Nome Census Area Property Tax Records

Nome Census Area covers a large stretch of western Alaska on the Seward Peninsula, and while the census area itself is unorganized and levies no property tax, the City of Nome within its boundaries does assess and tax property through a contract assessor. This page covers Nome Census Area property tax records including the city's assessment process, state-level resources that serve the unorganized portions of the area, and how to access deed and recording information through the Alaska DNR system.

Nome Census Area Property Tax Records and Local Tax Status

Nome Census Area, like other unorganized census areas in Alaska, does not levy a property tax at the census area level. Under AS 29.45.010, only organized municipalities have the legal authority to assess and collect property taxes. The census area is a geographic and statistical designation, not a government body with taxing power. Most of the land in Nome Census Area is outside any city limits and therefore has no local property tax obligation attached to it.

The City of Nome is different. Nome is an incorporated city with a functioning city government, and it does levy a property tax on real and personal property within city limits. The city uses a contract assessor rather than in-house staff. Appraisal Company of Alaska handles assessment for the City of Nome. Their phone number is (907) 443-6663. If you own property within Nome city limits and have questions about your assessed value, that is your first call.

For property outside Nome city limits in the surrounding census area, there is no local assessor to contact. State resources and the DNR recording system are the main options for property research in those areas.

Check this list to confirm current contact details for Appraisal Company of Alaska and any other active assessment contacts in the Nome area.

State Resources for Nome Property Tax Records

The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development provides the main state-level guidance on property taxation. Its resource desk covers legal requirements, assessment standards, exemption rules, and how property tax authority is distributed among Alaska's municipalities. For anyone in Nome Census Area who has property tax questions not answered by the City of Nome's contract assessor, the state department is the right next step.

State Assessor Dan Nelson oversees the Office of the State Assessor at 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1640, Anchorage, AK 99501. The phone is (907) 269-4501. The state assessor's office provides guidance to local assessors and contract firms, collects annual data from taxing municipalities, and estimates Full Value Determinations for areas without local assessors. For Nome Census Area as a whole, the state assessor estimates property values in the unincorporated portions to support statewide education funding calculations.

The page includes links to statutes, exemption rules, and the tax jurisdictions directory, making it a useful hub for Nome area property research.

Note: For property within Nome city limits, Appraisal Company of Alaska at (907) 443-6663 is the primary contact for assessment questions. For property outside city limits, reach the state assessor's office in Anchorage.

City of Nome Property Tax Records and Assessment

The City of Nome levies a property tax on real and personal property within city limits. Assessment work is done by Appraisal Company of Alaska under contract. This firm handles valuation of all taxable parcels in Nome, maintaining assessment records, preparing the annual roll, and responding to property owner inquiries about assessed values. To reach the assessment team for Nome, call (907) 443-6663.

All property in Nome is assessed at its full and true value as of January 1 each year. That requirement comes from AS 29.45.110, which defines full and true value as the estimated price the property would bring in an open-market sale between a willing buyer and seller, both aware of current conditions. Appraisal Company of Alaska uses standard mass appraisal methods, drawing on cost, sales comparison, and income approaches depending on the property type. In a market like Nome, where transactions are limited compared to urban Alaska, the cost approach often carries more weight.

The city assembly sets the mill rate annually through the budget process. The statewide cap of 30 mills applies under AS 29.45.090, and that limit does not cover taxes levied for bonded debt. If you want to influence the mill rate, attend public budget hearings before the assembly votes on the annual levy.

The assessment roll prepared each year is a public record under AS 29.45.160. It lists every taxable parcel in Nome, its assessed value, and the owner's name and address. Anyone can request to view the roll. Contact the City of Nome directly to get a copy or ask questions about specific parcels.

Property Tax Exemptions in Nome Census Area

Mandatory exemptions under AS 29.45.030 apply in Nome city limits just as they do across all of Alaska's taxing jurisdictions. Property owned by federal, state, and local governments is exempt. Property used by nonprofit religious, charitable, hospital, educational, and cemetery organizations is also exempt. Senior citizens who are 65 or older and own their primary home qualify for a mandatory exemption on up to $150,000 of assessed value. Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater qualify for the same benefit. Applications for these exemptions must be filed with the city's assessment contact by January 15 each year. The state reimburses the city for the revenue it loses because of these mandatory exemptions.

Optional exemptions under AS 29.45.050 may be adopted by the city council through local ordinance. These can include exemptions for personal property categories, business inventory, or up to $75,000 of assessed value on a primary residence. Contact the City of Nome to confirm which optional exemptions are currently in place. These change when the council adopts new ordinances, and what applied last year may not apply this year.

Property owned by ANCSA Native corporations in the Nome area is exempt from property tax unless the land is leased or developed for private commercial use. This exemption is mandatory under AS 29.45.030 and applies both within Nome city limits and in the surrounding unorganized census area. Many Native corporations in the Nome region hold significant land, and the distinction between exempt land and taxable leasehold interests is an important one for businesses operating on Native land.

Appealing Nome Property Tax Assessments

City of Nome property owners who disagree with their assessed value have the right to appeal under AS 29.45.190. You must file a written appeal with the Board of Equalization within 30 days of receiving your assessment notice. State the grounds: your claim may be that the value is unequal, excessive, improper, or the result of under-valuation. You cannot appeal the mill rate through this process. The rate is set by the city council and can only be challenged at budget hearings.

Start informally. Call Appraisal Company of Alaska at (907) 443-6663 and explain your concern. Contract assessors are generally responsive to direct inquiries and can review your record without requiring a formal hearing. If an error is found, a corrected notice is issued and you get a fresh 30-day appeal window. Many disputes resolve at this stage.

If you proceed to the Board of Equalization, come prepared with supporting evidence. Comparable sales, a private appraisal, or documentation of property condition that was not reflected in the assessment are all useful. The board decides based on the evidence presented. Under AS 29.45.210, you can appeal the board's decision to Superior Court. Further appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court is also available. Preserve all paperwork throughout the process.

Note: The burden of proof in a property tax appeal rests with the property owner. The assessor's value is presumed correct until you provide evidence to the contrary.

Property Records and the Nome Recording District

Deed records, mortgages, liens, easements, plat maps, and other instruments affecting real property in Nome Census Area are recorded through the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office. The DNR maintains the Nome Recording District, which covers the Seward Peninsula region. All recorded documents are indexed and available through the state recording system.

The online search portal at the DNR Recorder's Office lets you search by owner name, document type, recording number, date range, book and page, or geographic identifiers. Digital images are available for records filed since 1970. The Anchorage office at (907) 269-8875 can assist with older records and answer questions about how to use the system. Fairbanks also has a recorder's office at (907) 452-3521.

Recording a deed protects your ownership interest against later claims. An unrecorded deed is valid between the parties but may lose priority to someone who records a conflicting interest first. For property in Nome and the surrounding census area, recording promptly after any transaction is the safe approach. Title insurance companies that work in western Alaska can run searches and issue policies for Nome area transactions if you want additional protection.

Nome Census Area in the Alaska Taxable Report

Nome Census Area and the City of Nome both appear in the annual Alaska Taxable report, published by the Office of the State Assessor. The 2024 edition is the 64th volume and is the most current data available. For the City of Nome, which does levy a property tax, the report includes assessed value totals, mill rate data, and exemption information. For the unorganized portions of Nome Census Area, the state assessor estimates Full Value Determinations using valuation models.

The Full Value Determination for Nome Census Area affects education funding under AS 14.17. All school districts in Alaska, including those serving remote western Alaska communities, must make a local contribution toward their education budget equivalent to at least a 2.65-mill levy on the full and true value of taxable property. This connection between property valuation and school funding means that accurate assessment records matter even in areas without a local property tax.

The Alaska Taxable report is free to access through the Department of Commerce website and is the most comprehensive public source of property valuation and taxation data across Alaska. It is updated each year and covers all municipalities including the City of Nome.

Nearby Census Areas and Resources

Nome Census Area borders other unorganized areas of western Alaska. For property owners with interests that span multiple areas or researchers who need data on neighboring jurisdictions, these nearby pages cover adjacent locations.

• Kusilvak Census Area Property Tax Records
• Northwest Arctic Borough Property Tax Records
• Bethel Census Area Property Tax Records
• Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area Property Tax Records

The Alaska tax jurisdictions directory is the best source for current assessor and contract assessor contacts in western Alaska, including all cities that currently levy a property tax in the region.