About Aleutians East Borough
Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, is a unique second-class borough including the eastern portion of the Aleutian Islands chain and a section of the Alaska Peninsula. Established in 1987, the borough covers approximately 6,988 square miles of land area, with the borough seat located in Sand Point. Aleutians East Borough's population is approximately 3,400 residents spread across seven communities: Sand Point, King Cove, Cold Bay, False Pass, Nelson Lagoon, Akutan, and Belkofski.
- The economy revolves primarily around commercial fishing, seafood processing, and subsistence harvesting.
This sparsely populated maritime region is characterized by dramatic volcanic scenes, including portions of the Alaska Peninsula and several islands in the Aleutian chain. The borough is home to active volcanoes including Shishaldin Volcano and Pavlof Volcano, two of Alaska's most active volcanic peaks. Aleutians East Borough Borough Administration is headquartered at 3380 C Street, Suite 205, Anchorage, AK 99503, with a regional office in Sand Point at P.O.
Box 349, Sand Point, AK 99661. The borough operates under a limited borough government structure, with the Sand Point area Borough Clerk maintaining official records, while property assessment functions are handled through the borough administration. Aleutians East Borough's isolation, harsh weather conditions, and dependence on marine resources create a distinctive character unlike any other Alaska borough.
The borough's history is deeply rooted in Unangan (Aleut) culture, with indigenous communities maintaining traditional practices alongside modern economic activities.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Aleutians East Borough does not have a traditional sheriff's office. Instead, law enforcement services are provided by the Alaska State Troopers, who patrol the unincorporated areas and handle law enforcement duties. The troopers are responsible for processing arrests and maintaining criminal records within the borough. They also coordinate with local police departments in the borough's communities to ensure public safety and law enforcement coverage.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Aleutians East Borough is primarily provided by the Alaska State Troopers, who serve the unincorporated areas and smaller communities. In addition to the state troopers, local police departments operate in some of the borough's larger communities, such as the Sand Point Police Department. These departments handle local policing duties, including traffic enforcement, community policing, and minor criminal investigations. Coordination between the state troopers and local police ensures full law enforcement coverage and response to major crimes or emergencies.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Aleutians East Borough is provided through a decentralized system involving Alaska State Troopers and local Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs). The Alaska State Troopers maintain jurisdiction throughout the borough, with the nearest detachment typically located in King Salmon or other regional hubs, though troopers patrol the communities regularly by aircraft. The Alaska State Troopers can be reached at their statewide dispatch number, and their website at dps.alaska.gov provides information on criminal records requests.
- Inmate lookup for Alaska Department of Corrections facilities is available online at doc.alaska.gov/corrections through the Offender Locator system.
- Arrest records and criminal history information can be requested through the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Division of Statewide Services, pursuant to Alaska Statute 12.62 (Alaska Public Records Act).
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through individual correctional facility requests or through the Alaska Court System's online platform CourtView.
Each community within the borough may have Village Public Safety Officers who work under the Alaska Department of Public Safety's VPSO program, providing frontline law enforcement and emergency response. The borough does not operate a traditional borough jail; individuals arrested in Aleutians East Borough are typically transported to regional correctional facilities such as the Anchorage Correctional Complex or other state facilities. Due to the borough's geographic isolation and small population, law enforcement response often requires coordination between multiple agencies, including the U.S.
Coast Guard for maritime incidents and federal agencies for cases on federal lands. Tribal law enforcement may also have jurisdiction within certain village boundaries under agreements with the state.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Aleutians East Borough includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registration. The Alaska State Troopers and local police departments maintain these records, which are accessible through the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Residents can request background checks through the department's online portal, which provides information on criminal history and sex offender status.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Aleutians East Borough are maintained by the Alaska State Troopers. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and any court proceedings that follow. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Alaska State Troopers or through the Alaska Department of Public Safety's online portal. The Alaska Public Records Act governs access to these records, for public access and public access to government information. Arrest records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and any available court dates.
Jail & Inmate Records
Aleutians East Borough does not operate its own jail facility. Individuals arrested in the borough are typically transported to facilities in larger nearby regions, such as Anchorage, for detention. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. Inmate lookup services are generally available through the Alaska Department of Corrections, which provides information on individuals held in state facilities.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Aleutians East Borough are taken and retained by the Alaska State Troopers during the booking process. These photos are part of the arrest record and can be accessed through the Alaska Department of Public Safety's online services. While there is no specific law in Alaska addressing mugshot removal, individuals may petition for removal or sealing of records under certain circumstances, such as expungement or if charges are dropped. Public access to mugshots is subject to the state's public records laws, which balance transparency with privacy concerns.
Courts & Case Records
Aleutians East Borough is served by the Alaska Court System's Third Judicial District, which covers a vast geographic area of western and southwestern Alaska. Court proceedings for the borough are handled through magistrate courts and circuit courts, with the nearest superior court located in Anchorage or Kodiak. The Alaska Court System maintains a Magistrate Court in Sand Point, located at P.O. Box 249, Sand Point, AK 99661 Additional magistrate locations may operate in King Cove and Cold Bay depending on caseload and staffing.
- CourtView access is free for basic case information, though certified copies of documents require payment and formal requests.
- The Alaska Court System charges fees for document copies: $2.50 per page for uncertified copies and $5 per document plus $2.50 per page for certified copies.
- Probate matters are handled through the superior court, with filings typically processed through the Third Judicial District Superior Court in Anchorage.
- For small claims and minor civil matters, the magistrate courts have jurisdiction up to $10,000.
The Alaska Court System provides online access to court records through CourtView at courts.alaska.gov/courtrecords, which allows users to search civil, criminal, probate, and family law cases by name, case number, or other criteria. Public access to court records is governed by Alaska Court Rule 37.5 and Alaska Statute 40.25.110-120, which establish presumptive public access to most court records with specific exceptions for sealed cases, juvenile matters, and certain protected proceedings. Traffic violations and misdemeanor criminal cases are also heard at the magistrate level, while felonies and major civil litigation proceed to superior court.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Aleutians East Borough are maintained by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, and Aleutians East Borough Borough Administration. The borough does not maintain a traditional borough recorder's office; instead, land records are recorded through the Alaska Recorders Offices, with the Third Recording District covering Aleutians East Borough. Documents can be recorded at the Anchorage Recording District Office, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 900, Anchorage, AK 99501
- Recording fees are established by Alaska Statute 44.37.025 and typically range from $20 to $100 depending on document type and page count.
- For certified copies of recorded documents, requests must be submitted to the appropriate recording district office with the required fee of $5 for certification plus $1 per page.
- Plat maps and survey documents are also maintained through the DNR recording system and can be searched and ordered online or by mail.
The Alaska DNR provides an online land records database at dnr.alaska.gov/recorders where users can search for recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments by name, document number, or legal description. Property tax assessment and collection for Sand Point area Borough is handled by the borough administration with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Property tax records and assessed values can be obtained by contacting Aleutians East Borough Finance Department at or through their administrative office in Anchorage.
The borough does not currently offer a full online GIS parcel viewer, though some parcel information may be available through the Alaska Mapper system at dnr.alaska.gov/mapping.
Vital Records
Vital records for Aleutians East Borough, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees, are maintained by the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics, which operates under the Department of Health. The Bureau of Vital Statistics is located at 5441 Commercial Boulevard, Juneau, AK 99801, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Birth and death certificates can be ordered online through the VitalChek service at alaska.gov/dph/bvs or by mail using an application form downloaded from the state website.
- The fee for a certified birth or death certificate is $30 for the first copy and $25 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.
- Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests and 2-3 weeks for online orders, with expedited service available for an additional fee.
- The fee for a marriage license is $60, and there is no waiting period or blood test required in Alaska.
- Divorce decrees are obtained through the Alaska Court System where the divorce was finalized, typically through CourtView or by requesting certified copies from the specific court.
Marriage licenses must be obtained before the marriage ceremony and are issued by Marriage Commissioners or court officials; applications can be submitted to any Alaska court location or through authorized marriage commissioners in the borough communities. To obtain vital records, applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and proof of relationship or eligibility under Alaska Statute 18.50.290, which restricts access to immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct and tangible interest. Genealogical researchers can access records older than 100 years for births and 50 years for deaths without restriction.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Aleutians East Borough involves multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing maintains the statewide business entity database accessible at commerce.alaska.gov/cbp. This online portal allows users to search for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other registered business entities operating in Alaska, including those based in or doing business within Aleutians East Borough Borough.
- The business entity search is free and provides information on business status, registered agent, formation date, and annual report compliance.
- New business entities must file formation documents with the Division of Corporations with fees ranging from $50 for trade names to $250 for corporations.
Aleutians East Borough Borough requires certain business licenses for activities within borough boundaries; applications and information are available through the borough administration for Professional licenses for occupations such as fishing guides, contractors, healthcare providers, and others are issued by the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, with online license verification available through the state website. Commercial fishing permits and licenses are regulated by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Commercial Fisheries Division, which is particularly relevant given the borough's economy. Sales tax does not exist at the state level in Alaska, though individual communities within the borough may impose local sales taxes.
Building permits and land use approvals are coordinated through the borough administration and individual city governments. The Lake and Peninsula Borough Economic Development Corporation and local community development organizations provide business support services, though there is no formal Aleutians East Borough Borough Chamber of Commerce as of current records.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Aleutians East Borough are administered by the Alaska Division of Elections, Region III Office, which oversees election activities for Aleutians East Borough. The Division of Elections maintains a statewide office at 2525 Gambell Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99503, phone, and operates a full website at elections.alaska.gov. Voter registration in Alaska can be completed online at voterregistration.alaska.gov, by mail using a downloadable form, or in person at any Division of Elections office or participating state agency.
- Alaska is a vote-by-mail optional state; any registered voter can request an absentee ballot by mail or by-mail voting for any reason.
- Absentee ballot applications are available online and must be received by the Division of Elections by the Saturday before Election Day, though ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within 10 days are counted.
- The 2024 general election saw turnout in rural Alaska boroughs typically ranging from 45% to 65% of registered voters, with Aleutians East Borough generally performing near the middle of this range.
The voter registration deadline in Alaska is 30 days before any election, and eligible voters must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old, and Alaska residents for at least 30 days. Aleutians East Borough Borough voters can find their polling place locations by using the online polling place lookup tool at elections.alaska.gov or by contacting the Division of Elections directly.
Polling locations are typically established in Sand Point, King Cove, Cold Bay, False Pass, Akutan, and Nelson Lagoon, often in schools, community centers, or other public facilities. Election records available to the public include the official voter registration list (with certain personal information redacted per Alaska Statute 15.07.195), campaign finance disclosure reports through the Alaska Public Offices Commission at doa.alaska.gov/apoc, candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House and Senate races, Alaska gubernatorial and state legislative elections, and various ballot measures. Alaska implemented ranked-choice voting and nonpartisan primaries beginning in 2022, fundamentally changing election procedures statewide. All election related records are subject to Alaska's Public Records Act (Alaska Statute 40.25.110-120), and citizens may request election materials, voter history data, and other records by submitting written requests to the Division of Elections, though some personal voter information is protected from disclosure under AS 15.07.195.
Economy & Demographics
The economy of Aleutians East Borough is overwhelmingly dominated by commercial fishing and seafood processing, which together account for the majority of employment and economic activity. Aleutians East Borough is one of the most productive fishing areas in the United States, with major fisheries including pollock, Pacific cod, halibut, king crab, snow crab, and various salmon species.
- Major seafood processing companies operating in the borough include Peter Pan Seafoods in King Cove, Trident Seafoods in Akutan and Sand Point, and other processors that provide year-round and seasonal employment.
- Economic development challenges include geographic isolation, high transportation costs, dependence on volatile fishing markets, and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems.
The Port of Dutch Harbor/Unalaska, while technically outside the borough boundary, is a major economic hub for Aleutians East Borough's fishing fleet. Median household income in Aleutians East Borough seat area Borough is estimated at approximately $68,000 to $75,000, significantly higher than the national average due to high-paying commercial fishing employment, though the cost of living is also substantially elevated. The borough experiences seasonal employment fluctuations with peak fishing seasons in summer and winter crab seasons.
Subsistence harvesting remains culturally and economically important for Alaska Native residents, supplementing cash income with traditional foods. Air transportation services provided by Alaska Airlines, PenAir (now part of Ravn Alaska), and local air taxi operators are essential economic infrastructure given the lack of road connections. The Cold Bay Airport is a regional hub with a 10,420-foot runway originally built for military purposes.
Unemployment rates fluctuate seasonally but generally remain below state averages due to strong fishing sector demand. Tourism plays a minimal but growing role, with wildlife viewing, sport fishing, and cultural tourism attracting limited visitors.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (CourtView) | Property: Limited: State System Required | Arrest/Jail: Limited: State Portal | Vital Records: Yes: Online Ordering Available | Business: Yes: Online (State Database) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 7/10, Aleutians East Borough relies heavily on state-level systems for public records access; local borough records require direct contact with borough administration in Anchorage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I search for someone recently arrested in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska?
Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska?
How do I get a criminal background check in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska?
How can I look up sex offenders in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska?
How do I register to vote in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska?
How do I look up property records in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska?
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska?
How do I find business license records in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska?
Cities & Towns in Aleutians East Borough
Explore public records for 5 cities and communities in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska.