Natrona County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Natrona County?

Public records in Natrona County are defined according to the Wyoming Public Records Act § 16-4-201 as "any information in a physical form 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 document the activities and operations of government agencies and are maintained for public access and transparency.

Natrona County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the 7th Judicial District Court and Circuit Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Documentation from County Commission meetings and other boards
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with statutory limitations)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

The Natrona 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 respective court clerks, while other specialized records may be held by specific departments such as the Assessor's Office (property assessments), Treasurer's Office (tax records), or Sheriff's Office (law enforcement records).

Is Natrona County an Open Records County?

Natrona County adheres to the Wyoming Public Records Act § 16-4-201 through § 16-4-205, which establishes the framework for public access to government records throughout the state. This statute explicitly states that "all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times" except as otherwise provided by law.

Under § 16-4-202(a) of the Wyoming Public Records Act, "the custodian of any public records shall allow any person the right of inspection of such records or any portion thereof except on one (1) or more of the following grounds or as provided in subsection (b) or (d) of this section." This provision establishes a presumption of openness for government records in Natrona County.

Natrona County has formalized its commitment to transparency through Resolution No. 19-25, which establishes procedures for public records requests in compliance with state law. This resolution outlines the county's process for handling records requests, including timeframes for response, fee structures, and procedures for reviewing potentially exempt information.

The county also complies with Wyoming's Open Meetings Act (§ 16-4-401 through § 16-4-408), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public with proper notice, further demonstrating the county's commitment to governmental transparency.

How to Find Public Records in Natrona County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Natrona County may utilize several methods to locate and access public information:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online records search portal, which provides access to property records, court cases, and other frequently requested documents. The county also maintains a warrant search database for active warrants issued by the 7th Judicial District and Circuit Courts.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records in person:
- Property records, marriage licenses, and county commission records: County Clerk's Office
- Court records: District Court or Circuit Court Clerk
- Property assessments: County Assessor's Office
- Tax records: County Treasurer's Office
Written Requests: For records not readily available online or requiring special processing, individuals may submit a formal public records request pursuant to the Wyoming Public Records Act. Requests should:
- Be submitted in writing using the county's Public Records Request Form
- Clearly describe the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Include contact information for response
- Be delivered to the appropriate records custodian
Electronic Requests: The county accepts public records requests via email to the relevant department or through the county's online request system.

The records custodian must respond to requests within seven business days as required by § 16-4-202(c) of the Wyoming Public Records Act. If additional time is needed, the custodian must provide written explanation and a date when the records will be available.

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

Natrona County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 16-4-204 of the Wyoming Public Records Act, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for document production. Current standard fees include:

Paper Copies: $0.50 per page for standard black and white copies
Color Copies: $1.00 per page
Large Format Documents (maps, plats, etc.): $5.00 per page
Digital Copies: $10.00 per CD/DVD for electronic records
Staff Time: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 15 minutes of staff time to locate, compile, or redact records (first 15 minutes are free)
Specialized Records: Additional fees may apply for certified copies, recorded documents, or specialized formats

The County Clerk's Office accepts the following payment methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)

Under § 16-4-204(b), the county may waive fees if the request is determined to be in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of government operations and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. Fee waiver requests must be submitted in writing with justification for the waiver.

Requestors will be provided with a cost estimate for requests exceeding $50.00, and prepayment may be required before processing begins.

Does Natrona County Have Free Public Records?

Natrona County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost:

In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to § 16-4-202 of the Wyoming Public Records Act, any person has the right to inspect public records at no charge during normal business hours. The law specifically states that "no fee shall be charged for the right of inspection."
Online Resources: The county offers free access to several online record systems:
- The Natrona County Records Search provides free access to view basic property information, recorded document indexes, and marriage records
- The Warrant Search database allows free searches for active warrants
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas are available at no cost on the county website
- The Wyoming Judicial Branch website provides free access to court calendars and basic case information
Minimal Records: Small requests (typically fewer than 10 pages) may be provided at no cost at the discretion of the records custodian.
Public Interest Materials: Documents routinely distributed to the public, such as informational brochures, annual reports, and public notices, are typically available at no charge.

It should be noted that while inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies or for requests requiring extensive staff time to process as outlined in the county's fee schedule.

Who Can Request Public Records in Natrona County?

Under the Wyoming Public Records Act § 16-4-202, "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 in Natrona County
Requestors are not required to state a purpose or justify their need for the records
Requestors do not need to identify themselves, except in specific circumstances where identity verification is required by law

However, certain limitations apply to specific record types:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest as defined in Wyoming Statute § 35-1-420.
Criminal Justice Records: Access to certain law enforcement records may be restricted based on investigation status or privacy concerns under § 16-4-203(b)(i).
Medical Information: Records containing protected health information are restricted in accordance with federal HIPAA regulations and state privacy laws.
Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors are generally confidential under Wyoming law, with limited exceptions for certain parties.

For records with restricted access, requestors may need to provide identification or documentation establishing their legal right to access the information. Government agencies, law enforcement, and authorized researchers may have broader access rights to certain restricted records when acting in their official capacity.

What Records Are Confidential in Natrona County?

While Wyoming law establishes a presumption of openness for government records, § 16-4-203 of the Wyoming Public Records Act identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. In Natrona County, the following record types are generally considered confidential:

Personal Privacy Information: Records containing social security numbers, financial account information, personal phone numbers, home addresses, and similar personally identifiable information
Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Juvenile Records: Court proceedings, law enforcement records, and social service files involving minors
Ongoing Investigations: Law enforcement records that could impede active investigations or prosecutions
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product prepared for the county
Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (with limited exceptions for basic employment data)
Educational Records: Student records protected under FERPA
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
Security Information: Records detailing security measures, emergency response plans, or critical infrastructure vulnerabilities
Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by judicial order
Adoption Records: Documents related to adoption proceedings
Child Welfare Records: Child protective services investigations and case files
Deliberative Process Materials: Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations (prior to final agency action)

When a record contains both public and confidential information, § 16-4-203(e) requires that "the custodian shall separate the confidential parts from the nonconfidential parts and make the nonconfidential parts available for examination."

The county applies a balancing test when considering discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and potential harm from release, as required by Wyoming case law interpreting the Public Records Act.

Natrona County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Natrona County Clerk's Office
200 North Center Street, Room 154
Casper, WY 82601
Phone: (307) 235-9217
Natrona County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Additional County Offices for Records:

Natrona County District Court Clerk
115 North Center Street, Suite 100
Casper, WY 82601
Phone: (307) 235-9243
Fax: (307) 235-9493
Email: cdc@natronacounty-wy.gov
7th Judicial District Court

Natrona County Assessor's Office
200 North Center Street, Room 203
Casper, WY 82601
Phone: (307) 235-9332
Natrona County Assessor

Natrona County Treasurer's Office
200 North Center Street, Room 110
Casper, WY 82601
Phone: (307) 235-9400
Natrona County Treasurer

Natrona County Sheriff's Office
201 North David Street, 2nd Floor
Casper, WY 82601
Phone: (307) 235-9282
Natrona County Sheriff