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How to Find Owners of Properties
in Wyoming

How to Find Owners of Properties in Wyoming?

If you want to buy real estate in Wyoming, the law that regulates ownership is Title 34. In Title 34, nearly every facet of real estate is covered and defined. For example, 34-1-107 defines quitclaim deeds. According to 16-4-201 and 16-4-202, records must be kept for all properties in Wyoming. These records also need to be made available to the public.

The types of ownership that the Wyoming government allows include everything from joint tenancy to sole ownership. Legal entities can also acquire and hold real estate in LLCs and trusts.

When you're researching a specific property, you can identify the person who owns it by accessing ownership records. These records are easy to access when the property is held by an individual. However, they might be more difficult to find when the property is directly controlled by a corporation or trust.

How Do You Find Owners of a Property in Wyoming?

How Do You Find Owners of a Property in Wyoming?

When you need to find the name of a property owner in Wyoming, you can use third-party online resources, public records through county websites, and title company services.

Registry of Deeds

A registry of deeds is an office where all real estate records are held. In Wyoming, a registry of deeds is known as a county clerk's office. You can use this database to find documents about liens, property taxes, mortgages, encumbrances, and contracts for any piece of real estate in the county. Every Wyoming county has a clerk's office.

You can access the database by visiting the county clerk's office directly or by accessing it online. If you visit the office in person, you can search for a specific property with its parcel number or address. The same information can be input when using the online database. Most counties in Wyoming provide the public with online access to the information in their registry of deeds.

Land Records Website

When a property is transferred or sold to another party, a land record will be generated. This record can include lease, easement, mortgage, lien, and sale documents. Every county has a database where all these records are stored.

You should be able to access the database at the county clerk's office. When searching Wyoming land records, you can enter the parcel number, property owner name, or address. These records are usually accessible online and should be available through the assessor's website.

City or Town Assessor's Office

County assessors are responsible for evaluating properties and identifying their market values. This information is used to determine how much property tax you owe. An assessor's office stores many different property records, which include ownership documents, previous sales data, property maps, and tax assessment records.

If you're interested in gaining access to property records, visit your local assessor's office. You can find links to the assessor's website for each of the 10 most populous Wyoming counties below:

Tax Records

The local assessor's office is also tasked with maintaining property tax records. These records include up-to-date info about recent tax payments and current ownership. You can also identify the current assessed and market values. If you wish to request a property tax record, this information is often available online through the county's website.

Title Company/Agency

A title company is a type of agency that provides users with the ability to perform title searches. A title search can reveal previously unknown details about a property, such as a tax lien, easement, or encumbrance. These firms have access to comprehensive databases that contain records of every property in the state.

Along with identifying potential issues that you'll need to navigate when buying a property, this search will also provide you with an extensive ownership history. You can spend anywhere from $75-$175 to obtain a title search in Wyoming. Obtain quotes from multiple title companies to make sure you're getting a fair deal.

There are several additional techniques you can use to ascertain the name of a property owner. For example, you could strike up a conversation with a neighbor to see if they'll give you the name of the owner. You could also browse real estate websites for this information. Consider hiring a real estate lawyer or agent to learn more about the property in question.

Commercial Services

Third-party websites like PropertyChecker.com provide users with a considerable amount of property ownership information. While this info typically isn't as comprehensive as the official records, it should tell you what you need to know about the owner of a property.

You can search statewide records to learn about current and past owners. To search for property records on this platform, enter the address, parcel ID, or owner's name. Your search should produce the following documents:

  • Lien records, which include the total amount
  • Loan records, such as the name of the lender
  • Comprehensive property information
  • Assessed and market values for the property
  • Building permit information
  • Foreclosure details
  • Property tax records
  • Neighborhood data
  • Owner names
  • Deed records
  • Purchase history

What Are the Different Types of Property Ownership in Wyoming?

What Are the Different Types of Property Ownership in Wyoming?

Property ownership can be a complicated thing that involves numerous people or entities with their own claims. For example, it's common for spouses to buy real estate and effectively have equal shares in the property. Having a more well-rounded understanding of the numerous property ownership types should help you determine which title is right for you.

If you make the right choice, you can influence everything from your annual property taxes to the financing options that are available to you. There are many types of property ownership in Wyoming that people have access to, each of which has its own advantages and financial implications.

The most common types of ownership in the state are tenants in common, sole ownership, and joint tenancy. Below is a detailed look at each property ownership title as well as its benefits and implications.

  • Sole Ownership: One owner has the full rights to the property they buy. Able to make every property decision and control its legacy. Full liability for property taxes and debts.
  • Joint Tenancy: At least two people obtain and hold equal shares in a property with a right of survivorship. Shares can be easily transferred upon death without going through probate. The joint tenancy ends if an owner sells their share.
  • Tenants by Entirety: A joint tenancy that's exclusively available to married couples. Access to survivorship rights and protection from individual creditors. Couples must mutually agree on every property decision.
  • Community Property: Any property that's purchased by both spouses while they are married. Each spouse has equal rights to maintain, sell, and use the property. The home is equally divided if the couple divorces.
  • Tenancy in Common: Equal or unequal shares are held by multiple owners. An owner can decide to sell their shares or place them in an inheritance. Disputes over selling or managing the property might arise.
  • Condominium Ownership: Individuals own units in a complex, which allows common areas to be shared. Owners have access to amenities and full use of personal living space. HOA rules can be strict and usually come with fees.
  • Cooperative Ownership: Residents own the building that they live in. Along with greater control over the property, this structure allows for lower upfront purchase costs. All members must approve before shares can be sold.
  • Trust Ownership: A home is held in a trust account for at least one beneficiary. Offers asset protection and tax advantages. Managing or transferring the property can be complicated.
  • Life Estate: An owner's claim to the property is in place until they die. During the owner's lifetime, they can use every aspect of the property. When the owner wishes to transfer or sell the property, they must gain approval from the remainderman.

Finding the Owner of a Trust or Corporation that Owns Properties in Wyoming

Finding the Owner of a Trust or Corporation that Owns Properties in Wyoming

In Wyoming, real estate can be owned and managed by the following entities:

  • Limited liability company
  • Partnership
  • Trust
  • C or S corporation
  • Individual owner

Consider hiring a title company or real estate attorney if you're having difficulty finding the owner of a corporation or trust in Wyoming. If you choose to search for the owner yourself, you may need to take the following steps:

  • Source the information from your local chamber of commerce
  • Cross-reference public records, such as mortgages and deeds
  • Search Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other business databases to obtain ownership information

Finding the Owner of a Trust in Wyoming

Trust accounts don't have direct owners, which can make it challenging to find this information. The "owner" is the trustee or third-party individual who is holding the account until the beneficiary is ready to receive it. However, the trustee's name may be available in some of the public records for the property. You can also hire a real estate attorney if you need help finding this information.

Finding the Owner of an LLC in Wyoming

The website for the Wyoming Secretary of State offers a business entity search tool that the public can use without paying anything. To find the owner of an LLC, you'll need to enter the company's name or its ID.

You'll then receive a list of companies and information about their current tax standings. Once you select a specific LLC, click "Additional Details" or "Parties" to determine who the owner is.

Finding the Owner of a Corporation in Wyoming

To identify who owns a corporation in Wyoming, use the same business entity search that's linked above. This website allows you to search for any corporation in Wyoming as long as you know part or all of its name.

Common Methods of Property Transfer in Wyoming

Common Methods of Property Transfer in Wyoming

Before a home can be sold or an investor can buy a rental property in Wyoming, a deed must be created and signed by every party involved in the transaction. This document records all the details about the sale or transfer, such as the names of the buyer and seller. The deed should also include details about the rights that the buyer will have once they acquire the property.

There are numerous types of deeds available in Wyoming, including grants, mortgages, and bargain and sales deeds. Below is a comprehensive guide to the three most common deeds in Wyoming.

  • General Warranty Deed: This type of deed protects buyers from all future claims to the title. It also provides the buyer with a guarantee that there are no outstanding liens or mortgages that need to be paid before the transfer can go through.

  • Special Warranty Deed: With this type of deed, the buyer receives a guarantee that the seller hasn't already sold the property to someone else. The document also guarantees that there are no liens or encumbrances on the title that occurred while the current owner held the property. It doesn't protect against prior claims.

  • Quitclaim Deed: A quitclaim deed is usually drafted when a home is being transferred between two friends or family members. There are practically no guarantees in a quitclaim deed. If another party claims once the property is sold, the buyer will need to resolve the issue.

Step-by-Step Guide to Property Transfer in Wyoming

Albany County Courthouse Laramie Wyoming

If you want to sell a property, you should understand the legal and administrative processes required during this transfer. Start by identifying the type of property transfer, such as a sale, inheritance, or gift. Each transfer type has different legal requirements.

You'll also need to obtain a title search to determine if there are any easements or liens on the title. Your lender will likely require you to purchase title insurance as well to protect yourself from unexpected problems. You may pay around 0.5%-1% of the home's price for title insurance.

Once you determine that the title is clear, the deed will be drafted. This legal document needs to be signed by the current owner and the buyer. A notary public must witness both parties signing the document for it to be legal. While most states collect transfer taxes, Wyoming doesn't.

After the deed is signed, it will be recorded at the county clerk's office. In Wyoming, the recording fee is $12 for the first page of a document and $3 for subsequent pages. After paying this fee and completing the transaction, notify your lender and the tax assessor's office about the sale.

Wyoming Homeowner Lookup

Wyoming Homeowner Lookup

  • Owner(s)
  • Deed Records
  • Loans & Liens
  • Values
  • Taxes
  • Building Permits
  • Purchase History
  • Property Details
  • And More!

Wyoming Homeowner Lookup

  • Owner(s)
  • Deed Records
  • Loans & Liens
  • Values
  • Taxes
  • Building Permits
  • Purchase History
  • Property Details
  • And More!

Wyoming Homeowner Lookup

Wyoming Property Resources