Search Public Records
Where can I search for free public records?
Wyoming is a closed record state, meaning vital records are considered confidential and closed to the public. However, all birth certificates become publicly available 100 years after the date of birth, and all marriage, divorce, and death certificates are made public after 50 years.
Although searching for free public records can be complicated, many Wyoming vital records are freely and readily accessible to the public. If you have sufficient time to dedicate to browsing records, you can search Wyoming’s archives of birth, marriage, divorce, and death records to find the information you want.
Are Wyoming Vital Records Open to the Public?
Public access to Wyoming vital records depends on the type of record you’re looking for and the year when the birth, death, or marriage occurred.
You can utilize third-party websites to research specific types of vital records. These websites can provide a good point of reference when researching records because they are easily accessible and allow you to expand your search beyond your geographic location. However, be aware that the data on third-party sites can differ from official government records.
To find a record on a third-party website, the person requesting must provide the following information:
- The location of the record you’re looking for, including the city, county, or state where it was recorded.
- The name of the person on record, if it is not a minor.
How to Verify if Your Vital Record is Official
Different counties can create distinct vital record certificates. You can confirm what the official certified birth, death, and marriage certificates look like by referring to the county where the original was initially recorded and issued to ensure that it is an official, authorized copy.
You can confirm that your certificate is not an informational copy by ensuring it does not have a stamp or large print reading “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity” or something similar.
What Are the Differences between Authorized Copies Versus Informational Copies?
Authorized Copy:
Certified copies of vital records are legal documents that can be used for official identification purposes. In contrast, informational copies are not valid for establishing identity. Only individuals with a “direct and tangible interest” in a vital record certificate can order certified copies.
Informational Copy:
Informational copies of vital records can vary by state. They can include short-form, unofficial (non-certified), “heirloom,” or “commemorative” certificates.
Informational copies are not official legal documents and cannot be used for official purposes like establishing identity, obtaining a passport, or proving eligibility for benefits. These documents are intended only for personal use, including display, genealogical research, and personal reference or record-keeping.
The WDH-VSS does not currently offer uncertified copies for display or personal reference purposes. However, they do offer “verifications” for genealogical research on records that are still closed. Applicants still must prove their relationship to the person on record. The requestor must also provide evidence that the individual(s) listed on the record is deceased (by providing copies of death certificates) as well as documentation showing how the requestor is related to the individual on record (through copies of birth and marriage records). Verifications are a redacted version of the full record. A notarization is not required to order a verification of a Wyoming vital record.
In compliance with the Wyoming Public Records Act, citizens have the right to inspect or obtain copies of public records.
Find more references regarding birth, death, and marriage certificates in the resources section.