| Where can I learn more about the Alaska Court System? |
Information about the Alaska Court System, its structure, the jurisdiction of the various courts, the judges in each judicial district, and explanations of the judicial selection and retention processes is available on the court's website.
| Who are Alaska's supreme court justices? |
Biographical information about Alaska's supreme court justices is available on the court's website.
| How are new judges selected? |
Information about the judicial selection process is available on the Alaska Judicial Council's website.
| How do I file a complaint against a judge? |
The Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct reviews complaints concerning Alaskan judges. Any person can file a complaint against a state judge. The complaint should be in writing and should include the judge's name, the facts that constitute misconduct, a case number if it involves a court case, and the names of others present or aware of the facts. Complaints should be sent to:
Additional information is available on the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct's website.Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct
1029 W. 3rd Ave., Suite 550
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-272-1033
800-478-1033 (toll free within Alaska)
907-272-9309 (fax)
| Where do I find mediation information? |
The Alaska Court System's mediation page provides information about mediation.
| Where can I get information about executing on the PFD? |
The court system has a booklet called Executing on the Permanent Fund Dividend: Creditor's Instructions (CIV-503), which describes the process for seizing someone's Permanent Fund Dividend. You'll need to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view and print the booklet. CIV-503 is also available in the clerk's office at all Alaska court locations.
| Where can I get a venue map? |
The Anchorage Customer Service Division sells venue maps for $10. Contact them at:
Customer Service Division
825 W. 4th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-264-0514
A map of Alaska's judicial districts and court locations is available on the court's website. You'll need to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view and print the map.
| How do I get a copy of the Alaska jury instructions? |
The Alaska Pattern Civil Jury Instructions and Alaska Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions are available on the court's website. Print copies are also available for review at the Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Ketchikan branches of the Alaska State Court Law Library.
The Alaska Bar Association sells the civil and criminal jury instructions in paper and electronic format. Contact them at 907-272-7469 or P.O. Box 100279, Anchorage, AK 99510. The paper format instructions are $120, the disk version of the civil instructions is $75. Updates to the civil instructions are $20.
| Where can I find information about filing fees? |
Filing fees are set forth in Administrative Rule 9, Fee Schedule.
| Where can I find information about witness fees? |
Witness fees are set forth in Administrative Rule 7.
| What is the court system's mileage rate? |
The current mileage rate is 40.5¢ per mile, effective January 1, 2005. The mileage rate usually changes every January 1st, and is set forth in the Travel Section of the Alaska Administration Manual.
| What is the court system's per diem rate? |
The current per diem rate is provided in Alaska Administration Manual 60.190.
| How do I become a notary public? |
The Lieutenant Governor appoints notaries public. Visit the Lieutenant Governor's notary page for more information.
| How do I file for bankruptcy? |
Bankruptcies are filed in federal court. Bankruptcy forms are not provided by the court, but may be purchased from stationery stores. Please note that some school loans, some credit card debts and some taxes and other types of debt are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. An attorney is not required to file bankruptcy unless a corporation is involved.
The bankruptcy court is open to the public Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm only. Their address is 605 W. 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501. Visit the United States Bankruptcy Court website or call 907-271-2655 for more information.
Alaska Legal Services Corporation offers free bankruptcy clinics in various cities. Consult their clinic schedule for more information.
| How do I change my name? |
If you are an adult (over 18 years old), you can legally change your name by filing a petition in the superior court. A petition to legally change a child's name can only be filed by an adult on behalf of a child.
Change of name packets for children (CIV-692) and adults (CIV-698) are available in the clerk's office at all Alaska court locations, and on our court forms page. These packets contain instructions and all of the necessary forms that you need. The filing fee is $150.
You should also consult the Alaska Rules of Court and Alaska Statutes for rules and statutes that may pertain to your case. The Alaska Rules of Court and Alaska Statutes are also available at many public libraries and at all Alaska State Court Law Library branches.
The Alaska Rules of Court and Alaska Statutes about name changes are:
| Establishes the procedure for changing names. | |
| Gives the superior court the power to hear change of name cases and sets the standard that the court must use in deciding whether to grant a name change. | |
| Describes the procedure for changing a person's name in a divorce or dissolution of marriage. Also see AS 25.24.230(f) concerning dissolutions. |
PLEASE NOTE: other rules and statutes may apply to your case.
| How do I file for a dissolution of marriage? |
Dissolution forms (DR-10 through DR-610) and packets (which include forms and instructions) are available in the clerk's office at all Alaska court locations. Some of the dissolution forms are also available on the court's website.
You should also consult the Alaska Rules of Court and Alaska Statutes for rules and statutes that may pertain to your case. The Alaska Rules of Court and Alaska Statutes are also available at many public libraries and at all law libraries statewide.
The Alaska Court System's Family Law Self-Help Center offers assistance with dissolution matters.
Alaska Corporation offers free divorce and custody clinics in various cities. Consult their clinic schedule for more information.
| How do I file a small claims case? |
The small claims process is for matters involving $7500 or less. You do not need an attorney, but all parties involved must agree to use the small claims procedure.
Small claims forms and the small claims handbook are available in the clerk's office at all Alaska court locations. Some small claims forms are also available on the court's website.
You should also consult the Alaska Rules of Court and Alaska Statutes for rules and statutes that may pertain to your case. The Alaska Rules of Court and Alaska Statutes are also available at many public libraries and at all law libraries statewide.
| How do I adopt my stepchild? |
Stepparent adoption forms (P-400 through P-435) are available in the clerk's office at all Alaska court locations. Some stepparent adoption forms are also available on the court system's website.
You should also consult the Alaska Rules of Court and Alaska Statutes for rules and statutes that may pertain to your case. The Alaska Rules of Court and Alaska Statutes are also available at many public libraries and at all law libraries statewide.
| How do I get a marriage license? |
The marriage license application and instructions are available on the Vital Statistics website.
Information about the marriage commissioner appointments is available on the court's website.
| How do I get a copy of my birth certificate? |
You can get a form to request a copy of your birth certificate at the Vital Statistics website.
| How do I get a copy of my divorce? How do I get a copy of a case file? |
Contact the records department or clerk of court where the case was filed. A complete list of all Alaska Court System locations and contact information is available on the court's website.
You can use the online Trial Court Name Index to get basic case information, such as the case number and court location.
Most court records are available for public inspection. Copies are 25¢ per page. A certified copy of a document is $5.00. There is a $15.00 per hour research fee. A deposit may be required on some copy requests.
Records in some proceedings, such as juvenile matters, are confidential and only parties to the case are allowed access to the file.
| How do I find an attorney? |
The Alaska Bar Association offers a Lawyer Referral Service, available Monday - Friday 8:30 am - Noon; 1:00 - 4:00 pm:
907-272-0352This service provides you with the names and phone numbers of three attorneys who practice in the area of law you need help with. If you use one of those three attorneys, you are guaranteed a rate of $50 or less for the first half hour of their time. Please note that this service includes only those attorneys who have requested to participate - it does not include all members of the Alaska Bar Association. You can also consult telephone yellow pages, or ask people you know to recommend a good attorney. Court staff cannot provide attorney recommendations.
800-770-9999 (Outside Anchorage)
| What if I can't afford an attorney? |
Alaska Legal Services Corporation offers some legal services to individuals who meet their income guidelines. Visit their website for more information.
| How can I find out if an attorney's ever had a complaint filed against him/her? |
Contact the Alaska Bar Association to find out if an Alaskan attorney has had any disciplinary actions taken against them:
907-272-7469
800-770-9999 (Outside Anchorage)
| How do I file a complaint against an attorney? |
Contact the Alaska Bar Association Discipline Section to obtain a complaint packet:
907-272-7469
800-770-9999 (Outside Anchorage)
907-272-2932 (fax)
| Where do I get information about the Alaska bar exam? |
Information about the Alaska bar exam is available on the Alaska Bar Association's website, or call the Alaska Bar Association:
907-272-7469
800-770-9999 (Outside Anchorage)
| Rev. 3 January 2005
© Alaska Court System www.state.ak.us/courts |
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