Estate Planning for Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska Property Owners
For most Fairbanks North Star Borough homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Fairbanks North Star Borough property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court. The two tools that keep a Fairbanks North Star Borough home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the DNR District Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Fairbanks North Star Borough
A transfer on death deed lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives Fairbanks North Star Borough property automatically at death, without probate. It is recorded with the DNR District Recorderduring the owner’s lifetime and can be revoked any time.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for Fairbanks Recording District are recorded with the DNR District Recorder at 3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709-4699. Phone: 907-452-3521. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (closed 2nd Wednesday of each month 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM).
Recording costs $20 base recording fee; $5 per additional page; TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt. Page count, cover sheets, and any local transfer-tax add-ons under Alaska law can change the final amount, so confirm the total with the DNR District Recorder before submitting.
Fairbanks Recording District accepts e-recording through CSC / Simplifile / ePN. E-recording available for all 34 Alaska recording districts via CSC (eRecording.com), Simplifile, and ePN (eRecording Partners Network). Individual filers submitting only a few documents annually may not qualify; most Alaska title companies are authorized e-recording submitters.
Recording Office Record
DNR District Recorder
Fairbanks Recording District
Address
3700 Airport WayFairbanks, AK 99709-4699
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (closed 2nd Wednesday of each month 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
E-recording
Available via CSC / Simplifile / ePNE-recording info →
Recording fees
| Base recording fee | $20 |
| Per additional page | $5 |
Base fee ($20) covers the first page. Each additional page is $5. Nonstandard documents (per 11 AAC 06.040) incur an additional $50 surcharge. Over six names indexed: $2 per additional name. Certification: $5/document. Conformed copy at time of recording: $2 (limit 1). Fee schedule effective July 1, 2018 (11 AAC 05.200, Register 227).
AS 40.17.030(a)(10); 11 AAC 05.200
Transfer tax
None. Alaska does not impose a state real estate transfer tax.. Transfer-on-death deeds are generally exempt (Alaska has no state or local real estate transfer tax. No exemption analysis needed.). No Alaska municipality currently imposes a local transfer tax on real property sales.
Fairbanks Recording District (District 401). Primary Fairbanks office location. Documents must specify "Fairbanks" as the recording district.
Verified June 3, 2026 · Source
A Living Trust Covers More Than One Deed
A transfer-on-death deed moves a single property. A revocable living trust holds the home, bank and investment accounts, and other assets together, so the whole estate skips the Superior Court — not just the house. For a Fairbanks North Star Borough family with more than one major asset, the trust is usually the cleaner plan.
Create a Revocable Trust in 15 minutes
Legal Sources
- AS 40.17.030(a)(10); 11 AAC 05.200
Data sourced from Alaska statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deeds and other real property documents for Fairbanks Recording District are recorded with the DNR District Recorder at 3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709-4699. Call 907-452-3521 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in Fairbanks Recording District costs $20 base recording fee; $5 per additional page; TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt. Page count, required cover sheets, and any local transfer tax can change the final total.
Fairbanks Recording District accepts electronic recording through CSC / Simplifile / ePN. E-recording available for all 34 Alaska recording districts via CSC (eRecording.com), Simplifile, and ePN (eRecording Partners Network). Individual filers submitting only a few documents annually may not qualify; most Alaska title companies are authorized e-recording submitters. Paper recording by mail or in person is also accepted.
The DNR District Recorder is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (closed 2nd Wednesday of each month 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM). Reach the office at 907-452-3521. Confirm whether walk-in or mail-in recording is preferred before you go.
Yes. Deeds recorded in Alaska must be signed in front of a notary before the DNR District Recorder will accept them. A transfer-on-death deed follows the same execution rules — see the Fairbanks Recording District signing requirements.
A transfer-on-death (TOD) deed names a beneficiary who receives the property automatically when the owner dies, without probate. The deed is recorded with the DNR District Recorderduring the owner’s lifetime. Start one with the Alaska TOD deed form.
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