Wyoming is a small state -- 23 counties, about 580,000 people -- with a lean but functional criminal history system. The DCI (Division of Criminal Investigation) is the central repository and processes fingerprint-based checks. Wyoming also participates in the Western Identification Network (WIN), which means a Wyoming background check can surface criminal history from eight western states. Wyoming's expungement law under WY Stat 7-13-1401 covers non-conviction records well: after 180 days, anyone whose charges were dismissed or who was acquitted can petition for expungement at no filing fee. Convictions are a different story -- guilty pleas and convictions are not expungable under 7-13-1401, though a separate pathway exists for certain convictions 1 year after sentence completion. Expungement in Wyoming means sealing -- law enforcement can still access the record for criminal justice purposes. This guide covers the full system.
What Makes Wyoming Arrest Records Public
Wyoming's public records framework is governed by the Wyoming Sunshine Act (Public Records Act) at WY Stat 16-4-201 et seq. Government records, including arrest records, are presumptively public under this law. The Wyoming Criminal History Record Act requires DCI to maintain records of all criminal arrests and convictions.
The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) serves as the central repository for criminal history record information in Wyoming. DCI's Applicant Tracking System (ATS) processes criminal history record checks. DCI also participates in the Western Identification Network (WIN), which provides access to criminal history from participating western states: Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada.
DCI does not offer name-based public searches for criminal history. Fingerprints are required for all criminal history record checks. Third-party requests for someone else's record require the subject's consent in the form of a completed fingerprint card.
Exemptions from public access include juvenile records (generally unavailable to the public, with exceptions for murder or sexual offenses), expunged records, active investigation materials, and specifically protected personal information.
What a Wyoming Arrest Record Contains
An arrest record is a booking document. It reflects the facts of an arrest at the time of booking and carries no presumption of guilt.
A Wyoming DCI criminal history record includes personal identifying information, arrest data, charges, court dispositions, and conviction and sentencing information. Because Wyoming participates in WIN, the record may also include criminal history from participating western states.
Local law enforcement records at county sheriff offices and police departments include full booking information: name, DOB, date and time of arrest, location, arresting agency, charges, bail amount, court date, and booking photograph.
How to Search Wyoming Arrest Records
For criminal history record checks: contact the DCI's Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Fingerprinting is required. You can be fingerprinted at DCI or at a local law enforcement agency. DCI charges a fee for criminal background checks; there is an additional cost for fingerprinting. DCI contact and submission information is available at the Wyoming Attorney General's website at ag.wyo.gov.
For court case records: the Wyoming Courts provide public access to case records through the iCourt portal. Search by name or case number. The Wyoming Judiciary's public case search tool at wyocourts.gov allows access to district and circuit court case information including criminal cases.
County sheriff offices maintain booking records for recent arrests. Wyoming has 23 counties and each county sheriff manages the local detention facility. Most publish online inmate rosters or booking information.
For broader multi-source searches that aggregate public record data across Wyoming's 23 counties and other jurisdictions, TruthFinder is a practical option.
VINELink at vinelink.com connects to the WDOC system and many county facilities and provides free real-time custody status and notification registration.
County Jail Records in Wyoming
Wyoming has 23 counties and each county sheriff manages the local detention center. County facilities hold people recently arrested, those awaiting trial, and individuals serving shorter sentences.
When someone is convicted and sentenced to state prison, they enter the Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) system. WDOC provides an online inmate search accessible through its website at corrections.wyo.gov. To search, provide a WDOC inmate number or the first two letters of the last name.
Federal Arrests in Wyoming
Federal arrests in Wyoming are made by agencies including the FBI, the DEA, U.S. Marshals, the ATF, and Homeland Security Investigations. Wyoming is home to the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming in Cheyenne and Casper.
The BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the official free tool for locating anyone serving a federal sentence. Search by name or BOP register number. Federal court records are available through the PACER system at pacer.gov.
Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the DCI criminal history system and are not subject to Wyoming's expungement statutes.
Arrest Records Versus Conviction Records
An arrest record documents that law enforcement took someone into custody. A conviction record documents a court's finding of guilt. Wyoming's DCI criminal history records include both arrest and conviction data. Dismissed charges and non-conviction outcomes remain in DCI records and court records until expunged.
The practical distinction matters significantly in Wyoming: the expungement pathway for non-conviction arrests is straightforward and has no filing fee. The pathway for convictions is separate and more limited.
Wyoming Expungement Under WY Stat 7-13-1401
Wyoming's expungement statutes at WY Stat 7-13-1401 through 7-13-1404 govern record sealing. Under Wyoming law, expungement means classifying the record so it is not available for general dissemination -- law enforcement and criminal justice agencies retain access for criminal justice purposes. The court file is placed under seal, available only for inspection by court order.
After expungement, the petitioner may lawfully answer "no" to most questions about prior criminal history, with specific exceptions for law enforcement, judicial proceedings, and certain professional licensing boards.
Non-conviction expungement under WY Stat 7-13-1401(a): A person may petition for expungement of arrest, charge, or disposition records if all of the following are true:
1. At least 180 days have passed since the arrest or from the date the charge was dismissed.
2. No formal charges are pending when the petition is filed.
3. At least one of the following applies: (a) the person was not convicted of any criminal charge relating to the event leading to the arrest -- meaning full acquittal on all charges; or (b) no criminal charges of any kind were filed as a result of the event; or (c) the prosecutor or court dismissed all criminal charges relating to the event.
A guilty plea or conviction disqualifies the person from this pathway. There is no filing fee for petitions under WY Stat 7-13-1401.
Conviction expungement: Under a separate provision, petitions for expungement of certain conviction records may be filed 1 year after sentence completion. Verify eligibility criteria at the Wyoming Judiciary website (wyocourts.gov) for current eligible offense categories.
Process: The petition is filed in the district court in the county where the charge or conviction originated. The petition is served on the prosecuting attorney, who has 20 days to file an objection. If no objection is filed, the court may summarily grant the expungement order. If the prosecutor objects, the court schedules a hearing.
InmateAid's guides on expungement cover Wyoming's framework in more detail. Mugshot removal from third-party sites after expungement is addressed in InmateAid's resources on that topic.
Frequently asked questions
Are Wyoming arrest records public?
Yes, under the Wyoming Sunshine Act (WY Stat 16-4-201 et seq.). Arrest records are presumptively public. DCI maintains the central criminal history repository under the Wyoming Criminal History Record Act. Juvenile records are generally not public (with exceptions for murder and sexual offenses). Expunged records are sealed and not publicly accessible.
How do I search Wyoming arrest records?
DCI requires fingerprinting for criminal history checks -- contact the DCI Applicant Tracking System (ATS) through ag.wyo.gov. Third-party requests require subject consent via a completed fingerprint card. For court case records, use the Wyoming Courts public case search at wyocourts.gov (iCourt portal). For recent arrests, check the relevant county sheriff's website. For multi-source results, TruthFinder aggregates public record data. For custody notifications, VINELink at vinelink.com is free. For WDOC state inmates, search at corrections.wyo.gov (provide WDOC number or first two letters of last name).
What does a Wyoming arrest record contain?
A DCI criminal history record includes personal identifying information, arrest data, charges, court dispositions, and conviction and sentencing information. Because Wyoming participates in WIN (Western Identification Network), the record may also include criminal history from Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. Local law enforcement records include name, DOB, arrest date/time/location, charges, bail, court date, and booking photograph.
Is an arrest the same as a conviction in Wyoming?
No. An arrest documents that someone was taken into custody. A conviction reflects a court's finding of guilt. DCI records include both arrest and conviction data. Dismissed charges and acquittals remain in DCI records and court records until expunged under WY Stat 7-13-1401. Non-conviction records are eligible for expungement after 180 days with no filing fee.
How do I find someone in a Wyoming county jail?
Check the county sheriff's website where the arrest occurred. Wyoming's 23 counties each operate county detention facilities and most provide online inmate information. VINELink at vinelink.com connects to many Wyoming facilities and provides free notification registration. For someone in state prison, use the WDOC inmate search at corrections.wyo.gov.
Can I search federal arrest records in Wyoming?
Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.gov. For someone serving a federal sentence, the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the free official tool. Federal arrests and convictions are not subject to Wyoming's expungement statutes.
How long does an arrest stay on record in Wyoming?
Wyoming arrest and conviction records remain in DCI records and court records indefinitely unless expunged. Non-conviction records (dismissed charges, acquittals, no charges filed) are eligible for expungement after 180 days under WY Stat 7-13-1401. Certain conviction records are eligible for expungement 1 year after sentence completion.
Who qualifies for expungement in Wyoming?
Under WY Stat 7-13-1401(a), non-conviction records qualify after 180 days if no charges were filed, all charges were dismissed, or there was a full acquittal -- with no formal charges pending and no conviction from the incident. There is no filing fee. A separate pathway exists for certain conviction records, petitionable 1 year after sentence completion. Guilty pleas and convictions are not eligible under the non-conviction pathway.
Can a conviction be expunged in Wyoming?
Convictions are not eligible for expungement under the primary non-conviction pathway (WY Stat 7-13-1401(a)). A separate provision allows petitions for certain conviction records to be filed 1 year after sentence completion. Verify the current eligible offense categories at the Wyoming Judiciary website (wyocourts.gov). Wyoming expungement seals records from public access but does not require law enforcement to destroy them -- criminal justice agencies retain access.
Why does my record show an arrest but no conviction?
Non-conviction arrests remain in DCI records and court records until expunged. Under WY Stat 7-13-1401, if at least 180 days have passed since the arrest or dismissal, no formal charges are pending, and no conviction resulted from the incident, you may petition for expungement at no filing fee. File the petition in the district court of the county where the charge was or would have been brought. ---
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