Court Docket Records in Chugach Census Area
Chugach Census Area court docket records are maintained through Alaska's Third Judicial District, with court proceedings handled through both Cordova and Valdez. If you need to search a case or get copies of court filings from this census area, those requests go through one of these two District Courts, or to the Anchorage Superior Court for larger matters. CourtView gives you free online access to docket information for all Alaska trial courts, including those serving the Chugach Census Area.
Chugach Census Area Overview
Chugach Census Area Court Docket Search
The Chugach Census Area was formed in 2019 when the former Valdez-Cordova Census Area was divided. Court docket records for this area are split between two District Court locations: Cordova and Valdez. The Cordova District Court is listed at courts.alaska.gov/courtdir/3co.htm. The Valdez District Court is at P.O. Box 480, Valdez, AK 99686, phone (907) 835-2266, and its directory listing is at courts.alaska.gov/courtdir/3va.htm.
Both courts handle misdemeanors, civil disputes up to $100,000, small claims up to $10,000, traffic violations, and preliminary felony hearings. Felony cases, domestic relations matters, probate, and civil cases over $100,000 are handled by the Superior Court in Anchorage. Residents of the Chugach Census Area who are involved in Superior Court cases file those cases at the Nesbett Courthouse in Anchorage. The Alaska Court System website at courts.alaska.gov is the central hub for all court information and forms.
The public records overview for this area at
The public records center overview for Chugach at
Use CourtView at courts.alaska.gov/main/search-cases.htm to search Chugach Census Area court docket records online. Select the trial courts option and enter a party name, case number, or citation. For Valdez cases, case numbers use the prefix "3VA." For Cordova, the prefix is "3CO." Both fall under the Third Judicial District. If you know the case was handled in Anchorage at the Superior Court level, search using the prefix "3AN." Search by last name and first name for party searches. Try common nicknames and spelling variations if your first attempt returns nothing. For businesses or companies, search the name in the Company Name field, then again in the Last Name field. CourtView returns up to 500 results per query. If you get too many hits, add a date range or filter by case type. The system shows case titles, parties, docket entry dates, and case status, but not the text of the filed documents themselves. Note: Due to staffing levels, records requests at the Valdez court can take 4-6 weeks to process. Plan ahead if you need documents for legal proceedings. The Cordova District Court directory page at courts.alaska.gov/courtdir/3co.htm provides contact information for the court serving the Cordova side of the Chugach Census Area.
Valdez District Court
P.O. Box 480, Valdez, AK 99686
Valdez Phone
(907) 835-2266
Cordova District Court
See courts.alaska.gov/courtdir/3co.htm
Superior Court
Nesbett Courthouse, Anchorage (Third District)
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
How to Search Chugach Census Area Court Docket Records
What Chugach Census Area Court Docket Records Contain
Chugach Census Area court docket records from the Cordova and Valdez District Courts include a range of case types. Criminal dockets cover misdemeanor charges, ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings on felony matters. Civil dockets show small claims cases, contract disputes, and civil matters within the District Court's jurisdiction. Traffic cases and minor offense citations also appear in the docket system. For each case, the docket lists the case number, party names, judge or magistrate, and a chronological log of filings and hearing dates.
Family law cases involving residents of the Chugach Census Area that require Superior Court jurisdiction are filed in Anchorage. Divorce petitions, custody proceedings, child support orders, guardianship filings, and probate cases all go to the Anchorage Superior Court for this area. Those cases appear in CourtView under the "3AN" prefix. You can search them the same way as local Cordova or Valdez cases.
Some records are not publicly available. Juvenile cases are sealed. Adoption records are confidential under AS 40.25.120. Cases where defendants were acquitted or had all charges dismissed are removed from CourtView after 60 days under AS 22.35.030. Sealed and confidential case records require specific authorization to access. These rules apply to both Cordova and Valdez courts and to Anchorage for Superior Court matters from this area.
The Valdez District Court directory at courts.alaska.gov/courtdir/3va.htm shows contact information and filing instructions for the Valdez court location serving parts of the Chugach Census Area.
Getting Copies of Chugach Census Area Court Docket Files
To request copies of case records from the Valdez District Court, mail or deliver your request to P.O. Box 480, Valdez, AK 99686. Call (907) 835-2266 to confirm the current process and whether email or fax submissions are accepted. For Cordova District Court records, check the Cordova court directory page for the current address and contact information. Use the standard TF-311 form, available at courts.alaska.gov/forms/index.htm, for all "other locations" not covered by the Anchorage, Palmer, or Fairbanks specific forms.
For cases handled at the Anchorage Superior Court level, use form TF-311 ANCH. Submit to the Nesbett Courthouse at 825 West 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501. You can also email requests to 3ANRecordsRequest@akcourts.gov or fax to (907) 264-0610.
Copy fees follow the Alaska statewide schedule. The first document costs $5, and each additional document requested at the same time is $3. Certified copies run $10 for the first copy and $3 for additional certified copies of the same document. A research fee of $30 per hour applies when no case number is provided under AS 40.25.110. The Valdez court currently takes 4-6 weeks to process mail and online records requests due to staffing. Plan well in advance for any Chugach Census Area court records you need for a deadline.
Public Access Rules for Chugach Census Area Court Dockets
Chugach Census Area court records are public under AS 40.25.110, which requires all public agency records to be open during regular office hours. The Alaska Public Records Act at AS 40.25.100 through AS 40.25.295 is the broader framework. Court-specific rules appear in Alaska Rules of Administration 37.5 through 37.8, which define what is public, confidential, or sealed. You do not need to be a party to the case to request copies of non-confidential court files.
Exceptions to public access at Cordova and Valdez courts match those applied statewide. Juvenile records are sealed. Adoption proceedings are confidential. Sealed case files are restricted to specific authorized parties. Domestic violence protective orders filed under AS 18.66.140 are excluded from the CourtView public index. Dismissed or acquitted criminal cases come off CourtView after 60 days under AS 22.35.030. Minor offense alcohol cases for defendants under 21 charged on or after October 4, 2016 are not published online under AS 04.21.078.
If a record you are looking for does not appear in CourtView, contact the court directly. Staff can search paper indexes and older records not yet in the electronic system. Even if the content of a record is restricted, the court must publicly acknowledge that a restricted record exists under Alaska Rules of Administration 37.5.
Cities in Chugach Census Area
Valdez is the largest community in the Chugach Census Area and has a qualifying population for its own page.
Cordova is the other main community in this census area. Court matters for both Cordova and Valdez residents are handled through their respective District Courts, with Superior Court matters going to Anchorage.
Nearby Boroughs
These neighboring boroughs and census areas share the Third Judicial District.