Alaska Stat. § 34.03. § 34.03.340
Service of process
Operative Text
If a landlord is not a resident of this state or is a corporation not authorized to do business in this state and engages in any conduct in this state governed by this chapter, or engages in a transaction subject to this chapter, the landlord may designate an agent upon whom service of process may be made in this state. The agent shall be a resident of this state or a corporation authorized to do business in this state. The agent shall be the same person designated under AS 34.03.080. The designation shall be in writing and filed with the commissioner of commerce, community, and economic development. If no designation is made and filed or if process cannot be served in this state upon the designated agent, process may be served upon the commissioner of commerce, community, and economic development, but the service upon the commissioner is not effective unless the plaintiff or petitioner immediately mails a copy of the process and pleadings by certified or registered mail to the defendant or respondent at the last ascertainable address of the defendant or respondent. An affidavit of compliance with this section shall be filed with the clerk of the court having jurisdiction on or before the return day for the process, if any, or within any further time allowed by the court.
Alaska Statutes § 34.03.340 establishes how legal papers (process) can be formally delivered to an out-of-state landlord or a corporation not authorized to do business in Alaska. Such a landlord may name a registered agent—a resident or authorized corporation in Alaska—to receive legal documents on their behalf, and that designation must be filed in writing with the Alaska Commissioner of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. If no agent is designated or the agent cannot be served, process may instead be served on the Commissioner, but only if the party initiating the legal action immediately sends a copy of the documents by certified or registered mail to the landlord's last known address. An affidavit confirming compliance with these steps must be filed with the appropriate court by the return date or within any additional time the court allows.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Out-of-state landlords and foreign corporations operating rental property in Alaska under AS 34.03.340 generally keep a designated in-state agent on file with the Commissioner of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development—and that agent should be the same person named under AS 34.03.080. Compliant operators ensure the designation is in writing, properly filed, and kept current so that legal process can be received without delay. Maintaining an active, reachable agent helps avoid a situation where service defaults to the Commissioner, which can complicate the landlord's ability to respond to legal proceedings in a timely manner.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under AS 34.03.340, tenants and other parties who need to serve legal process on an out-of-state landlord have a defined pathway: first check whether the landlord has filed a designated agent with the Alaska Commissioner of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, and attempt service there. If no agent is on file or service on the agent fails, Alaska law permits service on the Commissioner directly, provided a copy of the process and pleadings is immediately sent to the landlord's last known address by certified or registered mail. Tenants navigating this process may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Alaska civil procedure to understand the affidavit and filing requirements that accompany service under this section.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation