This is a review for the DMV location at University Center on Ingra Street…read more I had to renew my Driver's License, and decided I'd go all fancy and get a Real ID, so I checked their website to see what documents I'd need, and that's where I discovered you could make an appointment. I didn't know if having an appointment would get me seen any faster, and the next available appointment was 3 days from when I booked, but that's ok, as my license doesn't expire until end of March. The emailed instructions said to check in at the information desk, or one of the kiosks. I put in my phone number as instructed in the email, and it printed out a ticket number. I rolled my eyes aggressively at it, thinking "I could have just gotten a ticket number from the regular machine" HOWEVER, the actual second the ticket was printing out, my number was actually being called at the booth. And I also got a text message too. I go to the desk, and Shiela/Sheila was super helpful. I had an eye test, I had to answer a couple of questions, provide some documents as proof of where I live, and my Legal Permanent Resident card, and that's about all she needed, despite the fact that their website told me I'd need to bring Birth Certificate, proof of name changes etc. I in fact had a big fat envelope full of stuff, "just in case" I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. I paid my $40 and got a receipt, I think that's pretty good for Real ID. I was then directed to desk number 1 for a picture. The lady at desk number 1 was also very helpful and sweet, and she had an awesome sleeve. She checked my receipt, took my picture, even told me it was an awesome picture (I appreciate the kindness) and printed my temporary license telling me my full license card would be mailed and I'd have it in 2-3 weeks. All in all a painless experience, compared to previous visits where I've waited a very long time. Even this office seems a lot cleaner, airier, just more pleasant all round. I think back when I passed my drivers test, I took it over at the old location by Spenard. Anyway, so yeah, in and out in 15 minutes, I don't think you could beat that, so I recommend making an appointment for sure.

Downgrading my 5-star review for the DMV, sadly…read more The new location is massive and service is usually fast but...their are definitely some process issues that need to be fixed: I arrived 5 minutes early for my RealID appoint which I made weeks in advance. I got a text message the day before reminding me of this appointment and saying I needed to check in at the kiosk. So went right up to the kiosk (5 minutes early) and it gave an error, saying I was trying to check in to early, and that you can only check-in up to 10 minutes before an appointment. Huh? To make sure I was being gaslit, I re-checked my watch, and it was now 4 minutes before my appointment. 4 is less than 10 right? RIGHT? So I went and waited in line for the front desk. The snarky clerk wasn't listening to anything I was saying and simply said "Do you have a D1?!" And handed me a form to fill out. TIP: if the D1 is required...maybe have me fill one out online when I booked this appointment eons ago? I filled out the D1, and waited in line for the front desk again. I handed the D1 and the clerk didn't even recognize me. He asked if I was checked-in. I told him the whole reason I filled out a D1 is because he said I had to fill it out in order to check-in. He checked me in and I was instantly served. The process was pretty smooth from that point on. Except for one MAJOR thing: They took my driver's license, and stamped holes in it that read VOID. In return ,they gave me a printout on a piece of paper...that is ONLY good for showing cops when are pulled over. In a town like Anchorage where you ALWAYS need your ID for any and all alcohol purchases...I guess your option is to carry your insanely-valuable passport around with you until you get your RealID in 4-6 weeks? Y'all, there's gotta be a better solution to this. Here are two ideas: Idea 1: Let me keep my ID and have my ReadID shipped to the DMV. Send me a text notification when you have the RealID, and I can come in with my (non-VOID'd) ID and swap it ou. Idea 2: Get a printer to make IDs INSTANTLY, like so many DMVs in the lower 48 have. This current system just totally sucks. Choosing between carrying my Passport around and dealing with the crushing anxiety that I might lose it...or carrying a piece of paper and not being able to consume ethanol for 4-6 weeks...is a rough dilemma!

Helpful. The lady was very nice…read more It took 5 minutes to renewed registration! Make sure to make an appointment!

Consistently lame, these people; last year with a driver's license And earlier this year the Real…read moreID, NOW they sent me to their old Benson Boulevard location from Big Lake and then at the University Center counter they said I could have emailed and saved the trip .... next they supposedly can't confirm receipt of the email, so now I'm going to commute again for re-delivery for a written receipt to cover myself because I have been led to believe they are untrustworthy; what other state government in the free world has satellite offices that do the government's job with UMVs to supplement their inefficiencies and they fail to update their forms, simply unprecedenteded and their processes have yet to make common sense .... makes me wonder if their power-trips are legal and will hold up in Federal Court‽

I stopped by Auto Tags & Titles today since the DMV was closed and I hadn't received any renewal…read moreinformation in the mail. Sam helped me quickly process my registration renewal and tags, which were expiring this month. She took my information, located my registration, and I was able to pay for and renew everything on the spot and walk out with my updated tags. Highly recommend this place if you need efficient and fast registration or tag processing. Thanks again Sam!

Don't waste your time going to DMV and when you can have the pleasure of going to Auto Tags &…read moreTitles and be treated quickly and efficiently with the friendly gals here! For a very reasonable rate, they can handle all your auto issues! I waited at the DMV for two hours and finally walked out, and a friend said just go to Auto Tags & Titles on Spenatd and it's a breeze!! Thank you for that excellent referral!

If you ever need a quick and inexpensive tags, this is the place! Friendly staff to go along with…read moreit!

Of course I waited until the last day of the month to get new tags for my car- AND I couldn't stop…read moreby until 4pm so I was worried it would take forever. Not so. There were four people ahead of me in line and I was still helped and out the door in less than ten mins. I guarantee if I went to the DMV at 4pm (not sure how late the DMV is even open until) on the last day of the month I would've waited hours. The staff was so friendly and helpful and even apologized for the wait (what wait??). I paid a bit more for convenience but it is WELL worth it considering I still had a ton of errands to do after.

This is a great place. The staff were so helpful and kind. They help me with all my problems and…read morequestion. I would highly encourage this courthouse to other.

Been a couple of times and I will come a couple more. This is the state courthouse, so if you need…read morea dissolution of marriage, or will, or probate court this is the place for you. Clean place. You have to go through security and place things to get scanned, but it was a quick and painless process. Once I saw a vagrant passed out in front under some bushes. Seemed like a nice place to sleep.

I love that we have such a fabulous library out here in Chugiak/Eagle River! It's quick and easy to…read moreget a card, especially if you have a Real ID; otherwise you just need to prove residency just as you do getting RID. I'm still old school and love to peruse the books and prefer reading an actual book rather than on a device. Most recently I went in for a specific book, which I had checked online and it showed available. You can of course use the computers there to find your book or find it just as easily with your device. A brief lookup on my phone and I found it quickly!' Books, audio books, magazines, movies and a plethora of digital items to check out online as well. There is plenty of space, tables and even private rooms for study. The staff is polite and helpful to boot! One thing to make note of is you need to contact them first about donating items. They don't just take things on a whim, and definitely not a place to just dump your boom supply.

Their hours are terrible…read more .

Security is Tough!! Just wanted to see the Alaska Centers Wildlife Museum inside the federal…read morebuilding. Great gift shop with a multitude of information on the state of Alaska. Very educational and informative and free.

We were doing a walking tour and we walked into the Federal building. There was a fantastic…read moreexhibit on the Alaska land act. There was much info. We spent about 1.5 hours there. Highly recommend!

The friendly employee can have you in and out in a few minutes unless you have a clueless customer…read morein front of you. I stopped by to get some domestic postcard stamps and I was done.