About Laramie County
Laramie County is located in the southeastern corner of Wyoming, bordering both Nebraska and Colorado. As the most populous county in Wyoming, it serves as a major transportation and economic hub for the region. The county seat is Cheyenne, which is also the state capital and largest city in Wyoming. Laramie County encompasses approximately 2,686 square miles and has an estimated population of over 100,000 residents, making it home to roughly 17% of Wyoming's total population. The county was established in 1867, named after French-Canadian trapper Jacques La Ramie.
- The county sits at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 7,200 feet and features rolling prairie landscape characteristic of the High Plains.
Major landmarks include the Wyoming State Capitol building, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, and the historic downtown Cheyenne district. Key government offices include the Laramie County Clerk located at 309 W 20th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001; the County Recorder's Office at the Laramie County Governmental Complex at 309 W 20th Street; and the County Assessor's Office at 309 W 20th Street, Suite 2200.
What makes Laramie County unique is its combination of rural Western heritage with urban infrastructure, hosting the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo (the world's largest outdoor rodeo), maintaining significant military presence through F.E. Warren Air Force Base, and serving as Wyoming's governmental center while preserving authentic cowboy culture and pioneer history.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Laramie County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. It operates the Laramie County Detention Center, handles the processing of arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is involved in various community programs and has specialized divisions such as the K-9 unit and a dedicated narcotics team. The office plays a crucial role in ensuring public safety and works closely with other local law enforcement agencies to address crime and public concerns.
Police Departments
Laramie County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Laramie County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Cheyenne Police Department. The Cheyenne Police Department handles law enforcement within the city limits of Cheyenne, while the Sheriff's Office covers the broader unincorporated areas. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, sharing resources and information to effectively address crime throughout the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Laramie County is primarily provided by the Laramie County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 3665 S Greeley Highway, Cheyenne, WY 82007, phone (307) 633-4700. The Sheriff's Office operates the Laramie County Detention Center at the same location, which houses adult inmates for the county. To search for current inmates, the public can visit the Sheriff's Office website at www.laramiecountysheriff.com or call the detention center directly. The inmate roster typically includes booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and booking dates.
- Citizens can request arrest records by submitting written requests to the Sheriff's Office or the specific municipal police department that made the arrest.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the detention center's online inmate search system or by requesting copies from the Sheriff's Office Records Division.
- Processing fees may apply for copying services.
Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Cheyenne Police Department serving the city of Cheyenne, and the Pine Bluffs Police Department serving the town of Pine Bluffs in eastern Laramie County. Arrest records and booking information are considered public records under Wyoming's Public Records Act, W.S. 16-4-201 et seq.
F.E. Warren Air Force Base maintains its own Security Forces Squadron with jurisdiction on federal property. The Wyoming Highway Patrol also maintains a strong presence in Laramie County along Interstate 25 and Interstate 80, which intersect in Cheyenne.
For non-emergency matters, the Sheriff's Office can be reached at the main administrative number, while 911 should be used for all emergencies throughout the county.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Laramie County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Laramie County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request criminal records through the sheriff's office or the Wyoming Bureau of Investigation, which offers statewide criminal history reports. The sex offender registry is accessible to the public, ensuring community awareness and safety.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Laramie County are maintained by the Laramie County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the individual. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through the sheriff's office, following the procedures outlined by the Wyoming Public Records Act. An arrest record in Laramie County typically contains the date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency. The public records law ensures transparency and access to these records, with certain exceptions for ongoing investigations.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Laramie County Detention Center is the primary facility for housing individuals arrested within the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and documenting personal information. Inmate lookup services are available through the Laramie County Sheriff's Office, allowing the public to find information about current detainees. 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 detainees under certain conditions, and information about recent arrests can be obtained from the detention center or the sheriff's office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Laramie County are taken and retained by the Laramie County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking process. These photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's website or by request. While Wyoming does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals can petition for removal or sealing under certain legal circumstances. The availability of mugshots is subject to public records laws, and they may also be found in court records if they pertain to a specific case.
Courts & Case Records
Laramie County's judicial system operates through the First Judicial District Court of Wyoming, located at 309 W 20th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001, phone (307) 633-4260. This District Court has general jurisdiction over all civil matters, felony criminal cases, domestic relations, probate, mental health proceedings, and juvenile matters. The court also hears appeals from lower courts and administrative agencies.
- Laramie County Circuit Court, at the same address, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims up to $7,000, preliminary hearings in felony cases, traffic violations, and limited civil matters.
- The Wyoming court system provides public access to court records through the Wyoming Court System's website, with case searches available at wyomingcourts.gov.
- The District Court Clerk's Office maintains records and provides access during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
- Fees for copies are established by Wyoming statute at $0.50 per page for standard documents, with certified copies costing an additional fee.
- Online access to some case information is available free of charge, though detailed documents may require an in-person visit or written request.
Municipal courts operate in Cheyenne and other incorporated towns for city ordinance violations and traffic matters within city limits. Wyoming's public access to court records is governed by the Wyoming Public Records Act (W.S. 16-4-201 through 205) and Uniform Rules for District Courts, which presume that court records are open to public inspection unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by law.
The court accepts requests by mail, in person, or through their online portal for certain document types. Certain records, including sealed cases, adoption records, and some juvenile matters, are restricted from public access by statute.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Laramie County are maintained by the Laramie County Clerk's Office, which serves as the ex-officio County Recorder, located at 309 W 20th Street, Suite 2100, Cheyenne, WY 82001, phone (307) 633-4242. The Recorder's Office maintains and provides public access to real property records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgage documents, deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, UCC financing statements, military discharge papers (DD-214), easements, right-of-way documents, subdivision plats, and all instruments affecting real property title.
- The online system provides document images that can be viewed and printed without charge.
- For certified copies of recorded documents, the fee is $5.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, payable in person, by mail, or online.
Laramie County offers a free online property records search through the county's website at www.laramiecountyclerk.com, where users can search by grantor/grantee name, document type, reception number, or legal description. Property tax information and assessment records are managed by the Laramie County Assessor's Office at 309 W 20th Street, Suite 2200, Cheyenne, WY 82001, phone (307) 633-4271. The Assessor maintains property valuations, ownership information, and parcel data.
Tax collection is handled by the Laramie County Treasurer's Office at 309 W 20th Street, Suite 2400, phone (307) 633-4508. Laramie County provides a comprehensive online GIS (Geographic Information System) and parcel viewer through their website, allowing free public access to interactive property maps, aerial photography, parcel boundaries, ownership data, and assessment information. This system is particularly useful for researching property characteristics, zoning, and ownership history.
Vital Records
Vital records for Laramie County, Wyoming, are maintained at both the county and state levels. Birth certificates for births occurring in Laramie County can be requested through the Laramie County Clerk's Office at 309 W 20th Street, Suite 2100, Cheyenne, WY 82001, phone (307) 633-4242. Birth records less than 100 years old are restricted to authorized applicants including the person named on the certificate, parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives.
- The fee for a certified birth certificate copy is $14.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.
- Death certificates for deaths occurring in Laramie County are also available through the County Clerk's Office for the same fees.
- Marriage licenses are issued by the Laramie County Clerk's Office, and certified copies of marriage certificates cost $8.00.
- Divorce records (decrees of dissolution) are maintained by the District Court Clerk rather than the County Clerk, and must be requested through the court system.
- Online ordering of Wyoming vital records is available through the VitalChek service at www.vitalchek.com for an additional convenience fee.
Death certificates less than 50 years old are restricted to immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with documented legal interest. Wyoming has no waiting period for marriage licenses, and they are valid for one year from issuance. For vital records statewide, the Wyoming Department of Health, Vital Statistics Services, located at 2300 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002, serves as the central repository.
Processing time is typically 5-10 business days for mail requests and immediate for in-person requests. All requesters must provide valid photo identification and proof of relationship or legal interest, as required by Wyoming Statute W.S. 35-1-401 through 427, which governs vital records access and confidentiality.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Laramie County are accessible through multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. For local business registrations, the Laramie County Clerk's Office at 309 W 20th Street, Suite 2100, Cheyenne, WY 82001, phone (307) 633-4242, handles DBA (Doing Business As) filings and fictitious name registrations at the county level. These records are public and searchable through the Clerk's Office.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, registration is handled exclusively by the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office in Cheyenne. The Secretary of State maintains a free, searchable online database at wyobiz.wyo.gov where the public can look up any business entity registered in Wyoming, view formation documents, registered agent information, annual report status, and business status (active, dissolved, etc.). Wyoming is known for its business-friendly environment with no state corporate income tax and strong privacy protections.
Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, and others are issued by respective Wyoming state licensing boards rather than at the county level. Sales tax licenses are administered by the Wyoming Department of Revenue. Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits for properties within unincorporated Laramie County are issued by the Laramie County Planning and Building Department, located at 3966 Archer Parkway, Cheyenne, WY 82009, phone (307) 633-4303.
The City of Cheyenne operates its own Planning and Development Department for permits within city limits. The Cheyenne-Laramie County Economic Development Corporation can be reached through the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce at 121 W 15th Street, Suite 204, Cheyenne, WY 82001, website www.cheyennechamber.org, which provides resources for businesses operating in or relocating to Laramie County.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Laramie County are administered by the Laramie County Clerk, who serves as the County Elections Officer. The office is located at 309 W 20th Street, Suite 2100, Cheyenne, WY 82001, phone (307) 633-4242, with election-specific information available at www.laramiecountyclerk.com. Voter registration in Wyoming is straightforward and can be completed online through the Wyoming Secretary of State's website at sos.wyo.gov, in person at the County Clerk's office, or by mail using a voter registration form.
- Wyoming allows voter registration up through Election Day, though registering by the close of business on the Monday before Election Day allows verification of eligibility beforehand.
- Absentee ballots in Laramie County can be requested through the County Clerk's office beginning 45 days before any election.
Eligible voters must be U.S. citizens, residents of Wyoming, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. Wyoming does not require party registration except for voters wishing to participate in primary elections.
Voters can find their polling location by visiting the Wyoming Secretary of State's voter portal or by contacting the Laramie County Clerk's office directly. Election records that are public under Wyoming law include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted under W.S. 22-3-114), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees, candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results.
In the November 2024 general election, Laramie County saw voter turnout of approximately 68-72%, consistent with Wyoming's typically strong turnout in presidential election years. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and will include midterm elections for the U.S. House of Representatives, one U.S.
Senate seat (depending on the cycle), state constitutional offices including Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer, Wyoming State Legislature seats, and various county offices. Wyoming offers traditional absentee voting for those unable to vote in person; applications can be submitted online, by mail, or in person. Absentee ballots must be received by the County Clerk by 7:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.
Wyoming law provides strong transparency in elections, with citizens entitled to observe vote counting, request copies of election results, and access campaign finance disclosures through the Wyoming Secretary of State's campaign finance database. The Laramie County Clerk's office maintains historical election results and voter turnout statistics that are available for public inspection.
Economy & Demographics
Laramie County's economy is diversified across multiple sectors including government, military, transportation, energy, agriculture, and retail. As the state capital, Cheyenne hosts substantial state government employment, with the Wyoming State Government being one of the largest employers in the county. F.E. Warren Air Force Base is the county's single largest employer, providing over 4,000 direct jobs and contributing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the local economy through personnel salaries, contracts, and operations.
- The median household income in Laramie County is estimated at approximately $64,000, slightly above the national median.
- The energy sector, including wind energy development on the plains of eastern Wyoming, provides additional economic activity.
The base is home to the 90th Missile Wing, which operates Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. Laramie County's strategic location at the intersection of Interstate 25 and Interstate 80 makes it a major transportation and logistics hub, with significant trucking, warehousing, and distribution operations. Major private employers include Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, the Union Pacific Railroad (which maintains significant operations and heritage in Cheyenne), and various retail and service sector businesses.
Agriculture remains economically significant, with cattle ranching, hay production, and dryland farming contributing to the county's rural economy. Retail trade is bolstered by Laramie County's role as a regional shopping destination and by Wyoming's lack of state income tax, which attracts cross-border shoppers from Colorado. Recent economic development has focused on diversifying beyond government and military employment, with initiatives to attract technology companies, data centers, and manufacturing.
The annual Cheyenne Frontier Days event, held each July, generates significant tourism revenue and is considered the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. Unemployment rates in Laramie County typically track closely with state and national averages, ranging from 3-5% in recent years.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online | Property: ✅ Free Search | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person/Mail | Business: ✅ State Online Search | Elections: ✅ Online | Overall Score: 8.5/10 — Laramie County provides excellent digital access to property records, court information, and jail rosters, with comprehensive online GIS mapping and a user-friendly recorder's database.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I search for someone recently arrested in Laramie County, Wyoming?
Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Laramie County, Wyoming?
How do I get a criminal background check in Laramie County, Wyoming?
How can I look up sex offenders in Laramie County, Wyoming?
How do I register to vote in Laramie County, Wyoming?
How do I look up property records in Laramie County, Wyoming?
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Laramie County, Wyoming?
How do I find business license records in Laramie County, Wyoming?
Cities & Towns in Laramie County
Explore public records for 10 cities and communities in Laramie County, Wyoming.
Nearby Counties
Explore public records in counties that border Laramie County.