WYOMING
How to Clear Your Criminal Record
in Wyoming
A free, plain English guide to Wyoming expungement — non-conviction expungement (§ 7-13-1401, no filing fee), misdemeanor conviction expungement ($100 fee, § 7-13-1501), and nonviolent felony expungement that restores ALL rights ($300 fee, § 7-13-1502).
LEGAL TERM
Expungement (classified/restricted)
NON-CONVICTION FEE
No filing fee
GOVERNING LAW
W.S. §§ 7-13-1401 / 1501 / 1502
What You Need to Know First

Wyoming "expungement" means classified/restricted — not destroyed. In Wyoming, expungement for adult records means the record is classified in the state DCI repository in a manner that prevents public dissemination. The record is not physically destroyed — it remains accessible to criminal justice agencies and federal criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes. Records are placed under court seal, available only by court order. This is still very meaningful for employment and housing, but not complete destruction.

Wyoming allows nonviolent felony expungement — and it restores ALL rights. Under § 7-13-1502, Wyoming allows expungement of nonviolent felony convictions (one lifetime). Upon granting, the court restores any rights removed as a result of the conviction — voting rights, civil rights, and in many cases firearms rights. This is one of Wyoming's most powerful provisions and one of the broader felony expungement laws in the Mountain West.

Nothing drops off automatically. Any offense reported to Wyoming DCI remains on your criminal record indefinitely unless you petition for expungement. Wyoming arrests do not age off on their own — you must actively petition if you want relief.

Wyoming has three distinct expungement pathways based on your situation.

Non-Conviction
§ 7-13-1401 — NO FEE, 180-DAY WAIT
For arrests where no conviction resulted — acquittals, dismissals, no charges filed. No filing fee. 180-day wait from arrest or dismissal. Prosecutor has 20 days to object. If no objection, court may summarily grant. One lifetime limit does NOT apply to this section.
Misdemeanor Conviction
§ 7-13-1501 — $100 FEE, 1–5 YEAR WAIT
For misdemeanor convictions including deferred adjudication. Status offense: 1-year wait. Non-status offense: 5-year wait. $100 fee. No gun misdemeanors. Must not be a danger to self, victim, or society. One lifetime limit. Prosecutor has 30 days to object.
Nonviolent Felony
§ 7-13-1502 — $300 FEE, 90-DAY REVIEW
For nonviolent felony convictions. $300 fee. 90-day prosecutorial review. Victim notification required. Must not be a danger to self, victim, or society. Restores ALL rights lost from conviction. One lifetime limit. No violent felonies, sex offenses, or specified violent statutes.
Waiting Periods and Fees
Non-conviction (§ 7-13-1401) — no fee
180 days
Misdemeanor — status offense (§ 7-13-1501) — $100
1 year
Misdemeanor — non-status offense (§ 7-13-1501) — $100
5 years
Nonviolent felony (§ 7-13-1502) — $300
5 years + 90-day review
Felony Expungement Eligibility
ELIGIBLE FOR FELONY EXPUNGEMENT (§ 7-13-1502)
  • Nonviolent felony conviction — not on the excluded list
  • 5 years after sentence completion
  • Not a substantial danger to self, any victim, or society
  • No prior felony expungement (one lifetime limit)
  • Restores all rights lost from the conviction upon granting
  • $300 filing fee
NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FELONY EXPUNGEMENT
  • Violent felonies (W.S. § 6-1-104(a)(xii))
  • Sex offenses requiring registration
  • Specified violent statutes (§§ 6-2-501(f), 6-2-511(b)(iii))
  • Prior felony expungement already received (one lifetime)
  • Pending criminal charges at time of petition
How to File — Step by Step
1
File a Verified Petition in the Court of Conviction
File your verified petition in the Wyoming court where the conviction occurred (or would have occurred for non-conviction cases). Official expungement forms and instructions are available from the Wyoming Judicial Branch at wyocourts.gov. Pay the applicable fee ($0, $100, or $300 depending on your pathway).
2
Serve the Prosecuting Attorney (and DCI for felonies)
For non-conviction (§ 7-13-1401): serve the prosecutor who has 20 days to object. For misdemeanor (§ 7-13-1501): serve the prosecutor who has 30 days; victims are notified by certified mail. For felony (§ 7-13-1502): serve both the prosecuting attorney and Wyoming DCI. The prosecutor has 90 days for felony review and must notify any identifiable victims. If no objection is filed, the court may summarily grant after the review period expires.
3
Hearing and Order
If an objection is filed, the court schedules a hearing. If the court finds you are eligible and not a substantial danger, it issues an expungement order, places the court file under seal, and transmits a certified copy to Wyoming DCI. For felony expungements, the order also restores all rights lost from the conviction. Keep your expungement order — Wyoming DCI records are classified but not destroyed.
Official Forms
Wyoming Judicial Branch — Expungement Self-Help
Official Wyoming expungement forms, eligibility guides, and instructions for all three pathways
Visit wyocourts.gov →
Wyoming DCI — Criminal History FAQs
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation information on how records work and expungement effects
Visit wyomingdci.wyo.gov →
Wyoming DCI — Criminal History Request
Request your Wyoming criminal history record before filing your expungement petition
Visit wyomingdci.wyo.gov →
Find Your Wyoming Court
Find the Wyoming court where your conviction occurred for filing your petition
Visit wyocourts.gov →
Helpful Resources
FREE LEGAL HELP
Wyoming Legal Services
Free civil legal help for low-income Wyomingites — including expungement guidance statewide
wyolegalservices.org →
FREE LEGAL HELP
Wyoming State Bar — Lawyer Referral
Find a licensed Wyoming attorney — especially valuable for felony expungement petitions
wyomingbar.org →
HOUSING, FOOD & BENEFITS
findhelp.org
Search thousands of free programs for housing, food, work, and more
findhelp.org →
JOB SEARCH HELP
American Job Centers
Free job search assistance, resume help, and training for people with records
careeronestop.org →
SELF-HELP
Wyoming Courts — Expungement Self-Help
Official Wyoming courts self-help page with forms and instructions for all expungement pathways
wyocourts.gov →
EQUAL JUSTICE
Equal Justice Wyoming
Equal Justice Wyoming reviews criminal history and assists with expungement eligibility determinations
equaljusticewyo.org →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Wyoming arrest record drop off automatically over time? +
No — this is one of Wyoming's most important distinctions. Any offense arrest reported to Wyoming DCI remains on your criminal record indefinitely unless you petition for expungement. Records do not age off, drop off, or become unavailable simply because years have passed. If you want relief, you must actively petition the court under one of the three expungement statutes.
Does the felony expungement really restore all my rights? +
Yes — § 7-13-1502 explicitly states that an expungement order restores any rights removed as a result of the conviction for which the expungement was granted. This includes voting rights, civil rights, and in many cases firearms rights that were removed due to the felony conviction. This is one of Wyoming's most significant provisions and distinguishes Wyoming's felony expungement from many other states that leave firearms rights separately unaddressed.
What does "expungement" actually mean for my Wyoming record? +
Wyoming expungement means the record maintained at Wyoming DCI is classified and restricted so it will not be available for public dissemination. The court file is placed under seal, accessible only by court order. You can respond to any inquiry as though the arrest, charges, or conviction did not occur, unless otherwise required by law. However, the record is not physically destroyed — it remains accessible to criminal justice agencies and federal criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes only. Keep your expungement order to dispute any records appearing on private background check databases.
I had a deferred adjudication that was later dismissed — which statute applies? +
Deferred adjudication that was later dismissed falls under § 7-13-1501 (misdemeanor) or § 7-13-1502 (felony) — not § 7-13-1401. This is an important distinction: § 7-13-1401 specifically states that a person who pleads guilty or is convicted is not eligible under that section, even if there was deferred adjudication or the charge was later dismissed. If your case was resolved through deferred adjudication, you need the conviction expungement pathway, with its applicable fees and waiting periods.
Do I need an attorney? +
Not required — Wyoming Legal Services and Equal Justice Wyoming provide free assistance, and the Wyoming Judicial Branch provides official forms. For non-conviction and misdemeanor expungements, many people navigate the process on their own. For felony expungements — especially given the 90-day prosecutorial review, victim notification, and the one-lifetime-only rule — an attorney significantly improves your outcome and helps ensure you use your one opportunity effectively.
After Your Record Is Expunged

After Wyoming expungement, DCI records are classified/restricted from public dissemination. Court file is sealed. You can respond as if the arrest or conviction never occurred. Felony expungement also restores all rights lost from the conviction.

For general information about what changes after expungement — visit our After Expungement page.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change — always verify current requirements with your court clerk or a licensed attorney before filing.