Wyoming Public Records

How the Wyoming Public Records Act works

Wyoming's law is the Public Records Act, W.S. 16-4-201 to 16-4-205 (Title 16 text). All public records are open for inspection by any person during business hours, unless the Act or another law provides otherwise. Requests go to the designated public records person each governmental entity must name; the Department of Administration and Information publishes the list (W.S. 16-4-202(a), (e)).

Deadlines: records that are readily available are released immediately. If the records are held by another office, or are in active use or storage, the agency must tell you within seven business days of acknowledged receipt. All records must be released within 30 calendar days of acknowledged receipt, unless good cause prevents it; then they are released on a date agreed with you (W.S. 16-4-202(b), (c)).

Fees: no fee may be charged just to inspect a record. Copies cost a reasonable fee set by the custodian, and any fee must be authorized by a statute, rule, resolution, ordinance or executive order. Electronic copies can include the cost of programming and computer services (W.S. 16-4-202(d), 16-4-204).

Appeals: a denial must cite the law it rests on, in writing on request (W.S. 16-4-203(e)). You can complain to the Public Records Ombudsman named by the Governor, or petition the district court, at any time (W.S. 16-4-202(c)(v)). A knowing or intentional violation carries a penalty up to $750 (W.S. 16-4-205).

What you cannot get in Wyoming

• Criminal history goes to criminal justice agencies, agencies named by law, researchers and the person the record is about (W.S. 7-19-106(a)), and to others only with the written consent of the person, through a voluntary check made through a Wyoming criminal justice agency (W.S. 7-19-106(k), Title 7 text). DCI runs background checks from fingerprint cards.
• Investigation files of sheriffs, police, prosecutors and the Attorney General may be withheld when release would be contrary to the public interest (W.S. 16-4-203(b)(i)).
• Personal records the custodian must deny: medical and psychological data, adoption and welfare records, personnel files, student records and 911 call information (W.S. 16-4-203(d)).
• Juvenile records of a minor's misconduct are confidential and may be disclosed only in the cases the law lists (W.S. 14-6-203(g), Title 14 text).
• Vital records may not be inspected or copied except as regulations allow (W.S. 35-1-426, Title 35 text). Birth records open after 100 years and death records after 50, per Vital Records Services.

Expungement in Wyoming

Wyoming uses expungement, filed in the court where the case was or would have been heard (W.S. 7-13-1401 to 7-13-1502). A granted order seals the court file and is sent to DCI; the record stays available to criminal justice agencies.

• Arrests and dismissed charges (W.S. 7-13-1401): at least 180 days after the arrest or dismissal, no pending charges and no conviction or deferred disposition from the incident. No filing fee.
• Misdemeanor convictions (W.S. 7-13-1501): at least five years after the sentence, probation and any court program end, or one year for status offenses. No firearm involved. Filing fee $100.
• Felony convictions (W.S. 7-13-1502): at least ten years after the sentence, probation and court programs end and restitution is paid, with no other felony conviction. Violent felonies, offenses requiring sex offender registration and other listed crimes are excluded. Filing fee $300.

The prosecutor is served and may object: within 20 days for arrests, 30 days for misdemeanors and 90 days for felonies.

How to get your own Wyoming criminal record

The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), part of the Attorney General's Office, is the central repository for Wyoming criminal history (W.S. 7-19-107). You have the right to inspect your record and to ask the district court to correct it (W.S. 7-19-109).

1. Get fingerprinted on a blue FBI applicant card at DCI, by appointment at 307-777-7181 ($5), or at a local law enforcement agency.
2. Fill in the top of the card and the address where results should go, as the DCI background check page instructions explain.
3. Send the card with a $15 certified check or money order payable to the Office of the Attorney General to DCI, ATTN: ATS, 208 South College Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82002. No personal checks or cash.
4. DCI answers with a letter saying no record, or with the arrest information attached. The $15 check also covers the other Western Identification Network states. DCI states the time depends on its current backlog.

Wyoming record laws to know

• W.S. 16-4-201 to 16-4-205, the Public Records Act: who may inspect, deadlines, fees, the ombudsman and penalties.
• W.S. 7-19-101 to 7-19-109, the Criminal History Record Act: DCI as central repository, who may receive records and the right to review your own.
• W.S. 7-13-1401, 7-13-1501 and 7-13-1502: expungement of arrests, misdemeanor convictions and felony convictions.
• W.S. 18-6-302 (Title 18 text): the county sheriff keeps and runs the county jail.