Wyoming Divorce Checklist

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Prepared: 5/20/2026

Data updated: 3/1/2026

Estimated Timeline

30-60 days for uncontested divorces where both spouses agree on all terms, 6-12 months for contested divorces involving disputes over property, custody, or support, and 12-18 months for highly contested cases requiring trial in Wyoming. The absolute minimum is 20 days from filing under W.S. § 20-2-108.

Documents to Gather

Certified Marriage Certificate
Valid Wyoming Driver's License or State ID
Social Security Numbers
Birth Certificates for Minor Children
Prior Divorce Decrees(if applicable)
Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement(if applicable)
Order of Protection(if applicable)

Financial Documents

Last 3 Years of Federal and State Tax Returns
Last 6 Months of Pay Stubs
12 Months of Bank Statements
Retirement and Investment Account Statements
Real Property Documents
Vehicle Titles and Loan Statements
Credit Card and Debt Statements
Health and Life Insurance Policies
Business Financial Statements(if applicable)

Key Steps

1. Before Filing

Verify Residency Requirements
Gather Personal and Family Information
Compile Financial Records and Documentation
Assess Safety Concerns and Develop a Protection Plan
Select the Correct Self-Help Form Packet

2. Filing Process

Complete the Complaint for Divorce
Prepare the Summons
File the Complaint and Summons with the District Court

3. After Filing

Serve Your Spouse with the Divorce Papers
Wait for the Response Period and Mandatory Waiting Period
Exchange Initial Disclosures and Financial Affidavits
Attend Parenting Classes If Ordered by the Court
Negotiate a Settlement or Proceed to Mediation
Request a Hearing or Submit Affidavit for Divorce Without Appearance
Obtain the Signed Decree of Divorce

Key Deadlines

Mandatory residency period before filing60 days of Wyoming residency

Service of process on the Defendant90 days after filing the Complaint

Defendant must file Answer (served in Wyoming)20 days after service

Defendant must file Answer (served out of state)30 days after service

Plaintiff must file Reply to Counterclaim20 days after Counterclaim is filed

Exchange Initial Disclosures30 days after service of the Complaint

Mandatory waiting period before decree20 days from date of filing

Duty to supplement disclosuresOngoing throughout the case

Quick Reference

To file for divorce in Wyoming, you must first establish that at least one spouse has resided in the state for a minimum of 60 days under Wyoming Statute § 20-2-107. File a Complaint for Divorce using the official self-help forms (Packet 1 for cases with children, Packet 3 for no children) at the District Court in the county where either spouse resides. Filing fees range from $70 to $160 depending on the county, with fee waivers available through Packet 10 for qualifying low-income filers. After filing, serve your spouse within 90 days. The Defendant has 20 days to respond if served in Wyoming, or 30 days if served out of state. Both parties must exchange Initial Disclosures and Confidential Financial Affidavits within 30 days of service. Wyoming requires only a 20-day waiting period from filing before the decree can be finalized — one of the shortest in the nation. Uncontested divorces typically finalize in 30 to 60 days. Contested divorces involving property division under § 20-2-114 or custody disputes under § 20-2-201 may take 6 to 18 months. Free forms are available at wyocourts.gov/self-help-forms/. Contact Legal Aid of Wyoming at 1-877-432-9955 for free legal assistance.