Anchorage Criminal History Records
Anchorage criminal history records come from multiple sources, including the Anchorage Police Department, the Alaska Department of Public Safety, and the Alaska Court System. Residents and researchers looking for criminal history in Anchorage can search court cases online, request police records through the APD Public Records Center, or get a formal background check through the state. With about 291,000 people, Anchorage is Alaska's largest city and handles the most criminal cases in the state. This page covers where to find records, how to request them, and what to expect from each source.
Anchorage Overview
Anchorage Police Department Records
The Anchorage Police Department runs an online Public Records Center where you can request police reports, media files, and incident records. You need to create an account to submit requests. Documents must be requested separately from media like audio recordings or video footage. Each request should cover only one case or incident number. If you are asking for records about yourself or someone in your care, you will need to submit a consent form. The APD has forms for adults, adults with guardians, and juveniles with custodial parents. Visit anchoragepolice.com/request-police-records to get started.
Fees depend on how much time staff spend on research and how much redaction is needed. Requests estimated to cost between $40 and $250 require your acceptance before processing begins. Any request over $250 requires prepayment in full. Customer service hours run 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. The APD non-emergency line is 311 within Anchorage or (907) 786-8900 from outside the city.
The APD Public Records Center is the right place to get incident reports, arrest summaries, and officer-written narratives. Tutorials are available on the website if you need help with the process.
| Office | Anchorage Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 716 West 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501 |
| Phone | (907) 786-8500 |
| Non-Emergency | 311 or (907) 786-8900 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The APD also lets residents file non-emergency police reports online. This system covers incidents within APD jurisdiction, which runs from the first Knik River Bridge on the Glenn Highway to McHugh Creek on the New Seward Highway. Eligible incident types include drug information tips, fraud, identity theft, harassment, lost property, theft, vandalism, vehicle tampering, and shoplifts reported by businesses. You get a case number when your report is accepted. Do not use the online form for any emergency or crime in progress.
The screenshot below shows the APD Public Records Center portal, where Anchorage residents submit requests for criminal history documents and police reports.
After submitting a request, you can check its status through the same portal. The system tracks request progress and notifies you when records are ready.
The screenshot below shows the online file-a-report form for non-emergency Anchorage police report submissions.
For vehicle crashes in Anchorage, the APD has a separate online crash report form. DMV Form 12-209 must be filed within 10 days. Collision reports from September 1, 2012 onward can be retrieved online through the APD crash report portal. Older accidents require a request through the APD Records Center.
Anchorage Crime Data 2024
Anchorage recorded 15,372 crimes in 2024. The APD made 8,534 arrests that year. Property crimes made up most of the total, with larceny theft at 5,813 cases and motor vehicle theft at 1,214. Violent crime totals included 6,464 assaults, 479 robberies, 462 rapes, and 30 homicides.
Among the 8,534 arrests, the top categories were simple assault with 1,740 cases, DUI with 1,149, drug and narcotics offenses with 1,068, and aggravated assault with 854. These numbers reflect activity across all of Anchorage, including commercial areas, residential neighborhoods, and city roadways.
Note: APD crime statistics are published annually and cover incidents reported to the department. They reflect reported crime, not all criminal activity in Anchorage.
Anchorage Court Records
The Alaska Court System runs CourtView, a free public database that lets you search trial and appellate court cases across Alaska. For Anchorage cases, you can search by party name, case number, or citation number. Results show charges, case status, hearing dates, and dispositions. CourtView is not a criminal history check, and some records are removed over time as required by law or court order.
The main Anchorage courthouse is at 825 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone (907) 264-0671. Staff can help with requests for case documents and certified copies. Case files are not available to download online. You must go in person or send a written request to the clerk's office.
Under AS 12.62.160, any person may receive Alaska criminal justice information. The court system treats this as public access, though sealed records and records removed after dismissal or acquittal do not appear in CourtView searches. Records before 1990 may not be in the online database.
Alaska DPS Criminal History Checks
The Alaska Department of Public Safety maintains the state's central criminal history repository. The Anchorage office at 5700 East Tudor Road is the main walk-in location for criminal history checks. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, phone (907) 269-5767. Walk-in service includes Livescan fingerprinting for the most accurate results.
You can also request your own criminal history through the DPS online portal. Enter your email and a secure link is sent to you. The form requires your Social Security number and Alaska driver's license or state ID to verify identity. Reports are mailed via USPS only. Online requests are processed within 5 to 7 business days. A name-based check costs $20. A fingerprint-based check costs $35 and gives more accurate results because it catches aliases and name variations.
For Anchorage residents getting third-party checks, the record subject must sign a consent form. Consent is valid for 90 days from the date of signature. Extra copies cost $5 each and must be requested at the same time as the original. Under AS 40.25.100, public records in Alaska are generally open to the public, though law enforcement exemptions apply to certain criminal records.
Note: Background checks from DPS cover Alaska criminal justice information only and do not include records from other states unless specifically requested through the interstate compact process.
Sex Offender Registry for Anchorage
Alaska's sex offender registry at sor.dps.alaska.gov lists all registered sex offenders and child kidnappers statewide, including those in Anchorage. The registry is free to search. You can look up offenders by name, address, zip code, or city. Each entry includes a photo, physical description, and conviction information.
Under AS 18.65.087, DPS maintains this registry as a public resource. Anchorage residents can also sign up for email alerts when a registered offender moves near a specific address. Schools, daycares, and employers can search the registry by address for safety purposes. The registry contains over 3,640 entries statewide, with a significant number in the Anchorage area.
Anchorage Correctional Facilities
The Anchorage Correctional Complex is the main jail for the city. It sits at 1400 East 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone (907) 269-4100. The complex has both East and West facilities and houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. If you need to check whether someone is held at the Anchorage facility, the Alaska DOC inmate search lists current and recently released inmates across all state facilities.
Anchorage is the state's largest city and its correctional complex handles the highest volume of inmates in Alaska. Detainees may be transferred to other facilities depending on classification and sentence length.
Alaska Public Records Act
The Alaska Public Records Act covers the right to request government records in Anchorage and across the state. Under AS 40.25.100, most government records are open to the public. Agencies have 10 working days to respond. If your request is denied, you have 60 working days to file an administrative appeal.
Anchorage city agencies, including APD, follow the APRA for records requests. Fees may apply for copying at $0.25 to $0.50 per page for standard documents. Law enforcement records have specific exemptions under AS 40.25.120, including records from open investigations and certain protected personal information. The APRA does not require a specific form for requests, but requests must be in writing and describe the records you want.
Nearby Cities
These are other cities near Anchorage where criminal history records may also be relevant.
Anchorage Municipality Borough
Anchorage is part of the Anchorage Municipality. Court filings, criminal cases, and borough-level records are handled through that jurisdiction.