Are Wyoming Vital Records Open to the Public?
Wyoming vital record laws are restricted from public access until a statutory period of confidentiality elapses. Per Wyoming vital statistics laws, this confidentiality period is 100 years for birth records and 50 years for death, marriage, and divorce records. In the meantime, only the registrant, their immediate family members, and legal representatives may obtain certified copies of vital records. The requestor must provide sufficient information to facilitate the vital record search.
What Information Shows Up in Vital Records in Wyoming?
A Wyoming vital record is an official document about a vital event in the state's judicial district. These records include birth records, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce statements. In Wyoming, vital records are managed by the State and County Health Departments, and interested and eligible members of the public can access them.
How Do I Obtain Wyoming Vital Records?
To obtain Wyoming vital records, query the Wyoming Vital Statistics Services Division of the Department of Health. Requests for certified copies often require that the requestor completes an application form and presents a government-issued photo ID to prove their identity. Where the requesting party is otherwise ineligible to access the vital record, a court order is required before the record custodian processes the request.
Publicly available vital records are managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a convenient jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.
Requesters must provide relevant information associated with the record to conduct an online search for vital records. Some of these include:
- The registrant's name
- Date of the event
- Place of the event
- City or county where the life event occurred
- First and last name of parents
- Presiding judge (for marriage or divorce records)
What Information Do I Need to Search for Wyoming Vital Records Online?
To request a vital record search online, the requesting party must provide the necessary details, including the subject's full name, as well as the date and location of the life event.
Certified Copy vs. Informational Copy: Understanding the Difference
Certified copies are considered legal documents that can serve various official functions, including licensing, business proceedings, and various applications. They are sealed (and sometimes notarized copies) of a record exclusively issued to persons who have met the state's eligibility requirements. However, informational copies usually go to members of the public for information or research purposes. Therefore, they do not have the legal authority to establish identity and are "unofficial" records, unlike certified records.
Are Wyoming Marriage Records Public Information?
Wyoming marriage records become public records after fifty years have elapsed since the marriage. During this time, the records are strictly available to either of the parties named on the record, their legal representative(s), and persons who can prove a direct and tangible interest in the record.
How Do I Obtain Marriage Records in Wyoming?
Requests for Wyoming marriage records go through the court clerks of the various towns where the marriages are licensed. However, the Wyoming Health Department Vital Statistics Services Office also maintains marriage records from May 1941. To obtain a marriage record from the office, interested and eligible persons must download and complete the certified marriage record request form. The application must legibly indicate information regarding the marriage, the parties involved, and the requestor. All requests must come with a government-issued photo ID and a fee of $20. Requesters may deliver applications in person or via mail to:
Vital Statistics Services
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7591
Public marriage records are available through the Wyoming State Archives. The request must also provide the necessary information to facilitate the record search.
How to Get a Wyoming Marriage Certificate
Individuals seeking to get a Wyoming marriage certificate can send a request online or in person to the Bureau of Vital Statistics Wyoming. The department can only issue certificates for marriages that took place in Wyoming. A certified Wyoming marriage certificate can only be obtained by either of the parties whose names appear on the certificate or their legal representative.
Information required includes:
- Full name of the applicant and spouse whose name appears on the record.
- The location where the marriage took place
- Date of the marriage.
- Government-issued ID
- Authorized signature of applicant or spouse.
- The mail address certified marriage certificate should be mailed.
A certified marriage certificate costs $25.
Are Wyoming Divorce Records Public Information?
Wyoming divorce records become public information precisely 50 years after the divorce decree. While restricted, these records may only be obtained by either party or their respective legal representatives - however, persons authorized by court order can access the record.
How Do I Obtain Divorce Records in Wyoming?
Eligible individuals can obtain divorce records from the court clerk's office in the court where the divorce happened. Alternatively, these records are accessible from Wyoming's Vital Statistics Service. To request a record from the state office, interested and eligible persons may download and complete an application form. Applications must feature:
- The full names of both parties
- The date and city/county of occurrence
- The requestor's personal information
- The signature of one of the parties named on the record
- The requesting party's mailing address
In addition to the above, requestors must enclose a government-issued photo ID and a cheque or money order payment of $20 to cover copy and certification costs. Applicants may submit all requests in person or via mail to:
Vital Statistics Services
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7591
How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in Wyoming.
To get a certified divorce certificate in Wyoming, those who wish to obtain one can send a request to the Vital Statistics service, Department of Health Wyoming. A certified divorce certificate from the state can only be obtained by those whose name appears on it and their legal representative.
Details to be provided include:
- Full name of the applicant and spouse whose name appears on the record.
- The location where the marriage took place
- Date of the marriage.
- Government-issued ID
- Authorized signature of applicant or spouse.
- Proof of payment of $25 fee.
- The mail address certified marriage certificate should be mailed.
A Certified Wyoming divorce certificate can also be obtained from third-party sites that offer this service. Members of the public seeking Wyoming dissolution of marriage records can send a request to the Department of Health.
Are Wyoming Birth Records Public Information?
Wyoming birth records become public information 100 years after the life event. Until then, these documents are only available to persons named on the vital record, their immediate family members, and authorized representatives.
How Do I Obtain Wyoming Birth Records?
Eligible persons can obtain Wyoming birth certificates from the county clerk's office in the judicial district where the event happened or the state's Vital Records office. These agencies also process orders for birth certificate replacements. Interested and eligible persons can order birth certificates by downloading and completing the birth records request form. Completed applications must feature:
- The full name of the record subject
- The date and place of birth
- The full names of both parents of the subject (including the mother's maiden name)
- The signature of the registrant, their parent, or a legal guardian (with supporting documents)
Along with the information provided, requestors must enclose a photocopy of a Wyoming state ID or a driver's license as well as a check or money order payment of $20. Applicants can submit requests in person or via mail to:
Vital Statistics Services
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7591
Is a Birth Certificate Public Record in Wyoming?
No, an official birth certificate is not a public record in Wyoming. Birth certificates can only be obtained by the following persons:
- The subject of the data that appears on the certificate (18 years or above).
- The parent of the subject of data whose names appear on the certificate.
- A legal representative of the subject of data or a legal guardian.
In a situation where an original birth certificate gets lost or stolen, one should report it to the Department of Health. Individuals can also apply for a replacement birth certificate. One would need to pay a fee of $25 to obtain a Wyoming birth certificate. One can also get a Wyoming birth certificate from third-party sites that offer this service.
Are Wyoming Death Records Open to the Public?
Certified death records in Wyoming are only open to the deceased's immediate family members and authorized legal representatives. However, when the record becomes public information after 50 years, interested members of the public may obtain the document without restrictions.
How Do I Obtain Death Records in Wyoming?
Eligible persons can initiate a death record search by name in Wyoming by querying the state's vital records office. To request a death certificate search, interested and eligible persons can download the death records request form. The application must be filled legibly and enclosed with a copy of a government-issued ID and a cheque or money order payment of $20. Requests are to be made to:
Vital Statistics Services
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7591
Is a Death Certificate Public Record in Wyoming?
No, a death certificate is not a public record in Wyoming. Only eligible members of the public can obtain an official death certificate. Persons who can obtain a certified death include:
- Immediate family members of the deceased.
- A legal representative of the deceased or immediate family members
- Anyone who has a legal right to access the certificate.
Individuals seeking to obtain a Wyoming death certificate can send an application to the Bureau of Vital Statistics or apply for one online on third-party sites that provide this service.
How Do I Obtain Sealed Vital Records in Wyoming
Sealed vital records in Wyoming can be obtained by persons who can sufficiently establish or prove their interest in the records. To access the record, the requester may petition a Wyoming-licensed judge for a court order or subpoena authorizing access to the record. Persons who can successfully demonstrate a tangible interest in the sealed vital record will be granted a certified court order which the requester must attach to the record request form.
What are Vital Statistics in Wyoming?
Vital statistics are records of important events that took place in Wyoming. Vital statistics include birth records, death records, marriage records, divorce records, and any other related records. The Wyoming Department of Health is in charge of filing and maintaining vital records. Persons seeking a vital record can contact the Bureau of vital statistics Wyoming. One can send a request online or via mail to:
2300 Capitol Ave, Cheyenne,
WY 82002, United States
