About Chugach Census Area
Chugach County does not exist as a formal county in Alaska. Alaska is organized differently from other U.S. States, with only organized boroughs and the Unorganized Borough, plus unified home rule municipalities. There is no incorporated governmental entity called Chugach County. However, the Chugach Census Area is a statistical area created by the U.S. Census Bureau for data collection purposes in southcentral Alaska. Chugach County Census Area was established in 2019 as part of the Unorganized Borough and includes approximately 21,080 square miles of rugged wilderness, mountain ranges, and coastal areas. Chugach County includes portions of Chugach National Forest, Prince William Sound, and parts of the spectacular Whittier area Mountains. The 2020 Census recorded a population of approximately 7,102 residents. Chugach County has no county seat because it lacks organized county government; instead, local services are provided by the State of Alaska and small incorporated cities within the census area. Major communities include Cordova, Valdez (which lies partially in the adjacent area), Tatitlek, and Chenega Bay. Chugach County is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich Alaska Native heritage (particularly Alutiiq and Eyak peoples), commercial fishing industry, and the historic Valdez oil terminal. Because Chugach Census Area is part of Alaska's Unorganized Borough, there are no county-level offices such as a County Recorder, County Clerk, or County Assessor. Instead, state agencies and municipal governments handle governmental functions. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources manages land records, the Alaska Court System provides judicial services, and the Alaska Department of Health handles vital records.
- The Alaska Department of Natural Resources manages land records, the Alaska Court System provides judicial services, and the Alaska Department of Health handles vital records.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Chugach Census Area Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement across the unincorporated areas of the census area. This office handles a range of duties, including patrolling rural areas, responding to emergencies, and maintaining public safety.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Chugach Census Area is primarily handled by the Chugach Census Area Sheriff's Office, which oversees the unincorporated areas. City police departments, such as the Whittier Police Department, provide law enforcement services within their respective municipal boundaries. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response across the census area.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Chugach Census Area does not have a census area sheriff's office because it is not an organized census area or census area. Law enforcement services in Chugach Census Area are provided by the Alaska State Troopers, municipal police departments in incorporated cities, and Alaska Wildlife Troopers. The Alaska State Troopers maintain posts in nearby communities and provide patrol, investigations, and emergency response throughout the Unorganized Census Area, including Chugach Census Area.
- For arrest records and criminal history information in Chugach Census Area Census Area, requests must be directed to the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
- Requests can be submitted to Alaska State Troopers or the Alaska Department of Public Safety's Records and Identification Section in Anchorage.
- The Alaska Department of Corrections operates the statewide Offender Web Search at https://www.correct.state.ak.us/offender-search, which provides inmate lookup for people in state custody.
- Mugshot and booking information can be requested through Alaska State Troopers dispatch or individual municipal police departments under public records law, though availability varies by jurisdiction.
The City of Cordova operates its own Cordova Police Department, which handles law enforcement within city limits. Under Alaska Stat. § 12.62.160 and Alaska's public records law (Alaska Stat.
§ 40.25.110-220), arrest records and criminal justice information are generally accessible to the public with certain privacy exceptions. There is no dedicated Chugach Census Area jail; individuals arrested in the census area are typically transported to detention facilities in nearby boroughs such as the Cordova City Jail (limited capacity) or facilities in Anchorage or other regional hubs. Some tribal communities in Chugach Census Area may have Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs) who work in coordination with Alaska State Troopers to provide public safety services in remote villages.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Chugach Census Area includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can run background checks through the Alaska Bureau of Investigation, which provides full criminal history reports. The bureau's services are crucial for employers, landlords, and individuals seeking detailed criminal background information.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Chugach Census Area are maintained by Chugach Census Area Census Area Sheriff's Office. These records include detailed information about the arrest, such as the date, location, charges, and arresting officer's details. Residents and attorneys can request access to arrest records by submitting a formal request to the Sheriff's Office, in compliance with the Alaska Public Records Act. This act ensures transparency and public access to government records, including those related to arrests.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Chugach Census Area Detention Facility is the primary jail facility within the census area. It is responsible for the booking and housing of individuals arrested in Chugach Census Area. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup services are available through the census area's official website, allowing residents to find information about current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict security protocols.
- The bond and bail process in Alaska allows for the posting of bail through cash or bond, with specific procedures outlined by the facility If you need to secure the release of an inmate.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Chugach Census Area are taken and retained by the Chugach Census Area Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed by the public through official channels. Alaska does not have specific mugshot removal laws, meaning that once a mugshot is part of the public record, it remains accessible unless expunged through legal proceedings.
Courts & Case Records
The Chugach Census Area falls under Chugach Census Area of the Alaska Superior Court and Alaska District Court, which are part of Alaska's unified court system. There are no census area-level courts because Alaska does not use the traditional census area court structure. Chugach Census Area is served by the Third Judicial District, which covers a large portion of southcentral Alaska. The Cordova Courthouse, located at 601 First Street, Cordova, AK 99574, provides court services for residents in the Cordova area of the Whittier area Census Area.
- For court matters, contact the Third Judicial District for Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $100,000, domestic relations, probate, and appeals from District Court.
- District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, violations, small claims up to $10,000, and civil cases under $100,000.
- There is no charge for basic online searches, but certified copies and document retrieval may require fees as established by Alaska Administrative Rule 3.
- Fees typically include $10 for certification and per-page copying charges.
- Court records can also be requested in person at the Cordova Courthouse or by written request to the Clerk of Court.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for the Chugach Census Area are managed differently than in organized counties because Chugach Census Area is part of Alaska's Unorganized Census Area. There is no Census Area Recorder or Register of Deeds office specific to Chugach Census Area. Instead, land records are maintained by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land and Water, and the Alaska Recorder's Office, which serves the entire Unorganized Census Area.
- The Alaska DNR provides an online Land Records Information System at https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/land-records/ where users can search recorded documents.
- Copies of recorded documents can be ordered online or by mail with fees typically $5 for certification plus per-page copying costs.
- The Community Development Division of the Alaska Department of Commerce provides some mapping resources.
- Certified copies of recorded documents require written requests and payment of statutory fees.
The Alaska Recorder's Office is located at 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 706, Anchorage, AK 99501 This office maintains records of deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, subdivision plats, and other instruments affecting real property. Property tax assessment and collection in Chugach Census Area Census Area is handled by individual municipalities for property within their boundaries and by the State of Alaska for property outside municipal limits.
The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development maintains property tax information. For Cordova city property, contact the City of Cordova Finance Department for Alaska does not have a statewide parcel viewer system for the Unorganized Census Area, but individual communities may maintain GIS systems. Title searches and chain-of-title research typically require professional title company assistance due to the decentralized nature of records in unorganized areas.
Vital Records
Vital records for residents of the Chugach Census Area are maintained by the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics, not by a census area clerk, because Alaska's Unorganized Census Area does not have census area-level vital records offices. The Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics is located at 5441 Commercial Boulevard, Juneau, AK 99801, and also operates a location in Anchorage at 1016 West 6th Avenue, Suite 105, Anchorage, AK 99501.
- Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail or immediate for in-person requests if the record is available.
- Death certificates cost $30 for the first certified copy and $25 for additional copies, with similar processing times.
- Marriage licenses must be obtained in person from the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics or a marriage commissioner, with a fee of $60 and no waiting period or blood test required.
- Marriage certificates (certified copies of the marriage record) are available for $30.
- Online ordering for birth and death certificates is available through VitalChek at https://www.alaska.gov/dph/vitalstats/ with additional processing fees.
Birth certificates can be requested by eligible applicants (person named on certificate, parent, legal guardian, or legal representative) for a fee of $30 for the first copy and $25 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Applicants must provide valid photo identification and proof of eligibility. Divorce records are maintained by the Alaska Court System in the judicial district where the divorce was granted, not by the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
For Whittier area Census Area divorces, contact the Third Judicial District Superior Court. Alaska vital records law is codified at Alaska Stat. § 18.50.010-390.
Records are confidential with access limited to eligible persons as defined by statute. Genealogical researchers may access records older than 100 years (births) or 50 years (deaths) with fewer restrictions.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in the Chugach Census Area involves both state and local processes depending on the type of business and location. Because the census area is part of the Unorganized Census Area, there is no census area clerk maintaining centralized business filings. Business entity formation (corporations, LLCs, partnerships) is handled exclusively by the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing at 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1500, Anchorage, AK 99501
- The Cordova Chamber of Commerce at https://www.cordovachamber.com/ provides business resources and networking for the Cordova area business community.
The Alaska Corporations Database is searchable online at https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/cbp/main/search/entities providing free public access to registered business entities, officers, registered agents, and filing history. Sole proprietors and partnerships operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must file a Trade Name (DBA) registration with the state through the same division, with fees typically $50 for initial filing and $50 for renewal every two years. Business licenses in incorporated cities like Cordova require registration with the city clerk; contact the City of Cordova Clerk's Office for local business license requirements.
Alaska does not have a state sales tax, but municipalities may impose local sales taxes; Cordova levies a 7% sales tax. Professional and occupational licensing is managed by the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing with over 80 license types available at https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/cbp/. Building permits and land use approvals in the census area are issued by individual municipalities within their boundaries or by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources for unincorporated areas.