Matanuska-Susitna Borough Deed Records
Deed records in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough are filed through the Palmer Recording District and maintained by the Alaska DNR Recorder's Office. The Mat-Su Borough is the second largest borough in Alaska by population and covers a wide area north and east of Anchorage, including Palmer, Wasilla, and dozens of smaller communities. Under Alaska Statute 40.17, all deeds and land documents must be recorded with the state to be effective against third parties. The borough assessor maintains separate property tax and valuation records through an online portal. This page covers how to search deed records, where to file, and how the two offices work together.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Overview
Palmer Recording District
The Palmer Recording District is the official recording district for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. It is served by the Anchorage DNR Office at 550 West 7th Ave., Suite 108, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone (907) 269-8876. Communities covered by this recording district include Palmer, Wasilla, Houston, Sutton-Alpine, Butte, Farm Loop, Lazy Mountain, and the surrounding Mat-Su Valley area. For most residents of the borough, this is where all deed filings go.
The DNR Recorder's Office maintains the official archive of all recorded documents in the Palmer Recording District. You can search recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, deeds of trust, and plat maps through the statewide online system. Searches are free and can be done by party name, document type, or date range.
The screenshot below shows the Matanuska-Susitna Borough official website.
The Mat-Su Borough official site at matsu.gov is the starting point for borough services, assessor contact, and property tax information. Deed recording itself is handled through the state DNR system, but the borough site links to the tools you need for property research.
| Recording District | Palmer Recording District |
|---|---|
| Serving DNR Office | Anchorage DNR Office |
| Address | 550 West 7th Ave., Suite 108, Anchorage, AK 99501 |
| Phone | (907) 269-8876 |
| Borough Address | 350 E Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645 |
| Borough Phone | (907) 861-7801 |
| Borough Website | matsu.gov |
Mat-Su Borough Assessor and Property Search
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assessor's Office is responsible for property tax assessments across the entire borough. Acting Assessor Krista King heads the office, located at 350 East Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645-6488. The direct number is (907) 861-8642 and the contact email is Clyde.Eveland@matsugov.us. The office maintains assessment records for all parcels including those in Palmer, Wasilla, Knik-Fairview, Meadow Lakes, Tanaina, and all other communities in the borough.
The Mat-Su Borough runs an online property search portal at myproperty.matsugov.us. You can search by owner name, property address, or parcel ID. The portal shows current assessment values, tax information, and references to recorded documents. This is often the fastest way to confirm current ownership and get the parcel number you need before searching the DNR recording system for the full deed history.
The screenshot below shows the Mat-Su Borough online property search portal.
The Mat-Su property search portal is a well-maintained online tool that provides quick access to assessment data and parcel information for all properties in the borough.
The assessor page at matsu.gov/property-tax-and-value explains how assessments are conducted, how to appeal values, and how ownership transfers affect tax records.
The screenshot below shows the Mat-Su Borough property tax and assessment page.
The property tax and assessment page gives property owners the information they need about valuation cycles, appeal deadlines, and how deed transfers are processed through the assessor's office.
Borough Clerk and Official Records
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Clerk's Office is at 350 E. Dahlia Ave., Palmer, AK 99645. The clerk maintains official borough records, supports the Assembly, and handles elections. While deed recording itself goes through the DNR Palmer Recording District, the borough clerk's office can direct you to the right resources if you're not sure where to start.
The screenshot below shows the Mat-Su Borough Clerk's Office page.
The borough clerk's office at matsu.gov/departments/borough-clerk handles official borough records but refers deed recording questions to the Alaska DNR Palmer Recording District and Anchorage DNR office.
Note: The borough clerk does not record deeds. All real property document recording in Mat-Su Borough goes through the Palmer Recording District at the Alaska DNR. Contact the Anchorage DNR office at (907) 269-8876 for recording questions.
Searching Mat-Su Borough Deed Records
Mat-Su Borough residents and title researchers have several tools for searching deed records. The DNR online system at dnr.alaska.gov/ssd/recoff covers all recorded documents in the Palmer Recording District. You can search by party name, legal description, or document type. This system is the most complete source for deed history going back many years.
The Mat-Su property search portal at myproperty.matsugov.us is faster for basic ownership confirmation and current assessment data. It's linked to the recorded document system, so you can get a parcel number and then search the DNR system for the full deed chain. Both tools are free to use.
For GIS-based parcel searches, the Alaska Mapper at mapper.dnr.alaska.gov shows parcel boundaries across the Mat-Su Valley and links to recorded document references. This is useful for properties in rural parts of the borough where address-based searches may not work well.
Electronic recording through the DNR's e-recording system is widely used by title companies in the Mat-Su area. It allows documents to be submitted and recorded quickly without mail delays. Many Mat-Su real estate transactions use e-recording for efficiency.
Recording Requirements for Mat-Su Deeds
Deeds recorded in the Palmer Recording District must follow the state format rules at the document preparation page. Required elements include proper margins, legible text, full grantor and grantee names, a complete legal description matching the recorded plat, and a notarized grantor signature. Documents that don't meet format standards can be rejected or accepted with a non-standard notation.
The fee schedule covers recording costs statewide. Standard fees apply per document. Certified copy fees are additional per page. The FAQ page answers common questions about recording procedures, how to check document status, and what to do if a document is rejected.
Mat-Su Borough has experienced significant growth over the past two decades, and the Palmer Recording District handles a large volume of transactions. Most residential sales go through a title company that handles the recording step. For transfers not handled by a title company, the DNR preparation guidelines and fee schedule give all the information needed to file on your own.
Note: Filing fees and recording procedures can change. Always confirm current fees at dnr.alaska.gov/ssd/recoff/Fees before submitting documents. Fees paid on a rejected document may not be refunded.
Cities in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough includes the cities of Palmer and Wasilla, plus several large census-designated places. All properties in the borough use the Palmer Recording District for deed filings.
Nearby Boroughs and Census Areas
These areas border or are near the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Each uses its own recording district for deed filings.