Filing for divorce in Utah without an attorney costs $325 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 3 months in Utah. Utah is a equitable distribution state with a 30 days (can be waived) waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 30-90 days. Victoria AI guides you through every step with Utah-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $325 (The filing fee is $325 statewide in Utah. This fee covers the petition filing. Service costs are additional.) |
| Residency Requirement | 3 months in Utah |
| Waiting Period | 30 days (can be waived) |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (fair, not equal) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Irreconcilable differences (no-fault), Impotency, Adultery, Willful desertion for 1 year, Willful neglect, Habitual drunkenness, Felony conviction, Cruel treatment, Incurable insanity, Living apart 3 years under judicial separation |
| No-Fault Only? | No (fault grounds available) |
| Uncontested Timeline | 30-90 days |
| Contested Timeline | 6 months to 2 years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Utah, you must meet the following residency requirement: 3 months in Utah.
The petitioner must have been a resident of Utah and the county where you file for at least 3 months before filing for divorce.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Utah's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Utah without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
The petitioner must have been a resident of Utah and the county where you file for at least 3 months before filing for divorce.
Download the official Utah divorce forms: Petition for Divorce, Summons, Financial Declaration. All forms are available from the Utah courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (Varies) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Utah court and pay the filing fee of $325. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Utah rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Utah law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
Utah has a 30-day waiting period from the date of filing before the divorce can be finalized. This can be waived if both parties complete a divorce education course or the court finds good cause.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Utah, this typically takes 30-90 days. The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Utah. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
Initiates the case
Notifies your spouse
Financial disclosure
Final divorce document
Custody arrangement
The filing fee to start a divorce in Utah is $325. The filing fee is $325 statewide in Utah. This fee covers the petition filing. Service costs are additional.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $325 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $500-$1,500 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Utah offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Utah, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Utah courts are strict about service requirements.
Utah is a equitable distribution state.
Utah is an equitable distribution state. The court divides marital property fairly based on contribution, duration of marriage, and economic circumstances. Separate property (owned before marriage, gifts, inheritance) usually stays with the owner.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Utah law applies to your specific property.
Utah uses the Income shares model.
Utah uses the income shares model. Child support is calculated using both parents' gross incomes and the Utah Child Support Guidelines, factoring in the number of children and custody arrangement.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Utah divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $325 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
30 days (can be waived) - Utah has a 30-day waiting period from the date of filing before the divorce can be finalized. This can be waived if both parties complete a divorce education course or the court finds good cause.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
Short 3-month residency requirement
30-day waiting period (can be waived)
Mandatory divorce education course
Both fault and no-fault available
Online Court Assistance Program (OCAP)
Strong emphasis on mediation
Common questions about filing for divorce in Utah without an attorney.
Get 24/7 guidance specific to Utah's forms, procedures, and requirements.
Utah-specific forms
Guidance through every required form
Financial disclosure wizard
Complete your financial affidavit step-by-step
Child support calculator
Using Utah's exact guidelines
AI document drafting
Create properly formatted legal documents
Evidence notebook
Organize and categorize case documents
24/7 AI guidance
Ask Victoria anything, anytime
AES-256 encryption, SOC 2 ready infrastructure. Your documents are protected.
Victoria provides legal information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your case, consult an attorney.
All Utah divorce information verified from official state court sources.
Victoria is ready to guide you through every step of the Utah divorce process. Start your free trial today.
7-day free trial • Cancel anytime • Charged after trial ends