The Anchorage court has made some changes to protect public and staff health during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include allowing people to:

• file petitions by email,
• use an e-signature if you can’t print and scan,
• not use a notary if you can’t get your signature notarized,
• participate in hearings by telephone or Zoom until further notice.

See the options to request a domestic violence protective order.

You can file:

• by email: ANC_dv@akcourts.gov (8:00 a.m. – 8 pm Monday – Friday, 12 pm – 8 pm Saturday and Sunday and holidays), or
• by fax: (907) 265-0104, or
• at the Boney Courthouse, 303 K Street.

If you are unable to print and sign the petition, and are filing by email, you may e-sign by typing “s/ [insert your name]/”. This will look like:

If you do not have access to a notary, fill out TF-835 Self-Certification (No Notary Available), and include the completed form with your petition.

You can pick up the petition at the domestic violence office in the Boney Courthouse, 303 K Street. If you feel safe filling out the petition outside the courthouse that may be a good idea during the COVID-19 pandemic. But if you feel safer, you can fill out the petition in the courthouse.

Some judges will notify you that your hearing will be by Zoom video remote. You will be given instructions on how the hearing will work.

If your hearing is not by Zoom, you should participate by phone until further notice. Make sure to include your phone number and email address in your paperwork if it is safe to contact for the court to contact you by those methods. If you know the address and email for the other person, put that on your paperwork too.

Short-term hearing

The court may call the petitioner for the hearing on the request for a short-term protective order. Sometimes the judge may rule on the petition without a hearing.

Long-term hearing

Both the petitioner and the respondent, and any attorneys, should participate by Zoom or phone in the hearing on the request for a long-term protective orders if possible.

If by phone, call 1-800-768-2983, access code: 2640015#. This will connect you to courtroom B-15 at the Boney Courthouse. Remember to mute your phone until your case is called, and when it is your turn to talk try not to use the speaker function because it makes it very hard to hear you.

If by Zoom, you will be given information on how to connect.

Before your hearing, file all exhibits like photos or copies of text messages with the Notice of Filing Form, SHC-1605 Word | PDF. Include the case name and case number. File the exhibits and the Notice of Filing by email at: ANC_dv@akcourts.gov. Be aware the other side has a right to see all exhibits and they will likely be sent by email.

In civil cases, you should appear by phone or video unless you ask the court before your hearing if you want to come in person alone or with a support person. You can ask during your short-term hearing or file Motion, CIV-805, and make the title “Motion to Attend in Person” or “Motion for Zoom hearing.” Attach an Order on Motion, CIV-820.

The court system is trying to minimize the number of people in public spaces. If you want to bring someone with you, ask the judge in your “Motion to Attend in Person.”

See the options to request a protective order.

To reduce the number of people in courthouses, file the following documents by email or fax if possible:

• the document to start your case, called a Petition;
• a Motion or Request to ask the court to order something in an openprotective order case; or
• all other documents in open cases

You can read how to file by email or fax at Email and Fax Filing Instructions.

There is no filing fee for petitions to start a domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault protective order case. There is also no fee for any filing in a protective order case.

You can read how to file by email or fax at Email and Fax Filing Instructions.

If you are unable to print and sign the petition, and are filing by email, you may e-sign by typing “s/ [insert your name]/”. This will look like:

If you do not have access to a notary, fill out TF-835 Self-Certification (No Notary Available), and include the completed form with your petition.

The courts are operating but the processes have been changed so you can take care of your court business by phone or email if possible.

If you CANNOT safely file by email, fax, or by mail, check with your local court about their hours and procedures to go to the courthouse in person at Trial Court Locations & Hours.

Even if your court is open (or you are going to a court that requires appointments and you have an appointment), you may not enter a courthouse under certain circumstances, such as being sick. Read the current guidelines in the Visitor Alert.

Some judges will notify you that your hearing will be by Zoom video remote. You will be given instructions on how the hearing will work.

If your hearing is not by Zoom, you may participate by phone until further notice. Make sure to include your phone number and email address if it is safe for the court to contact you by those methods. If you are not called at the time of your hearing, you can call into your hearing. You can find your local courthouse number in the Court Directory.

Some courts are ONLY allowing people to attend hearings by phone, so check with your local court before attending in person: Court Directory.

Before your hearing, file all exhibits like photos or copies of text messages with the Notice of Filing, SHC-1605 Word | PDF that includes the case name and case number. You can file by email, U.S. mail, or in-person.

You can read how to file by email or fax at Email and Fax Filing Instructions.

If you realize during the hearing that there is important evidence to provide, ask the judge if you can send it by email or text at that time. If the judge agrees, he or she will give you an email address to send the evidence in during the hearing for consideration. Your judge may not allow this, so it is best to try to submit all evidence before court.