Sweetwater County, Wyoming Court Records
WyomingCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on WyomingCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Sweetwater County is Wyoming's largest county by area, with two major population centers: Green River, the county seat, and Rock Springs. Civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and municipal proceedings all generate court records maintained by several court offices across the county. These records document each case from the initial filing through final judgment and form the official archive of judicial actions taken within Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
You can locate Wyoming court records through a combination of in-person visits, written requests, and courthouse public access terminals. The state courts website, WyomingCourts.us, can help you identify court locations, clerks of court, and publicly available case information. For certified copies and complete case files, the clerk's office at the relevant court is always your most reliable source.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sweetwater County?
Sweetwater County does not currently offer a public online portal for searching individual court case records remotely. To look up a case, you'll need to visit the relevant court clerk's office in person or submit a written request. Courthouse public access terminals are available at courthouse locations, letting visitors view electronic case records at no charge during normal business hours.
Step-by-step process for requesting court records:
- Identify the correct court. The type of case—felony, misdemeanor, civil, domestic, or probate—determines which court holds the record. See the court directory below.
- Gather identifying information. Bring or include the full names of the parties, the approximate filing date, and the case number if you have it.
- Visit in person or submit a written request. Walk-in access is available Monday through Friday during business hours. If mailing a request, clearly identify the case and include payment for any applicable fees.
- Pay copy fees. Standard copy fees at the Clerk of District Court are $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Emailed copies cost $1.00 per page. A record search fee of $10.00 per name per case type also applies.
- Pick up or receive copies. Certified copies require an additional $0.50 certification fee. Authentication or exemplification of records costs $5.00.
Sweetwater County Court Directory:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetwater County District Court | 80 W. Flaming Gorge Way, Ste. 255, Green River, WY 82935 | (307) 872-3820 |
| District Court Rock Springs | 50140C US Hwy 191 South, Rock Springs, WY 82901 | (307) 922-5246 |
| Circuit Court Green River | 80 W. Flaming Gorge Way, Ste. 206, Green River, WY 82935 | (307) 872-3800 |
| Circuit Court Rock Springs | 50140C US Hwy 191 South, Ste. 200, Rock Springs, WY 82901 | (307) 922-5220 |
| Green River Municipal Court | 375 W. Flaming Gorge Way, Green River, WY 82935 | (307) 872-0550 |
| Rock Springs Municipal Court | 212 D Street, Rock Springs, WY 82901 | (307) 352-1550 |
The District Court clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Both municipal courts keep the same hours, with arraignments scheduled at 9:00 a.m.
Are Court Records Public in Sweetwater County?
Most Sweetwater County court records are open to the public under the Wyoming Rules Governing Access to Case Records, adopted by the Wyoming Supreme Court and effective February 5, 2024. These rules start from a presumption of full public access while identifying specific categories that are restricted or entirely confidential.
Records open to the public include civil case files, felony criminal dockets, domestic relations pleadings, probate filings, and most court orders and judgments. You can access these through in-person inspection, courthouse public access terminals, or physical copies obtained from the clerk.
Categories of restricted or confidential records:
- Juvenile cases – All juvenile delinquency, Child in Need of Supervision (CHINS), neglect, and abuse proceedings are confidential and unavailable to the general public.
- Adoption cases – All adoption records, including confidential intermediary proceedings, are sealed by court rule.
- Involuntary commitment cases – Records from involuntary hospitalization or emergency detention proceedings are restricted.
- Sealed records – Any party may petition to restrict access to a case record; the burden of proof falls on the party seeking access to a restricted record.
- Personal data identifiers – Filed documents must have Social Security numbers, full dates of birth, financial account numbers, minor children's names (replaced with initials), and victim addresses redacted before becoming part of the public file.
Under Rule 12 of the access rules, there is no fee to inspect records at the courthouse during normal business hours, whether through a public access terminal or physical review. Copy and transmission fees apply when you need reproductions. The Wyoming Public Records Act (W.S. 16-4-201 through 16-4-205) provides the broader statutory framework for public access to government records across the state.
Sweetwater County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Sweetwater County is split between the District Court and the Circuit Court based on the severity of the offense.
District Court handles all felony cases—crimes punishable by imprisonment in a Wyoming state penitentiary—along with appeals from Circuit Court and Municipal Court decisions.
Circuit Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and criminal traffic violations, as well as preliminary hearings in felony matters before cases are bound over to District Court.
Municipal Courts (Green River and Rock Springs) handle violations of local ordinances and municipal code infractions within each city's jurisdiction.
Accessing Criminal Case Records:
Criminal case files for felony matters are held by the Clerk of District Court; misdemeanor records are kept by the Circuit Court clerks. You can request records in person or by written submission. The record search fee is $10.00 per name per case type.
Arrest Records and Incident Reports:
The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office Records Division maintains incident reports, arrest records, and related law enforcement documentation. To get a copy of a report:
- Complete the Report Request Form and include a $5.00 non-refundable fee per report.
- Pay by check (payable to Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office), money order, or exact cash only.
- Submit in person or by mail to:
Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office Records Division
50140B HWY 191 South, Suite 100
Rock Springs, WY 82901
Phone: (307) 922-5305
The current inmate roster for the Sweetwater County Detention Center is publicly available through Sweetwater 911's Jail Roster.
Statewide Criminal History Checks:
Background checks on Wyoming criminal history go through the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). This is a fingerprint-based process that also covers the Western Identification Network (WIN) states, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
- Fee: $15.00 for a Wyoming/WIN check; an additional $24.00 applies if an FBI check is included.
- Fingerprinting: Available at local law enforcement agencies or at DCI (208 S. College Dr., Cheyenne, WY 82002) by appointment at (307) 777-7181; a $5.00 fingerprinting service fee applies.
- Payment: Money order or cashier's check payable to Office of the Attorney General or DCI—no cash, personal checks, or credit cards accepted.
- Processing time: Generally 2 weeks; may extend to 5–6 weeks depending on volume.
Sweetwater County Civil Court Records
Civil case jurisdiction depends on the dollar amount of the claim and the nature of the dispute. The Sweetwater County District Court case types page has a detailed breakdown of what each court handles.
District Court handles civil matters involving claims exceeding $50,000, contracts, real property rights, torts, name changes, debt collection above that threshold, registration of foreign orders, and emancipation of minors.
Circuit Court handles civil claims under $50,000, small claims, and protection orders.
Small Claims Court is a division of the Circuit Court for monetary disputes up to $6,000, operating under Wyoming Statute 1-21-201. The filing fee is $10.00 plus any applicable service costs. This is one of the most accessible options for self-represented individuals looking to resolve minor financial disputes without an attorney.
District Court Civil Filing Fees:
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil / Collections / Breach of Contract / Custody & Support | $160.00 |
| Domestic Relations | $160.00 |
| Registration of Foreign Judgment | $160.00 |
| Modification / Re-opening a Case | $160.00 |
| Transcript of Judgment | $100.00 |
| Petition for Review (from Administrative Agency) | $120.00 |
| Jury Demand 6-person | $50.00 |
| Jury Demand 12-person | $150.00 |
| Appeal to Supreme Court | $240.00 |
| Record Search (per name/per case type) | $10.00 |
| Self-Help Packets (printed) | $10.00 |
The Clerk of District Court accepts payment by cash, check, money order, or credit card. A $1.50 convenience fee applies on credit card payments under $60.00; a 2.49% fee applies on payments over $60.00. Make checks payable to Clerk of District Court.
Sweetwater County Family Court Records
Domestic relations cases in Sweetwater County are filed in the District Court, which has jurisdiction over all family law matters. The case types overview lists the full range of domestic proceedings heard at this level.
Types of family cases handled by the District Court:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce) and legal separation
- Paternity actions
- Child custody and time-sharing arrangements
- Child support establishment and modification
- Grandparent visitation rights
- Termination of parental rights
- Registration of foreign family violence protection orders
- Uniform Family Interstate Support Act (UIFSA) actions
The filing fee for domestic relations matters, including divorce, is $160.00. A claim for child support abatement or an objection to such a claim each carries a separate fee of $10.00.
Self-Help Resources:
If you're representing yourself, the Clerk of District Court's forms page has downloadable forms and links to the Wyoming Judicial Branch's Self-Help Forms library. Printed form packets covering divorce (with and without children), child custody and support, custody modification, and petitions for order to show cause are available at the clerk's office for $10.00 each. You can also download them free of charge from the Wyoming Judicial Branch website.
Divorce Records:
Certified copies of divorce records are maintained by both the Clerk of District Court (for the specific case file) and by Wyoming Vital Statistics Services for state-level divorce records from May 1941 forward. For a state-issued divorce certificate, contact the Wyoming Department of Health's Vital Record Services, open to the public Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and by appointment on Fridays. The fee for a certified divorce certificate through the state is $25.00.
Marriage Records:
Marriage licenses in Sweetwater County are issued by the Sweetwater County Clerk's Office, located at 80 West Flaming Gorge Way, Suite 150, Green River, WY 82935, reachable at (307) 872-3732. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (licenses issued until 4:30 p.m.).
- Marriage license fee: $30.00 (cash, credit card, or money order)
- Copy of a lost marriage license: $5.00
- Both parties must appear in person with a valid photo ID.
- The completed license must be returned to the County Clerk within 10 days after the ceremony.
For certified marriage certificates from the state registry, contact Wyoming Vital Statistics Services at the address and hours noted above. State-issued marriage certificates from 1963 forward are restricted; certificates from 1941–1962 are public and available on microfilm at the Wyoming State Archives.
Vital Records – Birth and Death Certificates:
Birth and death certificates are not issued by the Sweetwater County Clerk. You'll need to request them through Wyoming Vital Statistics Services. The current fee for a certified birth or death certificate is $25.00 per copy, with additional death certificate copies at $20.00 each. Requests can be placed online, in person, or by mail through the Wyoming Department of Health Vital Record Services.
Sweetwater County Probate Court Records
Sweetwater County has no standalone probate court. All probate and guardianship matters—including estate administration, conservatorships, trusteeship cases, and guardianships—are heard within the Sweetwater County District Court sitting in its probate capacity.
Types of probate proceedings handled by the District Court:
- Probate of estates (testate and intestate)
- Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorship cases
- Trusteeship matters
The filing fee for an estate or probate proceeding is $160.00, the same as other new civil filings. Guardianship and conservatorship matters carry the same $160.00 filing fee. To reopen a previously closed case, an additional $160.00 modification/re-opening fee applies.
Small Estate Affidavits:
Wyoming law offers a simplified procedure for smaller estates that bypasses full probate administration. Affidavit forms for distributing personal property and real property from small estates are available free of charge through the Wyoming Judicial Branch Self-Help Forms page, which includes forms for both personal and real property distributions.
Guardianship and Conservatorship Forms:
The clerk's office provides downloadable Conservator's Report and Guardian Report forms, as well as a Consolidated Comprehensive Asset Debt Statement in Excel and Word formats, for use in ongoing guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.
Accessing Probate Records:
Probate case files are generally public records unless sealed by court order. To inspect or obtain copies of probate filings, contact the Clerk of District Court at the Green River courthouse. The same copy fee schedule applies: $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, with a $0.50 certification fee for certified copies. Record searches cost $10.00 per name per case type. Make checks payable to Clerk of District Court.
Clerk of District Court – Green River (Primary Probate Office):
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 80 West Flaming Gorge Way, Suite 255, Green River, WY 82935 |
| Phone | (307) 872-3820 |
| Fax | (307) 872-3986 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |