Ketchikan Court Records
Court records for Ketchikan are filed at the Ketchikan Trial Court on Main Street, a First Judicial District courthouse serving Ketchikan Gateway Borough in Southeast Alaska.
Ketchikan Overview
Courts Serving Ketchikan
Ketchikan is served by the Ketchikan Trial Court at 415 Main St. This courthouse handles both Superior Court and District Court matters for Ketchikan Gateway Borough, including felony criminal cases, civil disputes, family law, probate, small claims, and misdemeanor offenses. It is the southernmost full trial court in Alaska and serves as the main court for the Southern Southeast region, including the Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area for some case types.
The clerk's office at the Ketchikan Trial Court handles records requests in person, by mail, and by fax during regular business hours. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday. For document copies from older cases, filing a written request in advance is helpful since older files may be stored off-site.
Ketchikan is accessible by air and sea. Alaska Airlines and regional carriers serve Ketchikan International Airport. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry connects Ketchikan to Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, and Prince Rupert, BC. There is no road connection to the Alaska Highway system.
The Alaska Court System court directory has current contact information and hours for the Ketchikan Trial Court.
| Courthouse | Ketchikan Trial Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 415 Main St, Ketchikan, AK 99901 |
| Phone | (907) 225-3195 |
| District | First Judicial District |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm |
| Borough | Ketchikan Gateway Borough |
Searching Ketchikan Court Records
CourtView is Alaska's free public case search system. It covers the Ketchikan Trial Court and all other Alaska trial courts. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show case type, filing date, docket history, and scheduled hearings. Access CourtView at records.courts.alaska.gov. No account is needed.
When searching for Ketchikan cases, select "Ketchikan" from the court location dropdown in CourtView. Cases filed at the Ketchikan Trial Court will appear under that location. Some Prince of Wales-Hyder cases may appear under either Ketchikan or Craig depending on where they were filed. If you have a case number, use it for a direct result.
CourtView shows case status and docket entries but does not display full document text. To get document copies, submit a records request to the Ketchikan clerk's office in person, by mail, or by fax. Include the case number and specific documents needed.
Note: Ketchikan is accessible by air and ferry. It is one of the rainiest cities in the United States with over 150 inches of rain per year. If traveling to the courthouse, check ferry schedules well in advance as they can be limited in off-peak seasons.
Copy Fees and Records Requests
The Alaska Court System uses one fee schedule statewide. Standard copies are $5 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Certified copies cost $10 for the first document plus $3 per additional page. Research fees are $30 per hour. Audio recordings on CD are $20 per disc.
Request records in person at 415 Main St, Ketchikan, AK 99901, by mail to the same address, or by fax. Include the case number or party names, the documents needed, and your return contact information. Make checks payable to the Alaska Court System.
Some records are restricted under AS 40.25.120. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and some domestic matters are not available to the public. The clerk will advise you of any restrictions that apply to your request.
Criminal Records and Background Checks
Statewide criminal history checks go through the Alaska Department of Public Safety Criminal Records Bureau, 5700 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, phone (907) 269-5767. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 am to 4:00 pm. Name-based checks are $20 and fingerprint-based checks are $35. The DPS background check portal has forms.
Local law enforcement in Ketchikan includes the Ketchikan Police Department and the Alaska State Troopers. Police reports are separate from court records; contact the relevant agency for incident records.
Legal Resources in Ketchikan
Alaska Legal Services Corporation serves income-eligible residents in Southeast Alaska including Ketchikan. All court forms are at courts.alaska.gov/forms. Attorneys use TrueFiling for electronic filing at courts.alaska.gov/efile/index.htm. Self-represented parties file paper documents at the Ketchikan clerk's window.
Nearby Cities
These Southeast Alaska cities are near Ketchikan and served by the First Judicial District.