How to Locate and Identify Assets Held in Different Counties or States in Wyoming

The information on this site is for general informational purposes only, may be outdated, and is not legal advice; do not rely on it without consulting your own attorney. See full disclaimer.

Detailed Answer

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

When you need to locate assets—such as real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, or business interests—held across multiple Wyoming counties or in other states, you must gather reliable data from public and private sources. Below is a step-by-step framework under Wyoming law:

  1. Real Property Records

    In Wyoming, each county clerk records deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Visit the county clerk’s office or its online portal to search by name or parcel number. See Wyo. Stat. Ann. §34-1-101 regarding the recording of instruments: Title 34, Ch. 1. If you search multiple counties, document grantor/grantee names consistently.

  2. Vehicle and Vessel Titles

    The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) maintains vehicle and vessel title records. You may request off-record searches when you have a valid legal interest. Out-of-state vehicles can be traced through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS): NMVTIS.

  3. Business Entity Filings

    The Wyoming Secretary of State’s office lists corporations, LLCs, partnerships and trade names. You can search by party name, UCC filings (financing statements) or filing number at sos.wyo.gov. For secured transactions rules, consult Wyo. Stat. Ann. Title 34, Article 9: UCC Article 9.

  4. Bank and Financial Accounts

    Banks and credit unions do not publicly list account holders. To compel disclosure, you may use subpoenas in active litigation or employ a private investigator with skip-tracing authority. Always follow privacy statutes such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

  5. Court Filings and Judgments

    County circuit or district court clerks store judgments, liens, garnishments, and probate records. Search both electronic court record systems and in-office indexes in each county where you suspect assets exist.

  6. Multistate and Federal Resources

    For assets outside Wyoming, use national databases like LexisNexis, Westlaw, or the Federal UCC Filings Portal. The Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) helps locate licensed financial businesses.

  7. Professional Assistance

    If you need deeper, cross-jurisdictional searches, consider hiring a licensed private investigator or an attorney who specializes in asset tracing. They can access proprietary databases and ensure compliance with state and federal privacy laws.

Helpful Hints

  • Always confirm spelling of names and use known aliases to broaden your search.
  • Keep detailed logs of search queries, dates, and results from each county or agency.
  • Check for assumed business names and trade names in each state’s SOS database.
  • Consider real-time monitoring services for UCC filings and property recordings.
  • Respect privacy and data-protection laws; unauthorized access can carry penalties.
  • Leverage free public records first; paid databases often save time but cost money.

The information on this site is for general informational purposes only, may be outdated, and is not legal advice; do not rely on it without consulting your own attorney. See full disclaimer.