Lookup

The Kotzebue Superior and District Courts serve the Northwest Arctic Borough as part of Alaska's Second Judicial District. The courthouse is at 154 Lagoon Street, P.O. Box 317, Kotzebue, AK 99752, phone 907-442-3208. Superior Court handles felony cases, civil matters over $100,000, and domestic relations. District Court covers misdemeanors, civil cases up to $100,000, and small claims up to $10,000.

You can search court cases online for free using CourtView. This system covers all Alaska trial courts. You can search by party name, case number, or citation. Case types include civil (CI), criminal (CR), probate (PR), and small claims (SC). Records before 1990 may only be in paper form at the courthouse.

The Alaska courts screenshot below shows the statewide CourtView public access portal, sourced from courts.alaska.gov.

Certified copies from the Kotzebue court cost $10 for the first two pages and $2 per page after that. Video conferencing is used for proceedings in remote villages throughout the borough. This keeps residents in communities like Kiana, Noorvik, and Selawik connected to court without needing to travel to Kotzebue.

To request copies of specific case files, contact the Kotzebue court clerk directly by phone or mail. Bring the case number if you have it. Staff can also look up cases by party name.

Law Enforcement and Arrest Records in Northwest Arctic

The Alaska State Troopers Kotzebue Post provides primary law enforcement for the borough. The post is at 3rd Avenue, Kotzebue, AK, phone 907-442-3222. The Kotzebue Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits. Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs) are stationed in Kiana, Noorvik, and Selawik to serve those communities.

Arrest records from all agencies in the borough are subject to public inspection under AS 40.25.110. You can submit a written request to the relevant agency. Some records may be withheld under AS 40.25.120 if they relate to active investigations or otherwise qualify for an exemption.

For statewide criminal history checks, the Alaska Department of Public Safety operates a Self Service Request Portal at backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov. The fee is $20 for the first report and $5 for each additional copy. Mail requests go to 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, phone 907-269-5511.

The background check covers adult misdemeanor and felony arrests and convictions. It does not include infractions, violations, or most juvenile records.

Vital Records for Northwest Arctic Residents

Births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the Northwest Arctic Borough are filed with the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics in Juneau. You can order certified copies at health.alaska.gov. The bureau accepts online orders through VitalChek and mail or fax orders.

Certified copy fees are $30 for the first copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate, and $25 for additional copies of the same record. Online orders take 2 to 3 weeks plus shipping. Mail orders take 2 to 3 months. Access to recent records is limited to individuals named on the record or their authorized representatives. Historical records open to the public after 100 years for births and 50 years for deaths, marriages, and divorces.

Nearby Boroughs and Census Areas

The Northwest Arctic Borough borders several other regions of western and northern Alaska.