Alaska Custody Forms — Which Court Forms You Need and When to File Them
The Core Forms You'll Need
Alaska provides free court forms through the Family Law Self-Help Center, but the sheer number of forms — and when each one applies — confuses most parents. Here's the roadmap.
DR-475: Parenting Plan
This is the central document. Every custody case in Alaska requires a completed parenting plan, whether parents agree or not. DR-475 covers four areas: communication protocols between parents and between parent and child, decision-making allocation (joint or sole legal custody), the complete parenting time schedule with holidays and summers, and financial issues including child support, PFD allocation, and tax dependency.
In a joint dissolution, both parents sign it. In a contested case, each parent can submit their own proposed DR-475, and the judge decides which provisions to adopt.
DR-305: Child Support Guidelines Affidavit
This financial disclosure form feeds the Rule 90.3 child support calculation. Each parent fills out their own, listing gross income from all sources, allowable deductions (taxes, mandatory retirement, health insurance premiums capped at 10% of income, prior child support obligations), and work-related childcare costs. The court uses these figures to calculate the support amount.
The form also asks for the number of overnights each parent will have under the proposed schedule — that number determines whether the calculation uses primary custody math (under 110 overnights for the non-custodial parent) or shared custody math (110+ for each parent).
DR-150: Child Custody Jurisdiction Affidavit
This establishes that Alaska has jurisdiction over custody decisions under the UCCJEA (AS 25.30.300). The usual rule is that the child must have lived in Alaska for at least six consecutive months before filing (or since birth for infants under six months), but limited exceptions can apply, including an emergency reason for Alaska to decide custody. Filed at case initiation.
DR-455: Motion for Interim Custody and Child Support
Filed when a parent needs temporary custody orders while the case is pending. Must be accompanied by a supporting affidavit detailing the child's current living arrangement and why temporary orders are needed. The other parent has 10 days to file an opposition (13 if served by mail).
DR-965: Best Interests Affidavit
A notarized document where each parent addresses the nine statutory best-interests factors under AS 25.24.150(c) with specific evidence. This is your primary opportunity to show the judge how your proposed custody arrangement serves the child.
Forms for Specific Situations
Unmarried parents: Start a custody case instead of a dissolution packet. If the parents do not agree, file a Complaint for Custody (Form DR-420); parents who agree can use the Uncontested Complaint for Custody of Minor Children Packet (SHC-PAC10). Paternity may need to be established as part of the case if the father's name isn't on the birth certificate.
Modifications: Use Form DR-700 (Motion to Modify Custody) when seeking to change an existing order. Uncontested modifications are free to file; contested ones carry a $75 fee.
Mediation: Form MED-405 requests court-sponsored parenting plan dispute resolution — a free, court-funded mediation service.
Parenting coordinator objections: Form SHC-1811 is used to object to a Parenting Coordinator's decision. The objection must be filed within five days, and the PC's decision stays in effect until the judge rules otherwise.
Electronic Filing Through TrueFiling
Most Alaska Superior Courts now accept electronic filings through the TrueFiling portal (also called AKFile). When opening a new case, selecting the correct case type is critical — filing under the wrong type can result in rejection, and the TrueFiling processing fee is non-refundable even if the court refunds the baseline filing fee.
For audio or video evidence that TrueFiling can't process, use the ZendTo secure upload platform, then file a Notice of Filing (Form TF-199) through TrueFiling so the judge knows to look for it.
Free Download
Get the Alaska — Parenting Plan Starter Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
The Filing Fee
The initial custody or divorce filing fee is $250. Parents who can't afford it can request a waiver using Form TF-920. Modifications filed by agreement are free; contested modifications cost $75.
The Alaska Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes worksheets that map directly to DR-475's four sections and DR-305's financial disclosures, so you can organize your information before filling in the official forms.
Get Your Free Alaska — Parenting Plan Starter Checklist
Download the Alaska — Parenting Plan Starter Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.