What are Wyoming Property Records?
Wyoming public records are a central repository for all legal documents on real property. Per Federal Management Regulation 102–71.20 (41 CFR 102–71.20), real property includes land and the structures, fixtures, etc., on it.
Hence, property records include all reports, documents, files, books, and other written contracts concerning a piece of real property. Property records also include a selling party's production records, maps, well files, surveys, electric logs, seismic records, geological and geophysical data, together with all other files, third-party contracts, documents, manuals, and records metallurgical testing and studies, feasibility studies, prospecting and drilling records projections, as maintenance records, and any other data and information relating solely or primarily to real property.
Wyoming property records are essential for the resolution of property-related matters. Suppose a person must sell a piece of Wyoming property. In that case, the buyer can confirm that the property belongs to the seller through these records.
Are Wyoming Property Records Public?
Yes. Wyoming State Statute §34-1-119 directs that Wyoming county clerks are responsible for receiving, verifying, and comprehensively recording all property records ( deeds, mortgages, certificates, etc.). Also, Wyoming's Open Records Act defines public records to include any information in a physical form that was created, accepted, or received by a governmental entity for its official function and to carry out public business. The Wyoming Open Records Act also allows public records to be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times during the state entity or political subdivision business hours. Going by these definitions, Wyoming property records are most certainly public records, and any interested entity can request to inspect or make copies of them.
Property records are available for public viewing through government agencies or third-party aggregate websites. Accessing property records through third-party sites is typically straightforward, and the records are not geographically limited. However, because the sites are not government-affiliated and run independently, the information contained in the records may vary. Searching parties should include the following information to obtain complete property records:
- The property’s exact location.
- The property owner’s details.
Where to Search Wyoming Public Property Records
Per Wyoming State Statutes §18-3-401 and §18-3-402 (Vi), the county clerks of each county are responsible for storing and disseminating documents relating to public property records.
Anyone who wants to search Wyoming public property records should go to the county's clerk and recorder's office where they need the documents, that is, where the property is situated.
All counties allow requests to be made in person at the county office. However, many counties also provide online property records search options. For instance, Natrona County enables users to conduct free assessor property searches and treasurer tax bill searches. Other Counties require a fee. For example, Bighorn County also allows users to search property records online, but they must first pay a subscription fee.
Furthermore, Wyoming state archives also store county records, municipal records, and court records. So depending on the type of property information that the searcher is looking for, they may search the state archives for the records.
Aside from the official sources, one might also search third-party websites for public property records information in Wyoming.
What Information is Included in Wyoming Property Records?
The information in Wyoming property records might vary depending on which county provides the records. Wyoming Assessor's website, the database of Wyoming's real and personal property records, contains documents that include the owner(s) names, drawings of the property, mailing addresses, parcel sketches, structure photos, parcel sketches, lists of building permits, and histories of ownership transfers.
- Tax Assessment Records: There exist two different property assessors in Wyoming. The first type is the County assessors who assess properties in each county. The second type is the Wyoming Department of Revenue, which inspects pipelines, electric utilities, mines, rails, and other public utilities. Assessment Schedules often contain information about the property, including the description of the property, the name of the payer, legal descriptions of the property, the name of the original purchaser, and maps.
- Deeds: Depending on the kind of deeds being provided, the deeds of a property include information about the buyer (grantee) and the seller (grantor), transfer dates, etc. there are various types of deed that can exist on a property, including general warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, and grant deeds.
- Plat Maps: A plat map is a diagram that shows the division of a property within a neighborhood, city, or county. Plat maps are helpful to establish what a person may legally do on a property they purchased or rented.
- A Basic Sketch of The Property, property leases, mortgage information, liens, licenses, judgments, restrictive covenants, etc.
How to Do a Property Records Search in Wyoming
As part of the preliminary procedures when purchasing or renting a piece of land or property, it is essential to be well-informed about the ownership, restrictions, etc., of that property. Property records searches in Wyoming are done at the county level. To obtain information or records about a piece of property in Wyoming, interested persons should forward their request to the county clerk's office. They should possess an adequate description of the property to aid the records search.
Many Wyoming Counties provide users with online access to search property records. For instance, persons may search property records in Natrona County online. Persons may also query property records for Campbell County online by providing the account, owner's name, or street address. While some counties provide online property searches for free, others require a fee.
Another way to do property records searches in Wyoming is using the Wyoming State Archives or third-party channels.
How to Find the Owner of a Wyoming Property Using Public Records
Persons interested in finding the owner of a Wyoming property using public records search may forward their query to the County Clerk's office where the property is situated. With a proper description of the land, photographs, or a map, a title search can be conducted to find out the present and previous owners of the property. Free public investigations of properties may be carried out using the online resources provided by many counties, for example, Natrona County. However, obtaining certified physical copies of property records often comes with a small copying fee.
To carry out a free title search on a property, the searcher should:
- Obtain the address of the property and, if possible, the owner's name too
- Take the information to the tax assessor's office together with the lot and parcel number, and confirm the tax information. The searcher should also try to verify if the property owner s the one paying the taxes on the property.
- Take the information obtained to the County Clerk's office, and use it to check for deeds, mortgages, liens, etc., associated with the property.
- Go to the civil court also to check the existence of any claims against the property.
- Check With the probate court if any death or divorce notices give another party rights over that property.
Users may also find the owner of a Wyoming property by providing information like county street address, etc., to search online county records under the Wyoming State Archives. For some counties, this service is free, while in other Counties, the searcher will have to pay a fee or subscribe. Regardless of whether or not the Counties provide free public records searches, persons who need to obtain copies from the archive must pay copying fees.
Alternatively, searchers may hire third parties like title search companies to verify a property's rightful owner.
What are Wyoming Property Records Used For?
Wyoming property records are helpful in many ways, such as determining the actual owner of a property, tracing genealogies, etc. Other uses of Wyoming property records are:
- Resolving real estate issues like boundary line disputes (because property records include a general description of properties, including the dimensions and size markers).
- Resolving legal disputes like liens
- Ensuring the accuracy of information used to decide the market value of a property.
- Clearing up issues relating to inheritances, wills, and property shares.
- Resolving issues that involve the chain of title, like ownership history
- Settling issues relating to mortgages, and foreclosure on a piece of property
- Clarifying the rights provided by an easement
- Locating, identifying, and determining the actual value and taxable value of a piece of property
How to Find Wyoming Property Tax Records
Under Wyoming's State Legislation, the County Assessor does property tax assessment at the County level. A County Assessor is responsible for determining the property value of a piece of property, which the County Treasurer's office then receives. This information is then stored at the county level. One should submit a request to the county office to find Wyoming property tax records. In some cases, one may be able to find Wyoming property tax records online because some counties have provisions for property tax records searches online. For instance, Natrona County tax records search, Sweetwater County tax records search, City of Wyoming property tax search, etc., are available online.
Interested persons may also find tax records on a property in Wyoming by employing the assistance of third parties like legal entities or third-party website searches.
What to Do When You Can't Find Property Records in Wyoming
When a property record is unavailable, cannot be found, or is not in existence, delays and cancellations may arise.
When a person cannot find official public records of a property in Wyoming, it may be that the property owner failed to register the property at the county office or one or more search parameters are wrong. In such cases, it is best to verify all the information entered in the search parameters and check for any errors.
Suppose it is confirmed that there are no errors, but the searcher is still unable to locate the records. In that case, they may consider turning to alternative (third-party) sources of public records or enlisting the help of other experts.
It is also important to note that properties should be registered with the county recorder's office. So if a person cannot find public records of their property at the county office, it may be that that property was never registered. In that case, the person should file the property registration. The processes, time, and fees may vary according to the county.
Also, suppose the owner of a property is unknown. In that case, state law allows businesses and government agencies to file an unclaimed property report with the Wyoming State Treasurer's Office Unclaimed Property Division.
