Wyoming Lien Search

A lien search is a research or investigation undertaken to find any functioning liens placed on a piece of real estate or other property. These types of searches are usually done by individuals or institutions planning to buy or finance properties. Conducting a lien search may help identify any outstanding issues, such as debt affecting the property's titles or ownership. Through the search, prospective buyers may also be able to source any fraudulent actions and inaccurate records, such as bankruptcy cases.

In Wyoming, Lien searches can be made by contacting the Local County Clerk where the lien was filed. Liens originating from court cases may be contained within Wyoming civil court records can also be obtained by performing a lien search at the local clerk of the court office. Local attorneys and title companies can also be hired to perform lien searches on behalf of a client.

What is a Lien in Wyoming?

A lien is a form of claim that a creditor can place on a debtor’s assets when they fail to complete a contractual obligation or default on a loan. This means that by using a lien, a creditor can legally seize and sell the agreed item to recoup the death.

In Wyoming, Title 29 of the state code authorizes liens and their application under the law. Several types of lien can be placed on a debtor’s assets by a creditor. There are lien agreements where a debtor enters into the agreement voluntarily. There are also involuntary liens, which can be placed on an individual without their consent.

Types of Liens in Wyoming

Liens in Wyoming come into play in a variety of instances. These include mortgages, agriculture, construction, private/bank loans, and so on. Some examples of liens that exist in Wyoming include the following.

• Mechanic’s Lien
• Tax Lien
• Judgment Lien
• Mortgage Lien
• UCC Lien
• Agricultural Producer’s Lien

The different types of liens can each have different uses and criteria. Some may only be placed on specific assets while others can only be placed with the debtor's knowledge. However, until cleared all liens will affect the asset’s owners' ability to do anything with the asset such as a resale.

General Liens in Wyoming

In Wyoming, a general lien can be placed on all the assets a debtor owns including but not limited to their real estate and properties. A general lien typically allows the creditor or lienholder to repay the debt using any or all of the assets covered by the general lien. Some examples of a general lien are tax liens and judgment liens.

Specific Liens

A specific lien is a type of lien that can only be placed on a particular asset. This type of lien is filed to place a claim on such an asset and secure payment for services associated with that asset. Examples of specific liens include agricultural liens and mortgage liens.

Consensual vs Involuntary Liens

A lien can be placed on a debtor’s assets involuntarily or voluntarily/consequentially. For example, when a lien is placed on a debtor’s assets without their consent, it is an involuntary lien. Examples of these are tax liens and judgment liens, which can be placed on an asset without the owner’s permission. Conversely, a consensual lien is a form of lien like a mortgage agreement which is placed on an asset with the owner’s consent.

Statutory Liens

Statutory liens are liens that are sanctioned by Wyoming state law. These forms of liens are involuntary liens and can be placed on an asset without the owner’s agreement or permission. Rather they are placed automatically immediately after certain criteria stipulated by law are met. Examples of these liens are tax, judgment, and certain mechanic liens.

What is a Tax Lien in Wyoming?

According to Wyoming Statute 39-13-108(d), taxes on assets are a perpetual lien against all persons, excluding the U.S. and the State of Wyoming. This means a lien can be placed on their property whenever any taxpayer defaults or does not pay a tax, interest on a tax, penalty, or any other additions to the tax. This lien is a claim in favor of the state on all assets and property rights of the taxpayer.

Tax liens are considered part of the taxpayer’s records and will generally remain attached to the taxpayer’s assets until the tax debt is cleared. Even if the property or assets are passed on to someone else, the tax liens remain.

Are Tax Liens Public Records?

Tax liens in Wyoming are considered public records open to access to the general public under the Wyoming Public Records Act. The County Clerk's office in the county where the property is located is usually where a tax lien is filed and its records maintained. Interested members of the public can access tax lien records and information by contacting the county clerk or making a public record request. A tax lien will usually remain on a property for about ten years, and it can be extended if the IRS or the state takes action to renew it at the county clerk’s office. However, it will remain as a claim on the property until it is discharged or cleared by the property’s owner.

Wyoming Tax Lien Search

Wyoming tax liens are usually available from the County Clerk’s office in the county where the delinquent taxpayer lives or the office where the lien was filed and recorded. There is not a single repository for tax lien records, as many government agencies file tax liens. These agencies include the various county clerks, the Wyoming Department of Revenue, the Wyoming Secretary of State, and other county and municipal tax agencies. Most of these agencies will possess systems to access their records, including tax liens. The following are general methods for searching for tax liens in Wyoming.

Walk-in/In-person Requests

Record seekers may visit the County Clerk’s Office where the tax lien was filed to access or obtain copies of tax lien records. Requests may be made during the county clerk’s opening hours, which may differ by county. While viewing records at the county clerk’s office may be free, searches and copy requests may incur a fee.

Requests by Mail

Tax lien record requests can also be made by sending a record request to the appropriate agency by mail. The written request must contain enough detailed information for a successful search. This information may include the name of the subject of the search, the description of the property, and the date the lien was filed. Requests will also usually include contact details where the requester can be reached and the necessary payment for any copies. Payment information and any other questions can usually be obtained by calling ahead of the request.

Online Resources

Many of the county clerks' offices in Wyoming offer access to county records via online databases and land records databases. These records may include tax lien information, which can be viewed on these databases and is usually free of charge. The Wyoming State Archive maintains an online County Records database where counties can upload all sorts of county records, including lien formation. Users may simply click on a county office(such as a county clerk) and look up all records uploaded to the database from that office, which may include information on tax liens.

Fax and Email

Some County offices in Wyoming allow record seekers to make requests using other options such as telephone calls, faxes, and emails. For example, the Laramie County Clerk's Office allows visitors to request lien searches by faxing the request. Similarly, the Carbon County Clerk accepts lien search requests by fax and email.

Federal Tax Lien Search

A federal tax lien is a process where the federal government places a claim on the property or assets of a taxpayer who neglects to pay their tax debt. Per W.S 29-6-204, in Wyoming, All federal tax liens and any notices affecting such liens must be filed and recorded by the county clerk for the county where the property or asset is situated.

A federal tax lien lookup is a public record search where an individual searches for records and information on outstanding federal tax liens. Usually, such searches can be made against an individual's name, taxes, or properties.

Anyone looking to conduct a federal tax lien look-up may contact the appropriate county clerk's office where the lien was filed. They may make the federal tax lien record request to the county clerk's office using the clerk’s given procedures for lien searches and public record requests. Federal tax liens searches can also be made by visiting the Business Center section of the Wyoming Secretary of State Office and using the search tool to look up UCC filings. Searches can be made by using a filing ID number or using the taxpayer’s name.

What is a Lien on Property in Wyoming?

In Wyoming, a lien on property refers to a legal claim or legal right made against the property of a debtor as security for clearing a debt or obligation. If the debt is not cleared, a lien on the property allows the lienholder the authority to take possession of the property. The property can then be sold to clear the debt or cover the obligation.

Note: Property refers to personal property, real property, or both. Real property mainly means all interests in real property, including leaseholds, homes, buildings, rights of way, plots of land, and any improvements on the land. Personal property, on the other hand, means items like vehicles, electronics, and other such assets.

Who can put a lien on a property?

A lien can be put on a debtor’s property by all types of creditors, such as the courts, landlords, banks, federal government, contractors, subcontractors, and local and federal tax authorities. Essentially, anybody owed money or any financial obligation by a property owner in Wyoming can place a lien on their property.

How to put a lien on property in Wyoming

The procedure to put a lien on a property in Wyoming may differ depending on what type of lien it is. For example, some liens require the creditor to file the lien and then inform the debtor, while some activate immediately when the right conditions occur. Before filing a lien, you are advised to seek legal counsel and consult the county clerk to confirm Wyoming’s filing requirements. The general steps to file a lien on a property in Wyoming are quite simple.

Step 1. Find the particular property and confirm the debtor’s ownership.

Confirm that the debtor owns the property on which the lien is to be placed. Do some further due diligence by performing a lien search to ascertain if there are any other liens or claims on the property as well. In the case of a foreclosure or a sale, the priority of the liens will dictate the order that creditors are paid off. The type of lien and the date of filing are some of the criteria that determine the priority.

Step 2. Prepare the appropriate lien statement.

For instance, mechanical liens and judgment liens are placed by filing a mechanical lien statement or a judgment lien statement. The documentation will differ according to the type of lien to be placed. The lien statement should contain all necessary information, including the following information.

• The name and address of the lienholder
• The amount owed
• The name and address of the debtor on whose property the lien is placed on
• The description of the property where the lien is to be placed

Step 3. Submit the lien statement for recording

The lien statement must be filed at the county clerk's office, where the property on the lien is located. In the case of personal assets such as electronics, cars, and other movable assets, the creditor must file the UCC-1 financial statement with the Wyoming Secretary of State. Some liens will require the debtor to be informed about the lien.

Step 4. Pay the necessary fees

Inquire at the County Clerk’s office about the cost of filing the documentation and pay the complete amount. After the fees have been paid the county clerk will record the document adding it to the public records.

How to Find a Lien on Property in Wyoming

The best option for locating liens on property in Wyoming is visiting the County Clerk in the county where the property is situated or where the debt holder resides. The Wyoming Secretary of State is the best option to find liens on personal assets as that is where they are filed.

Another option for individuals trying to find liens on property is to hire a title company operating in Wyoming. The specialty of such title companies is locating public records that concern real estate; these include all sorts of liens and other claims attached to a property’s title.

Property Lien Search By Address

In Wyoming, a property lien search by address can be made by contacting the county clerk where the property is situated. The requests can be made in person during office hours or by mailing a written request to the county clerk’s office. Some offices also allow requests to be sent in via fax and email. Requesters will need to provide adequate information about the property, including the arrest, for an accurate record search. It is recommended that record seekers call the County Clerk’s Office ahead for advice before making their request for lien records. Many counties, such as Sublette County, also maintain online Land Records databases where users can look up property records, including lien records, for free.

Free Lien Search on Property

Individuals looking for where to obtain a free property lien search may be able to obtain one from the county clerk’s office where the lien was filed. Visiting a county clerk during office hours and requesting to view their land records may be free of charge. However, copy fees will be charged for any paper copies of the records requested. For example, Laramie County allows visitors to research and view records in their Real estate recording Office for free during office hours.

What is a Mechanics Lien in Wyoming?

A mechanics lien or a contractors and materialmen lien in Wyoming is a lien that claims an individuals assets as security for construction work done or materials supplied.

Under W.S. 29-2-101, every contractor, subcontractor, or material man working or supplying material or plans for building or improvement on land shall have for his services a lien upon the building, the work done, and real property of the owner. This means that if the landowner reneges on payment for their work, they may put a lien on the land to secure payment. For the lien to be effective, however, the work or material must have been provided under a written contract. The lien must also be filed within one hundred and fifty days of the contractor’s last day of work (W.S. 29-2-106).

By Wyoming law, before filing a lien, the contractor must give ten days' notice to the owner of the property or his agent in writing. Under W.S. 29-2-103, the lien claimant may have the building, the improvements, and the owner’s real property sold under execution. The court may also authorize the return of the property to its original stay by removing any improvements for which the lienholder is entitled to the cost of such a process.

Wyoming Mechanics Lien Search

As all liens are a matter of public record, Mechanical liens can also be searched for and found at the county clerk’s office in the county where the property is located. Researchers may be able to look up these records in the county land records or make a public records request for access to these lien records. Although viewing the records may be free, copies of records will usually incur a copy fee.

The Wyoming State Archive also maintains an online database for County Records. Visitors to the website may select the county and the county office and then go through all the records uploaded from that office. Information on Mechanical liens in the county may be among the information uploaded by the county clerks and county assessors.

What is a Mortgage Lien in Wyoming?

In Wyoming, a mortgage lien is placed on a property when its owner signs a mortgage agreement or deed of trust using the mortgage as collateral or security for loans used in purchasing or financing real estate.

As a form of voluntary lien, the property owner must agree to and sign the agreement for it to be placed on the property. This type of lien gives the lienholder the authority to foreclose or seize the property if the borrower defaults or otherwise fails to repay according to the terms of the agreement. In general, mortgage liens have priority according to the dates or order of recording, meaning that the earliest recorded lien has the highest priority. Such liens serve as legal processes designed to protect a lender’s investments by offering a clear structure for dealing with defaulters and foreclosures.

What is a UCC Lien in Wyoming?

A Uniform Commercial Code(UCC) lien in Wyoming refers to a form of legal claim creditors may place on a debtor’s assets to stand as collateral for a financial obligation or loan. The UCC is a set of standardized laws which Wyoming adopted to regulate all sorts of commercial transactions. UCC liens are mainly used to secure claims or interests in personal assets, including electronics, inventory, work equipment, agricultural products, and other intangible and tangible assets. UCC liens are placed in Wyoming by filing the UCC-1 financial statement with the Wyoming Secretary of State.

UCC Lien Search Wyoming

UCC lien searches for Wyoming may be requested via the Wyoming Secretary of State Office as they are recorded and filed there. The official website of the Secretary of State has a Search tool in the Business Center section where users can search for filings, including UCC liens. The criteria for a filing search are the business filing name or the filing ID number.

What is a Lien Title in Wyoming

In Wyoming, a lien title refers to a title on a motor vehicle that informs searchers that there is a financial interest in the vehicle held by a lienholder. Although it is mainly associated with motor vehicles and cars, it can also be applied to property such as boats and mobile homes. This type of lien is usually held by a lienholder (financial institution or individual) who supplied financing for the vehicle via a loan and has a legal claim to the vehicle until the borrower pays back the loan.

Wyoming Title Lien Search

A Wyoming title lien search is a process to search for a vehicle’s history and ensure it is clear of any debt. Performing such a search is recommended whenever someone is buying a used vehicle to eliminate any chances of fraud or the vehicle being seized/repossessed.

Wyoming title lien searches can be performed by contacting the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). The title search request can be made by mailing the MV-220 Title Search Form. The request must contain the VIN, title number, or the legal owner’s name or license plate number and the type of vehicle if requesting a license plate search.

The completed form should be mailed to the WYDOT at:

WYDOT-Motor Vehicle Services
5300 Bishop Boulevard
Cheyenne WY 82009
(307) 777-4709

The request should include the search fee of $15 per record search and a copy of a government-issued photo ID of the requester. Payment is accepted in check or money order payable to the WYDOT. If the vehicle is in the possession of the request, a copy of a VIN inspection by law enforcement is required.

As liens are considered public records, vehicle title liens search requests may also be available through the County Clerk’s Office where the owner of the vehicle resides.

Free Title Lien Search in Wyoming

Title searches in Wyoming can be made by mailing a request to the WYDOT with enough information about the vehicle for a search for a fee. As of 2024, the Department of Transport does not offer free lien searches on titles. Some county clerk’s offices may offer title lien searches, but costs may depend on a county-to-county basis.

What is a Judgment Lien in Wyoming

A Judgment lien or lien of judgment is a lien obtained via a court order after a case and a favorable judgment for the lienholder in Wyoming. Under Article 3 of the Wyoming Statutes, when a person wins a monetary judgment in court in Wyoming, the court may place a judgment lien on the debtor’s assets to ensure that it is paid. If the debt is not paid, the party who won the judgment may then file with the county clerk and the court clerk of the circuit court where the debtor’s assets are located. A judgment lien will give the party who won the cause authority to size and even sell the debtor’s property to satisfy the debt.

A judgment lien on a person’s assets makes it almost impossible to sell or transfer the asset if the lien has not been clear or satisfied. However, if a judgment lien is not executed within five years of being issued, it becomes dormant and is no longer valid as a lien.

Wyoming judgment Lien Search

Judgment lien searches in Wyoming may be conducted at the county where the case was heard, and judgment was given. The lien is considered public records, so it may be requested from the County Clerk’s office, where liens are usually filed and recorded. The judgment and the attached lien may also be considered court records and may be obtained by sending a public records request to the County Clerk of Courts for the county where the judgment was given. The online county records database maintained by the Wyoming State Archive may also provide online access to judgment lien searches for Wyoming.

How to Get a Lien Release in Wyoming

Obtaining a lien release in Wyoming involves a set of simple steps to make certain that the lienholder's claim or interests are completely removed from the asset once the associated loan/debt has been repaid in full. A simple series of steps to obtain a lien release is given below.

Step 1. Pay off the loan/debt

The first step is to pay off the loan in full. If necessary, contact the lienholder and confirm the amount of the debt first. After confirmation, pay off the loan completely.

Step 2. Obtain the lien release document from the lienholder

After the loan has been paid off completely, request that the lienholder give you a lien release. This document officially states that the debt has been cleared and the lien has been satisfied. With this document, the lender no longer has any claim on whatever asset the lien was associated with.

Step 3. Gather all necessary documents and visit the County Clerk’s Office or the WYDOT

Gather all the necessary documents, including the lien release, proof of identity, and any other required documentation. Take all the required documentation to the County clerk's office where the lien was recorded/filed. If it is a title lien on a vehicle, visit the nearest Wyoming Department of Transportation office. It is recommended that you call the county clerk's office ahead of your visit for confirmation of what is required.

Step 4. File the lien release and obtain a copy for your records

Submit the lien release and any other required documentation to be filed and recorded with the County Clerk or WYDOT. Finally, fill and submit the required forms and pay any applicable fees. After this, the title will be updated, and the lien will be removed from its records.

How to Get a Copy of a Lien Release in Wyoming

To obtain a copy of a lien release document in Wyoming, requesters can visit the County Clerk's office where the lien release was filed. Once there, they can make a public record request using any of the office’s recommended procedures. These requests may be made in person at the office during business hours or by mailing the request to the clerk's office. Some clerks in Wyoming also allow requests to be made via email or fax. Bear in mind that requesters will be charged a fee for any physical copies of the lien release.