About Goshen County
Goshen County is located in southeastern Wyoming, bordered by Nebraska to the east and Platte County to the west. The county seat is Torrington, which serves as the economic and governmental hub for the region. Established in 1911 from portions of Laramie County, Goshen County encompasses approximately 2,232 square miles of rolling prairie, agricultural land, and riparian corridors along the North Platte River. As of recent census estimates, the county has a population of approximately 13,000 residents.
The county is named after Goshen Hole, a large depression that comprises much of the county's geography, which early settlers named after the biblical Land of Goshen due to its fertile agricultural potential. Major landmarks include the North Platte River, which provides irrigation water for the region's extensive agricultural operations, and historic trails including the Oregon Trail and Mormon Trail that passed through the area. The Goshen County Courthouse is located at 2125 East A Street in Torrington.
The County Recorder's office maintains property records at the same location, while the County Clerk handles vital records, elections, and business filings. The Goshen County Assessor, also based in the courthouse, manages property assessments and tax rolls. Agriculture, particularly sugar beets, dry beans, corn, and livestock, dominates the local economy.
The historic Holly Sugar plant has been a cornerstone employer for generations. What makes Goshen County unique is its position as Wyoming's premier agricultural county, its rich pioneer history, and its close-knit rural communities.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Goshen County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of the county. The office oversees the Goshen County Detention Center, manages criminal records, and processes arrests. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community outreach programs and operates specialized divisions for investigations and drug enforcement. The office plays a crucial role in ensuring public safety and collaborates with local police departments for major crime investigations.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Goshen County is provided by the Goshen County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, including the Torrington Police Department. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in rural areas, while the Torrington Police Department serves the city of Torrington. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the county. Each department has jurisdictional authority within its designated area, but they often collaborate on investigations and public safety initiatives.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Goshen County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency serving the unincorporated areas of the county and providing countywide services including operating the Goshen County Detention Center. The Sheriff's Office is located at 2125 East A Street in Torrington, Wyoming 82240, and can be reached at (307) 532-5846. The office maintains records of arrests, warrants, and civil process service.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written or in-person request to the Sheriff's Office or relevant police department, providing the name and date of birth of the subject when possible.
The Goshen County Detention Center houses inmates arrested in the county, and inmate information can be obtained by contacting the jail directly at the Sheriff's Office number during business hours. Inmates can be searched by name through phone inquiries, and the facility maintains current custody rosters. Municipal law enforcement within Goshen County includes the Torrington Police Department, which serves the county seat and largest city, located at 501 East 21st Avenue, Torrington.
The police department handles law enforcement within city limits and maintains its own arrest records. Under Wyoming's Public Records Act, codified at Wyoming Statute § 16-4-201 et seq., arrest records and booking information are generally considered public records subject to disclosure. Some records may be withheld if they are part of ongoing investigations or contain confidential information.
Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the detention center, though policies on release may vary. There are no tribal police jurisdictions operating within Goshen County. For current arrest information, warrants, and inmate status, contacting the Sheriff's Office directly remains the most reliable method.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Goshen County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by the Goshen County Sheriff's Office and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. Residents can request background checks through the Wyoming Bureau of Investigation, which provides comprehensive criminal history reports. The sex offender registry is publicly accessible, allowing residents to stay informed about offenders in their area.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Goshen County are maintained by the Goshen County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrested individual. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the Wyoming Public Records Act, certain information is accessible to the public, though some details may be restricted for privacy reasons. Arrest records typically include the date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Goshen County Detention Center, located in Torrington, is the primary facility for housing individuals arrested in the county. The booking process includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing the public to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules require visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to specific guidelines. The bond and bail process in Wyoming allows arrested individuals to post bail for release, pending court appearances.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Goshen County are taken and retained by the Goshen 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. While Wyoming does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals seeking removal may need to pursue legal avenues if they believe the publication of their mugshot is unjust. Mugshots are often included in arrest records and can be searched through the Sheriff's Office website or third-party services.
Courts & Case Records
Goshen County is served by the Eighth Judicial District Court of Wyoming, which is the trial court of general jurisdiction handling felony criminal cases, civil cases over $50,000, divorce, probate, and appeals from lower courts. The District Court is located in the Goshen County Courthouse at 2125 East A Street, Torrington, Wyoming 82240, and can be reached at (307) 532-4051. The court also includes a Circuit Court division that handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases under $50,000, small claims, protective orders, and juvenile matters.
- Fees for copies of court documents are typically $1.00 per page for standard documents, with certified copies costing additional fees.
Torrington Municipal Court handles violations of city ordinances, traffic citations, and other municipal matters within Torrington city limits. Court records in Wyoming are governed by Wyoming Statute § 16-4-203, which establishes that court records are presumed to be open to the public unless specifically exempted by law or court order. The Wyoming Judicial Branch operates a statewide case search system, though access and availability may vary by case type and confidentiality status.
In-person searches can be conducted at the Clerk of District Court office in the courthouse during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Many case files can be reviewed in person at no charge, though copies require payment. Online case access may be available through the Wyoming Court System's limited public portal, but comprehensive searches often require in-person visits.
The Clerk of District Court also handles passport applications, marriage license applications that have court involvement, and maintains the county's vital records alongside the County Clerk for older records.
Property & Public Records
The Goshen County Clerk's Office serves as the County Recorder and maintains all land records, deeds, mortgages, liens, financing statements, easements, and plat maps for the entire county. The office is located in the Goshen County Courthouse at 2125 East A Street, Torrington, Wyoming 82240, and can be reached at (307) 532-4051. Recording services include deeds, trust deeds, satisfaction of mortgages, mechanics liens, UCC financing statements, military discharge papers (DD-214), subdivision plats, and miscellaneous instruments affecting real property.
- Recording fees vary based on document type and number of pages, with standard deeds typically costing $10.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page.
- While some Wyoming counties offer online document search capabilities, access to Goshen County's land records typically requires in-person visits or written requests.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained for statutory fees.
The Clerk's Office maintains grantor-grantee indices dating back to the county's formation in 1911. The Goshen County Assessor's Office, also located in the courthouse at (307) 532-2125, maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, legal descriptions, and valuations for all taxable property in the county. Property tax records include current and delinquent tax information, mill levies, and assessment history.
The Assessor's Office can provide property ownership information and assessed values, though a comprehensive online GIS or parcel viewer may have limited availability. The Goshen County Treasurer, reachable at (307) 532-4053, handles property tax collection, tax sale information, and payment receipts. For title research and comprehensive property history, researchers should visit the Clerk's recording office in person or contact title companies serving Goshen County.
Vital Records
Vital records for Goshen County, Wyoming, are maintained by both the Goshen County Clerk's Office and the Wyoming Department of Health Vital Statistics Services. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Goshen County can be requested from the County Clerk's Office at 2125 East A Street, Torrington, Wyoming 82240, phone (307) 532-4051. Wyoming law, specifically Wyoming Statute § 35-1-424, governs access to vital records and restricts access to immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct and tangible interest.
- Birth certificates cost $15.00 for a certified copy, with additional copies ordered at the same time costing $4.00 each.
- Death certificates have the same fee structure.
- Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate or same-day if the record is readily accessible; mail requests may take one to two weeks.
- The marriage license fee is $25.00, and there is no waiting period in Wyoming.
- Online ordering may be available through the state's approved vendor, VitalChek, though service fees apply in addition to the statutory certificate fee.
Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate their relationship to the person named on the certificate. Marriage licenses are issued by the Goshen County Clerk's Office, with couples required to apply in person. Marriage certificates (proof of a completed marriage) can be obtained from the same office after the ceremony has been performed and the license returned.
Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of District Court as part of the court file and are subject to court records access rules. For individuals unable to visit Goshen County in person, the Wyoming Department of Health Vital Statistics Services at 2300 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002, (307) 777-7591, maintains statewide vital records and can fulfill requests for birth certificates (1909-present) and death certificates (1909-present) that occurred anywhere in Wyoming.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Goshen County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity and regulatory requirement. The Goshen County Clerk's Office at 2125 East A Street, Torrington, Wyoming 82240, (307) 532-4051, handles the filing of fictitious business names (DBA - Doing Business As) and certain local business registrations. These filings create a public record of businesses operating under names other than the owner's legal name.
- This database allows free public searches by business name, filing number, registered agent, or business owner.
- Agricultural producers may register brands with the Wyoming Livestock Board.
For comprehensive business entity searches including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, the Wyoming Secretary of State's Business Division maintains a searchable online database at wyobiz.wyo.gov. The Wyoming Secretary of State's office is located at 2020 Carey Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002, and can be reached at (307) 777-7311. Wyoming is well-known for its business-friendly regulatory environment and does not impose a corporate income tax or franchise tax.
Professional and occupational licenses, such as those for contractors, electricians, plumbers, cosmetologists, and healthcare professionals, are generally issued by state-level boards and commissions rather than county offices. Sales tax permits are issued by the Wyoming Department of Revenue. Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits for properties within unincorporated Goshen County are handled by the Goshen County Planning and Zoning Department, while incorporated municipalities like Torrington issue their own building permits.
The Goshen County Chamber of Commerce, which can be reached through the Torrington-Goshen County Chamber of Commerce, promotes local business development and maintains directories of member businesses. Liquor licensing is handled through the Wyoming Department of Revenue Liquor Division for state licenses, with local approval often required from county or municipal authorities.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Goshen County are administered by the Goshen County Clerk, who serves as the designated County Elections Officer. The Clerk's Office is located at 2125 East A Street, Torrington, Wyoming 82240, and can be reached at (307) 532-4051 for voter registration information, polling place locations, and election-related questions.
- Voters may register online through the Wyoming Secretary of State's website at vote.wyo.gov, in person at the County Clerk's Office, or by mail using a National Mail Voter Registration Form.
- Goshen County's voter turnout in the 2024 general election was approximately 68-72% of registered voters, consistent with Wyoming's typically high participation rates in presidential election years.
- These records can be requested from the County Clerk's Office under Wyoming's Public Records Act.
- Wyoming provides strong transparency in election administration, with post-election canvass reports and detailed precinct results made publicly available.
Voter registration in Wyoming requires individuals to be United States citizens, at least 18 years old by the date of the general election, residents of Wyoming and Goshen County for at least 30 days preceding the election, and not currently adjudicated as mentally incompetent. The voter registration deadline is typically 14 days before any election, though Wyoming offers same-day voter registration on Election Day at polling places for those who missed the advance deadline. Polling places in Goshen County are assigned based on precinct, and voters can find their specific polling location by contacting the County Clerk or checking the Wyoming Secretary of State's voter information portal.
Goshen County typically operates several polling locations on Election Day, primarily in Torrington and smaller communities including Fort Laramie, Hawk Springs, LaGrange, and Lingle. Absentee voting is available to all Wyoming voters without requiring an excuse. Voters may request an absentee ballot by submitting a written application to the County Clerk; applications are typically available starting 45 days before an election and must be received by the Friday before Election Day for mail delivery, though in-person absentee voting is available until the day before the election.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and will include races for the U.S. House of Representatives, statewide offices including Governor (if the cycle aligns), and state legislative seats representing Goshen County. Public election records available for inspection include voter registration lists (with some personal information redacted for privacy), candidate filings, campaign finance reports for county-level candidates, precinct-level election results, and canvass records.
Economy & Demographics
Goshen County's economy is fundamentally agricultural, with farming and ranching serving as the primary economic drivers for over a century. The county is one of Wyoming's leading agricultural producers, specializing in irrigated crops including sugar beets, dry edible beans, corn, barley, and alfalfa, supported by an extensive irrigation system drawing from the North Platte River through the Interstate Canal and Fort Laramie Canal systems.
- The Western Sugar Cooperative operates a major sugar processing facility in Torrington, which has historically been one of the county's largest employers and processes sugar beets from throughout the region.
- Livestock operations, including cattle ranching and feedlots, contribute significantly to the agricultural economy.
- The median household income in Goshen County is estimated at approximately $58,000 to $62,000, somewhat below the Wyoming state median but reflecting the county's rural agricultural character.
- The county's proximity to Nebraska markets and Interstate 25 provides some logistical advantages.
Beyond agriculture, the county's economy includes retail trade, healthcare, education, and government services concentrated in Torrington. Major employers include Goshen County School District #1, Community Hospital (Banner Health), and various county and municipal government offices. Manufacturing and light industrial operations provide additional employment.
The unemployment rate typically tracks near or slightly above the state average, fluctuating with agricultural cycles and seasonal employment patterns. Economic development efforts focus on supporting agricultural businesses, attracting value-added agriculture processing, enhancing tourism related to the Oregon Trail and historic sites, and improving telecommunications infrastructure to support remote work. Challenges include an aging population, limited population growth, workforce development, and economic diversification beyond agriculture.
There are no tribal economic operations within Goshen County boundaries. Wind energy development in Wyoming has had limited direct impact on Goshen County compared to other southeastern Wyoming counties.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ In-Person Access / ⚠️ Limited Online | Property: ⚠️ In-Person Preferred | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person Inquiry | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person/Mail Required | Business: ✅ State Online Search (Wyoming Secretary of State) | Elections: ✅ Accessible via County Clerk | Overall Score: 6/10 — Goshen County provides adequate access to public records primarily through in-person and phone contact; digital access is limited compared to larger Wyoming counties, though state-level resources supplement local availability.
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Cities & Towns in Goshen County
Explore public records for 9 cities and communities in Goshen County, Wyoming.
Nearby Counties
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