Find Homer Alaska Genealogy Records
Genealogy research in Homer, Alaska draws on records that go back to the early 1900s, when the Homer Precinct began generating its own set of vital records separate from the broader Kenai Peninsula. Birth records starting in 1905, marriage records from 1950, and death records from 1949 are all available through FamilySearch at no cost. Probate files, court records, and cemetery data round out the local picture. Homer's City Clerk and the Alaska State Archives in Juneau both hold materials that can help fill gaps when standard vital records are not enough for your family history research.
Homer Overview
FamilySearch Collections for Homer
The FamilySearch Kenai Peninsula Borough genealogy guide documents the record collections specific to the Homer Precinct. These are digitized, free collections covering a wide range of record types. For Homer research, key collections include:
- 1905-1960 Alaska, Homer Precinct, Birth Records
- 1950-1960 Alaska, Homer, Marriage Records
- 1949-1977 Alaska, Homer Precinct, Death Records
- 1938-1964 Alaska, Homer, Probate Records
- 1935-1985 Alaska, Miscellaneous Probate Records for Homer Precinct
- 1949-1959 Alaska, Homer, Court Records from the Justice Court
These records are part of the larger Alaska State Archives and FamilySearch scanning partnership. The birth records going back to 1905 are particularly valuable since Homer was established as a formal town site around that time and early homesteaders and fishermen began appearing in the official record. The death records run through 1977, much later than comparable collections in other Alaska precincts, making Homer one of the better-documented small cities in the state for genealogy purposes.
The probate records deserve special attention. The 1938-1964 collection and the 1935-1985 miscellaneous probate records together cover most of Homer's modern history. These files name heirs, creditors, and family members and often include relationships and prior residences that connect the Homer branch of a family to relatives elsewhere.
City of Homer Clerk's Office
The City of Homer Clerk's Office is located at 491 East Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska 99603. Phone: (907) 235-3130. Fax: (907) 235-3143. Email: clerk@cityofhomer-ak.gov. The clerk serves as the official record keeper for Homer city government. The office maintains city council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and public records that document the city's history going back to incorporation.
The City of Homer provides official local government information and public records contact details. See cityofhomer-ak.gov for the clerk's office hours and records request procedures.
Public records requests can be submitted under the Alaska Public Records Act. City records include building permits, business licenses, and local government documents that can confirm when a family was living in Homer and what they were doing. These are not vital records, but they fill in the picture around standard genealogy sources.
Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, Divorces
Certified copies of Homer vital records must be ordered through the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics. You can order online through VitalChek at health.alaska.gov, or visit the Anchorage office in person at 3601 C Street, Suite 128. No local Homer office issues certified copies. All vital records in Alaska go through the state system in Juneau and Anchorage.
State law governs access. Alaska Statute 18.50.290 closes birth records for 100 years from the date of birth. Alaska Statute 18.50.300 restricts death, marriage, and divorce records for 50 years from the event date. Birth records from before 1926 and other records from before 1976 are fully open to the public. Many older Homer records are already digitized and searchable at FamilySearch. A first certified copy costs $30, and additional copies are $25 each.
Homer Chapel provides funeral home records for the Homer area. Funeral home records often include names of survivors, prior residences, and military service information that is not captured in official death certificates. Contact the funeral home directly to ask about their records policy and the years they cover.
Alaska State Archives Records
The Alaska State Archives in Juneau holds Homer area records as part of its territorial collection. The archives hold the following collections relevant to Homer research:
- Naturalization records (1888-1972) for area residents
- Probate Index (1883-1960) covering Kenai Peninsula estates
- Vital Statistics (1816-1998) with birth, marriage, and death records
- Military Service Discharge Records (1898-1934) for area veterans
- Teacher records (1917-1959) documenting Homer school educators
The Research Inquiry Form on the archives website can be submitted for specific record requests. Staff can check physical holdings that have not yet been digitized. This is a useful step when you know what you need but cannot find it in the online collections.
The Alaska State Archives in Juneau holds territorial and state government records for Homer area residents going back to 1816. See archives.alaska.gov for the research inquiry form and collection guides.
Homer Family History Center
The Homer Family History Center is located at Mile 3 East Road, Homer, Alaska. Phone: 907-235-7281. The center offers free access to FamilySearch databases and genealogy research assistance. If you are new to Alaska genealogy or to FamilySearch specifically, the center can help you navigate the collections and understand what is available for the Homer area. Staff and volunteers at the center can also help you identify record types you may not have considered.
Note: The Homer Family History Center is a good first stop before committing time and money to ordering certified copies from the state. Many older records are already free and digitized at FamilySearch, and center staff can help you confirm whether a record exists before you pay for a certified copy.
Probate, Court, and Land Records
Homer probate records begin in 1938 in the FamilySearch collections. The statewide Probate Index covers 1883 to 1960 and holds about 17,000 cases. For estates filed after 1960, the Superior Court in Kenai handles current Kenai Peninsula Borough probate matters. Court records from the Homer Justice Court (1949-1959) are available at FamilySearch. Federal records for Homer are at the National Archives at Seattle, including census records and naturalization documents.
Land records for the Kenai Peninsula area are searchable through the Alaska Department of Natural Resources ALRIS system, which provides free online access to deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents. Federal land patents and homestead records are also available through Ancestry and the Bureau of Land Management's General Land Office records portal. Homer area homesteaders from the 1940s and 1950s are well documented in these collections.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Records Page
Homer is located in Kenai Peninsula Borough. The borough page covers courthouse details, FamilySearch collections, state archive resources, and records covering the entire Kenai Peninsula.
Cities in Kenai Peninsula Borough
These qualifying cities in Kenai Peninsula Borough have dedicated genealogy pages on this site: