Open records requests in Wyoming

How the Wyoming Public Records Act works

Wyoming's Public Records Act (Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-201 et seq.) provides any person with the right to inspect and copy public records of all governmental entities in the state, including all state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other political subdivisions. Wyoming's law establishes a clear presumption of openness, and agencies must justify any denial by citing a specific statutory exemption or other applicable law. The Act applies broadly to all branches of state government.

Wyoming's statute does not specify a hard response deadline, relying instead on a judicial "reasonable time" standard. Fees may be charged for the actual cost of reproducing records. Disputes are resolved in district court, where a court finding of unreasonable withholding may result in an award of attorney's fees. Common exemptions include medical records, attorney-client privileged materials, personnel records, and certain law enforcement investigative files. Wyoming's law is regarded as straightforward if not particularly prescriptive in its procedural requirements.