• The courts are operating but the processes have been changed so you can take care of your court business by phone, emaill, or online.
• Some courts require an appointment for customer service. In Bethel, Fairbanks, and Utqiagvik, make an appointment using your computer, mobile phone or other mobile device if you need to come in person for court business.
• Most court hearings are remote, with participants joining by phone or Zoom.
• Check with your local court before going in person for a hearing or court business.
• There are health and safety restrictions for entering a courthouse, described below.

• Courthouse Visitor Alert
• Courthouse Safety Precautions
• General Safety Video
• Jury Duty Safety Video

The court system has provided remote access for most services and proceedings, including:

• asking questions to customer service,
• providing information to self-represented litigants,
• filing documents,
• paying filing fees,
• making online payments,
• posting bail by paying online, and
• allowing telephonic and videoconference participation for many hearings.

Call your local court if you have questions about your individual situation.

The court system has changed many aspects of its operations since March 2020 when the public health emergency began in Alaska. While the courthouses remained open continuously since the pandemic began, the goal has been to reduce the need for the public to physically come to the buildings to keep the staff and public safe. Instead, processes have been created that provide public access through telephone or videoconference to answer customer service questions, file documents, and participate in hearings. These processes to provide remote access to the courts will continue as more types of cases will be scheduled for hearings and trials. For those who must come into courthouses, the court system has safety protocols in place. Read If I go to a courthouse, what safety measures do I need to take and what measures is the court taking?

• All hearings are taking place except some jury trials:
• Trial Jury
  • Some jury proceedings, such as presumptive death trials, will continue to be held through videoconference unless a special exception is made by the presiding judge for an in-person trial.
  • All civil jury trials are suspended statewide until at least September 7, 2021, except a presiding judge may approve a jury trial in exceptional circumstances.
  • Misdemeanor criminal jury trials may resume April 19, 2021 everywhere except Anchorage and Palmer. Anchorage and Palmer will not start misdemeanor jury trials until at least May 3, 2021.
  • Class B and C felony criminal jury trials may resume June 1, 2021.
  • Class A and unclassified felony criminal jury trials are generally suspended until at least July 6, 2021.
  • The presiding judge in each district:
    • will monitor local COVID numbers and may suspend jury trials in a location if necessary to protect the public’s health. See Order No. 8259 Update Regarding Covid-19 and Criminal Jury Trials
    • can decide to allow a jury trial to move ahead during the suspension period if specific factors set out in Order No. 8259 Update Regarding Covid-19 and Criminal Jury Trials are addressed
  • Trial courts will follow the health and safety guidelines in the Alaska Court System Conducting Criminal and Civil Jury Trials, and Grand Jury During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
  • When jurors come to court, the court will take steps to protect everyone’s health. See “What changes will be made for trial Jury Duty to keep everyone safe?”
• Grand Jury
  • In-person jury service for grand jury resumed February 8, 2021 in some locations. Some courts may have grand jury by Zoom or telephone.
  • In each court location, the presiding judge will decide if public health allows for in- person grand jury proceedings.
  • In-person grand jury proceedings are currently allowed in the following locations: Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, and Fairbanks.
  • The following locations have suspended in-person grand jury proceedings: Bethel for at least the month of February.

If there is an in-person hearing, the judge will tell everyone where to sit to make sure people are far enough apart to follow social distancing guidelines. Read If I go to a courthouse, what safety measures do I need to take and what measures is the court taking?

Courts are now accepting most documents by email or fax, including the documents filed to start a case. You can read the Email and Fax Filing Instructions.

You may sign your documents electronically.

You can sign your court documents with an e-signature by typing “s” and then typing your name between forward slashes. For example:
s/Susan Jones/

If you need to have your signature notarized and do not have any access to a notary public, you can explain your situation to the court by filling out and filing the Self-Certification (No Notary Available) form.

If you do not have any access to a notary public, you can explain your situation to the court by filling out and filing:

• Self-Certification (No Notary Available) form

If you have a civil case (your case number ends with “CI”), you should send all documents to the other side by email after the case has started (there are different requirements for serving a complaint and summons to start a case). If the other side does not have email, you can mail the other side their copy.

At the end of the document you file with the court, you need to fill out the certificate of service section and state that you served the other side by email. An example.

If the document does not have a certificate of service at the end, you can add a separate Certificate of Service, SHC-1620 Word | PDF.

You are required to give the court and the other side your email address; remember to check your email regularly. If you don’t have an email address, be sure the court and the other side have your current address and check your mail regularly.

For more information about service, read about serving the other side.

Civil Rule 4 requires that the person starting the case send the other side a copy of the documents filed in court by certified mail or a process server. Usually the person receiving the certified mail must sign the green card showing receipt of the mail. During the COVID-19 pandemic, postal carriers are signing the certified mail green card instead of the person receiving the mail. The court has temporarily changed the rule to accept the green card signed by the postal carrier during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who signs the certified mail green card is only an issue if you file for a default judgment because the other side does not file an answer responding to your complaint. In that situation, the judge may ask you questions to be sure the other side knew about the court case by receiving the documents you filed. Be prepared to tell the court any information you have about the other side getting your papers. For example, if you started a divorce case and your spouse emailed you about the papers, tell the judge and attach a copy of the email to your Default Application. If you want to be sure the other side receives a copy of your documents, you can use a process server, but that costs up to $65. List of authorized process servers.

Yes. If you need to ask the court for more time you can ask the judge by filing a motion. You can read about motions.

Read about:

• Co-Parenting Guidance and Forms
• Domestic Violence Protective Orders: Anchorage Only | Statewide except Anchorage
• Evictions