Fremont County Court Records
What Is Fremont County Court Records
Court records in Fremont County, Wyoming, are official documents generated by the judicial system in the course of legal proceedings. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and any other documents filed with or produced by a court of law. Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level, such as property records held by the County Assessor, vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates) maintained by the Wyoming Department of Health, or land records filed with the County Clerk.
In Fremont County, court records are maintained across several judicial bodies, each with its own jurisdiction and record-keeping responsibilities:
- District Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding jurisdictional limits, family law, probate, and guardianship proceedings
- Circuit Court — handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, and traffic violations
- Municipal/City Courts — handle ordinance violations and traffic infractions within incorporated municipalities such as Riverton and Lander
- Probate Court — matters related to wills, estates, and conservatorships are handled within the District Court's probate division
Records span civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims matters. Under Wyoming Statutes § 5-1-107, courts of record are required to maintain complete and accurate records of all proceedings. Members of the public seeking general legal information and document access may consult the Fremont County legal information portal, which provides guidance on court documents, coroner records, victim/witness information, and civil, felony, and probate records searches.
Are Court Records Public In Fremont County
Court records in Fremont County are presumptively open to the public under Wyoming law. The Wyoming Public Records Act, codified at § 16-4-201 et seq., establishes that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person, and this principle extends to judicial records maintained by state courts. The Wyoming Supreme Court has further affirmed the public's right of access to court proceedings and records through its administrative rules governing court operations.
The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Judgments, orders, and decrees issued by the court
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
- Hearing schedules and court calendars
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
It is important to note that federal court records — maintained by the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming — are governed by federal rules and accessed through the federal PACER system, which is separate from Wyoming's state court system. Certain state court records may be sealed or restricted by court order, including juvenile records, adoption proceedings, mental health commitments, and records subject to protective orders under § 16-4-203, which enumerates specific exemptions to public disclosure.
How To Find Court Records in Fremont County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Fremont County court records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the court in which the case was filed and the type of record being sought.
To obtain records in person:
- Visit the Clerk of District Court at the Fremont County Courthouse, 450 N. 2nd Street, Lander, WY 82520, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Provide the case number, party name, or approximate filing date to assist staff in locating the record
- Pay any applicable copy fees, which are set by statute and court rule
- For Circuit Court records in Riverton, visit the clerk's office at 1160 Major Avenue, Suite 100, Riverton, WY 82501
To request records by mail:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate clerk's office identifying the case by name, number, or filing date
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for copy fees if applicable
To search records online:
- Use the Wyoming Judiciary's online case search portal for available electronic records
- Access the Riverton Municipal Court portal for municipal dockets and outstanding citations
Requestors should be prepared to identify the specific court, the approximate date of filing, and the names of the parties involved to facilitate an efficient search.
How To Look Up Court Records in Fremont County Online
Several online portals currently provide access to Fremont County court records, depending on the court level and case type.
Wyoming eCourts / Odyssey Portal: The Wyoming Judiciary operates an online case management system through which members of the public may search District Court and Circuit Court records statewide. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal provides access to docket entries, case summaries, and, in some instances, filed documents.
Circuit Court of the 9th Judicial District: Information specific to the Circuit Court serving Fremont County is available through the Wyoming Courts website, including clerk contact information and procedural guidance.
District Court Hearing Schedule: The public hearing docket for the Fremont County District Court is published on the county's official website, allowing members of the public to review upcoming scheduled proceedings.
Riverton Municipal Court: The City of Riverton publishes its court docket and a list of outstanding parking citations through the municipal court's online page.
Wyoming State Archives: Historical county court records, including criminal appearance dockets dating to 1869, are accessible through the Wyoming State Archives county records collection.
Search steps for the Wyoming eCourts portal:
- Navigate to the Wyoming Judiciary's public access portal
- Select "Case Search" from the main menu
- Enter the party's last name, case number, or filing date range
- Select the appropriate court from the dropdown menu
- Review the case summary and docket entries displayed
How To Search Fremont County Court Records for Free
Wyoming law guarantees members of the public the right to inspect public records, including court records, at no charge. Under § 16-4-201, custodians of public records are required to make records available for inspection during regular business hours without imposing a fee for the act of inspection itself. Fees may be assessed only for the reproduction of records.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- In-person inspection at the Clerk of District Court or Circuit Court clerk's office — no fee is charged to view records on-site
- Wyoming eCourts public portal — basic case search and docket review functions are available without charge
- Fremont County legal information page — provides free access to guidance on civil, felony, and probate records searches
- District Court public hearing docket — the weekly court schedule is published online at no cost
- Riverton Municipal Court docket — downloadable court dockets and parking citation lists are available free of charge on the city's website
Copy fees, certification fees, and fees for certified transcripts are established by court rule and statute and are assessed separately from the right of inspection.
What's Included in a Fremont County Court Record
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer or responsive pleadings
- Motions, briefs, and supporting memoranda
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment or decree
- Post-judgment filings (appeals, motions to modify)
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging documents (information or indictment)
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Arraignment and plea records
- Pretrial motions and orders
- Trial transcripts (where prepared)
- Verdict and sentencing records
- Probation or supervision orders
Probate Records:
- Petition for probate of will or administration of estate
- Inventory and appraisement of assets
- Orders appointing personal representative
- Final accounting and order of distribution
Family Court Records:
- Divorce petition and decree
- Child custody and support orders
- Domestic violence protection orders (subject to access restrictions)
Traffic and Small Claims Records:
- Citation or complaint
- Judgment or disposition
- Payment records
How Long Does Fremont County Keep Court Records
Fremont County courts retain records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Wyoming Supreme Court and the Wyoming State Records Committee. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.
- Felony criminal case files: Retained permanently or for a minimum of 75 years following case closure
- Misdemeanor criminal case files: Retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
- Civil case files: Retained for a minimum of 10 years following final disposition
- Probate records: Retained permanently due to their ongoing legal significance
- Juvenile records: Subject to special retention and sealing rules; generally retained until the subject reaches age 21 or for a specified period thereafter
- Small claims records: Retained for a minimum of 5 years following disposition
- Traffic citations: Retained for a minimum of 3 to 5 years depending on the nature of the violation
Historical records predating electronic filing systems are preserved through the Wyoming State Archives, which maintains county court records including criminal appearance dockets dating to 1869. The Wyoming State Archives serves as the official repository for records transferred from county courts upon expiration of active retention periods.
Types of Courts In Fremont County
Fremont County is served by multiple courts operating within Wyoming's unified judicial system. The court hierarchy proceeds from municipal and circuit courts at the trial level, through the Wyoming Court of Appeals, to the Wyoming Supreme Court as the court of last resort.
Fremont County District Court (9th Judicial District) 450 N. 2nd Street Lander, WY 82520 Phone: (307) 332-1124 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Fremont County District Court
Circuit Court of the 9th Judicial District – Riverton Division 1160 Major Avenue, Suite 100 Riverton, WY 82501 Phone: (307) 856-9258 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Circuit Court of the 9th Judicial District, Fremont County
Circuit Court of the 9th Judicial District – Lander Division 450 N. 2nd Street Lander, WY 82520 Phone: (307) 332-1124 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wyoming Courts – Circuit Court
Riverton Municipal Court 816 W. Fremont Avenue Riverton, WY 82501 Phone: (307) 856-2227 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Riverton Municipal Court
Lander Municipal Court 240 Lincoln Street Lander, WY 82520 Phone: (307) 332-2870 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. City of Lander
What Types of Cases Do Fremont County Courts Hear
Each court within Fremont County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases as defined by Wyoming statute.
District Court hears the following matters:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil cases involving amounts exceeding $50,000
- Domestic relations matters, including divorce, child custody, and child support
- Probate and estate administration
- Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
- Juvenile delinquency and child protection cases
- Appeals from Circuit Court decisions
Circuit Court hears the following matters:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil cases involving amounts up to $50,000
- Small claims cases (up to $6,000)
- Traffic violations and infractions
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Domestic violence protection order petitions (initial filings)
Municipal Courts (Riverton, Lander) hear the following matters:
- Violations of city ordinances
- Municipal traffic infractions
- Parking violations
- Citations issued by the Fremont County Sheriff, Wyoming Game and Fish, and other law enforcement agencies operating within municipal boundaries
How To Find a Court Docket In Fremont County
A court docket is the official record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access Fremont County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Access:
- The weekly District Court hearing schedule is published on the Fremont County website and updated regularly
- The Wyoming eCourts public portal provides docket-level access to District and Circuit Court cases statewide
- The Riverton Municipal Court publishes its court docket as a downloadable document on the city's website
In-Person Access:
- Members of the public may inspect docket sheets at the Clerk of District Court's office at 450 N. 2nd Street, Lander, WY 82520
- Circuit Court dockets may be reviewed at the clerk's office at 1160 Major Avenue, Suite 100, Riverton, WY 82501
Search Steps:
- Identify the court in which the case was filed (District, Circuit, or Municipal)
- Obtain the case number or the full name of a party to the case
- Access the appropriate online portal or visit the clerk's office in person
- Request the docket sheet by case number or party name
- Review the chronological list of filings and court actions
Which Courts in Fremont County Are Not Courts of Record
A court of record is a court that maintains a permanent, verbatim record of its proceedings, including transcripts, and whose judgments carry full legal effect and are subject to appellate review. Under Wyoming law, specifically § 5-9-101, circuit courts are designated as courts of record. District Courts are also courts of record under Wyoming's constitutional and statutory framework.
Municipal courts in Wyoming, including those operating in Riverton and Lander, are generally considered courts not of record. This means that:
- Proceedings in municipal court are not transcribed verbatim as a matter of course
- Appeals from municipal court decisions are heard de novo (anew) in the Circuit Court, meaning the case is retried rather than reviewed on a transcript
- Municipal courts do not maintain the same level of formal record-keeping required of courts of record
Justice of the peace courts, where they exist in Wyoming, similarly operate as courts not of record. The practical consequence for members of the public is that obtaining a verbatim account of municipal court proceedings may require requesting a recording if one was made, rather than a certified transcript. Parties seeking appellate review of a municipal court decision must file their appeal in the Circuit Court, where the matter will be heard as though no prior proceeding had occurred.