Lincoln County

Lincoln County is located in southwestern Wyoming, bordered by Idaho to the west and Utah to the south. The county seat is Kemmerer, a community established in 1897 and famous as the birthplace of the J.C. Penney retail empire. Lincoln County encompasses approximately 4,069 square miles of diverse terrain ranging from sagebrush valleys to forested mountain ranges including portions of the Salt River Range and Wyoming Range. With a population of approximately 19,000 residents, Lincoln County maintains a rural character while serving as a gateway to outdoor recreation.

• The county provides access to extensive public lands managed by the U.S.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. It manages the Lincoln County Detention Center, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is involved in various community programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety and crime prevention. The Sheriff's Office also operates divisions such as patrol, investigations, and emergency management, ensuring comprehensive law enforcement coverage across the county.

Police Departments

In addition to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in the county is supported by municipal police departments. The Kemmerer Police Department, Afton Police Department, and other city departments provide policing services within their respective jurisdictions. These agencies work in coordination with the sheriff's office to address major crimes and ensure public safety across Lincoln County. Each department focuses on community-specific issues while collaborating on broader law enforcement initiatives.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 571 East Main Street in Kemmerer, Wyoming 83101, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (307) 877-9056 and maintains a website at lincolncountysheriff.org. The office operates the Lincoln County Detention Center, which houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Inmate lookup and jail roster information can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by contacting the detention center directly at the Kemmerer location.

• The Afton Police Department serves the Star Valley region's largest community, while the Kemmerer Police Department provides law enforcement within the county seat.
• Requests for arrest records should be submitted to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office or the specific municipal police department that made the arrest.
• Mugshots and booking photographs are typically included in booking records and can be requested through public records requests.
• Processing times and fees vary by agency but must comply with statutory fee limitations.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Lincoln County encompasses various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, which are crucial for background checks and legal proceedings. Residents can request criminal background checks through the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, which provides comprehensive reports for individuals within the state.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Lincoln County are maintained by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. These records include details such as the date of arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the sheriff's office, following the procedures outlined under the Wyoming Public Records Act. Arrest records provide insight into an individual's interactions with law enforcement and are an important component of the county's public records system.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Lincoln County Detention Center, located in Kemmerer, is the primary facility for housing individuals who have been arrested in the county. The booking process involves recording personal information, photographing, and fingerprinting the detainee. Inmate information, including booking details and charges, can be accessed through the sheriff's office. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and regulations that visitors must follow.

• 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.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Lincoln County are taken and retained by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through the sheriff's office or potentially through third-party websites that aggregate public records. Wyoming does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, so they remain accessible unless otherwise sealed by a court order.

Lincoln County courts operate under Wyoming's unified court system. The District Court for Lincoln County, located at 925 Sage Avenue in Kemmerer, WY 83101 (phone: 307-877-9056 extension 3), handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $50,000, domestic relations matters, probate proceedings, and appeals from lower courts. District Court judges are elected to six-year terms and preside over cases throughout the judicial district.

• Fees for copies of court documents are established by statute at $0.50 per page for standard copies, with certified copies costing an additional fee.

The Lincoln County Clerk's Office, located at 925 Sage Avenue in Kemmerer, WY 83101 (phone: 307-877-9056), serves as the official recorder of deeds and maintains property and land records for the county. The office records and maintains documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, mechanic's liens, UCC financing statements, easements, rights-of-way, subdivision plats, and other instruments affecting real property. These records are public under Wyoming law and available for inspection during regular business hours.

• The Lincoln County Clerk's Office provides document recording services with fees established by Wyoming Statute § 18-3-402, typically charging per-page fees for recording instruments.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained for statutory fees.
• This online tool provides valuable property research capabilities for buyers, sellers, title companies, and researchers without requiring in-person courthouse visits.

Vital records for Lincoln County, Wyoming, are maintained at both the county and state levels. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Lincoln County can be requested through the Lincoln County Clerk's Office at 925 Sage Avenue, Kemmerer, WY 83101, phone (307) 877-9056. The Wyoming Department of Health Vital Statistics Services, located at 2300 Capitol Avenue in Cheyenne, WY 82002, serves as the central repository for all Wyoming vital records and can provide certified copies for events occurring anywhere in the state.

• Birth certificates cost $12 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
• Death certificates follow the same fee structure.
• Marriage licenses are issued by the Lincoln County Clerk's Office; couples must apply in person with valid identification and pay the statutory fee.
• VitalChek offers online ordering services for Wyoming vital records at vitalchek.com with additional processing fees.
• Processing times vary from immediate issuance for in-person requests to 4-6 weeks for mail requests during busy periods.

Business license and registration information for Lincoln County is available through multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. The Lincoln County Clerk's Office at 925 Sage Avenue, Kemmerer, WY 83101 (phone: 307-877-9056) handles certain local business filings and can provide information about county-level business requirements. Formal business entity formation and registration in Wyoming is processed through the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office, which maintains a comprehensive online business entity database at wyobiz.wyo.gov.

• This searchable database includes corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, trade names (DBAs), and other registered business entities operating in Wyoming.
• The Secretary of State's online system allows users to search by business name, filing number, or registered agent and provides access to formation documents, annual reports, and current status information.

Elections in Lincoln County, Wyoming, 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, and can be reached at (307) 877-9056. Election information, sample ballots, and results are typically available through the county website at lincolncountywy.gov.

• Registered voters can verify their registration status and find their polling place through the Wyoming Secretary of State's voter portal or by contacting the Lincoln County Clerk's office directly.
• Wyoming maintains voter rolls as public records with certain personal information redacted; these can be requested under the Public Records Act.
• In the 2024 general election, Lincoln County demonstrated typical Wyoming voter participation with turnout exceeding 70% of registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement in this rural county.
• Absentee ballot requests must be received by the day before the election, though earlier submission is strongly encouraged.
• § 22-2-101 et seq.) governs election procedures and provides for transparency through public observation of ballot counting and access to election records after certification.

Lincoln County's economy is diversified across several key sectors, though it retains a strong connection to natural resource extraction and agriculture. Coal mining remains economically significant, with the Kemmerer Mine operated by Westmoreland Coal Company being a major employer in the southern part of the county. This operation has provided hundreds of jobs for decades, though the energy sector faces ongoing transitions. The Naughton Power Plant near Kemmerer is another significant employer tied to energy production.

• The median household income in Lincoln County is approximately $62,000, somewhat below the national average but reflecting the rural character and lower cost of living.

Court Records: ✅ Online | Property: ✅ Online Search Available | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Contact Required | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or Mail | Business: ✅ Online (State) | Elections: ✅ Online | Overall Score: 7/10 — Lincoln County provides good online access to property and court records through state systems, though some records require direct contact with county offices.

Explore public records for 16 cities and communities in Lincoln County, Wyoming.