Nome Census Area Criminal History

Criminal history records for the Nome Census Area are maintained by the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the Nome Police Department, and the Alaska Court System. Whether you need to search court cases, run a background check, or look up a registered sex offender, the state provides several ways to access this information. Nome sits on the southern Seward Peninsula in western Alaska and serves as the regional hub for dozens of surrounding villages. This page covers the main sources for criminal history records in the Nome Census Area, including how to contact local law enforcement, use the CourtView case search, and request formal background checks.

Nome Census Area Court Records

Court records for the Nome Census Area are searchable through the Alaska Court System's CourtView online case search. The portal is free and open to anyone. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or citation number. Results show case type, charges, filing date, hearing dates, and current status. The tool covers all Alaska trial courts, including those serving Nome and the surrounding census area.

The Alaska Court System maintains a trial court in Nome that handles both criminal and civil matters. Superior Court cases, which include felonies and serious crimes, are heard in Nome. District Court handles misdemeanor cases and lesser offenses. The Nome courthouse serves as the nearest court facility for many rural villages in the region. Under AS 12.62.160, the public is authorized to receive Alaska criminal justice information through proper channels. Criminal case records are generally accessible once filed unless sealed by a judge or removed under court rules.

The screenshot below shows the Alaska CourtView search portal used to find Nome Census Area criminal cases.

CourtView displays case summaries for Nome Census Area cases. Full document copies require a request to the court clerk's office.

Nome Police and Alaska State Troopers

The Nome Police Department handles law enforcement within Nome city limits and maintains arrest records for local incidents. The department accepts records requests by mail, fax, or in person. Include as much detail as possible when submitting a request. The Nome Police are located at 102 Greg Kruschek Avenue in Nome.

Alaska State Troopers at the Nome Post cover the broader census area beyond city limits. The Nome Post is part of D Detachment, which handles western Alaska including communities around Norton Sound and the Seward Peninsula. Troopers respond to major crimes throughout the region and serve as primary law enforcement in rural villages that lack local police. For incidents outside Nome city limits, contact the State Troopers directly.

Background Checks for Nome Census Area

Alaska criminal history background checks for Nome Census Area residents go through the Department of Public Safety Criminal Records and Identification Bureau. The bureau maintains the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN), which is the state's central repository for criminal history under AS 12.62.110. All arrest and conviction data from Nome and surrounding communities is reported to this system.

Name-based background checks cost $20. Fingerprint-based checks cost $35 and give more reliable results. Name-based searches can miss records filed under aliases or different name spellings. Fingerprint checks confirm identity positively. There is no local fingerprinting location in Nome for DPS purposes. Residents can mail fingerprint cards to the DPS office in Anchorage or visit a walk-in location when traveling to a larger city. Submit online self-service requests through the Alaska background check portal. Full instructions and forms are at the DPS criminal records page.

Contact for the DPS Records and Identification Bureau: 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, phone (907) 269-5767. Phone support is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Corrections and Inmate Records

Anvil Mountain Correctional Center in Nome handles inmates from the Nome Census Area and nearby western Alaska communities. The facility is operated by the Alaska Department of Corrections and holds both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Individuals awaiting trial on serious charges may be transferred to larger facilities in Fairbanks or Anchorage depending on security level and available space.

To search for inmates held anywhere in Alaska, use the Alaska inmate search tool. The system uses the VINE platform and lets you search by name or inmate ID. Results include current facility, custody status, and basic booking information. VINE also offers free notifications when an inmate's status changes, which victims and family members can sign up for at no cost.

Sex Offender Registry - Nome Census Area

The Alaska Sex Offender and Child Kidnapper Registry is maintained by the Alaska Department of Public Safety under AS 18.65.087. The registry is public and can be searched for free at sor.dps.alaska.gov. You can search by name, address, city, or zip code. The registry includes photos, physical descriptions, registered addresses, and offense information for each registrant.

Registered offenders living in Nome Census Area communities are required to keep their registration current. Failure to register or update information is a separate felony offense under Alaska law. The Nome State Troopers post monitors compliance for offenders in the region. In July 2024, House Bill 66 added new requirements including passport numbers, professional licensing information, and international travel plans for registrants. The registry is updated daily and includes both compliant and non-compliant offenders.

Public Records Access in Nome Census Area

The Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25.100) gives residents the right to request most government records. Agencies must respond within 10 working days. A response can provide the records, deny the request, ask for more information, or estimate the cost of a larger search. Fees for copies typically run $0.25 to $0.50 per page. More complex requests that require database queries or extensive staff time may carry higher fees. Fee waivers are available for public interest requests.

For Nome Police Department records, submit your request directly to the department using their request form. Include the incident date, names involved, case number if you have it, and your reason for the request. Court records can be requested through the clerk at the Nome Trial Court. Trooper records go through the Alaska State Troopers Nome Post or through the DPS records office in Anchorage. Some law enforcement records are exempt from public release under AS 40.25.120 if they relate to active investigations or identify confidential informants.

Under AS 12.62.180, certain criminal records can be sealed or expunged under specific legal conditions. Sealed records do not appear in CourtView or public background check results. If you believe a record should be sealed or corrected, contact an attorney or the court where the case was filed.

Cities in Nome Census Area

Nome is the main city in the census area. No other cities in the region meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. Criminal cases for area residents are handled through the Nome courthouse and the Alaska State Troopers Nome Post.

Nearby Census Areas and Boroughs

The Nome Census Area borders several other areas in western and interior Alaska. Each handles its own criminal cases through the Alaska Court System.