About Big Horn County
Big Horn County is located in north-central Wyoming, encompassing approximately 3,137 square miles of diverse terrain ranging from the Bighorn Basin to portions of the Bighorn Mountains. The county seat is Basin, a small town serving as the administrative center with a population of approximately 1,200 residents. As of the 2020 Census, Big Horn County had a total population of approximately 11,500 people, making it one of Wyoming's smaller counties by population.
The county was created in 1896 from portions of Fremont, Johnson, and Sheridan counties and named after the Bighorn River and Bighorn Mountains. Major communities include Basin, Greybull, Lovell, Burlington, and Manderson. A significant portion of Big Horn County includes the Wind River Indian Reservation, home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, which creates unique jurisdictional considerations for public records and law enforcement.
The county is known for its rich paleontological resources, including dinosaur fossils, and the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area forms part of its western boundary. The Big Horn County Courthouse at 420 West C Street in Basin houses key county offices including the County Clerk, County Recorder, County Assessor, and County Treasurer. The economy traditionally relies on agriculture, ranching, energy extraction, and increasingly tourism.
The Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site, a National Historic Landmark, showcases over 10,000 years of human history through petroglyphs and pictographs. Big Horn County offers residents and researchers access to public records through various county offices, though geographic distances and limited online resources can present challenges for those seeking immediate digital access.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. It operates the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is involved in community policing and offers programs such as crime prevention and public safety education. The Sheriff's Office also has divisions that handle investigations, patrol, and emergency response.
Police Departments
In addition to the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in the county includes municipal police departments such as the Lovell Police Department and the Greybull Police Department. These agencies have jurisdiction within their respective city limits and work in coordination with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and investigations. They handle local law enforcement duties, including traffic enforcement and community policing.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office, located at 420 West C Street in Basin, Wyoming 82410, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (307) 568-2321 and maintains responsibility for patrol, criminal investigations, civil process service, and operation of the county detention facility.
- Mugshots and booking photographs are generally available through the same public records request process, though the Sheriff's Office may charge reasonable copying fees.
- Response times for public records requests vary, but Wyoming law requires agencies to respond within a reasonable time, typically interpreted as within three business days for acknowledgment.
The Big Horn County Detention Center houses inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences, and current inmate information can typically be obtained by calling the Sheriff's Office directly, as Big Horn County does not maintain a comprehensive online inmate roster. Municipal police departments operate within incorporated towns: the Basin Police Department serves Basin, the Greybull Police Department serves Greybull, and the Lovell Police Department serves Lovell, each handling law enforcement matters within their respective city limits. Arrest records and booking information in Big Horn County are considered public records under Wyoming Statute § 16-4-201 through § 16-4-205, the Wyoming Public Records Act, which establishes that all public records are open for inspection by any person unless specifically exempted by law.
To request arrest records, citizens should submit a written request to the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office or the appropriate municipal police department, specifying the individual's name and approximate date of arrest. Due to the presence of the Wind River Indian Reservation within county boundaries, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement Services and tribal police departments have concurrent jurisdiction over certain areas and populations, creating a complex law enforcement landscape. Individuals seeking records related to incidents on tribal lands may need to contact tribal authorities separately.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Big Horn County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. The Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records. Residents can conduct background checks through the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, which provides statewide criminal history information. The Wyoming Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for residents seeking comprehensive background checks.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Big Horn County are maintained by the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office. Residents and attorneys can request these records by contacting the office directly. Arrest records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking details. The Wyoming Public Records Act governs access to these records, ensuring transparency and public access while protecting sensitive information.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Big Horn County Detention Center is the primary facility for housing inmates in the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and entering the individual's information into the system. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office for those seeking information on current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule in advance and adhere to strict guidelines.
- The bond process follows Wyoming state law, allowing for cash or surety bonds, and individuals can find information on recently arrested persons through the Sheriff's Office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Big Horn County are taken and retained by the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. While there is no specific Wyoming law for mugshot removal, individuals can request corrections if inaccuracies are found. Mugshots may also be available through third-party websites, though the official source remains the Sheriff's Office.
Courts & Case Records
Big Horn County is served by the Fifth Judicial District Court of Wyoming, with the Big Horn County Courthouse located at 420 West C Street, Basin, Wyoming 82410, phone (307) 568-2357. The District Court has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $7,000, domestic relations including divorce and child custody, probate matters, juvenile cases, and appeals from lower courts.
- The clerk's office charges fees for certified copies, typically $3.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.
- Remote access to electronic court records may involve additional fees.
- Municipal courts in Basin, Greybull, and Lovell handle city ordinance violations, and records for these courts must be requested directly from each county.
Big Horn County Circuit Court, also located in the Basin courthouse, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $50,000, small claims up to $6,000, protective orders, preliminary hearings in felony cases, and traffic violations. Justice of the Peace Courts operate in Basin, Greybull, and Lovell, handling minor criminal matters, traffic tickets, and preliminary hearings. The Wyoming Judicial Branch provides online access to court records through the Wyoming Court Records Search system, available at wyomingcourtrecords.net, though not all case types may be available online and some records are restricted by statute or court order.
Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney, and view dockets, judgments, and filed documents for many cases. Access to court records is governed by Wyoming Statute § 1-39-101 et seq. and Uniform Rules for District Courts, which establish presumptive public access while protecting certain confidential information such as juvenile records, mental health proceedings, and sealed adoption records.
In-person research at the courthouse is free, though staff assistance with extensive searches may be limited.
Property & Public Records
The Big Horn County Clerk's Office, located at 420 West C Street in Basin, Wyoming 82410, phone (307) 568-2357, serves as the official recorder of documents and maintains land records, deeds, mortgages, liens, military discharge papers (DD-214s), UCC financing statements, and plat maps. The Clerk's recording duties are established under Wyoming Statute § 18-3-401 et seq., which requires the county clerk to record various instruments affecting real property.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost $3.00 for the first page plus $0.50 for each additional page, with additional fees for certification.
- Requests can be made in person, by mail with payment, or by phone with credit card payment for copying and shipping costs.
Recorded documents are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description, and the public may inspect these records during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Big Horn County does not currently offer a comprehensive online search portal for recorded documents, requiring interested parties to visit the courthouse in person, call the office, or submit written requests for specific document copies. The County Assessor's Office, also located in the courthouse, maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, legal descriptions, and valuation data for all real property in the county.
Property tax records can be searched and viewed at the Assessor's office, and while Wyoming counties increasingly offer online GIS mapping and property search tools, Big Horn County's online resources may be limited compared to larger Wyoming counties. The Big Horn County Treasurer's Office, phone (307) 568-2379, collects property taxes and maintains payment history records, including information on delinquent taxes and tax sales. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards for services.
Vital Records
Vital records for Big Horn County, Wyoming, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees, are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. The Big Horn County Clerk's Office at 420 West C Street, Basin, Wyoming 82410, phone (307) 568-2357, issues marriage licenses to couples planning to marry in Big Horn County and maintains records of marriages performed in the county. Wyoming law requires a marriage license application in person, and there is no waiting period or blood test requirement.
- Marriage license fees are established by county ordinance, typically around $30 to $50.
- Birth and death certificates can also be requested at the county level through the County Clerk's Office, though they may refer applicants to the state office for certified copies.
- Certified copies of birth certificates cost $16 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $14 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies.
- Processing time is typically 3-4 weeks by mail, though expedited service is available for additional fees.
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for an additional processing fee.
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Wyoming Department of Health, Vital Records Services, located at 2300 Capitol Avenue, Hathaway Building, 1st Floor, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002, phone (307) 777-7591. Under Wyoming Statute § 35-1-401 et seq., birth records are confidential for 100 years and accessible only to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order or tangible interest. Death records are public after 50 years.
Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate their eligibility to receive the record. Divorce decrees are obtained through the District Court Clerk's Office in the county where the divorce was granted, as divorce is a court proceeding rather than a vital record per se.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Big Horn County, Wyoming, involves both county-level and state-level agencies depending on the type of business activity. The Big Horn County Clerk's Office at 420 West C Street, Basin, Wyoming 82410, phone (307) 568-2357, handles the registration of trade names (DBAs or "doing business as" names) for businesses operating in the county under a name other than the owner's legal name. Trade name registrations are filed under Wyoming Statute § 40-2-101 et seq. and are public records available for inspection.
- Each county (Basin, Greybull, Lovell) maintains its own planning, zoning, and building permit processes.
The Wyoming Secretary of State's Office, located at 200 West 24th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002-0020, maintains the statewide business entity database including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other registered business entities. The Wyoming Business Portal at wyobiz.wyo.gov provides free online search capability for all registered business entities, allowing users to search by business name, registered agent, or filing number, and view current status, formation date, principal office address, and registered agent information. New business formation documents can be filed online through the same portal.
Wyoming is notable for not imposing state corporate income tax or individual income tax, making it an attractive jurisdiction for business formation. Professional licenses (for professions such as contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers) are typically issued by state-level boards and commissions rather than county offices. The Big Horn County Planning and Zoning Office, phone (307) 568-2642, handles building permits, zoning compliance, subdivision reviews, and land use planning for unincorporated areas of the county.
The Big Horn Basin Economic Development Coalition serves the region and can be contacted for business development assistance, though specific chamber of commerce organizations exist at the municipal level.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Big Horn County, Wyoming, are administered by the Big Horn County Clerk, who serves as the County Election Officer. The County Clerk's Office is located at 420 West C Street, Basin, Wyoming 82410, phone (307) 568-2357. Voter registration in Wyoming is available to U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old by election day and have resided in Wyoming for at least 30 days prior to the election. Wyoming offers online voter registration through the Wyoming Secretary of State's website at sos.wyo.gov, where eligible citizens can register or update their registration information.
- Big Horn County voter turnout in the November 2024 general election was approximately 68-72% of registered voters, consistent with Wyoming's typically strong rural turnout patterns.
- Wyoming voters may request absentee ballots for any reason; applications are available from the County Clerk's Office by phone, in person, or downloadable from the Wyoming Secretary of State's website.
- Wyoming law provides significant transparency for election administration, allowing citizens to request absentee voter lists, observe vote counting, and access detailed precinct results after elections are certified.
The deadline to register to vote is 30 days before any election in Wyoming, though same-day voter registration is available at county clerk offices and polling places on election day for those who missed the deadline, a feature that enhances accessibility. Voters in Big Horn County can find their assigned polling place by contacting the County Clerk's Office or checking the Wyoming Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool online. Big Horn County typically operates polling locations in Basin, Greybull, Lovell, Burlington, and other communities depending on precinct configurations.
Election records that are public in Wyoming include voter registration lists (with some personal information redacted), campaign finance reports filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State, candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results. Under Wyoming Statute § 22-2-119, voter registration records are public except for Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and tribal identification numbers. The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House and Senate races (Wyoming's single U.S. Representative and potentially one U.S. Senate seat), Wyoming state legislature seats, county offices, and various local positions.
Absentee ballot applications must be received by the County Clerk no later than the day before the election, though earlier application is strongly encouraged. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by election day) or delivered in person to the County Clerk by 7:00 PM on election day.
Economy & Demographics
Big Horn County's economy is historically rooted in agriculture, ranching, and natural resource extraction, with significant contributions from tourism and tribal enterprises. The county's agricultural sector focuses primarily on cattle ranching, hay production, sugar beets, barley, and dry beans, taking advantage of irrigated lands near the Bighorn and Greybull rivers. The median household income in Big Horn County is approximately $52,000 to $58,000 based on recent Census estimates, somewhat below the Wyoming state median.
Major employers include the Big Horn County government, school districts, healthcare facilities such as South Big Horn County Hospital District in Basin and North Big Horn Hospital District in Lovell, and agricultural cooperatives. The energy sector maintains a presence through oil and gas production, though at a smaller scale than Wyoming's major energy-producing counties. Bentonite mining is economically significant, with operations near Greybull supplying this clay mineral used in drilling fluids, foundry applications, and various industrial processes; the Greybull area is known as the "Bentonite Capital of the World." Tourism contributes substantially to the local economy through attractions including Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, the Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site, paleontology tourism (dinosaur fossil sites), and recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, and boating.
The Wind River Indian Reservation encompasses portions of Big Horn County, and tribal government, enterprises, and casino operations contribute to regional employment and economic activity. Unemployment rates in Big Horn County typically track close to Wyoming state averages, fluctuating between 3% and 5% in recent years depending on seasonal factors and energy market conditions. Economic development priorities include diversifying beyond traditional industries, improving broadband infrastructure in rural areas, supporting small business development, and capitalizing on outdoor recreation assets.
The county's relatively small population and remote location present challenges for workforce recruitment and business expansion.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online (via state portal) | Property: ⚠️ Limited Online (in-person preferred) | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ✅ Available (state system) | Business: ✅ Online (state database) | Elections: ✅ Online (state portal) | Overall Score: 6/10 — Big Horn County provides access to public records primarily through state-level systems and in-person courthouse visits, with limited county-specific online portals.
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Cities & Towns in Big Horn County
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