Laramie County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Laramie County?
Public records in Laramie County are defined according to the Wyoming Public Records Act § 16-4-201, which states that "public records" include any information created, accepted, or obtained by the state or any agency, institution, or political subdivision of the state in furtherance of its official function and transaction of public business. These records exist in physical, electronic, and other formats as specified by statute.
Laramie County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
- Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards)
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records
The Laramie County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, particularly those related to property transactions, marriage licenses, and county commission proceedings. Court records are maintained by the Laramie County District Court, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are managed by the Wyoming Department of Health, Vital Statistics Services.
Property assessment records are maintained by the Laramie County Assessor's Office, and law enforcement records can be requested through the Laramie County Sheriff's Office.
Is Laramie County an Open Records County?
Laramie County adheres to the Wyoming Public Records Act § 16-4-201 through § 16-4-205, which establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. This statute affirms that "the public policy of the state is that all state, county and municipal records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times."
Under § 16-4-202(a), "all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, during business hours of the state entity or political subdivision, except as provided in this act or as otherwise provided by law." This provision establishes Wyoming as a state with strong open records protections.
Laramie County government offices comply with these state requirements and have implemented procedures to facilitate public access to records. The county does not maintain separate ordinances governing public records access but follows state law in all respects.
The county also complies with Wyoming's Open Meetings Act § 16-4-403, which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for executive sessions. This ensures transparency in county government operations beyond just record access.
How to Find Public Records in Laramie County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Laramie County may follow these procedures to obtain the information they need:
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Identify the appropriate custodial agency for the desired records:
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For property records, marriage licenses, and county commission records:
Laramie County Clerk's Office
309 W 20th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001
(307) 633-4242
Laramie County Clerk -
For court records:
Laramie County District Court
309 W 20th Street, Room 2300
Cheyenne, WY 82001
(307) 633-4270
District Court, 1st Judicial District -
For vital records (birth/death certificates):
Wyoming Vital Records Services
Hathaway Building, 2300 Capitol Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7591
Wyoming Department of Health, Vital Statistics
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Submit a records request:
- In person: Visit the appropriate office during business hours
- By mail: Send a written request to the agency's address
- Online: Some records are available through the Laramie County Clerk's online portal
- By email: Contact the records custodian at the email address listed on the department website
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Provide specific information:
- Describe the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Include relevant dates, names, or case numbers when applicable
- Specify preferred format (paper copies, electronic files, inspection only)
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Pay applicable fees (if any) as outlined in the fee schedule
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Allow time for processing:
- Pursuant to § 16-4-202(c), agencies must respond to requests within seven business days
- Complex requests may require additional time, which must be communicated to the requestor
Many commonly requested records are now available through the Laramie County Records Search system, which provides online access to property records, marriage licenses, and other frequently requested documents.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Laramie County?
Laramie County charges fees for certain public records in accordance with Wyoming Statute § 16-4-204, which authorizes reasonable fees for record production. Current standard fees include:
- Paper copies: $0.50 per page for standard documents
- Certified copies: $2.00 - $5.00 per document (varies by record type)
- Research fees: $15.00 per hour after the first hour (which is typically free)
- Electronic records: Variable fees based on storage media and staff time
- Specialized records: Additional fees may apply for large-format documents, maps, or records requiring special handling
The Laramie County Clerk's Office accepts the following payment methods:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
Fee schedules for specific departments include:
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County Clerk's Office:
- Certified copies of recorded documents: $5.00 for first page, $1.00 each additional page
- Marriage license: $30.00
- Recording fees: $12.00 for first page, $3.00 each additional page
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District Court:
- Case file copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified court documents: $2.50 per certification
- Record searches: $15.00 per name
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Vital Records:
- Birth certificates: $20.00 for first copy, $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously
- Death certificates: $20.00 for first copy, $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously
Under § 16-4-204(b), agencies may waive fees when they determine that the request primarily benefits the general public. Requestors seeking a fee waiver should include justification in their initial request.
Does Laramie County Have Free Public Records?
Laramie County provides free access to certain public records as required by Wyoming law. Under Wyoming Statute § 16-4-202(d)(i), all citizens have the right to inspect public records at no charge during normal business hours. This provision ensures that while copies may incur fees, the right to view records remains free of charge.
Free public records services in Laramie County include:
- In-person inspection of any non-exempt public record during regular business hours
- Access to county commission meeting minutes and agendas through the Laramie County Commissioners website
- Basic property ownership information through the Laramie County Assessor's public search portal
- Court docket information through public access terminals at the courthouse
- County budget documents and financial reports on the Laramie County website
- Voter registration verification through the Wyoming Secretary of State's office
The Laramie County Library also provides free public access to computers where residents can access online county records without charge. Library staff can assist patrons in navigating government websites to locate public information.
Additionally, the Wyoming State Archives maintains historical Laramie County records that can be accessed without charge by researchers and the general public.
Who Can Request Public Records in Laramie County?
Under Wyoming Statute § 16-4-202(a), "all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times." This broad language establishes that:
- Any individual, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records
- Requestors are not required to state a purpose or reason for their request
- Requestors do not need to demonstrate a direct interest in the records sought
- Anonymous requests are generally not accepted; basic contact information is typically required
While identification is not required for most record requests, certain records have specific eligibility restrictions:
- Vital records (birth/death certificates): Only the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest may obtain copies, per Wyoming Statute § 35-1-420
- Criminal history information: Complete criminal histories are restricted to law enforcement and authorized agencies
- Juvenile court records: Access is limited to parties to the case, their attorneys, and specific agencies as outlined in Wyoming Statute § 14-6-240
- Medical and mental health records: Protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests concerning other individuals' records, additional documentation may be necessary to establish legal authority or legitimate interest where required by law.
Government agencies, businesses, and organizations may also request public records through authorized representatives.
What Records Are Confidential in Laramie County?
Certain records in Laramie County are exempt from public disclosure under Wyoming Statute § 16-4-203, which establishes specific categories of protected information. These confidential records include:
- Personnel files except for employment contracts, salary information, and job titles
- Medical, psychological, and sociological data on individual persons
- Adoption records and reports
- Library patron records
- Trade secrets and proprietary commercial or financial information
- Records of ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege
- Hospital records relating to medical administration and patient care
- Archaeological records that could jeopardize resources if disclosed
- Communications from persons under the supervision of the department of corrections
- Information technology security information
- Military discharge papers (DD214) except to the person discharged
- Records pertaining to individual students (protected under FERPA)
- Juvenile court records as specified in Wyoming Statute § 14-6-240
- Child abuse and neglect reports under Wyoming Statute § 14-3-214
- Records containing personally identifiable information, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
Wyoming law requires agencies to apply a balancing test when considering whether to release certain records. Under § 16-4-203(g), if disclosure would constitute a "clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy," the record may be withheld if the privacy interest outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as specified in § 16-4-203(e).
Laramie County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Laramie County Clerk's Office
309 W 20th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001
(307) 633-4242
Laramie County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and federal holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
- Marriage licenses
- Notary public commissions
- County commission records
- Election administration
- Liquor licenses
- Motor vehicle registrations
Additional Contact Information:
Fax: (307) 633-4240
Email: countyclerk@laramiecounty.com
The Recording Department within the County Clerk's Office handles all land records and document recording. Documents may be submitted for recording in person, by mail, or through electronic recording for approved submitters.
Recording Fees:
- First page: $12.00
- Each additional page: $3.00
- Additional fees apply for certain document types
For marriage licenses, both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification. The fee is $30.00, and the license is valid for one year from the date of issuance.