About Ambler — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Northwest Arctic Borough doesn't maintain its own detention facility. When arrests occur in the region, individuals are transported to the Kotzebue Regional Jail, which the City of Kotzebue manages. Processing at the facility includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording the arrestee's personal information. Those seeking inmate information can contact the Kotzebue Regional Jail directly for lookups. Visitation policies are set by the facility itself, and anyone planning to visit should check with jail staff beforehand for current guidelines.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Northwest Arctic Borough are maintained by the Alaska State Troopers, who are responsible for law enforcement in the region. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Alaska State Troopers directly. These records typically include information such as the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and arresting agency. The Alaska Public Records Act governs access to these records, for openness and public access to government documents, including arrest records.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Northwest Arctic Borough includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by the Alaska State Troopers and the Kotzebue Police Department, depending on the jurisdiction of the offense. To run a background check in Alaska, individuals can contact the Alaska Bureau of Investigation, which provides background checks for residents.
Vital Records
The Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics, a division of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, is the custodian of birth, death, and marriage records for the state, including Ambler. Residents can obtain certified copies of these vital records by submitting a request form and the required fee to the Bureau's office in Juneau. The local Ambler Clinic may also have copies of some recent vital records for the community.
Business & Licensing Records
The Northwest Arctic Borough's Community and Economic Development Department oversees business licensing, zoning, and permitting for Ambler and the surrounding region. Any business operating in the city must obtain a valid license from the department by submitting the necessary application and fees. Beyond licensing, the department manages information on local economic development initiatives and tracks major employers in the area. Given the community's remote location and unique economy, the department is key in supporting business activity throughout the borough.
Economy & Demographics
Ambler's economy is closely tied to the mining industry, particularly the nearby Ambler Mining District, which has generated significant interest for its mineral resources. The town's residents engage in traditional subsistence activities, such as hunting, fishing, and gathering, which play a crucial role in the local economy. Other major employers in the Ambler area include the local government, the Ambler School District, and various transportation and logistics companies serving the region.
Elections & Voter Records
Voters in Ambler are served by the Alaska Division of Elections, Region 4 Office, which covers the Northwest Arctic Borough. The regional office is located at 491 Airport Road, P.O. Box 127, Nome, AK 99762, phone (907) 443-5285, though the main Division of Elections is at 2525 Gambell Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99503, phone (907) 270-2700, with the statewide website at https://www.elections.alaska.gov. Alaska offers online voter registration at https://voterregistration.alaska.gov for eligible residents; the deadline to register is 30 days before an election.
Voters must provide an Alaska driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Ambler residents vote at the Ambler polling place, typically located at Ambler School, 38 School Avenue, Ambler, AK 99786. Polling place assignments can be verified using the Division of Elections' Voter Information Portal at https://myvoterinformation.alaska.gov. Municipal elections for the City of Ambler are held on the first Tuesday in October in even-numbered years, with positions including Mayor (three-year term) and City Council members (three-year staggered terms). The next Ambler municipal election will be held in October 2026, with candidate filing occurring in late August/early September. City election information is available through the City Clerk at (907) 445-2155. Alaska's election records are highly transparent: voter registration lists (excluding birthdates and full SSN) are public records available for purchase; campaign finance reports are searchable at https://aws.state.ak.us/ApocReports/CampaignDisclosure; candidate declarations and petitions are public; and precinct-level election results are published on the Division of Elections website.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Ambler voters are published by the Alaska Division of Elections (https://www.elections.alaska.gov/).S. Representative for a two-year term. Governor as part of ticket). Voters will elect members of the Alaska State Legislature including the State Senate District S (which includes Ambler) and State House District 40. Alaska voters may also consider statewide ballot measures or constitutional amendments. Absentee voting in Alaska is available through several methods: by-mail absentee ballots can be requested online at https://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/absenteeandpetitioninformation.php or by contacting the Division of Elections; applications must be received by the Saturday before Election Day (for domestic voters). Early voting is available at regional election offices beginning 15 days before Election Day. Alaska is a vote-by-mail state for many rural communities, and Ambler voters may receive ballots by mail automatically if designated as a by-mail precinct. All absentee and by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 10 days (domestic) or 15 days (overseas/military) after Election Day. Alaska uses ranked-choice voting for federal and statewide offices as of 2022, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference.
Public Records Resources for Ambler, Alaska
Official government websites for Ambler, Alaska and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov,.us, or.mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or.com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- Alaska Criminal Court SystemElectronic access to criminal and civil case filings.
- Alaska Background Check RequestsFingerprint and name-based searches of Alaska's criminal central depository.
- Alaska Inmate and Corrections RecordsRequest records of inmates incarcerated in Alaska.
- Alaska Most WantedCurrent posting of fugitives and absconders from the Division of Alaska State Troopers.
- Alaska Sex OffendersSearch the Alaska Dept. of Public Safety database of registered offenders by name or location.
- Alaska State TroopersAlaska State Troopers, traffic incident crash reports.
- Alaska Department of Fish and GameFishing licenses, hunting licenses and more.
- Alaska Attorney GeneralCivil, criminal and appellate courts.
- Alaska State Defense ForcePublic safety, disaster preparedness and more.
- Recorder's office, Alaska Department of Natural ResourcesLook up property records by Name Search, Date Search, Plat Number Search, Survey Search, MTRS Search, Subdivision Search, No Plat Subdivision Search, Document Number Search, Document Type Search, Book and Page Search, Doc. Input/UnverifiedStatus.
- Alaska Free Business License SearchAlaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development official site. This database includes over 100,000 state business licenses issued by the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. Types include sole.
- Alaska Occupational Licensing VerificationVerify professional licenses instantly online statewide in Alaska.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Ambler, Alaska?
To register to vote in Ambler, Alaska, residents can register online through the Alaska Division of Elections website, by mail, or in person at the Northwest Arctic County elections office. Alaska requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Alaska Division of Elections voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Ambler, contact the Northwest Arctic County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Ambler, Alaska?
Property records for Ambler, Alaska are maintained by the Northwest Arctic Borough Assessor's Office and the Northwest Arctic County Alaska State Recorder's Office. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Northwest Arctic County, including parcels in Ambler. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Northwest Arctic County Alaska State Recorder's Office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Alaska counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Northwest Arctic County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Ambler, Alaska?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Ambler, Alaska residents are available through both county and state offices. The Alaska Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, located in Juneau, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Alaska. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Northwest Arctic County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Northwest Arctic County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.