Matanuska-Susitna County Court Records
What Is Matanuska-Susitna County Court Records
Court records in Matanuska-Susitna Borough (commonly referred to as the Mat-Su Borough) are official documents generated and maintained by the courts in connection with legal proceedings filed within their jurisdiction. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, sentencing records, and any other documentation produced during the course of litigation or adjudication.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained by the borough, such as property records, vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates), or administrative records held by the Borough Clerk. While those records are managed by borough departments, court records are created and custodied by the Alaska Court System under the authority of the Alaska Judicial Council and the Alaska Supreme Court.
The following courts currently maintain court records for matters arising in Matanuska-Susitna Borough:
- Superior Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $100,000, domestic relations (divorce, child custody, adoption), probate, and guardianship matters
- District Court — handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $100,000, small claims (up to $10,000), and traffic infractions
- Magistrate Court — handles minor offenses, arraignments, bail hearings, and small claims matters at the local level
Records maintained by these courts cover civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims matters. Pursuant to Alaska Statute § 09.25.120, public records held by state agencies and courts are presumed open to inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Are Court Records Public In Matanuska-Susitna County
Under Alaska law, the majority of court records are presumed to be public documents accessible to any member of the public. Alaska Statute § 09.25.110 establishes the right of every person to inspect and copy public records of the state, including judicial records, unless those records fall within a recognized statutory or court-rule exemption.
The following categories of court records are generally available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets and hearing schedules
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
- Probate filings and estate inventories
- Divorce decrees and custody orders (with certain personal identifiers redacted)
It is important to note the distinction between state and federal court records. Records from the United States District Court for the District of Alaska are governed by federal law and are accessible through the federal PACER system, not through Alaska state court portals. The records described throughout this page pertain exclusively to Alaska state court proceedings.
The Alaska Court System has adopted administrative rules governing public access to court records, including Alaska Rules of Administration Rule 37.5 and Rule 40, which specify which records are confidential and which are open to the public. Records that are currently sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted by court order are not available for public inspection.
How To Find Court Records in Matanuska-Susitna County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain court records from Matanuska-Susitna Borough through several methods, depending on the nature of the record sought and the level of detail required.
In-Person Requests
The most direct method of obtaining court records is to visit the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed. Court staff can assist with locating case files, providing certified copies, and directing requesters to the appropriate division.
Written or Mail Requests
Requests for copies of court records may be submitted in writing to the clerk's office. Written requests should include the full name of the parties involved, the case number (if known), the approximate filing date, and the type of record requested. Fees for copies are established by the Alaska Court System's schedule of fees.
Online Access
The Alaska Court System provides online access to case information through its CourtView public access portal, which allows members of the public to search case records without visiting a courthouse in person.
Certified Copies
Certified copies of judgments, orders, or other court documents may be requested through the clerk's office. A fee is assessed per page and per certification, as established under the Alaska Court System's current fee schedule.
How To Look Up Court Records in Matanuska-Susitna County Online?
The Alaska Court System currently maintains an online case search portal that provides public access to case information for courts throughout the state, including those serving Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Members of the public may search Alaska court cases through the CourtView Online system, which is the primary electronic portal for state court records.
CourtView Online — Search Steps:
- Navigate to the CourtView public access portal through the Alaska Court System website
- Select the search type: by party name, case number, attorney name, or judge name
- Enter the relevant search criteria in the designated fields
- Select the appropriate court location (Palmer — Matanuska-Susitna Superior/District Court)
- Review the list of matching cases returned by the system
- Select a specific case to view the docket entries, hearing dates, and case status
- Note that some documents may require an in-person visit to the clerk's office to obtain full copies
It is important to understand that a CourtView search is not equivalent to a criminal history background check. Some case records do not appear in CourtView, including certain juvenile records, sealed matters, and cases that predate electronic filing. For comprehensive background information, members of the public should contact the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
How To Search Matanuska-Susitna County Court Records for Free?
Alaska law currently guarantees the right of public inspection of court records at no charge. Under Alaska Statute § 09.25.110, any person may inspect public records during regular business hours without being required to pay a fee solely for the act of inspection. Fees are assessed only when copies are requested.
The following no-cost options are available to members of the public:
- CourtView Online Portal — The Alaska Court System's online case search tool is free to use and requires no account registration. Members of the public may search case names, docket entries, and hearing schedules at no cost through the Alaska Court System website
- In-Person Inspection at the Courthouse — Members of the public may visit the Palmer courthouse during public counter hours to inspect case files at no charge
- Borough Public Records Portal — The Matanuska-Susitna Borough public records portal provides access to borough administrative records, which are separate from court records but may be relevant to certain legal matters involving borough government
Fees are applicable when requesting printed copies, certified copies, or records that require staff research time beyond a reasonable threshold.
What's Included in a Matanuska-Susitna County Court Record?
Court records in Matanuska-Susitna Borough vary in content depending on the type of case and the court in which the matter was filed. The following outlines the typical contents by record category:
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging documents (indictment, information, or complaint)
- Arrest and booking information (as reflected in court filings)
- Bail and conditions of release orders
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts and exhibit lists
- Jury instructions and verdict forms
- Sentencing orders and probation conditions
- Appellate filings, if applicable
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint and summons
- Answers and counterclaims
- Motions and supporting memoranda
- Discovery orders
- Summary judgment rulings
- Trial transcripts and exhibits
- Final judgment and any post-judgment orders
Family Law and Domestic Relations Records:
- Divorce petitions and decrees
- Child custody and visitation orders
- Child support orders and modification filings
- Adoption decrees (some records are sealed by statute)
- Protective orders
Probate Records:
- Petitions for probate
- Wills admitted to probate
- Inventories and accountings
- Orders of distribution
Small Claims and Traffic Records:
- Complaint and notice of hearing
- Judgment for plaintiff or defendant
- Traffic citations and disposition records
How Long Does Matanuska-Susitna County Keep Court Records?
The Alaska Court System maintains court records in accordance with retention schedules established under Alaska Administrative Rule 9 and the Alaska Court System's Records Retention Schedule. Retention periods vary by case type and record category.
Current retention periods include the following general guidelines:
- Felony criminal case records — Retained permanently or for a minimum of 75 years following case closure
- Misdemeanor criminal case records — Retained for a minimum of 25 years following case closure
- Civil case records — Retained for a minimum of 10 years following final judgment; cases involving significant monetary judgments may be retained longer
- Family law and domestic relations records — Retained for a minimum of 25 years, or until the youngest child reaches the age of majority plus an additional period
- Probate records — Retained permanently in many instances, particularly where real property is involved
- Small claims records — Retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
- Traffic infraction records — Retained for a minimum of 10 years
Original paper records that have been microfilmed or digitized may be destroyed after the imaging process is verified, while the electronic or microfilm copy is retained for the full retention period. Members of the public seeking records from closed or archived cases should contact the clerk's office directly to confirm availability.
Types of Courts In Matanuska-Susitna County
The Alaska Court System operates a unified, four-tier court structure throughout the state. Courts serving Matanuska-Susitna Borough are part of the Third Judicial District. The Alaska court directory provides a complete listing of all court locations statewide.
Palmer Superior and District Court The primary courthouse serving Matanuska-Susitna Borough is located in Palmer and handles both Superior Court and District Court matters.
Palmer Superior and District Court 435 S. Denali Street, Palmer, AK 99645 (907) 746-8181 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Alaska Court System
Wasilla District Court Wasilla serves as a secondary court location within the borough for District Court matters.
Wasilla District Court 1100 E. Bogard Road, Wasilla, AK 99654 (907) 352-4500 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Alaska Court System
Court Hierarchy in Alaska:
- Magistrate Court — Entry-level; handles minor matters, arraignments, and small claims
- District Court — Handles misdemeanors, civil cases up to $100,000, and traffic matters
- Superior Court — General trial court of unlimited jurisdiction; handles felonies, major civil cases, family law, and probate
- Alaska Court of Appeals — Intermediate appellate court for criminal matters
- Alaska Supreme Court — Court of last resort; reviews all civil appeals and certain criminal matters
What Types of Cases Do Matanuska-Susitna County Courts Hear?
Each level of the court system serving Matanuska-Susitna Borough handles a defined category of cases based on subject matter and jurisdictional limits.
Superior Court:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil cases with no upper monetary limit
- Divorce, legal separation, and annulment
- Child custody, visitation, and support
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
- Guardianship and conservatorship
- Probate and estate administration
- Juvenile delinquency and child in need of aid (CINA) matters
- Appeals from District Court decisions
District Court:
- Misdemeanor criminal offenses
- Civil cases involving claims up to $100,000
- Small claims cases up to $10,000
- Traffic infractions and violations
- Domestic violence protective orders (initial filings)
- Arraignments and bail hearings for felony matters prior to Superior Court assignment
Magistrate Court:
- Minor criminal offenses and infractions
- Preliminary hearings
- Bail determinations
- Small claims matters in certain locations
How To Find a Court Docket In Matanuska-Susitna County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access docket information for Matanuska-Susitna Borough cases through the following methods:
Online via CourtView:
- Access the case search function through the Alaska Court System's portal for searching court cases
- Enter the party name or case number in the search fields
- Select the Palmer or Wasilla court location from the dropdown menu
- Open the case record to view the full docket, including filing dates, document types, and scheduled hearings
In-Person at the Courthouse: Members of the public may request docket information directly from the clerk's office at the Palmer Superior and District Court or the Wasilla District Court during public counter hours. Court staff can print docket sheets upon request; standard copy fees apply.
By Telephone: Docket information for scheduled hearings may be obtained by contacting the clerk's office by telephone during business hours.
Which Courts in Matanuska-Susitna County Are Not Courts of Record?
A "court of record" is a court whose proceedings are officially documented, preserved, and subject to review by a higher court. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and their decisions are generally subject to a trial de novo (a new trial) rather than appellate review on the record.
Under Alaska law, the Superior Court and District Court are courts of record. Pursuant to Alaska Statute § 22.10.020 and § 22.15.010, the Superior Court and District Court are established as courts of record with full authority to maintain official case files and transcripts.
Magistrate courts in Alaska, when presiding over certain minor matters, may function in a capacity that does not generate a full verbatim record. In such instances, a party dissatisfied with a magistrate's ruling may appeal to the District Court for a trial de novo rather than an appellate review of the existing record. This distinction is significant for parties considering whether to preserve issues for appeal.
At present, there are no municipal courts operating independently within Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The Palmer and Wasilla court locations both operate as part of the unified Alaska Court System, and all matters filed in those courts are subject to the record-keeping requirements applicable to courts of record under Alaska court rules.