Worland, Wyoming Public Records

The Washakie County Circuit Court, also located at the courthouse at 1001 Big Horn Avenue (phone: 307-347-3131), handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters under $50,000, small claims cases (up to $6,000 in Wyoming), protection orders, preliminary hearings for felonies, and traffic violations. The Worland Municipal Court, located at Worland City Hall, 1202 Big Horn Avenue, Worland, WY 82401 (phone: 307-347-4228), has jurisdiction over city ordinance violations, traffic citations issued within city limits, and other municipal code infractions. Wyoming court records can be searched through the Wyoming Judicial Branch's online portal at wyomingcases.gov, which provides access to case information from district and circuit courts statewide. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Not all historical records are digitized, and some sensitive cases may have restricted access. For certified copies of court documents, requests must be made to the clerk of the court where the case was filed. Filing fees in Wyoming district courts include $70 for civil case filings (with higher fees for cases over $50,000), $15 for certified copies of documents, and varying fees for other services. Circuit court fees are generally lower. Payment can typically be made by cash, check, or credit card.

Many Wyoming counties provide online property search tools, though availability varies; residents should contact the Assessor directly or visit the office to search records by property address, owner name, or parcel number. The office provides information on assessed values, mill levies, and property tax calculations. The Washakie County Clerk, also located at 1001 Big Horn Avenue, Worland, WY 82401 (phone: 307-347-4926), serves as the County Recorder and maintains the official land records for Washakie County. The Clerk records deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens (including mechanics liens, judgment liens, and tax liens), easements, plats, subdivision maps, and other instruments affecting real property. These records are indexed by grantor and grantee names and by legal description. While some Wyoming counties offer online document searching and viewing through subscription services or free public portals, access varies by county. Residents can visit the Clerk's office in person to search the records index and request copies of recorded documents. Recording fees are set by state statute and vary based on the number of pages. Wyoming does not have a statewide mandatory disclosure law for property sales, so recorded sale prices may not always be evident. Some counties maintain GIS mapping systems that integrate parcel boundaries with assessor data; contact the Assessor or Planning Department to inquire about Washakie County's GIS availability.

Today, major employers include Washakie County government, which employs numerous county workers at offices in Worland; Washakie County School District #1, which operates multiple schools including Worland High School and Worland Middle School; and Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, providing medical services and employment. The agricultural sector remains strong with cattle ranching, hay production, and crop farming dominating rural areas. Energy development, including oil and gas extraction, contributes to the county's economic base. The median household income in Washakie County is approximately $58,000-$63,000 (based on recent census estimates), slightly below the Wyoming state median. Retail trade along Big Horn Avenue and surrounding areas serves local residents and travelers along US Highway 16 and US Highway 20, which intersect in Worland. The city functions as a regional service center for surrounding rural communities. Tourism related to outdoor recreation contributes seasonally, with visitors accessing the Bighorn Mountains, fishing the Bighorn River, and exploring nearby attractions like the Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site. The community has worked to diversify its economy while maintaining its agricultural heritage, with some small manufacturing and service businesses complementing traditional industries. Population has remained relatively stable, with modest growth constrained by the rural nature of the county and limited large-scale economic development opportunities compared to Wyoming's energy boom towns.

The Worland Police Department, located at 1200 Big Horn Avenue, Worland, WY 82401, serves the incorporated city limits. The department can be reached at (307) 347-2524. To request police reports or incident records, residents can visit the department in person during business hours or submit written requests. The department maintains records of arrests, accident reports, incident reports, and other law enforcement activities within city limits. The Washakie County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 700 Howell Avenue, Worland, WY 82401 (phone: 307-347-4146), provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of Washakie County and operates the county detention facility. The Sheriff's Office website is accessible through the county's main portal. For arrest records and jail bookings, the Washakie County Detention Center maintains an inmate roster that can typically be accessed by calling the facility or visiting in person. The roster generally includes inmate names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs when available. Public records requests in Wyoming are governed by the Wyoming Public Records Act, W.S. §16-4-201 through §16-4-205, which establishes the right of citizens to inspect and copy public records held by government agencies. Requests should be made in writing to the custodian of records at the specific agency. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time. Law enforcement agencies may withhold certain records related to ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or records that would compromise public safety. Response times vary but agencies must respond within a reasonable timeframe under Wyoming law.

Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for expedited service with additional fees. Birth records are available from July 1909 forward, and death records from the same date. Only authorized individuals can obtain certified copies: the person named on the certificate (if of legal age), parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, or those who demonstrate a direct and tangible interest. Photo ID is required. Marriage licenses in Wyoming are issued at the county level by the County Clerk. The Washakie County Clerk's Office, 1001 Big Horn Avenue, Worland, WY 82401 (phone: 307-347-4926), issues marriage licenses for ceremonies taking place in Washakie County. The license fee is approximately $25-30 (fees may vary). There is no waiting period in Wyoming, and licenses are valid for one year from issuance. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. Marriage records are public records and can be requested from the County Clerk's office. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Washakie County District Court at the courthouse; certified copies can be obtained from the Clerk of District Court. Older vital records may require more processing time, and some very old records may only be available on microfilm or in archived storage requiring special retrieval.

For businesses operating in unincorporated areas of Washakie County, county-level business regulations may apply; contact the Washakie County Clerk at 307-347-4926 for information. Wyoming does not have a general state business license requirement, but certain professions and activities require state-level licensing through specialized boards. Business entity formation in Wyoming is handled by the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office. The state's business entity search portal is available at wyobiz.wyo.gov, where users can search for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, nonprofit corporations, and other registered entities. The database provides information on entity name, status (active, dissolved, merged), registration date, registered agent name and address, principal office address, and filing history. Wyoming is known for its business-friendly environment with no corporate income tax and strong privacy protections. New business entities can be formed online through the same portal, with LLCs requiring a $100 filing fee and corporations $100. Annual reports are required with a minimum license tax. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, used to perfect security interests in personal property and business assets, are filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State and can be searched online at the same wyobiz.wyo.gov portal. Businesses can search existing UCC filings by debtor name or filing number. For property tax on commercial real estate, business owners should contact the Washakie County Assessor's Office at 307-347-6201 to search commercial property assessments by parcel number or business address. Assumed name (DBA) filings in Wyoming may be handled at the county level; check with the Washakie County Clerk regarding local requirements for fictitious business names.

Worland voters are served by the Washakie County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for the county. The office is located at 1001 Big Horn Avenue, Worland, WY 82401, and can be reached at (307) 347-4926. The County Clerk serves as the official elections officer responsible for voter registration, ballot preparation, polling place management, and vote counting. Wyoming residents can register to vote online at sos.wyo.gov/Elections/RegisterToVote.aspx through the Wyoming Secretary of State's website, by mail using a voter registration form, or in person at the County Clerk's office. Voters must be U.S. citizens, Wyoming residents, and at least 18 years old by election day. The voter registration deadline is 14 days before an election (online and by mail) or on election day for in-person registration at the polls with proper ID. Acceptable ID includes a Wyoming driver's license, tribal ID card, or other government-issued photo identification. Worland is an incorporated city with elected municipal government. City of Worland elections for Mayor and City Council positions are held in municipal elections, typically in odd-numbered years. The next municipal elections are scheduled for 2025, with the Mayor and council seats on the ballot. Information about city candidates, local ballot measures, and municipal election dates is available through Worland City Hall at 307-347-4228. Worland voters can find their assigned polling location by contacting the Washakie County Clerk's office or checking the Wyoming Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool online. Worland typically has polling places at locations such as the Washakie County Courthouse or community centers. Wyoming makes numerous election records publicly accessible. Voter registration lists are available for purchase for political purposes under Wyoming Statute §22-3-110. Campaign finance reports for candidates and political action committees are filed with and available from the Wyoming Secretary of State's office online. Candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and voter turnout statistics are public records. In the November 2024 presidential election, Washakie County reported voter turnout of approximately 67-72% of registered voters, consistent with Wyoming's traditionally strong rural turnout, with the county voting heavily Republican as is typical in Wyoming. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature several important races for Worland and Washakie County voters. Wyoming's U.S. Senator Mike Enzi's seat (now held by Cynthia Lummis as of 2021) will not be up in 2026, but the other Senate seat may be depending on the cycle; voters should verify with the Secretary of State. Wyoming's single U.S. House seat will be on the ballot. State-level races will include some Wyoming State Senate and State House of Representatives seats representing districts that include Washakie County. County-level offices including County Commissioners, County Clerk, County Assessor, County Sheriff, County Treasurer, County Coroner, and Clerk of District Court will have some positions up for election depending on term schedules. Worland city offices may also appear on the ballot if municipal elections coincide. Voters should check with the County Clerk for the complete list of races as candidate filing progresses through 2026. Wyoming offers absentee voting for registered voters who will be absent from the county on election day, are elderly or disabled, or meet other qualifications. Absentee ballot applications are available from the County Clerk's office or online through the Secretary of State's website and must be submitted by the Friday before the election for mail ballots. Wyoming does not have automatic mail-ballot elections for all voters like some states, but absentee voting is available upon request, and some small precincts may conduct mail-ballot elections.