Alaska Court System Trial Courts

You should appear in person, by phone or video according to what the scheduling notice provides.

If you want to appear a different way, you can ask the judge during a hearing or file a motion asking the judge to allow you to appear a different way. Read about motions.

If you appear by phone or video in a criminal or juvenile case, the court will work to help you have a confidential way to talk to your lawyer during the hearing, if you need to.

You can find phone numbers to call into a court hearing at "Telephonic Hearings and Conference Lines." If the hearing is by Zoom, the scheduling notice will include the Zoom link and passcode information.

There are different ways that the public can observe a hearing.

• Watch in-person in the courtroom. See court calendars and courthouse locations.
• Watch on Court's Livestream page
  • Some hearings are live-streamed on the Alaska Court System’s live-stream webpage. The video will not be saved or available after the proceeding ends.
  • See Photographing, Filming, Recording, or Streaming a Court Proceeding.
• Request the audio recording for a hearing
  • For a hearing that already happened, you can request a copy of the audio recording. Please use one of the audio recording request forms listed below, and include a $20.00 payment.
    • Anchorage, Saint Paul Island, and Sand Point: TF-304 ANCH
    • Fairbanks: TF-304 FBKS
    • Palmer: TF-304 PA
    • All Other Locations: TF-304

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

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. The person receiving the certified mail must sign the green card showing receipt of the mail. 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.