Wrangell City and Borough Public Records

Public records in the City and Borough of Wrangell are kept by the City and Borough Clerk and the local trial court, with vital records handled by the state. Wrangell is a unified city and borough in Southeast Alaska, which means one government handles all local functions. If you need property records, court filings, arrest data, or official documents from Wrangell, this page tells you which office to contact and what steps to follow to get the records you need.

Wrangell City and Borough Clerk

The City and Borough Clerk is the main records custodian in Wrangell. The office is at 205 Brueger Street, Wrangell, AK 99929. City Hall is open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The main phone line is 907-874-2381. For public records requests, you can also submit a form through the Wrangell website at wrangell.com.

Unlike many jurisdictions, Wrangell has no separate Recorder of Deeds. The Clerk handles all recording functions. That includes warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, easements, and subdivision plats. The Clerk maintains grantor-grantee indexes for recorded instruments. If you need a certified copy with the borough seal, the Clerk can provide that. Survey plats and subdivision maps are also available through this office.

The screenshot below shows the Wrangell City and Borough official website, which links to the Public Records Request Form and the Fee Schedule.

The Wrangell website includes direct links to the records request form, the fee schedule, online parcel mapping, and borough manager's reports, making it a useful starting point for any records search.

Public records requests in Wrangell are governed by the Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25.100). The borough must respond to requests within 10 working days. Fees may apply if a search requires more than five person-hours of staff time in a calendar month.

Wrangell Property Records and Land Documents

All property recording in Wrangell goes through the Clerk's Office since there is no separate recorder. Recording fees are approximately $20 for the first page of a document and $5 for each additional page. There is no comprehensive online property search for Wrangell-recorded documents. Requests should be made in person, by phone at 907-874-2381, or by mail to P.O. Box 531, Wrangell, AK 99929.

The Clerk maintains grantor-grantee indexes. If you know the name of a party to a deed or mortgage, staff can search the index and locate the recorded document. Certified copies are available with the borough's official seal for use in legal proceedings.

For a broader search using state systems, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office records documents statewide and offers online search through ALRIS. The Alaska Mapper provides GIS data for parcel boundaries and land ownership information across Southeast Alaska including the Wrangell area.

Note: The online parcel mapping link on the Wrangell website provides a local tool for viewing borough parcel data. It is a good first stop before calling the Clerk's Office for detailed ownership or lien information.

Wrangell Court Records

The Wrangell Trial Courts are part of the First Judicial District. The courthouse is at 431 Zimovia Highway, Wrangell, AK 99929, phone 907-874-2311. The local court handles minor proceedings. Superior Court matters for Wrangell are generally heard in Juneau, which serves as the First District's main hub for larger civil and felony cases.

The screenshot below is from the Alaska court directory, which shows Wrangell court details and links to CourtView.

The court directory page confirms the Wrangell courthouse address and phone number, and provides access to the CourtView system for online case searches.

The Alaska Court System's CourtView lets you search court cases by party name, case number, or citation. Case types include civil, criminal, probate, domestic relations, and small claims. Some records are sealed or excluded from public online access. Cases filed before 1990 may only exist as paper index cards at the clerk's office and require contacting the court directly.

Court copy fees are $10 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional. Regular copies are $5 for the first document. Research fees are $30 per hour if staff assistance is required. Contact the Wrangell courthouse at 907-874-2311 to confirm current fees and hours before visiting.

Wrangell Police Records

The Wrangell Police Department serves within city limits. The Alaska State Troopers handle law enforcement outside the city boundary. For arrest records, incident reports, and police records from the Wrangell Police Department, submit a written request to the department or use the public records request process on the Wrangell website.

For criminal history checks that cover the entire state, use the Alaska Department of Public Safety background check portal. The online system requires a Social Security number and an Alaska driver's license or DMV ID number. The fee is $20 for the initial report and $5 for additional copies. Results are delivered by secure email link.

The DPS criminal history repository is governed by AS 12.62.110-120 and related statutes. It covers adult arrests and convictions statewide for misdemeanors and felonies. Infractions, violations, and most juvenile records are not included. Third-party requesters need consent from the record subject and must complete the appropriate form.

The DPS Applicant Records Unit is at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, phone 907-269-5511.

Vital Records in Wrangell

Vital records for events that happened in Wrangell, Alaska, are kept by the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics. This includes birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Records are not open to the public until 100 years for births and 50 years for marriages, divorces, and deaths. Only eligible requesters, such as the person listed on the record, parents, or legal representatives, can get non-historical certified copies.

The certified copy fee is $30 for the first copy and $25 for each additional copy. You can order online through VitalChek.com, visit the Anchorage or Juneau offices in person, or send a request by mail using a downloadable form. Online orders ship in 2-3 weeks. Mail orders can take up to 2-3 months. For questions, contact the bureau at BVSOffice@alaska.gov.

Marriage licenses in Alaska cost $60 and require a 3-day waiting period. For corrections, paternity acknowledgments, or amendments to vital records, use the special services email at BVSSpecialServices@alaska.gov.

The Alaska State Archives is the place to go for historical genealogy research and pre-statehood records. The archives holds District Court records from the 1884-1912 era that can be useful for early Wrangell history. Call 907-465-2270 or email archives@alaska.gov to start a research inquiry.

Note: The Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics does not work with any third-party vendor except VitalChek.com. Other vendors claiming to offer Alaska vital records may not be legitimate sources.

Cities in and Near Wrangell

Wrangell is a unified city and borough, so there are no separate incorporated cities within its boundaries. The nearest qualifying city is Ketchikan to the south, which has its own borough-level records system. The state capital of Juneau to the north is the First Judicial District hub and handles Superior Court matters from Wrangell.

Other nearby communities in Southeast Alaska include Petersburg and Sitka, but neither falls within Wrangell's jurisdiction.

Nearby Boroughs

These jurisdictions border or are close to the City and Borough of Wrangell in Southeast Alaska. Each has its own records offices and court arrangements.