How to Find Owners of Properties
in Alaska
Property owner lookup in Alaska is quite different because the state does not model the system adopted by other states. Instead of managing deed filings at the county or municipal level, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) oversees public land records. With this centralized system, property owner search in Alaska is easy to do. But if you prefer not to do the property background research yourself, there are professional service providers that can help you undertake the search for a fee.
Here are your options to find the owner of a property in Alaska:
Visit the Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Any deed in Alaska that transfers or involves real estate must be filed with the recording district where the property is located. The DNR has created 34 recording districts across the state, and deeds are filed with the public offices designated for these districts.
Once the deed is recorded and indexed, it becomes part of the public record, providing constructive notice of the transfer to future buyers and creditors. The DNR offers an online interactive map to help property owners identify the correct recording district and office for filing their deeds.
Is finding the owner of a property free in Alaska? Not quite. Expect to pay a minimal fee on a property owner search in Alaska, depending on the county and value of the property.
Go to Your County Assessor's Office
The county assessor is tasked with managing and updating property records for their jurisdiction, including details on ownership, property values, and land boundaries. These are public records and can be accessed by request, either in person or through online portals managed by the assessor's office.
Visiting the county assessor's office in person allows you to consult with staff who can help you locate specific documents or explain the information provided in the records.
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Turn to a Commercial Service Provider
An Alaska house owner lookup can be time-consuming, especially if you are doing it for the first time or you are out of the state. Using third-party real estate sites, such as PropertyCheckers.com, can help you find the property owner by address fast and close property deals even faster.
propertycheckers.com enables you to obtain property ownership history, with details such as the names of past and present owners, transfer dates, relevant legal documents or contracts, property's assessed value, tax history, and any liens or encumbrances.
Additional details may include property descriptions, such as the size, dimensions, and any structures or improvements on the land. A property owner search in Alaska may also yield maps, surveys, and other relevant documents for a thorough overview of the property.
Try Other Property Information Sources
Some public libraries in Alaska maintain property records for research purposes. Visiting these libraries can yield crucial property information.
The county clerk's office where the property is located can also be helpful when doing an Alaska house owner lookup.
What Are the Different Types of Property Ownership in Alaska?
When Alaska became the 49th state in 1959, almost all of its 365 million acres were federally owned. Since then, there have been significant changes in land ownership. Property owners in Alaska have various options for co-owning property.
Similar to what occurs in nearly all states, Alaska estimates when more than one individual co-owns real estate without being married, they own the property by way of tenants in common. This is a special deed that transfers real estate within Alaska to several unmarried owners and establishes what is known to be a tenancy in common until explicitly stated otherwise in the deed. Each person known as a tenant in common enjoys a percent interest in the real estate. They are free to transfer their percent ownership to another person while alive or after death by way of a will.
Alaska, unlike many states, doesn't recognize joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, often referred to simply as joint tenancy. The key distinction between joint tenancy and tenancy in common is the ability for survivorship. In joint tenancy, the interest of a deceased owner automatically transfers to the remaining owner after their death.
Understanding the various forms of ownership can help you make the right decision about selling or buying Alaska property. Also, different forms of ownership have different tax obligations.
Here is an explanation of the common forms of property ownership in Alaska:
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Sole Ownership
Sole ownership refers to property held by a single individual or entity. This is most commonly seen with a single person or a married individual who wishes to own property separately from their spouse. Sole ownership can also be held by a business or a trust. It's important to note that even if you are the sole owner, you are married, and the property is your homestead, you cannot transfer the property without your spouse's signature on the deed. Additionally, it's crucial to have a will in place for the transfer of property upon death, as sole ownership does not come with a right of survivorship.
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Tenancy by the Entirety
This form of ownership is very similar to a joint tenancy except it is limited to husbands and wives, often referred to as the unity of person. Property acquired by a husband and wife as joint tenants automatically converts to a tenancy by the entirety. A key aspect of tenancy by the entirety is that neither spouse can unilaterally terminate it; only a mutual decision can bring it to an end. One spouse cannot sell or lease their interest in the property without the other's consent.
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Tenancy in Common
Two or more individuals can hold property as tenants in common when unity of possession is established, meaning that each person has the right to occupy the property. It's important to note that tenants in common do not own specific portions of the property. Instead, they hold undivided shares in the entire estate and are entitled to occupy the whole property. A tenant in common can sell, lease, or mortgage their undivided interest. Upon the death of a tenant in common, their interest in the property is passed on to their heirs rather than to the surviving tenants in common.
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Trust Ownership
Another option for multiple owners to hold title to Alaska real estate is to transfer the property into a trust. In this scenario, those with an interest in the real estate act as beneficiaries, while the trustee of the trust, who may also be a beneficiary, oversees the property. Trusts are diverse and highly flexible, enabling the transfer of real estate outside of probate and allowing owners to retain long-term control over the property through the trust.
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Community Property
While Alaska isn't strictly classified as a state supporting community property, its law allows spouses to elect to treat their marital property like community property if they establish a community property agreement or community property trust. When a couple opts for the community property style, all the income as well as properties acquired within the marriage, except for certain exclusions such as inheritances and gifts, are considered to be community property, and each spouse holds an evenly divided interest in every bit of property.
One benefit of holding any Alaskan property as community property enables spouses to specify the property is survivorship community property. When a property is classified in this way, the full ownership is given to the spouse left alive upon the death of the other spouse. The acquisition of title through survivorship is considered non-testamentary, meaning that community property that passes to the surviving spouse does not need to go through the probate process.
Summary of Common Types of Property Ownership in Alaska
| Ownership Structure | Description | Benefits | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Ownership | Property held by a single individual or entity | Absolute control over the property | You cannot transfer the property without your spouse's signature on the deed. |
| Tenants by the Entirety | Similar to joint tenancy but is limited to husbands and wives, often referred to as the unity of person | A creditor of one spouse cannot seize their individual interest in the property, as the interest is considered indivisible.. | Property acquired by a husband and wife as joint tenants automatically converts to a tenancy by the entirety. |
| Community Property | The law allows spouses to elect to treat marital property as community property by establishing a community property agreement or community property trust. | Spouses can designate it as survivorship community property, in which case full ownership is transferred to the surviving spouse upon the death of the other spouse. | Upon divorce, the property is equally divided. |
| Tenancy in Common | Two or more owners can hold equal or unequal shares without survivorship rights. | A tenant in common can sell, lease, or mortgage their undivided interest. | Tenants in common do not own specific portions of the property; instead, they hold undivided shares in the entire estate. |
| Trust Ownership | Multiple owners hold title by transferring the property into a trust. | Trusts are diverse and highly flexible, enabling the transfer of real estate outside of probate. | The trust structure may complicate property transfer and management. |
Alaska Homeowner Lookup
- Owner(s)
- Deed Records
- Loans & Liens
- Values
- Taxes
- Building Permits
- Purchase History
- Property Details
- And More!
Common Methods of Property Transfer in Alaska
Alaska has specific demands on its deeds for real estate. Interests for land or conveyances for estates need to be made in writing and the owner must sign the document. Any owner needs to be a minimum of 18 years of age, and the deed needs to be both acknowledged as well as recorded. For the conveyance of a family house, a deed, or a homestead for a married individual, each spouse needs to be named specifically and to have signed the deed. This process must be completed whether they share the title or a specific interest in the real estate.
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Quitclaim Deed
To transfer real property, the grantor must either be of legal age or designate an agent to act on their behalf. Additionally, a quitclaim deed must include the following:
- The original signatures of the grantor or authorized agent
- A title that clearly conveys the purpose of the document
- A reference to the book and page number or serial number of the previously recorded deed
- The name and address of the person to whom the document should be returned after it has been recorded
- The names and mailing addresses of both the grantor and the grantee
- The recording district where it will be filed
- A complete legal description of the property
- The consideration paid (usually in the form of money)
- A signed and dated acknowledgment from a notary or another official authorized to administer oaths and certify signatures
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Warranty Deed
In Alaska, land can be conveyed through a deed that is signed and sealed by the grantor, acknowledged or proven, and then recorded following the law. When properly executed, such a deed is regarded as a fee simple conveyance to the grantee and their heirs and assigns, accompanied by the following assurances from the grantor:
- That at the time the warranty deed was executed, the grantor was lawfully seized of an indefeasible fee simple estate in the described premises and had the right and authority to convey them.
- That the premises were free from encumbrances at the time the deed was made and delivered.
- The grantor guarantees quiet and peaceful possession of the premises and will defend the title against any claims by others.
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Special Warranty Deed
A special warranty deed is akin to a general warranty deed, but it includes only two primary warranties: that the grantor received title to the property and the property was not encumbered while the grantor held title, unless stated otherwise in the deed.
In a special warranty deed, the grantor may add additional warranties, but these must be explicitly mentioned.
Step-by-Step Guide to Property Transfer in Alaska
Here is a detailed guide to property transfer in Alaska:
- Step 1: Get the deed for the real estate property you intend to transfer. The property deed contains essential information necessary for filling out your deed form, such as the legal description of the property.
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Step 2: The Alaska DNR website comes in handy when identifying the district where your property is located. Reach out to the office to inquire about specific filing requirements, additional documents needed, and filing fees.
If your property spans multiple districts, get in touch with each recording district office to ensure you fulfill all recording requirements.
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Step 3: Fill in the details of the property transaction, such as:
- Names and addresses of the grantors and grantees
- Legal description of the property
- Recording district where the property is situated
- Consideration accepted for the transfer
- Step 4: If the property is co-owned, the grantor and spouse are required by law to sign the deed in the presence of a notary. The notary will help review the document, sign the witness, and affix an official seal to the form. If you are required to file in multiple districts, you may need to send a certified or electronic copy of the original.
- Step 5: After having the form signed before a notary, the next step is taking it to the respective district recording office for filing. To avoid inconveniences, you may contact the recording office to set up an appointment and verify that you have all the required documents and payment receipts.
Unlike most states, Alaska does not charge a transfer or stamp tax. The only required payment during the transfer process is a fee for recording deeds, which is set at $20 for the first page and $5 for every additional page.
Alaska Homeowner Lookup
- Owner(s)
- Deed Records
- Loans & Liens
- Values
- Taxes
- Building Permits
- Purchase History
- Property Details
- And More!