Wyoming FOIA procedures

Wyoming FOIA procedures
FOIA laws in Wyoming
Freedom of Information Act
Court cases with an impact on state FOIA
FOIA procedures by state
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Each state has laws governing public access to governmental records. These laws are sometimes known as open records laws, public records laws, or FOIA laws after the federal Freedom of Information Act. These FOIA laws define the procedures that people can use to obtain access to these records.

This article describes FOIA procedures in Wyoming as of May 2025. On this page you will find:

• How to request public records
• Who may request public records
• Fees associated with public records requests
• Required response times for requests
• Exemptions to public records requests

How to request public records in Wyoming

Requests for public records should be directed to the entity in possession of the records in question. According to the Wyoming Legislative Service Office, requests "should be made in writing to the designated records person."

Purpose and use

Wyoming law does not require a statement of purpose to request records and does not restrict the use of records.

Who may request public records?

See also: List of who can make public record requests by state

Anyone may request public records in Wyoming. According to Wyoming Statutes 16-4-202, "All public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, during business hours of the governmental entity, except as provided in this act or as otherwise provided by law."

Wyoming is among 42 states that do not require individuals requesting public records to be state residents.

Fees

See also: How much do public records cost?

Wyoming law allows public entities to charge a fee to cover the cost of responding to a public records request. According to Wyoming Statutes 16-4-204, "The official custodian may establish a reasonable schedule of time for making copies, printouts or photographs and may charge a reasonable fee for the services rendered by him or his deputy in supervising the copying, printing out or photographing as he may charge for furnishing copies under this section."

Response time

See also: Request response times by state

Public entities must respond to a records request within seven business days. According to Wyoming Statutes 16-4-202:

“

(b) If the public records requested are not in the custody or control of the governmental entity to whom application is made, the designated public records person shall notify the applicant within seven (7) business days from the date of acknowledged receipt of the request of the unavailability of the records sought and provide the name and contact information of the appropriate designated public records person if known. (c) If the public records requested are in the custody and control of the governmental entity to whom application is made, the following shall apply: (i) If the records are in active use or in storage, and therefore not available at the time an applicant asks to examine them, the designated public records person shall immediately forward the request to the custodian or authorized person having personal custody and control of the public records and shall notify the applicant of this situation within seven (7) business days from the date of acknowledged receipt of the request; (ii) If a public record is readily available, it shall be released immediately to the applicant so long as the release does not impair or impede the governmental entity’s ability to discharge its other duties; (iii) All public records shall be released not later than thirty (30) calendar days from the date of acknowledged receipt of the request unless good cause exists preventing release as authorized by paragraph (iv) of this subsection; (iv) If good cause exists preventing release within the time period specified in paragraph (iii) of this subsection, the public records shall be released on a specified date mutually agreed to by the applicant and the governmental entity. If a release date cannot be agreed upon, the applicant may file a complaint with the ombudsman as provided by paragraph (v) of this subsection; (v) The applicant may at any time file a complaint with an ombudsman designated by the governor or may petition the district court for a determination as to whether the custodian has demonstrated good cause. In determining whether good cause existed, the ombudsman or district court may consider whether the records are privileged or confidential by law or whether release of the records impairs or impedes the governmental entity’s ability to discharge its other duties. The ombudsman or the district court shall review the records in camera and determine whether redaction of privileged or confidential information would permit release of the records.

”

As of May 2025, 11 states had no mandated response time. Of the 39 states with response time limits, 12 allow agencies to extend response times in certain cases, while 27 allow no exceptions. Eight states required responses in three days or fewer, 11 in five days or fewer, 13 in 10 days or fewer, and seven in 20 days or fewer.

Exemptions

Exemptions to the Wyoming Public Records Act are outlined in Wyoming Statutes 16-4-203.

See also

• Freedom of Information Act

External links

• Wyoming Statutes
• Wyoming State Archives