Kemmerer, Wyoming Public Records

The bond and bail process in Wyoming allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained by contacting the detention center directly.

District Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $7,000, divorce and family law matters, probate cases, and appeals from lower courts. Circuit Court for Lincoln County, also located at the courthouse at 925 Sage Avenue (phone: 307-877-9056 ext. 5), handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims cases (up to $7,000), limited civil matters, preliminary hearings in felony cases, and various other proceedings. Wyoming offers limited online access to court records through the Wyoming District Court Case Management System, but full public access varies by court and case type. Many court records must be accessed in person at the Lincoln County Courthouse. The Clerk of District Court maintains records and can provide certified copies of documents. Filing fees include approximately $70 for civil case filings, $50 for small claims, and varying fees for certified copies (typically $2-5 per page plus a certification fee of approximately $5). Certified copies of court documents can be requested from the Clerk of District Court's office at the courthouse. Court records are generally public unless sealed by court order or protected by statute, such as juvenile records or certain family law matters involving minors.

The online database shows current assessed values, taxable values, and property classification. The Lincoln County Clerk, located at 925 Sage Avenue, Kemmerer, WY 83101 (phone: 307-877-9056 ext. 3, website: http://www.lcwy.org), serves as the official recorder of documents for Lincoln County. The Clerk's office records deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, military discharges, UCCs, and other instruments affecting real property. Document recording fees typically range from $10-30 depending on the number of pages and document type. While some Wyoming counties offer online access to recorded documents, Lincoln County's recorded document search capabilities are limited online, and most searches require visiting the Clerk's office in person or calling for specific document retrieval. The office maintains indices of recorded documents organized by grantor/grantee names and by legal description. Lincoln County does not currently maintain a comprehensive public GIS or interactive parcel viewer, though basic parcel information is available through the Assessor's office. For complete title searches or historical deed research, visiting the Clerk's office in person is recommended.

In recent years, Kemmerer has gained national attention as the planned site for TerraPower's Natrium nuclear reactor demonstration project, announced in 2021, which is expected to be built on the grounds of the retiring Naughton Plant and bring hundreds of construction jobs followed by permanent positions. This project represents a significant economic transition for the community. Other major employers include the Lincoln County government offices (since Kemmerer is the county seat), Lincoln County School District #1, and retail and service businesses along the Highway 30/189 corridor. The median household income in Kemmerer is estimated at approximately $50,000-$60,000, somewhat below the Wyoming state average. Tourism related to Fossil Butte National Monument and outdoor recreation contributes to the local economy, particularly during summer months. Small businesses in downtown Kemmerer serve local residents and visitors, with the historic J.C. Penney store museum being a notable attraction. The city's economy reflects the broader challenges and opportunities facing rural Wyoming coal communities as they navigate the energy transition while maintaining their historic industrial base and developing new economic drivers.

The Kemmerer Police Department, located at 921 Sage Avenue, Kemmerer, WY 83101 (phone: 307-877-4701), provides law enforcement services within the city limits. Residents can request police reports, incident reports, and accident reports by visiting the department in person or calling during business hours. The department handles misdemeanor offenses, traffic enforcement, and preliminary investigations within Kemmerer city boundaries. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 811 Washington Street, Kemmerer, WY 83101 (phone: 307-877-9056), has jurisdiction throughout unincorporated areas of Lincoln County and provides backup support to the Kemmerer Police Department. The Sheriff's Office also manages the Lincoln County Detention Center. Arrest and jail booking information for individuals detained in Lincoln County can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office, though Lincoln County does not currently maintain a comprehensive online inmate roster. For current inmate information, residents must contact the detention facility directly at 307-877-9056. Under Wyoming's Public Records Act (Wyoming Statute § 16-4-201 et seq.), citizens have the right to request and inspect public records, including arrest logs, booking records, and incident reports. Requests should be made in writing to the custodian of records at the respective law enforcement agency. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time. Some records may be withheld if they are part of an ongoing criminal investigation or contain confidential information protected by statute. Wyoming law requires agencies to respond to records requests within a reasonable time, typically interpreted as within a few business days to two weeks depending on the complexity of the request.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com for an additional service fee. Wyoming state law requires that birth records are only available to the individual (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, or legal representatives. Death certificates are available to immediate family members, legal representatives, or anyone who demonstrates a direct and tangible interest. Birth records in Wyoming are confidential for 100 years from the date of birth. Marriage licenses are issued by the Lincoln County Clerk's Office, 925 Sage Avenue, Kemmerer, WY 83101 (phone: 307-877-9056 ext. 3). The marriage license fee is $25, and there is no waiting period or blood test required in Wyoming. Both parties must appear in person to apply. The license is valid for one year from issuance. Marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk and are public records. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Clerk of District Court at the Lincoln County Courthouse. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be requested from the District Court Clerk for a fee of approximately $5 per certification plus copying costs. Historical vital records dating back to 1909 are maintained by Wyoming Vital Statistics Services in Cheyenne.

For businesses operating in unincorporated Lincoln County areas, county-level business regulations may apply, and inquiries should be directed to the Lincoln County Planning and Zoning Office. Wyoming does not have a general state business license requirement, but specific professions and business types require state-level licenses from appropriate regulatory agencies. All corporations, LLCs, and other formal business entities operating in Wyoming must register with the Wyoming Secretary of State, Business Division. The Secretary of State maintains a free searchable online database at https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx where users can search for business entity information including status, registered agent, formation date, principal address, and officers. Formation and annual report fees vary by entity type, with LLC filing fees at $100 and corporation fees at $100. The Wyoming Secretary of State also handles Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings, which create public records of secured interests in personal property; UCC searches can be conducted online through the same WyoBiz portal. Fictitious business names (trade names) are registered with the Lincoln County Clerk's Office at 925 Sage Avenue, Kemmerer, WY 83101. Commercial property tax information and assessed values can be searched through the Lincoln County Assessor's Office at 307-877-9056 ext. 8 or online at http://www.lcwy.org.

Elections for Kemmerer residents are administered by the Lincoln County Clerk, who serves as the county's election official. The Lincoln County Clerk's Office is located at 925 Sage Avenue, Kemmerer, WY 83101 (phone: 307-877-9056 ext. 3, website: http://www.lcwy.org). Wyoming residents can register to vote online through the Wyoming Secretary of State's website at https://sos.wyo.gov/Elections/RegisterToVote.aspx or in person at the County Clerk's office. The voter registration deadline is 14 days before any election (by mail or online) or in person on election day with proper identification. Wyoming requires voters to show valid photo identification at the polls, including Wyoming driver's license, tribal ID, or other acceptable forms. Kemmerer holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions. The Mayor of Kemmerer serves a four-year term, and city council members serve staggered four-year terms. Municipal elections in Kemmerer are typically held in November of odd-numbered years. The next Kemmerer municipal election is scheduled for November 2025, when voters will decide on city council seats. Kemmerer residents can find their assigned polling place by contacting the Lincoln County Clerk's office or checking their voter registration information online through the Secretary of State's website. In the November 2024 general election, Lincoln County reported voter turnout of approximately 75-78% of registered voters, consistent with Wyoming's historically high voter participation rates in presidential elections. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature important races for Wyoming voters including: the U.S. House of Representatives seat (Wyoming's at-large congressional district), Wyoming Governor (Governor Mark Gordon's term expires in 2027, with primaries in 2026), several state legislature seats representing Lincoln County districts in both the Wyoming Senate and House of Representatives, county offices including Lincoln County Commissioners, County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Assessor, and County Sheriff. Wyoming law makes many election records public, including voter registration lists (available for election purposes), campaign finance reports filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State (searchable at https://www.wycampaignfinance.gov), candidate filings, and precinct-level election results. County Clerks provide unofficial election results on election night, with official canvassed results certified within days. Wyoming offers absentee voting for any qualified elector. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted to the Lincoln County Clerk beginning 45 days before an election, with completed ballots due by 7:00 PM on election day. Wyoming also allows early in-person voting beginning approximately two weeks before election day at locations designated by the County Clerk.