(a) When Clerk’s Office Is Open. The clerk’s office with the clerk or a deputy in attendance shall be open during business hours on all days except judicial holidays and Saturdays.
Rule 73.The Clerk.
Last amended July 15, 1994 · Last verified July 6, 2026
In one sentenceRule 73 authorizes the clerk of court to enter certain routine orders and judgments — like attorney substitutions, defaults, and offer-of-judgment judgments — without asking a judge each time, and requires notice once an order or judgment is entered.
Full Text of Rule 73
(b) Orders by Clerk. The clerk is authorized to enter the following orders of the superior or district court without further direction by the court:
(1) Orders on consent for the substitution of attorneys.
(2) Orders on consent satisfying a judgment or an order for the payment of money, withdrawing stipulations, annulling bonds and exonerating sureties.
(3) Orders entering default for failure to plead or otherwise defend as provided in Rule 55(a).
(4) Orders upon motions and applications for issuing mesne process and issuing final process to enforce and execute judgments.
(5) Any other orders which do not require allowance or order of the court.
The clerk must forthwith notify the judge before whom the action is pending of the clerk’s action in entering any such order. Any order so entered may be suspended, altered or rescinded by the court for cause shown.
(c) Judgments by Clerk. The clerk is authorized to enter the following judgments of the superior or district court forthwith without further direction from the court:
(1) Default judgments under Rule 55(b) upon the following proof: an affidavit that the person against whom judgment is sought is not an infant or an incompetent person, and an affidavit under the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended, that defendant is not in the armed forces of the United States.
(2) Judgments on offers of judgment in the circumstances set forth in Rule 68.
(d) Notice of Orders or Judgments. Immediately upon the entry of an order or judgment, the clerk shall give notice by distributing a copy to each party who is not in default for failure to appear.
Amendment History
(Adopted by SCO 5 October 9, 1959; amended by SCO 77 effective July 30, 1965; by SCO 258 effective November 15, 1976; by SCO 289 effective January 15, 1978; by SCO 447 effective November 24, 1980; by SCO 499 effective January 18, 1982; by SCO 500 effective January 18, 1982; by SCO 554 effective April 4, 1983; and by SCO 1153 effective July 15, 1994)
Notes
Note: AS 10.06.658, as enacted by ch. 166, § 1, SLA 1988, amended Civil Rule 73 by requiring the clerk of the superior court to send a copy of an order dissolving a corporation to the commissioner of commerce and economic development.
Note: Ch. 128 SLA 2002 (HB 393), Section 3, adds a new Chapter 66 to Title 45 of the Alaska Statutes, concerning the sale of business opportunities. According to Section 4 of the Act, AS 45.66.120(b) has the effect of amending Civil Rule 73 by requiring the clerk of the court to mail a copy of an order or judgment in an action under AS 45.66.120 to the attorney general.
Plain-English Summary
The clerk's office has to stay open during business hours except on judicial holidays and Saturdays. Without any further direction from the court, the clerk can enter consent orders substituting attorneys, satisfying a judgment, withdrawing stipulations, or exonerating sureties; defaults for failing to plead or defend; orders on motions to issue process enforcing judgments; and any other order that doesn't require a judge's own decision — though the clerk must promptly tell the assigned judge about any such order, and the court can suspend, alter, or rescind it for cause. The clerk can likewise enter default judgments, on proof that the defendant isn't a minor, incompetent, or in the armed forces, and judgments on offers of judgment under Rule 68. Whenever an order or judgment is entered, the clerk has to give notice to every party who isn't in default for failing to appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the clerk of court enter a judgment without a judge signing off first?
Yes, for specific categories — default judgments meeting the rule's proof requirements and judgments on offers of judgment under Rule 68 — though the assigned judge is notified and can alter or rescind what the clerk entered.
What routine orders can the clerk enter on their own?
Consent orders like substituting attorneys or satisfying a judgment, defaults for failing to plead or defend, orders on process to enforce judgments, and any other order that doesn't need a judge's own decision.
Do I get notified when the clerk enters an order or judgment?
Yes — the clerk must give notice to every party who isn't already in default for failing to appear.
Source & verification. The rule text, Amendment History, and Notes are reproduced verbatim from the
official Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure (Alaska R. Civ. P. 73). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Alaska (Alaska Const. art. IV, § 15). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: clerk's authority Alaska civil ruledefault judgment by clerk Alaskaclerk's powers Alaska civil caseAlaska R. Civ. P. 73