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Wyoming Background Check Guide · 2026

Self Background Check in Wyoming (2026): How to See What Employers See

Updated for Wyoming background check practices and hiring rules in 2026.

Whether you're applying for an energy-sector job in the Powder River Basin, a hospital position at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, a teaching license through the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board, or a position with one of the state's major employers, the employer is pulling your record through the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). DCI runs the state's official criminal history repository under the Office of the Attorney General, and they offer a personal self-check for $15.

This guide explains how Wyoming's record system works, what shows up, and how the state's expungement law (W.S. § 7-13-1501) can clear eligible misdemeanors and certain felony convictions from your file.

Key Takeaways: Wyoming Self Background Checks

  • The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation offers a criminal background check for $15, paid by money order or certified check to the Office of the Attorney General.
  • Fingerprint-based DCI + FBI checks add the FBI portion to the state fee; total costs vary by purpose.
  • Wyoming's expungement law (W.S. § 7-13-1501 series) allows expungement of most misdemeanor convictions after sentence completion, with a 1-year waiting period for status offenses and longer periods for other categories.
  • Wyoming has no statewide Ban the Box law; private employers can ask about criminal history on initial job applications.

Why Run a Self Background Check in Wyoming?

Wyoming is the least populous state in the country, with just 23 counties spread across some of the largest geographical jurisdictions in the U.S. The DCI database aggregates records from county sheriffs, the Highway Patrol, and municipal police agencies, but rural counties sometimes lag on disposition reporting. Running a self-check is the only way to know exactly what's in your file.

1. Find and Fix Errors Before Employers See Them

Common Wyoming record errors include cases dismissed at the district court level but never closed at DCI, identity matches with similar names (a real issue in counties with smaller populations), and disposition lag from rural counties. The $15 self-check catches these and DCI has a formal correction process.

2. Confirm Your Expungement Was Processed

A Wyoming expungement order from a district court has to make its way to DCI to actually clear the record from the state file. Running a self-check 30–60 days after the court grants expungement confirms the record was actually removed statewide.

3. Prepare for Energy, Healthcare, and Licensed Profession Reviews

Wyoming's energy sector employers, Wyoming Medical Center, and the state's licensing boards (nursing, medicine, real estate, education) all run thorough background checks. Knowing what's on your record in advance lets you address concerns proactively rather than reacting to a denial.

4. Tenant Screening in Cheyenne, Casper, and Jackson

Wyoming's growth markets, particularly Jackson, where rental costs have surged, use commercial screening services that aggregate DCI and court data. Fixing errors at the source produces cleaner reports going forward.

What Shows Up on a Personal Background Check in Wyoming?

Felony and Misdemeanor Convictions

Felony convictions and most misdemeanor convictions processed in Wyoming district and circuit courts appear on the DCI record unless expunged. The report shows offense, court, conviction date, and sentence.

Arrests

Arrest records, including arrests not leading to conviction, appear on the DCI record. Non-conviction records may be eligible for expungement through the petition process.

Pending Charges

Open and pending charges appear on the DCI record. If a case was dismissed and the disposition wasn't transmitted to DCI, the record may still show "pending" until corrected.

What's Not Included

Federal court records, out-of-state convictions, juvenile records (sealed by default), most traffic offenses (excluding DUI), tribal court records, and civil cases fall outside the DCI system. A complete personal check usually combines the state report with federal and multi-state sources.

How to Check Your Own Background in Wyoming

Option 1: DCI Criminal History Check ($15)

The official statewide route. Download the Background Check application, complete it, get fingerprinted at any Wyoming law enforcement agency, and mail it to the DCI in Cheyenne along with a $15 money order or certified check made payable to the Office of the Attorney General. Turnaround is typically 2–4 weeks.

Option 2: Fingerprint-Based DCI + FBI Check

For licensed professions and the most accurate record, the DCI + FBI combined fingerprint check is what most regulated industries require. Total cost varies depending on the purpose and FBI portion.

Option 3: Search Wyoming Court Records

Wyoming district courts maintain their own record systems. The Wyoming Judicial Branch provides limited online access; for full case detail, visit the clerk of court in the county where the case was filed.

Option 4: FBI Identity History Summary ($18)

For nationwide coverage based on fingerprints, request an Identity History Summary directly from the FBI. Essential if you've lived in multiple states.

Wyoming Background Check Laws You Should Know

W.S. § 7-13-1501 (Misdemeanor Expungement)

Wyoming's primary misdemeanor expungement statute. A person who has pled guilty, no contest, or been convicted of a misdemeanor may petition the convicting court for expungement. Key provisions:

  • Status offenses (offenses based on the defendant's age), eligible 1 year after sentence completion
  • Most other misdemeanors, eligible after sentence completion, with judicial discretion
  • Specific offenses listed in the statute (simple assault, battery, domestic violence, reckless endangerment), eligible under particular conditions

Expungement is petition-based and judicially discretionary. The court considers the time elapsed, the nature of the offense, and the person's behavior since the conviction.

W.S. § 7-13-1502 (Felony Reduced to Misdemeanor)

Felony convictions that have been reduced to misdemeanors may be eligible for expungement after a 5-year waiting period from the date of conviction. This is one of the more limited paths to felony record clearing in Wyoming.

Wyoming First Offender Act (W.S. § 7-13-301)

Allows certain first-time offenders to be placed on probation without a formal conviction. Successfully completed first-offender cases may be dismissed and the underlying record may be eligible for expungement.

No Statewide Ban the Box

Wyoming has no statewide Ban the Box law. Private employers can ask about criminal history on initial job applications. Wyoming state agencies and most municipalities also have no specific Ban the Box policies in place.

Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act

Third-party background checks in Wyoming are governed by the FCRA: written consent required, pre-adverse-action notice required, right to dispute errors, and 7-year cap on non-conviction reporting.

Tribal Court Records

Wyoming's two federally recognized tribes, the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho on the Wind River Reservation, operate tribal courts whose records are not in the DCI state database and not subject to W.S. § 7-13-1501 expungement procedures.

Should You Check Your Background Before Applying in Wyoming?

For $15, the answer is yes, particularly if you have any misdemeanor conviction now eligible for expungement under § 7-13-1501, any arrest you're not sure was closed, or an expungement order you've never verified at the DCI level. Wyoming's licensed professions and energy-sector employers run thorough checks, and confirming your record in advance avoids surprises.

Run Your Self Background Check in Wyoming

Take control of your Wyoming background information before applying for jobs or licenses. Review your records and fix errors early.

Order a Personal Background Check

Use your report to verify your history, then contact the appropriate Wyoming state agency or county courts if corrections are needed.

FAQs: Self Background Check in Wyoming

How do I run a self background check in Wyoming?

The official route is the DCI Criminal History Check: $15 by mail with fingerprints. For broader coverage, request a combined DCI + FBI fingerprint check, search Wyoming Judicial Branch records, or use a professional multi-state service.

How far back do background checks go in Wyoming?

Wyoming has no state cap on conviction reporting. The federal FCRA caps non-conviction records (arrests not leading to conviction) at 7 years on third-party employment reports. Expunged records are removed entirely.

Will expunged records show up on a Wyoming background check?

Records expunged under W.S. § 7-13-1501 should be removed from the DCI database and should not appear on FCRA-compliant employer background reports. Because Wyoming expungements aren't automatic, verify yours was processed by running a self-check after the court order.

How much does a background check cost in Wyoming?

DCI criminal history check: $15 (state portion). Combined DCI + FBI fingerprint-based: varies by purpose, typically $40–$50 total. FBI Identity History Summary: $18. Professional comprehensive multi-state checks: $20 to $80.

Do Wyoming employers need my permission to run a background check?

Yes, when they use a third-party background check company, the federal FCRA requires written authorization. Wyoming has no statewide Ban the Box law, so private employers can ask about criminal history on initial applications. You always have the right to see any report used in a hiring decision and dispute inaccuracies.

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. State laws may change, and legal guidance should be obtained for specific cases.