Big Lake Criminal History Records
Big Lake is a census-designated community in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and criminal history records for Big Lake residents are available through the Alaska Court System, the Alaska State Troopers, and the Alaska Department of Public Safety. This page covers the main resources for finding court case records, requesting background checks, and accessing law enforcement contacts for the Big Lake area.
Big Lake Quick Facts
Court Records for Big Lake
Criminal court records for Big Lake are part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough court system and are searchable through Alaska CourtView. CourtView is free and open to anyone. Search by party name, case number, or citation. Results show case type, charges, filing dates, hearing schedule, and case status for all Alaska trial courts.
Big Lake cases are handled at the Palmer Courthouse at 435 South Denali Street, Palmer, AK 99645, phone (907) 746-8181. This is the main courthouse for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Superior Court manages felonies and serious criminal matters. District Court handles misdemeanors and lesser charges. Big Lake falls under the Third Judicial District, which covers South Central Alaska.
Under AS 12.62.160, any person may receive Alaska criminal justice information through proper channels. Most filed cases are publicly accessible through CourtView unless sealed by court order or removed after dismissal or acquittal. Records from dismissed cases are removed within 60 days of final disposition.
Note: CourtView shows case index data only. For copies of court documents or certified records, contact the Palmer Courthouse clerk at (907) 746-8181.
Law Enforcement in Big Lake
Alaska State Troopers at the Wasilla Post are the primary law enforcement for the Big Lake area. Big Lake is an unincorporated community and does not have its own police department. Troopers handle all criminal complaints, arrests, and incident reports for the area.
| Agency | Alaska State Troopers - Wasilla Post |
|---|---|
| Address | 1979 E. Bogard Road, Wasilla, AK 99654 |
| Phone | (907) 745-4311 |
| Website | dps.alaska.gov |
Wasilla Police Department covers Wasilla city limits and may assist with matters near the Big Lake area. For Wasilla PD, call (907) 352-5401.
The screenshot below shows the Wasilla public records portal, used to submit records requests for incidents in the Big Lake and Mat-Su Valley area.
The Wasilla city public records portal provides forms and instructions for requesting police records tied to incidents in the broader Mat-Su Valley.
All arrest and conviction records from the Big Lake area are reported to APSIN under AS 12.62.110, the statewide criminal history database managed by the DPS Criminal Records and Identification Bureau.
Background Checks for Big Lake Residents
Criminal history background checks for Big Lake residents are processed by the Alaska DPS Criminal Records and Identification Bureau. Name-based checks cost $20. Fingerprint-based checks cost $35 and are more accurate. Start an online request at backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov.
For fingerprint-based checks, submit an FD-258 card by mail to DPS at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507. Big Lake is on the road system, so DPS walk-in service in Anchorage is accessible for residents who can travel. Full instructions are at dps.alaska.gov/Statewide/R-I/Background/Home. Phone: (907) 269-5767. Third-party requests require a signed consent form from the subject, valid for 90 days. Results are mailed via USPS only.
The DPS FAQ at dps.alaska.gov/statewide/r-i/background/faq answers common questions about processing times, how to correct errors, and what information appears on a background check report.
Sex Offender Registry - Big Lake
The Alaska Sex Offender and Child Kidnapper Registry is free at sor.dps.alaska.gov, maintained under AS 18.65.087. Search by name, city, zip code, or address to find registered offenders in the Big Lake area. Each entry includes a photo, physical description, registered address, and offense history. Offenders in the Big Lake area are monitored by the Wasilla State Trooper post. Registration is required within one working day of conviction. Moving to a new address requires updated registration. Failure to comply is a felony. House Bill 66 in July 2024 added passport numbers, professional licensing, and international travel plan requirements.
Inmate Search - Big Lake Area
Inmates from the Big Lake area may be held at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility at 339 East Dogwood Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645, or at Goose Creek Correctional Center at 22301 West Alsop Road, Wasilla, AK 99623. The Mat-Su Pretrial holds pre-trial detainees from the Mat-Su Borough. Goose Creek houses sentenced inmates from the region. The Alaska Department of Corrections manages all placement and transfers.
To find where a specific inmate is held in Alaska, use the Alaska inmate search. Search by name or inmate ID. Results include current facility, booking date, and custody status. VINE provides free notifications when an inmate's status changes. For warrant information in the Big Lake area, contact the Wasilla State Troopers at (907) 745-4311.
Public Records in the Big Lake Area
The Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25.100) gives the public the right to request government records. Agencies must respond within 10 working days. The response may include the records, a denial with legal basis, a cost estimate, or a request for clarification. Standard copy fees run $0.25 to $0.50 per page. Electronic records may be provided at no charge when readily available in the requested format.
For trooper records from the Big Lake area, contact the Wasilla State Trooper post at (907) 745-4311. For court records from Big Lake cases, contact the Palmer Courthouse clerk at (907) 746-8181. The clerk email for copy requests is 3PACopy@akcourts.us. For background check records through DPS, call the R&I Bureau at (907) 269-5767.
Criminal history records have specific rules under AS 12.62.160. Conviction records are generally public. Nonconviction data such as arrests that did not lead to charges has more limited availability. Sealed records cannot be disclosed. You can challenge errors in your own criminal history record through the DPS correction process under AS 12.62.170. The DPS must respond to a challenge within 30 days and correct any confirmed errors.
Nearby Cities
Other communities in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough near Big Lake.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Big Lake is part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Borough-level court records and criminal cases are handled through that jurisdiction.