Converse County

Converse County is located in east-central Wyoming, encompassing approximately 4,255 square miles of rolling plains, high desert, and portions of the Laramie Mountains. The county seat is Douglas, a city of approximately 6,100 residents situated along the North Platte River and Interstate 25. Converse County has a total population of roughly 13,800 people according to recent census estimates. Established in 1888 and named after A.R. Converse, a prominent banker and cattleman, the county has deep roots in ranching, energy production, and transportation.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Converse County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of the county. The office oversees the Converse County Detention Center, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community outreach programs and works to ensure the safety and security of all residents. Notable divisions within the office include the patrol division, which handles routine law enforcement duties, and the investigations division, which focuses on solving crimes and gathering intelligence.

Police Departments

In addition to the Converse County Sheriff's Office, the county is served by municipal police departments, including the Douglas Police Department and the Glenrock Police Department. The Douglas Police Department handles law enforcement within the city limits of Douglas, focusing on community policing and crime prevention. The Glenrock Police Department serves the town of Glenrock, ensuring public safety and responding to local incidents.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

The Converse County Sheriff's Office, located at 107 North 5th Street, Douglas, WY 82633, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Converse County. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (307) 358-4700 and maintains responsibility for patrol operations, criminal investigations, civil process service, and operation of the Converse County Detention Center. The detention facility houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving short-term sentences.

• The Douglas Police Department provides municipal law enforcement services within the city of Douglas and can be reached at (307) 358-3060, located at 215 North 2nd Street.
• Citizens may submit public records requests to the Sheriff's Office or municipal police departments in writing, and agencies must respond within a reasonable timeframe.
• Mugshots and booking photographs are typically available through direct request to the detention center, though Wyoming does not maintain a centralized statewide mugshot database.
• Fees for copies of reports and records may apply according to the agency's established fee schedule, typically covering actual copying and administrative costs.

Criminal Records

The criminal records ecosystem in Converse County encompasses a range of documents, including felony and misdemeanor records, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Converse County Sheriff's Office and the local police departments maintain these records, which are accessible to the public under the Wyoming Public Records Act. To run a background check in Wyoming, individuals can contact the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, which provides comprehensive criminal history reports.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Converse County are maintained by the Converse County Sheriff's Office. These records include information on the nature of the arrest, charges, and any court proceedings that follow. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The records provide detailed information about the incident, including the date, time, and location of the arrest.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Converse County Detention Center, located in Douglas, is the primary facility for housing individuals who have been arrested in the county. The booking process at the detention center involves photographing, fingerprinting, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup services are available to the public, allowing individuals to find information about current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to strict guidelines.

• The bond and bail process in Wyoming allows for the release of inmates under certain conditions, and information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained through the Sheriff's Office.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Converse County are taken and retained by the Converse County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or online databases that compile such information. While Wyoming does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals can request the removal of their mugshots from third-party websites, although compliance is not guaranteed. The Sheriff's Office may provide access to mugshots through its website or upon request, depending on the nature of the inquiry.

Converse County is served by the Eighth Judicial District Court of Wyoming, which has original jurisdiction over felonies, civil cases exceeding small claims limits, domestic relations, probate, juvenile matters, and appeals from lower courts. The District Court is located in the Converse County Courthouse at 107 North 5th Street, Douglas, WY 82633, and can be reached at (307) 358-2244. The Eighth Judicial District encompasses Converse, Albany, Carbon, and Laramie counties.

• Circuit Court in Converse County, also located at the courthouse, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims (up to $6,000), civil cases under $50,000, and preliminary hearings for felonies.
• Fees for certified copies of court documents typically range from $2 to $5 per page plus certification fees.
• In-person requests can be made at the Clerk of District Court office in the courthouse.

The Converse County Recorder's Office, located in the Converse County Courthouse at 107 North 5th Street, Douglas, WY 82633, maintains all property and land records for the county. The office can be reached at (307) 358-2244, extension 234. The Recorder is responsible for recording and preserving deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens (tax liens, mechanics' liens, judgment liens), easements, right-of-way agreements, subdivision plats, UCC financing statements, and other instruments affecting real property title.

• Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the Recorder's Office; fees are typically $5 for the first page and $3 for each additional page, plus $5 for certification.

Vital records for Converse County, Wyoming, are maintained by both the Converse County Clerk's Office and the Wyoming Department of Health Vital Statistics Services. Birth and death certificates occurring in Converse County can be requested from the County Clerk's Office located at 107 North 5th Street, Douglas, WY 82633, phone (307) 358-2244. Birth certificates cost $15 for the first certified copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Death certificates are $12 for the first copy and $6 for additional copies.

• Processing time is typically 1-2 weeks when requested in person or by mail from the County Clerk.
• Online ordering of birth and death certificates is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com with expedited shipping options, though additional service fees apply.
• The marriage license fee is $25, and there is no waiting period or blood test required in Wyoming.

Business and licensing records in Converse County are managed through multiple agencies depending on the record type. The Converse County Clerk's Office, located at 107 North 5th Street, Douglas, WY 82633, phone (307) 358-2244, handles registration of trade names (DBAs or "doing business as" names) and certain local business filings. The fee for registering a trade name is typically $100 for the initial filing.

• The City of Douglas and Town of Glenrock have their own municipal business licensing and permitting processes.

Elections in Converse County are administered by the Converse County Clerk, who serves as the county's election official. The Clerk's Office is located at 107 North 5th Street, Douglas, WY 82633, and can be reached at (307) 358-2244. The office oversees voter registration, ballot preparation, polling place operations, absentee voting, early voting, and canvassing of results. Wyoming offers online voter registration through the statewide system at https://sos.wyo.gov/Elections/. To register to vote in Wyoming, applicants must be U.S.

• Absentee ballots are available upon request and can be requested by mail, in person, or online through the County Clerk.
• Citizens can request copies of election results, voter lists (subject to permitted uses under Wyoming Statute § 22-2-129), and other election records by contacting the County Clerk's Office.

Converse County's economy is historically rooted in natural resource extraction, agriculture, and energy production. Coal mining has been a major employer, with the Dave Johnston Power Plant near Glenrock serving as a significant economic anchor for decades, though it ceased coal-fired operations in 2023 as part of regional energy transitions. Oil and gas exploration and production remain important sectors, with numerous wells and support services operating throughout the county.

• Bentonite mining is particularly notable; Wyoming is the world's leading producer of bentonite clay, and Converse County hosts significant bentonite deposits and processing facilities.
• According to recent data, median household income in Converse County is approximately $65,000 to $70,000, slightly above the Wyoming state median.

Court Records: ✅ Online Portal Available | Property: ✅ Free Assessor Search & GIS | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person Inquiry | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or Mail Preferred | Business: ✅ Online via Secretary of State | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 7.5/10 — Converse County provides solid digital access to property and business records with good court access, but jail/arrest and vital records require direct contact.

Explore public records for 4 cities and communities in Converse County, Wyoming.