Advance Directive Form

Alaska’s Advance Directive form contains information on an individual’s will and healthcare proxy choice. The first part of the form authorizes the health care attorney and specifies the permissions. The second part states specific instructions for different aspects of an individual’s health care except for euthanasia and assisted suicide authorization. The third part allows an individual to express willingness for organ donation. The fourth part specifies the individual’s instructions on their mental health treatment. The last part lets an individual designate a physician to be primarily responsible for their health care.

This form requires the signature of an individual filling out the form and one witness.

How to Order a Death Certificate

The following people can obtain a death certificate in Alaska:

• Spouse of the deceased
• Parents of the deceased
• Children of the deceased
• Sibling of the deceased when a birth certificate is provided as proof of relation
• A legal representative of the deceased family

The required information for obtaining a death certificate includes:

• Deceased full name
• Deceased date of birth
• The full legal name of father and mother of the deceased
• Place and date of death
• Relationship of the applicant to the deceased
• Phone number of the applicant
• Purpose of the request

The cost of a certificate and one certified copy is $25.00. An additional copy costs $20.00. Fees are non-refundable and cash is not accepted.

The certificate application along with the necessary information, fee, and government-issued ID of an individual making the application can be mailed to the following address:

Bureau of Vital Statistics

P.O. Box 110675

Juneau, AK 99811-0675

Digital Estate Planning Law

The HB 108 Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. The law was signed by the Governor on August 2, 2017, and became effective on October 31, 2017.

Death With Dignity Legislation or Aid-In-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death

Currently, Alaska has no available death with dignity program. The status of the law can be viewed here.

Organ Donation Registry

Alaska’s organ donation registry can be accessed here.

Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Alaska’s POLST form can be found here. This form must be completed only after a conversation with a patient or their representative. It’s necessary for patients who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a life-limiting medical condition.

Probate Laws

Information on Alaska’s legislation on a decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in the following acts:

• Title 13: Decedent’s Estates, Guardianships, Transfers, and Trusts
• Title 13, Chapter 16: Probate of Wills and Administration

Estate and Inheritance Tax

The information on Alaska’s estate and inheritance tax can be viewed in Chapter 43.31 of the Alaska Estate Tax Act.