Wyoming Public Records
The Wyoming Public Records Act (W.S. §16-4-201 through 16-4-205) states that all public records are available for inspection and copying by any public member.
Wyoming public records are the writings, documents, records, and other materials, regardless of the physical form or characteristics, that are made or received under law or in connection with the transaction of official business and preserved or maintained by a government entity.
Agencies have the right to make rules and regulations governing the procedures for requesting public records and for providing access to records.
How to Find Wyoming Public Records
The Wyoming State Archives is an excellent place to start your search for Wyoming public records. The record will likely be in the archives if it is ten to twenty years old. The website for the archives has specific instructions on how to request public records here.
The Wyoming Department of Health also provides access to vital records such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses. While there is no online ordering system, requests can be made by mail. There is a fee corresponding to the type of record you request.
For more contemporary records, it is best to contact the specific government agency that would have created or received the document in question.
Are Wyoming Public Records Available Online?
Not all public records are available online. Third-party websites are a helpful resource for finding public records, like InfoTracer. For documents that are not available online, it is generally necessary to contact the relevant government agency.
What Records are Available in Wyoming?
The Wyoming Public Records Law does not restrict what types of records can be requested.
However, some agencies may withhold records that are considered to be confidential or privileged under state or federal law.
The following is a list of some types of public records that are available in Wyoming:
- Court Records
- Birth Certificates
- Death Certificates
- Marriage Licenses
- Property Records
- Criminal Records
- Arrest Records
- Inmate Records
- And More
Several other kinds of public records may be obtained in Wyoming. For a comprehensive list, you may contact the relevant government office.
What Records are Non-Public in Wyoming?
Some records are considered confidential or exempt from disclosure and are not publicly available. The following is a list of some types of non-public records in Wyoming:
- Medical Records
- Personnel Records
- Law Enforcement Records
- Social Security Numbers
- Bank Account Numbers
- And More
Types of Public Records Available in Wyoming
Wyoming public records can take many different forms. The following is a list of some common types of public records:
Wyoming Public Criminal Records
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation is in charge of maintaining criminal records for the state. The Wyoming Criminal History Record Act requires the Division of Criminal Investigation to keep records of all criminal arrests and convictions.
The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) unit of the division is the one that provides criminal history record checks.
Specific instructions on requesting a criminal history record check are available here. Fingerprints are required to be sent along with the fee.
Police Departments and Sheriffe Office in Wyoming :
Arrest Records and Warrants
Wyoming is not an open records state which means that only law enforcement agencies and certain employers are the only ones that can access this type of public record.
If you are exempted from this law, you can request an arrest record by looking into:
- County databases
- Third-party searches
Inmate and Jail Records
The Department of Corrections manages and maintains all inmate records for people incarcerated in Wyoming.
Their website contains an offender search database that the general public can use to look up inmates. A WDOC inmate number or the first two letters of the last name are required to search.
Jails and Prisons in Wyoming :
Wyoming Background Checks
As mentioned above, the ATS unit of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation provides criminal history record checks.
Fingerprints must be sent along with the completed application and the corresponding fee. The unit only accepts checks or money orders.
It is generally completed two weeks or more from the time of the request.
How to find Sex Offenders in Wyoming
The Office of the Attorney General has an online database of all the sex offenders in Wyoming. The database is updated regularly and can be searched using a person’s name, city, county, or zip code.
The results will show the offender’s name, address, photo, charge, and sentencing information.
Wyoming Public Vital Records
The Wyoming Department of Health manages Wyoming's vital records.
They keep records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the state. The department has a Vital Statistics Unit that processes all requests for copies of vital records.
You can request a copy of a vital record by mail or in person. A completed application form and the corresponding fee are required.
Wyoming Court Records
There is no online database of Wyoming court records. The best way to obtain court records is to contact the court clerk in the county that heard the case.
The clerk will be able to provide you with copies of court documents for a fee. Certain clerks of courts have specific requirements when requesting court records, so it is best to call ahead and inquire about the process.
The State Archives can also be an excellent place to look for court records.
State Court System in Wyoming
The Wyoming court system is divided into two levels:
- Supreme Court
- District Court
Under the district court are the circuit court and municipal court. These two courts handle the majority of cases in Wyoming.
The Supreme Court is the court of last resort and hears appeals from lower courts and cases involving the constitutionality of state law.
Courts in Wyoming :
Driving Records
The Department of Transportation keeps all driving records for the state of Wyoming.
You can request a copy of your driving record by mail or in person.
If you request a driving record through mail, you need to download and fill up the Release of Driving Record & Personal Information, or you can send a written request by including the following:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Wyoming driver's license number
- Social security number
A $5 fee for each driving record request and must be sent at:
Wyoming Department of Transportation
Driver Services, Driving Records
5300 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY 82009-3340
Civil Driving Infractions
Civil driving infractions are found on a person’s driving record. They are not criminal offenses but can result in points added to your driving record.
Your driver’s license could be suspended if you accumulate too many points.
Common civil driving infractions include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Failure to yield
- Driving without insurance
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license
You can contest a civil driving infraction by requesting a hearing.
If you win the hearing, the points will be removed from your driving record. If you lose, you will have to pay the fine, and the points will remain on your record.
Wyoming License Plate Lookup
You need to fill up this form to request a license plate lookup.
Specific requests can be denied, depending on the reason for the request and if it is deemed in the public interest.
You may contact the Department of Transportation for more information about license plate lookup requests.
Wyoming Property and Asset Records Online
Each county in Wyoming has a Registry of Deeds where property records are kept.
The county assessor’s office also maintains property records and can provide information about taxes, zoning, and other topics related to property ownership.
You can search for county information using the Wyoming Association of Counties website.
Depending on the county, you may be able to search for property records online.
In some counties, you can also request copies of property deeds and other documents in person or by mail.
Important Government Agencies in Wyoming
Below are the essential government agencies in Wyoming:
- Secretary of State
- State Governor
- Wyoming State Legislature
- Wyoming Judicial Branch
- Wyoming Attorney General
- Vital Statistics Services
- Wyoming Department of Health
- Wyoming Highway Patrol
- Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office
- Wyoming Department of Transportation
- Wyoming Department of Corrections
Counties in Wyoming
- Albany
- Big Horn
- Campbell
- Carbon
- Converse
- Crook
- Fremont
- Goshen
- Hot Springs
- Johnson
- Laramie
- Lincoln
- Natrona
- Niobrara
- Park
- Platte
- Sheridan
- Sublette
- Sweetwater
- Teton
- Uinta
- Washakie
- Weston