How to File for Divorce in Wyoming
How to file for divorce in Wyoming: the residency rule, filing fee and fee waivers, uncontested options and how long it takes.
Short answer: One spouse must have lived in Wyoming for the 60 days immediately before filing, or the marriage must have taken place in Wyoming and one spouse must have lived in Wyoming continuously from the marriage until filing. Wyo. Stat. §§ 20-2-107, 20-2-104
| Residency requirement | One spouse must have lived in Wyoming for the 60 days immediately before filing, or the marriage must have taken place in Wyoming and one spouse must have lived in Wyoming continuously from the marriage until filing. A married person who lives in Wyoming when filing counts as a resident even if the other spouse lives elsewhere. The case is filed in the district court of the county where either spouse lives. Source: Wyo. Stat. §§ 20-2-107, 20-2-104 |
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| Filing fee | A filing fee is required to open a divorce case; the court's instructions say to ask the clerk of district court for the amount and accepted forms of payment. If you cannot afford it, you can ask the court to waive the filing fee. Having the sheriff serve the papers typically costs around $50. The official instructions do not state the filing fee amount. |
| Uncontested or simplified divorce | Wyoming has no separate summary divorce, but the court's self-help packets are designed for spouses who agree. If the defendant files an answer and the spouses agree on all issues, they file financial affidavits, a Decree of Divorce signed and notarized by both, and an Affidavit for Divorce Without Appearance of Parties, which lets the court grant the divorce without a hearing (the judge may still require one). If the defendant does not respond in time, the plaintiff can seek a default divorce. |
| Waiting period | A divorce decree cannot be entered less than 20 days after the complaint is filed. A spouse served in Wyoming has 20 days to respond to the complaint. |
| Divorce forms | The Wyoming Judicial Branch's Self-Help Forms page has four divorce packets: Divorce with Minor Children (Plaintiff and Defendant) and Divorce with No Children (Plaintiff and Defendant). Each packet includes a list of forms, an overview, instructions and a checklist. All four divorce packets have free online Form-Filling Guides, guided interviews that ask about your case and produce filled-in forms to download or print. Divorce cases are filed with the District Court clerk. |
Where to get help in Wyoming
More Wyoming divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Wyoming
- Adopting a Child in Wyoming
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Wyoming
- Establishing Paternity in Wyoming
- Changing Your Name in Wyoming
- Child Custody Laws in Wyoming
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Wyoming
- Divorce Records in Wyoming
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Wyoming
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Wyoming
- All Wyoming divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How long do you have to live in Wyoming to file for divorce?
One spouse must have lived in Wyoming for the 60 days immediately before filing, or the marriage must have taken place in Wyoming and one spouse must have lived in Wyoming continuously from the marriage until filing. A married person who lives in Wyoming when filing counts as a resident even if the other spouse lives elsewhere. The case is filed in the district court of the county where either spouse lives.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Wyoming?
A filing fee is required to open a divorce case; the court's instructions say to ask the clerk of district court for the amount and accepted forms of payment. If you cannot afford it, you can ask the court to waive the filing fee. Having the sheriff serve the papers typically costs around $50.
How do you get an uncontested divorce in Wyoming?
Wyoming has no separate summary divorce, but the court's self-help packets are designed for spouses who agree. If the defendant files an answer and the spouses agree on all issues, they file financial affidavits, a Decree of Divorce signed and notarized by both, and an Affidavit for Divorce Without Appearance of Parties, which lets the court grant the divorce without a hearing (the judge may still require one). If the defendant does not respond in time, the plaintiff can seek a default divorce.
Is there a waiting period for divorce in Wyoming?
A divorce decree cannot be entered less than 20 days after the complaint is filed. A spouse served in Wyoming has 20 days to respond to the complaint.
Where can I get divorce papers and forms in Wyoming?
The Wyoming Judicial Branch's Self-Help Forms page has four divorce packets: Divorce with Minor Children (Plaintiff and Defendant) and Divorce with No Children (Plaintiff and Defendant). Each packet includes a list of forms, an overview, instructions and a checklist. All four divorce packets have free online Form-Filling Guides, guided interviews that ask about your case and produce filled-in forms to download or print. Divorce cases are filed with the District Court clerk.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.