Sweetwater County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Sweetwater County in 2026

SweetwaterRecords.us provides publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Members of the public seeking official documentation may access records through multiple channels, including the county's official government offices, online portals, and state-level repositories. The types of records that may be available include property and land records, court filings, vital records, tax documents, election records, law enforcement reports, and meeting minutes. Availability and completeness of records vary by record type, the custodial office, and applicable legal restrictions.

Records in Sweetwater County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The Sweetwater County official website provides access to property tax information, land records, legal public notices, and other county resources.
Land records for Sweetwater County are searchable online through the County Clerk's portal, with eRecording available since December 8, 2011.
Court case information may be accessed through the Wyoming Judicial Branch online case search system.
No registration is required to search most publicly available county records online.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Sweetwater County Clerk's Office at 80 West Flaming Gorge Way, Green River, WY 82935.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and names of parties involved to facilitate retrieval.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted to the Sweetwater County Clerk's Office at 80 West Flaming Gorge Way, Green River, WY 82935.
Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery.
Under Wyoming law, agencies are required to respond to public records requests promptly and without unreasonable delay.

Phone/Email:

Sweetwater County Clerk's Office: (307) 872-6435
The County Clerk's office may be contacted directly for guidance on specific record types and request procedures.

What Are Public Records in Sweetwater County?

Public records in Sweetwater County are defined under Wyoming Statutes § 16-4-201, which broadly encompasses any information created, received, or maintained by a public agency in the conduct of official business. The following record types are maintained by county offices and are subject to public access under state law:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Clerk of District Court for Sweetwater County
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments maintained by the County Clerk
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (birth and death records are maintained by the Wyoming Department of Health; marriage and divorce records are held by the County Clerk)
Business records — licenses, permits, and fictitious business name filings
Tax records — property tax assessments and payment records maintained by the County Assessor and Treasurer
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of county commission and board proceedings
Budget and financial documents — county expenditure and revenue records
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law; traffic-related records may be requested through Wyoming Highway Patrol public records
Land use and zoning records — maintained by county planning departments

Historical county records, including early brand records and marriage records dating to 1868, are preserved through the Wyoming State Archives county records collection.

Is Sweetwater County an Open Records County?

Sweetwater County operates in full compliance with Wyoming's public records laws, which establish a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under Wyoming Public Records Act § 16-4-201 through § 16-4-205, all public records are open for inspection by any person unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

As stated in Wyoming Statute § 16-4-203, "all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times." This provision reflects the state's commitment to government transparency and accountability. The Wyoming Judicial Branch similarly affirms that "access to justice starts here," underscoring the public's right to access court records through the Wyoming courts system.

The County Clerk's Office, as the primary custodian of county records, is obligated to make records available for public viewing, produce copies upon request, and provide certifications of records as required. No county-specific ordinance restricts access beyond the exemptions established under state law.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Sweetwater County?

The fee structure for public records in Sweetwater County is governed by Wyoming Statute § 16-4-204, which authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of producing records. Current standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:

Record Type	Standard Fee
Paper copies (per page)	$0.10 – $1.00 (varies by office)
Certified copies	$5.00 – $10.00 per document
Electronic copies	Actual cost of duplication
Search fees	Not permitted beyond actual staff time costs

Inspection fees: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of public records.
Copy fees: Per-page fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested.
Certification fees: Documents requiring an official seal or certification carry an additional fee.
Payment methods: The County Clerk's Office accepts cash, check, and credit/debit card payments.
Fee waivers: Agencies may waive fees at their discretion, particularly for requests determined to be in the public interest.

Fees for land records and court documents may differ from general county copy fees. Members of the public are advised to confirm current fees directly with the relevant custodial office prior to submitting a request.

Does Sweetwater County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Sweetwater County, as Wyoming law requires that all public records be open for inspection at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may review records in person without cost, fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested.

The following resources provide free access to certain public records:

The Sweetwater County official government portal offers free online access to property tax information, legal public notices, and land record searches.
The Wyoming Judicial Branch case search provides free online access to court case information without registration.
The Wyoming State Archives maintains free online access to historical county records, including early land and vital records.
Public access terminals are available at the County Clerk's Office for in-person record inspection at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in Sweetwater County?

Any person may request public records in Sweetwater County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Wyoming's Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requestor. Specifically:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be Wyoming residents.
Identification: Agencies may not require identification as a condition of access to public records, though identification may be requested for certain sensitive record types.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request for most record categories.
Non-residents: Non-residents retain the same rights of access as Wyoming residents under state law.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional verification may be required for certified copies of vital records.

Certain record types, such as child welfare records maintained through the Wyoming Department of Family Services Central Registry, require a formal application process and are subject to eligibility requirements specific to the nature of the request.

What Records Are Confidential in Sweetwater County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Wyoming Statute § 16-4-203 enumerates specific categories of records exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following record types are currently withheld from public access in whole or in part:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or child protection proceedings
Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records
Medical records — protected under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained confidentially by the Wyoming Department of Family Services
Personnel records — employee records are exempt with limited exceptions for public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety

When a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder of the document.

Sweetwater County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Sweetwater County Clerk's Office
80 West Flaming Gorge Way
Green River, WY 82935
(307) 872-6435
Sweetwater County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Additional Offices:

Clerk of District Court – Sweetwater County
80 West Flaming Gorge Way, Suite 255
Green River, WY 82935
(307) 872-6440
Clerk of District Court – Sweetwater County

The Clerk of District Court is responsible for maintaining all court records of the Third Judicial District Court, Sweetwater County, and provides public information and customer service in a timely manner. The office maintains civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files.

Wyoming Highway Patrol – Public Records Unit
5300 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY 82009
(307) 777-4301
Wyoming Highway Patrol public records requests

Wyoming State Archives
2301 Central Ave.
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7826
Wyoming State Archives county records