Tribal Sovereignty & Native American Law

Resources for the Wind River Indian Reservation's independent judicial system.

The Wind River Indian Reservation operates its own tribal court system, separate from Wyoming's state courts, with jurisdiction over family law, custody, probation, and other civil and criminal matters for the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes. Filing fees, forms, and procedures differ from state court.

Independent judicial system for the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes in Fort Washakie, handling family matters, custody (including ICWA), probation, and juvenile justice.

Fort WashakieFamily lawICWAJuvenile justice
Eligibility, how to apply, contact info
Who qualifies

The court has civil and criminal jurisdiction over matters arising on the Wind River Reservation involving members of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes and others within the court's jurisdiction under the Shoshone and Arapaho Law and Order Code (SALOC).

How to get help

Download the applicable form from the court's Forms page and bring or mail it to the courthouse at 109 Norkok Street, Fort Washakie, WY 82514, along with the required filing fee (cashier's check or money order — confirm accepted payment methods directly). Filing fees vary by case type — divorce is $100, adoption $100, emancipation $75, an Order to Show Cause is $50, a background check is $10 — with a fuller schedule on the court's site; a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis / Affidavit of Indigency form is available for those who cannot afford fees. Legal Aid of Wyoming is listed as a source of free legal advice for matters before this court.

Contact

109 Norkok Street, Fort Washakie, WY 82514. Court matters: 307-332-6702 (also 307-332-7587). Public defender matters: 307-332-3676. Prosecution matters: 307-332-9255. Email: info@wrtribalcourt.com. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:45pm, closed 12:00-1:00pm and holidays.

Cost

Varies by filing type (e.g., $100 for divorce/adoption, $75 for emancipation, $50 for Order to Show Cause, $10 for background checks); private family-violence protection orders are $0.00. A fee waiver is available for those unable to pay.

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Background request forms, custody agreements, rules of court, and tribal codes.

FormsTribal codes
Eligibility, how to apply, contact info
Who qualifies

Available to anyone with a matter before the Wind River Tribal Court — parties filing divorce, custody, adoption, probate, guardianship, eviction, protection order, name change, paternity, and related civil or criminal case types.

How to get help

The Forms page is a list of downloadable PDF forms — over 50 documents covering divorce petitions, custody applications, protection order petitions, probate and guardianship paperwork, evictions, name changes, and fee waivers. You can download and fill out a form on your own, but the site gives no indication anything can be filed online or by email; forms need to be printed and brought in person or mailed to the courthouse at 109 Norkok Street, Fort Washakie, WY 82514, along with any required fee. Contact the court directly to confirm whether mailed filings are accepted for your specific form.

Contact

109 Norkok Street, Fort Washakie, WY 82514. Phone: 307-332-6702 (also 307-332-7587). Email: info@wrtribalcourt.com. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:45pm, closed 12:00-1:00pm and holidays.

Cost

Forms are free to download; filing fees apply per the court's fee schedule, and a fee-waiver form is available.

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