Interior, Alaska reach agreement to improve probate process for Native families
Agreement targets case backlogs by easing access to vital records
The Department of the Interior and the Alaska Department of Health have signed a memorandum of understanding to improve probate services for Alaska Native communities, according to a DOI press release. The agreement aims to address a backlog of probate cases by strengthening coordination and improving access to vital records needed to process cases.
The agreement establishes a framework for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to obtain records from the Alaska Division of Public Health’s Health Analytics and Vital Records Section, which are used to prepare probate case files, according to the statement. It also sets timelines for processing requests and outlines steps to improve efficiency and support increased demand for records. Officials said the goal is to reduce delays and ensure assets are returned to Alaska Native families more quickly and accurately, according to the release.