DOCUMENT APOSTILLE GUIDE
Alaska Vital Records Apostille Requirements
Learn how to prepare your document for apostille processing, including applicable notarization requirements, required certifications, and important submission guidelines.
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National Apostille Center provides nationwide apostille assistance and a free document pre-check to help you get started.
Preparation Requirements
Obtain an Official Alaska Vital Record
Request an official certified copy of the birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate from Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records.
The record must relate to an event registered in Alaska.
Birth Certificates
Obtain an official certified Alaska birth certificate issued by the state's vital records office.
Birth records remain confidential for 100 years. During the restricted period, certified copies are available only to eligible individuals or authorized representatives.
Death Certificates
Obtain an official certified Alaska death certificate.
Death records remain restricted for 50 years. Applicants must meet the applicable eligibility requirements when requesting a restricted record.
Marriage Certificates
Obtain an official certified Alaska marriage certificate from Alaska Vital Records.
A marriage license, ceremonial certificate, or unofficial copy may not satisfy the receiving country's requirements for an official marriage record.
Divorce Certificates
Alaska Vital Records issues certified divorce certificates showing basic information about the divorce.
If the receiving country requires the divorce decree or complete court judgment, obtain that document from the Alaska Court System instead.
Original Certified Copies Required
Alaska requires an official certified vital record bearing an authentic signature of the issuing state official.
Photocopies, scans, and notarized photocopies of Alaska vital records are not accepted for apostille.
Older Certificates
Older certified copies may contain signatures that Alaska's Lieutenant Governor's Office can no longer authenticate.
A newly issued certified copy may be necessary.
Check the Document
Ensure the certificate is complete, legible, and unaltered.
Do not remove, modify, or replace any official certification attached to the record.
Confirm the Destination Country
Apostilles are used for countries participating in the Hague Apostille Convention. Other countries may require a different authentication procedure.
Important Information
Alaska vital records have specific certification requirements. National Apostille Center can review your certificate to help determine whether it is suitable for apostille processing.
Required Certification
Official Alaska Vital Records Certification
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates must be issued as official certified copies by Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records.
Original Official Signature
The certificate must contain an authentic signature of an authorized Alaska vital records official that the Lieutenant Governor's Office can verify.
Older Court-Issued Vital Records
Some older Alaska vital records were issued through the court system before 2005.
The Lieutenant Governor's Office advises that these older court-issued certified copies generally cannot be authenticated. A newly certified record from Alaska Vital Records may be required.
No Photocopy Certification
Alaska does not accept photocopies of vital records for apostille, even when accompanied by a notarized copy-certification statement.
An official certified copy must be obtained from the state.
Notarization
Official Alaska vital records do not require separate notarization when they bear an acceptable state certification and authenticatable official signature.
Divorce Decrees
A certified divorce decree issued by the Alaska Court System is a court document, not a vital records certificate.
Court-issued documents follow the state's court document authentication requirements.
Apostille Issuing Authority
Office of the Lieutenant Governor — State of Alaska.
Important Notice
An apostille authenticates the official signature and capacity of the issuing public official. It does not independently verify the contents of the vital record or guarantee acceptance by a foreign authority.