Lincoln County Court Records
How To Find Court Records in Lincoln County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Lincoln County, Wyoming, may access publicly available case information through several official channels. LincolnWYRecords.us provides a directory of resources and publicly available information related to court records maintained by county and state judicial offices. Records available through official sources may include case filings, docket entries, hearing schedules, judgments, and related court documents, subject to applicable access restrictions under Wyoming law.
Court records in Lincoln County may encompass the following categories:
- Criminal case filings and dispositions
- Civil complaints, answers, and judgments
- Family law matters, including divorce and custody proceedings
- Probate filings and estate records
- Traffic and infraction case records
- Small claims court filings
- Juvenile court records (subject to confidentiality restrictions)
Members of the public may search court records through five primary methods:
1. Clerk of Court or Court Records Office The Clerk of the District Court and the Circuit Court Clerk maintain official case files for their respective courts. Requesters may appear in person, provide a case number or party name, and request access to non-restricted records. Staff may assist in locating files, though they are not authorized to provide legal advice.
2. Courthouse Public Access Terminals Public access computer terminals are available at courthouse locations during regular business hours. These terminals allow members of the public to search case indexes and view docket information without charge.
3. Online Court Search The Wyoming Judicial Branch maintains online resources through which members of the public may locate court information. Case search functionality and court-specific information are accessible through the statewide judicial website.
4. State-Level Judicial Search Tools The Wyoming Judicial Branch provides statewide access to court information. Members of the public may use these tools to identify cases filed in Lincoln County courts, including the District Court and Circuit Court of the 3rd Judicial District.
5. Written or Mail Requests Members of the public who are unable to appear in person may submit written requests to the appropriate clerk's office. Requests should include the full name of the party, approximate filing date, and case number if known. Fees for copies and research may apply.
Are Court Records Public in Lincoln County
Court records in Lincoln County are subject to the public access provisions of Wyoming law. Under Wyoming Statute § 16-4-201, public records are open for inspection by any person, and governmental entities are required to make such records available unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure and the Wyoming Supreme Court's administrative orders further govern access to judicial records.
Records that are public under current law include:
- Case docket entries and indexes
- Party names and case numbers
- Hearing dates and court calendars
- Filed pleadings, motions, and orders in civil and criminal matters
- Final judgments, decrees, and sentencing entries
- Probate inventories and orders
Records that may be confidential, sealed, or restricted include:
- Juvenile court records, which are protected under Wyoming Statute § 14-6-203
- Adoption proceedings and related filings
- Mental health commitment records
- Sealed filings ordered by the court
- Expunged criminal records
- Protected personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth in certain filings
A distinction exists between courthouse inspection and online access. While members of the public may inspect a broader range of records in person at the clerk's office, online access may be limited to case index information and docket summaries. Full document images may not be available through online portals for all case types.
What Are Court Records in Lincoln County?
Court records are the official documents, filings, and entries created and maintained by a court in connection with judicial proceedings. In practical terms, a court record encompasses everything filed with or generated by the court from the initiation of a case through its final disposition and any subsequent appeal.
A distinction exists between docket entries and full case files. A docket is a chronological index of all actions taken in a case, including filings, hearings, and orders. The full case file contains the actual documents underlying those docket entries, such as complaints, motions, exhibits, and judgments.
Civil court records document disputes between private parties or between a party and a government entity, while criminal court records document proceedings initiated by the state against an individual charged with a criminal offense. Filed pleadings represent the initial documents submitted by parties, whereas final judgments represent the court's ultimate resolution of the matter.
Public filings are accessible to members of the public under applicable law, while sealed or restricted filings are withheld from public inspection by court order or statute. Trial court records are maintained at the originating court level, while appellate records are maintained by the Wyoming Supreme Court or the appropriate appellate tribunal.
In Lincoln County, the Clerk of District Court maintains records for the District Court of the 3rd Judicial District, and the Circuit Court Clerk maintains records for the Circuit Court. Court records are created at the time of filing and updated continuously as proceedings advance, with each new filing, order, or hearing entry added to the official case file and docket.
Lincoln County Clerk of District Court
925 Sage Avenue
Kemmerer, WY 83101
Phone: (307) 877-9056
Clerk of District Court – Lincoln County
What's Included in a Lincoln County Court Record?
A court record in Lincoln County may contain a range of documents and data entries depending on the case type, the stage of proceedings, and applicable public-access rules. The following information may appear within a court record:
- Case identification: Case number, court name and division, and filing date
- Party information: Names of plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, respondents, and other named parties
- Case classification: Case type (civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic) and current case status
- Docket entries: A chronological log of all filings, hearings, rulings, and administrative actions
- Hearing information: Scheduled and completed hearing dates, continuances, and minute entries
- Filed documents: Complaints, petitions, answers, motions, briefs, notices, stipulations, and supporting exhibits where not restricted
- Court orders and judgments: Temporary orders, final judgments, decrees, sentencing entries, custody rulings, probate orders, and appellate decisions
- Administrative and financial data: Filing fees, assessed court costs, fines, restitution amounts, and bond information where publicly displayed
Certain information is excluded or restricted from public court records. Sealed filings are withheld by court order. Expunged matters are removed from public access pursuant to court order. Juvenile case files are confidential under Wyoming law. Adoption records are sealed. Protected personal identifiers, including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers, are redacted from publicly accessible filings pursuant to Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. Some exhibits, particularly those containing sensitive personal or proprietary information, may be restricted by court order.
Types of Courts in Lincoln County
Lincoln County is served by courts operating within the 3rd Judicial District of Wyoming. The court structure currently includes the following:
District Court, 3rd Judicial District – Lincoln County The District Court of the 3rd Judicial District is a court of general jurisdiction. It hears felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding the jurisdictional threshold of the Circuit Court, family law cases including divorce and child custody, juvenile matters, probate proceedings, and appeals from the Circuit Court. The Clerk of District Court maintains the official record for all District Court proceedings.
Circuit Court of the 3rd Judicial District – Lincoln County (Afton) The Circuit Court of the 3rd Judicial District is a court of limited jurisdiction. It handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, traffic infractions, and preliminary hearings in felony matters. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains official records for Circuit Court proceedings.
Circuit Court of the 3rd Judicial District – Lincoln County (Afton)
421 Jefferson, Suite 101
Afton, WY 83110
Clerk: Mary McClarnon
Circuit Court – Lincoln County, Afton
What Types of Cases Do Lincoln County Courts Hear
- Felony criminal cases: District Court
- Misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic infractions: Circuit Court
- Civil disputes (general jurisdiction): District Court
- Civil disputes (limited jurisdiction, up to $50,000): Circuit Court
- Small claims: Circuit Court
- Family law (divorce, custody, support): District Court
- Juvenile matters: District Court (confidential proceedings)
- Probate and estate matters: District Court
- Appeals from Circuit Court: District Court
- Appeals from District Court: Wyoming Supreme Court
How to Search Lincoln County Court Records for Free?
Members of the public may access certain court records in Lincoln County at no cost through the following methods:
| Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| In-person inspection at clerk's office | Free |
| Courthouse public access terminals | Free |
| Online case index search (Wyoming Judicial Branch) | Free |
| Photocopies of records | Fee applies |
| Certified copies | Fee applies |
| Clerk research assistance (extended) | Fee may apply |
In-person inspection of non-restricted court records is available at no charge during regular business hours at the Clerk of District Court's office and the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Members of the public may review case files and docket entries without payment.
Courthouse public access terminals provide free electronic access to case index information and docket summaries. These terminals are available during courthouse operating hours.
The Wyoming Judicial Branch website provides online access to court information at no charge. Case search tools available through the statewide judicial portal allow members of the public to locate case index data without a fee.
Fees are assessed for paper copies, certified copies, and in some instances for extended clerk research. The Lincoln County Clerk of District Court currently charges fees for copies in accordance with the Wyoming Supreme Court's fee schedule. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. Members of the public seeking copies should confirm current fee amounts directly with the clerk's office, as fee schedules are subject to revision.
The Lincoln County public records web service provides access to scanned copies of original public records filed with the county, which members of the public may review online.
How Long Does Lincoln County Keep Court Records?
Court records in Lincoln County are retained in accordance with the Wyoming Supreme Court's records retention schedules and applicable state archival requirements. Retention periods vary by case type and record category.
Under current judicial records management policy, the following retention principles apply:
- Felony criminal case files are retained permanently or for extended periods given the severity of the underlying proceedings.
- Civil case files are retained for varying periods depending on the nature of the judgment and whether appeals are pending.
- Probate records are retained permanently in many instances due to their ongoing legal significance.
- Traffic and minor infraction records may be subject to shorter retention periods.
- Docket books and minute records are retained permanently as the official chronological record of court proceedings.
- Judgments and final orders are retained for extended periods to preserve their legal effect.
Paper case files may be transferred to microfilm, digital imaging, or archival storage after a defined period. Physical destruction of paper originals may occur after imaging, provided the digital record is preserved in accordance with applicable standards. Older records may exist in paper files, microfilm, or county and state archives rather than in active electronic systems.
A distinction exists between destruction, archival retention, sealing, redaction, and expungement. Destruction removes a record from existence after the retention period expires. Archival retention preserves a record in a non-active repository. Sealing restricts access without destroying the record. Redaction removes specific information from a publicly accessible document. Expungement, authorized under Wyoming Statute § 7-13-1501, removes qualifying criminal records from public access by court order.
How To Find a Court Docket in Lincoln County
A court docket is the official chronological index of all actions taken in a specific case. It differs from the full case file in that it records what occurred and when, rather than containing the full text of every filed document. A docket entry may note that a motion was filed, a hearing was held, or an order was entered, without reproducing the underlying document in full.
Members of the public may locate court dockets in Lincoln County through the following means:
Online Access The Wyoming Judicial Branch provides online access to court information. Members of the public may search for case docket information using the statewide judicial portal by entering a party name, case number, or other identifying information. Availability of docket entries online varies by court and case type.
Courthouse Public Access Terminals Public terminals at the District Court and Circuit Court locations allow members of the public to search docket indexes and review case status information during regular business hours.
In-Person Clerk Request Members of the public may request docket information directly from the Clerk of District Court or the Circuit Court Clerk. Staff can provide docket printouts for specific cases upon request, subject to applicable fees for printed copies.
A court docket at present contains the following types of information:
- Case number and party names
- Filing date and case type
- Chronological list of all filings, hearings, and orders
- Hearing dates, continuances, and scheduling entries
- Minute entries summarizing court proceedings
- Status updates and case disposition information
A docket does not include the full text of filed documents, sealed entries, confidential attachments, or restricted exhibits. Hearing rosters and daily court calendars may be separately available through the clerk's office or posted at the courthouse. Members of the public seeking a complete docket for a specific case should provide the case number to the appropriate clerk's office for the most accurate and current information.