Unorganized Borough AK Property Search

Understand the Role of the Unorganized Borough in Alaska Property Search
Access Official Survey and Plat Resources
Submission Requirements for New Plats in the Unorganized Borough
Analyze Land Use and Zoning in the Absence of Borough Oversight
Access the Land Administration System (LAS) for Detailed Property Case Files
Clarify Taxation and Assessment with the Office of the State Assessor
Use Public Information Centers for Personalized Assistance
Cross-Verify Survey Authority Boundaries
Contact Information Table for Unorganized Borough Property Search
FAQs about Unorganized Borough AK Property Search

Property ownership in Alaska presents unique opportunities and challenges—none more complex than navigating the Unorganized Borough. This vast region, covering over half of Alaska’s landmass, lacks a central borough government, making property research and land development processes distinct from those in organized areas. This article is designed to help prospective buyers, developers, surveyors, and researchers understand the Unorganized Borough AK property search process in detail.

You’ll learn how to access official land records, how to submit plats for approval, which agencies to contact, and how to explore survey data. We cover all necessary government tools and processes—not third-party websites—ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Unlike organized boroughs in Alaska, the Unorganized Borough does not have a local government authority to oversee land administration. This results in the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) serving as the platting authority under AS 40.15, as amended in 1998. This legislation makes the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW) responsible for reviewing and approving all subdivisions within these areas.

If your property or land interest lies outside of an incorporated city or organized borough, all platting activity—including surveys, subdivisions, and recordings—must go through the state.

Access Official Survey and Plat Resources

Utilize the Unorganized Borough Platting Portal

To begin a property search in the Unorganized Borough, it’s critical to understand the status of the land, including whether it has been previously surveyed or subdivided. The Alaska DNR Platting Authority hosts a dedicated page for this purpose. This site allows users to download templates, submit applications, and learn about procedures related to platting in areas without local jurisdiction.

Visit the Unorganized Borough Plats page on the DNR website to access:

Plat submittal forms
Sample plats and AutoCAD templates
Policy guidance on parcels exceeding 40 acres
Approved plat database

These resources are mandatory for anyone submitting a new plat for recordation or researching existing records within the Unorganized Borough boundaries.

Explore the Alaska Mapper for Geographic Context

Geographic visualization is essential for understanding land status, ownership, and physical characteristics. The Alaska Mapper provides an interactive GIS interface that displays:

Land ownership (state vs. federal vs. private)
Active and historic surveys
Platting authority boundaries
Leases, easements, and permits

This tool is particularly helpful for those who want to identify parcel boundaries or explore nearby land development trends within the Unorganized Borough.

Search Land Records through the Recorder’s Office

The Alaska Recorder’s Office is responsible for recording and archiving real property documents, including deeds, plat maps, and survey certificates. These records are critical when verifying chain of title or establishing the legal boundaries of a parcel.

For document searches, visit the Recorder’s Office search portal. Users can query by:

Grantor/Grantee
Document number
Recording district
Subdivision or plat name

Recorded plat maps and survey data retrieved here will reflect official state-recognized configurations, vital for lenders, buyers, and developers.

Submission Requirements for New Plats in the Unorganized Borough

Comply with AS 40.15.900

All new subdivisions must adhere to the definitions and procedures outlined in AS 40.15.900, which mandates that any division of land creating two or more lots must be approved by a designated platting authority.

The DNR Survey Section provides official documents to guide this process:

Unorganized Borough Plat Submittal Application (PDF)
Plat Certificate Template (PDF)
Policy Implementation Guide for Parcels >40 Acres

All submissions are evaluated by staff surveyors for compliance with survey accuracy, legal description, access, and land use compatibility.

Analyze Land Use and Zoning in the Absence of Borough Oversight

The Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) under the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development maintains a central database of community profiles and zoning overlays for regions within the Unorganized Borough.

Visit the DCRA’s Mapping, Analytics, and Data Resources to access:

Community Database Online
Community planning documents
Land use summaries
Infrastructure mapping

This is particularly helpful for evaluating land suitability for commercial, residential, or agricultural use where no municipal zoning authority exists.

Access the Land Administration System (LAS) for Detailed Property Case Files

The Land Administration System (LAS), managed by the DNR, offers another layer of detail through a powerful lookup tool. Users can search for approved plats in the Unorganized Borough using their file number.

Visit the LAS search tool to search land and water rights records. You can enter known case files or browse recent plat filings, such as:

Togiak Heights Subdivision
Savoonga Housing Addition
Jones Zwick Subdivision
Qacarner Miut Subdivision

These filings provide parcel-specific data including net acreage, survey block numbers, and downloadable survey abstracts.

Clarify Taxation and Assessment with the Office of the State Assessor

In regions without local assessors, the State Assessor’s Office assumes responsibility for taxation oversight. The office:

Publishes the Alaska Taxable Database
Provides educational guidance for property owners
Coordinates with local officials where applicable

To review tax rates, full value determinations, or taxable property data across the Unorganized Borough, visit the State Assessor’s homepage.

The office also offers publications such as:

Understanding Your Assessment (for property owners)
Alaska Taxable Database (for municipalities)

These tools ensure transparency in assessment practices where no local taxing authority exists.

Use Public Information Centers for Personalized Assistance

For those needing in-person guidance or official document access, the DNR Public Information Center is a primary contact point. Staff can help explain:

Land ownership designations
Plat approval timelines
Required forms and fees
Use of state land for private purposes

Visit the Public Information Center page to plan your visit or call for assistance with land management questions.

Cross-Verify Survey Authority Boundaries

Survey boundary data is critical when determining whether a parcel falls within the jurisdiction of the state’s platting authority. The State of Alaska Geoportal provides authoritative survey boundaries for the Unorganized Borough.

This dataset allows users to:

Verify platting jurisdiction
Download GIS shapefiles
Integrate with custom maps
See updates in real-time

This helps avoid delays by ensuring your project falls within the appropriate administrative boundary.

Name Address Phone Number
Alaska Department of Natural Resources – Division of Mining, Land & Water (Survey Section) 550 W 7th Ave, Suite 650, Anchorage, AK 99501‑3576 (907) 269‑8523
Unorganized Borough Platting Office 550 W 7th Ave, Suite 650, Anchorage, AK 99501‑3576 (907) 269‑8524
Alaska DNR – Public Information Center 550 W 7th Ave, Suite 1360, Anchorage, AK 99501‑3557 (907) 269‑8400
Office of the State Assessor – Division of Community & Regional Affairs 550 W 7th Ave, Suite 1650, Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 269‑4565
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development – DCRA - (907) 269‑4501

What agency is responsible for approving plats in the Unorganized Borough?

In Alaska’s Unorganized Borough, the responsibility for platting falls under the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Mining, Land and Water. This authority was granted through amendments to AS 40.15, specifically Article 4, which mandates that subdivisions outside municipalities be reviewed and approved by the state. Since there is no borough-level governance, local oversight does not exist in these areas, and the DNR serves as the sole platting authority. For full submission requirements and downloadable forms, visit the Unorganized Borough Platting Authority page.

Where can I verify land ownership and boundary data?

The most authoritative source for land status, ownership, and legal boundaries in the Unorganized Borough is the Alaska Mapper, maintained by the Department of Natural Resources. This interactive mapping system provides geographic data including public land surveys, active and historic plats, easements, and lease information. Users can overlay different data sets to gain insights on land use designations. You can explore these tools at the Alaska Mapper interface.

How do I access recorded property documents?

The Alaska Recorder’s Office offers a centralized platform to search and retrieve official recorded documents such as deeds, survey plats, and other property-related filings. This service is essential when confirming title history or verifying legal descriptions. Documents can be searched by subdivision name, recording district, grantor/grantee, or document number. Access this portal through the Recorder's Office search page.

How can I determine if a property is within state platting jurisdiction?

The Alaska State Geoportal hosts a dynamic GIS dataset specifically for identifying the boundaries of the Unorganized Borough platting authority. This dataset allows developers and landowners to verify whether their property lies within state jurisdiction, which is critical before attempting to submit plat applications or conduct surveys. This boundary dataset is available through the State of Alaska Geoportal.

Where can I find taxation data for Unorganized Borough properties?

In areas where no municipal assessor exists, the Alaska Office of the State Assessor provides oversight for property taxation and publishes data relevant to assessed property values. This office produces the Alaska Taxable Database, which compiles full value determinations, tax rates, and other relevant property tax metrics. The database supports transparency in regions without borough taxation departments. Access this resource via the Alaska Taxable Database.

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