Juneau Death Index Search
Juneau is Alaska's capital and home to the state's primary vital records office, making it the central hub for death index research across Alaska. This page covers how to search the Juneau death index, access the HAVRS office, use local genealogical collections, and find historical death records at the Alaska State Archives and other Juneau-based resources.
Juneau Death Index
HAVRS - Alaska's Primary Vital Records Office
The Health Analytics and Vital Records Section (HAVRS) maintains its main office in Juneau at 5441 Commercial Blvd, Juneau AK 99801. The phone number is (907) 465-3391. This is where all of Alaska's death records are filed and maintained. Because Juneau is the state capital, having the primary office here means that residents can access it in person during normal business hours.
For those who can visit in person, this office can issue certified death certificates directly. Walk-in requests are handled during regular business hours. If you cannot visit, you can order by mail to P.O. Box 110675, Juneau AK 99811-0675, or use the online ordering service through VitalChek. Full instructions are on the HAVRS orders page.
The cost for a certified death certificate is $30 for the first copy and $25 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Records that are less than 50 years old are restricted to qualified requesters. You must show a close family relationship or legal need to get a certified copy of a recent record. Records 50 years old or older are open to the public.
Note that the City and Borough of Juneau Borough Clerk, located at 155 South Seward Street, (907) 586-5278, handles marriage licenses. This is not the same as HAVRS. For death certificates, always contact HAVRS directly.
Evergreen Cemetery Records
Juneau's Evergreen Cemetery has an interactive searchable database and map maintained by the Juneau library and museum. The Evergreen Cemetery database lets you search by name and find burial plot locations, death dates, and other information about individuals buried there.
For death researchers, this is one of the most useful free tools in Juneau. Cemetery records don't carry the same legal weight as certified death certificates, but they can confirm a death date and give you the information you need to file a proper certificate request with HAVRS. The searchable format means you don't need to visit the cemetery in person to look up a name.
The database covers a wide range of burial dates, making it useful for both recent deaths and historical research. Evergreen Cemetery has served Juneau for well over a century, so the records reach back to the early years of the city. Some entries include additional details like birth dates or notes about the individual.
The Evergreen Cemetery database is one of Juneau's most accessible resources for confirming deaths and finding burial information.
The Evergreen Cemetery's interactive map and name search tool let you look up burial records for Juneau residents across more than a century of the city's history.
Alaska State Library - Historical Newspaper Collections
The Alaska State Library is located in Juneau and holds historical newspaper collections that are vital for death research. The library's Historical Collections include the Daily Alaska Dispatch (1900-1919), the Daily Alaska Empire (1926-1951), and the Daily Record-Miner (1903-1911). These papers ran death notices and obituaries for Juneau residents and others throughout Southeast Alaska.
Obituaries in these early papers often contain details not found anywhere else. They may give the cause of death, list surviving family members, describe the person's occupation and community ties, and note the location of burial. For researchers working on family history from the early 20th century, these newspaper archives can be the most detailed source available.
The library also maintains an ongoing genealogy resource page at library.alaska.gov that lists databases and finding aids for Alaska research. Staff in the Historical Collections can help you navigate the newspaper archives and suggest other sources if you get stuck.
The Alaska State Library in Juneau holds historical newspaper archives that are essential for obituary and death record research in Southeast Alaska.
The library's newspaper collections on microfilm cover Juneau and Southeast Alaska from the early 1900s, providing a deep archive for obituary and death index research.
Alaska State Archives - Historical Death Records
The Alaska State Archives is also in Juneau and serves as the primary repository for Alaska's historical government records. For death researchers, the most significant holdings include coroner's inquests from 1898 to 1969 and probate records from 1883 to 1960. These records cover deaths that occurred during the territorial period and the early years of statehood.
Coroner's inquest records are especially useful when the cause of death was unclear or disputed. These records often contain witness testimony, medical findings, and other details that go far beyond what appears on a death certificate. If an ancestor died under unusual circumstances, the inquest records may be worth requesting.
Probate records connect directly to death records because probate is initiated when someone dies with assets. These files typically include the date of death, a list of heirs, and an inventory of property. For genealogists, they can help confirm relationships between family members and establish timelines.
The archives are open to the public during business hours. You can also submit research inquiries by mail or through the archives' website. Some finding aids are available online to help you determine what records exist before making a request.
Juneau Public Library and Local Resources
The Juneau Public Library maintains a Juneau Obituary Index and provides access to historical newspapers. The library's local collections complement the State Library's holdings and are a good first stop for obituary research focused specifically on Juneau residents.
The library also provides access to genealogy databases for cardholders. These may include statewide or national databases that you can search from home with a valid library card. Check the library's website for current database offerings, as these change over time.
For broader Alaska research, the CDC's Where to Write page confirms current contact information for HAVRS and explains what to include in a death certificate request. This is useful for researchers working from outside Alaska who need to request a Juneau area record by mail.
Alaska's access rules for death records come from the Vital Statistics Act. The full statute text is at Justia's Alaska code database. Knowing the rules in advance can save time and prevent delays when you submit a request.