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Wyoming Public Records

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives all United States citizens access to public records, but each state has its own rule and regulations.

Gaining access to these files can be complicated if you don’t have the necessary information to streamline everything.

Every state has different processes, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.

• Criminal Records
• Court Records
• Inmate Records
• Vital Records

What does the Wyoming public records law say?

The Wyoming Public Records Laws place no time limit to respond to requests, no way to enforce that requests be approved, and no way to appeal denials administratively.

By law, those who don’t live in the state can request public documents and information, and the open records law does apply to every government agency and all three government branches, the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches.

Wyoming does not provide a list of exemptions and non-designated records custodians.

To learn more about conducting a public records search, visit Wyoming.gov.

How can I access public records in Wyoming?

Some records are available online, while others require a formal request. If a request is necessary, it can be delivered by mail, email, or phone to the record-holding department.

Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you’re accessing records from multiple places. This can be done by email, mail, or phone, depending on the department where the request is submitted.

In general, a public records request should include:

• Your name
• Contact information
• The name of the document
• Details about the document
• A time frame that you would like to receive the materials by
• Document delivery method, mail or email

Wyoming Criminal Records

Criminal records are helpful when people need to do certain things like getting a job, a security clearance, or specific licenses or certifications.

When hiring independent workers like maids, caretakers, and babysitters, families also use them. Accurate criminal records are also to voter registration as inaccurate reporting can deny citizens the right to vote.

Criminal history in Wyoming is maintained forever unless it is expunged. This includes cases where charges are dismissed or where there was no prosecution.

The offender must file for an expungement to ask the court to remove it from the record. Filing for expungement does not automatically mean it will be granted. A judge will rule on the matter.

The Division of Criminal Investigation within the Office of the Attorney General maintains criminal records in the state.

What’s on a Wyoming criminal record?

Criminal records contain information regarding a person’s contact with law enforcement and the courts. This can be arrests, charges, or how a case was decided.

Some traffic violations and misdemeanors will not appear on criminal history.

Details are pulled from local police departments, local criminal courts, and the state prison system.

Where can I find Wyoming criminal records?

In Wyoming, those seeking criminal background checks need to go to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation within the office of the Attorney General. This is the designated place as the central repository for criminal history record information.

You have no guarantee that the division will give you the records you are looking for.

• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Criminal charges
• Driver license number
• Photograph/mugshot
• Fingerprints
• Current and past addresses
• Former arrest records
• Current and past warrants
• Felonies

Wyoming Inmate Records

Employers or others want to know an inmate’s status or history while incarcerated. This can be particularly important to crime victims as they may wish to object to possible parole or release.

Inmate information can include much information about the incarceration, release date, and crime.

Inmate records can also be helpful when proving to employers that offenders have served their time or had good conduct while incarcerated.

The Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) maintains inmate records in the state.

What’s on a Wyoming inmate record?

Wyoming is similar to other states in what it has on an inmate record. Once a requester gets an inmate record, they will have the information such as basic personal information such as:

• Name and aliases
• Date of Birth
• Height and weight
• DOC ID
• Booking photo
• Assigned location
• Sentence summary

Where can I find Wyoming inmate records?

You will visit the Wyoming Department of Corrections inmate locator to access an inmate record in the state.

To do a search, you would either need to know the WDOC inmate number or the first two letters of the offender’s last name. There are other search options, such as age and gender, that can be used to narrow results.

The WDOC does not charge for inmate record searches.

Wyoming Court Records

Court records are sometimes sought because of all their information about a case. This can be used in various ways but typically is used in related court cases.

For instance, a criminal court case could be used in a divorce or custody dispute or ask for stiffer penalties for another separate but related crime in Circuit Court.

There could be other reasons for requesting court files, including researching possible business partners or proceeding with adoption requests.

What’s on a Wyoming court record?

Court records include all aspects of a specific court case beginning with the initial arrest or civil court filing.

Most people find the following documents the most helpful:

• Court minutes
• Court case number
• Dockets
• Orders of the court
• Judgment documentation
• Juror information
• Witness documentation

Where can I find Wyoming court records?

Wyoming Judicial Branch doesn’t have an online tool to search for all cases.

However, it does allow for appellate case searches at the Clerk’s Office of the Wyoming Supreme Court. Someone requesting information about court records should start at the Wyoming Judicial Branch, which has all the courts listed on one page along with a link to forms and helps organizations to weave their way through the state’s judicial system.

You may need to physically go to the local court or contact the local clerk of court or county clerk by phone, email, or mail to obtain the court documents you are seeking.

Records of all court cases are kept at the local levels of courts wherever the case is heard. It is helpful if you have a docket number or the names of both parties when you are attempting to find a court case file. It may also be beneficial to know the date and year it was filed.

Although those listed on the state website tend to offer free services, there could be fees associated with copying.

Wyoming Vital Records

The Wyoming De[artment of Health maintains vital records in the state.

Wyoming’s vital records include:

• Birth Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Marriage Licenses
• Divorce Decrees

Public record requests for vital records in Wyoming will vary depending on the document you are requesting.

Wyoming Department of Health Vital Statistics Services
WYO Vital Statistics Services
Hathaway Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002

Phone number: 307-777-7591

What information do I need to request a Wyoming birth certificate?

The Request for Certified Copy of Wyoming Vital Record will ask for specific information when ordering a birth certificate.

• Full name on the birth certificate
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Parents’ full name

Where can I find a Wyoming birth certificate?

You can request a certified copy of a Wyoming birth record by completing the Request for Certified Copy of Wyoming Vital Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified birth certificate in Wyoming is $20.

What information do I need for a death certificate in Wyoming?

The Request for Certified Copy of Wyoming Vital Record will ask for specific information when ordering a copy of a death certificate.

• Full name of the deceased
• Date of death
• Place of death
• Date of birth

Where can I find a Wyoming death certificate?

You can request a certified copy of a Wyoming death record by completing the Request for Certified Copy of Wyoming Vital Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified death certificate in Wyoming is $15, and $10 for every additional copy.

What information do I need for a marriage certificate in Wyoming?

The Request for Certified Copy of Wyoming Vital Record will ask for specific information when requesting a marriage license.

• Spouses’ full name before marriage
• Date of marriage
• Place of marriage

Where can I find a Wyoming marriage certificate?

You can request a certified copy of a Wyoming marriage certificate by completing the Request for Certified Copy of Wyoming Vital Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified marriage license in Wyoming is $20.

What information do I need for a divorce certificate in Wyoming?

The Request for Certified Copy of Wyoming Vital Record will ask for specific information when requesting a marriage license.

• Spouses’ full name before marriage
• Date of divorce
• Place of divorce

Where can I find a Wyoming divorce certificate?

You can request a certified copy of a Wyoming divorce decree by completing the Request for Certified Copy of Wyoming Vital Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified divorce decree in Wyoming is $20.

Wyoming Property Records

The County Clerk’s Office maintains all property records in Wyoming.

The property records you can access include:

• Liens
• Land records
• Titles
• Appraisal information
• Property deeds
• Real estate information
• School district
• Mortgages
• Property tax assessment records
• Zoning information
• Probate

For data, parcel, and land use maps, you will need to contact the Geographic Information System(GIS) to ask about public access.

What information do I need to request property records in Wyoming?

You will need basic information to access a property record in Wyoming.

Public request forms, fee schedules, and office hours will vary depending on the County Clerk where the property record is maintained.

Where can I find a Wyoming property record?

You will need to contact where the County Clerk’s Office where the property record is maintained.

Example – Sheridan County Clerk and Recorder
Sheridan County Clerk and Recorder Public Records Requests

County Clerk and Recorder:
Eda Schunk Thompson
224 S Main St. Suite B-2
Sheridan, WY 82801

Phone number: 307-674-2500

FAQs

Can a request be submitted by non-residents of Wyoming

Whether you live in Cheyenne, Laramie, Casper, or Manhattan, you can submit a request for public documents.

Is there a records custodian in Wyoming?

The state of Wyoming does not have a records custodian for all of the state’s records.

However, the state does have a custodian for criminal records, which is the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

Because there is no public records custodian, appealing a denial is impossible without going to court.

What exemptions exist for public records requests in Wyoming?

Wyoming statutes do not provide a full list of public records exemptions.

In fact, the Wyoming open records law doesn’t even address exemptions at all.

You have the option to ask for the Attorney’s General to review the disclaimer.

How long does Wyoming have to respond to a public records request?

Wyoming does not provide a timeline for the state government to respond to public records requests.

Is there an appeals process in place for public records in Wyoming?

Wyoming Public Records Act does not designate an appeals process, .so requestors would need to take state agencies that deny them to court.

However, attorney fees for taking a public entity to court over public records access are recoverable.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in Wyoming?

Per the Wyoming state legislature, fees for the actual cost of materials to fulfill the request may be charged, but not labor. There could be additional fees from the Department of Motor Vehicles for data requested for commercial purposes.