Filing for divorce in Wyoming requires understanding the state’s specific residency requirements, grounds, waiting periods, and property division rules. This comprehensive Wyoming divorce guide walks you through every step of the process — from meeting eligibility requirements to finalizing your decree. Whether you are considering an uncontested divorce, navigating property division, or understanding your rights, this guide covers the key Wyoming divorce laws you need to know.
All information verified against Wyoming statutes and official court resources as of April 2026.
In This Wyoming Divorce Guide:
Wyoming Divorce Filing Requirements
Before you can file for divorce in Wyoming, you must meet these requirements:
| Residency Requirement | 60 days — either spouse must have resided in Wyoming for at least 60 days immediately before filing. Alternative: if the marriage took place in Wyoming, one spouse must have lived in the state continuously from the time of the marriage until filing. |
| Filing Fee | 70 (approximate base statutory fee; varies by county — some counties charge up to 160 with surcharges) |
| No-Fault Grounds | Yes — irreconcilable differences in the marital relationship (Wyoming Statute 20-2-104) |
| Waiting Period | 20 days — the court cannot issue a final divorce decree until at least 20 days after the complaint is filed and the other spouse is served |
| Property Division | Equitable distribution |
| Uncontested Available | YES |
| Online Filing | YES (limited) — Wyoming district courts use File & ServeXpress for electronic filing, but e-filing is primarily available to attorneys who have completed training and passed a proficiency exam. Self-represented litigants can use the Guided Form Completion tool on wyocourts.gov to fill out forms electronically but generally must file in person or by mail. |
Residency: At least one spouse must have been a resident of Wyoming for 60 days — either spouse must have resided in Wyoming for at least 60 days immediately before filing. Alternative: if the marriage took place in Wyoming, one spouse must have lived in the state continuously from the time of the marriage until filing. before filing. You file in the county where either spouse resides.
Wyoming Fault-Based Divorce Grounds
In addition to no-fault divorce, Wyoming allows divorce on these fault-based grounds:
- Incurable insanity only — the insane spouse must have been confined in a mental institution for at least 2 years immediately before filing (W.S. 20-2-105). Traditional fault grounds such as adultery
- cruelty
- abandonment
- and habitual drunkenness are NOT available as independent grounds in Wyoming.
Filing on fault grounds may affect property division, alimony, or custody decisions in some Wyoming courts. However, most divorces in Wyoming proceed on no-fault grounds because they are simpler and faster.
Step-by-Step Wyoming Divorce Process
- Meet residency requirements: Confirm you or your spouse has lived in Wyoming for the required period.
- Prepare your petition: Complete the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (or equivalent Wyoming form). Include grounds, requests for property division, custody, and support.
- File with the court: Submit your petition to the circuit/family court in the appropriate county. Pay the filing fee (approximately 70 (approximate base statutory fee; varies by county — some counties charge up to 160 with surcharges)).
- Serve your spouse: Your spouse must be formally served with divorce papers via sheriff, process server, or certified mail (rules vary by Wyoming county).
- Response period: Your spouse has a set number of days (typically 20-30) to file a response.
- Negotiation/discovery: Spouses exchange financial information and negotiate terms on property, custody, and support.
- Waiting period: 20 days — the court cannot issue a final divorce decree until at least 20 days after the complaint is filed and the other spouse is served must pass before the divorce can be finalized.
- Final hearing/decree: The judge reviews and approves the settlement agreement or makes rulings on contested issues. The divorce decree is entered.
Wyoming Property Division
Wyoming follows equitable distribution for dividing marital property. This does not necessarily mean 50/50 — the court divides assets fairly based on factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning potential, contributions to marital property, and the needs of each party.
Wyoming uses an all-property approach under W.S. 20-2-114. Courts may divide both marital and separate property. Statutory factors: (1) respective merits and contributions of the parties, (2) the condition in which each party will be left by the divorce, (3) the party through whom the property was acquired, and (4) burdens imposed upon the property for the benefit of either party and children. Marital misconduct may be considered in property division and alimony decisions even though fault is not required as grounds for divorce.
Key assets to consider: Real estate, retirement accounts (401k, pensions, IRAs), business interests, vehicles, investment accounts, debts, and personal property. Some assets may require professional appraisal or a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) for retirement account division.
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How Long Does Divorce Take in Wyoming?
Uncontested divorce: 30 to 90 days from filing to finalization
Contested divorce: 6 months to over 1 year
These timelines are approximate. Court backlogs, complexity of issues, and whether children are involved can significantly affect the actual duration.
Uncontested Divorce in Wyoming
An uncontested divorce in Wyoming is available when both spouses agree on all major issues: property division, child custody, child support, and alimony. Both spouses must agree on all issues including property division, debt allocation, child custody, visitation, and support. A written marital settlement agreement must be filed with the court. Separate self-help form packets are available from wyocourts.gov for cases with minor children (Packets 1-2) and without minor children (Packets 3-4). A hearing is typically not required if there are no minor children and both parties agree.
Benefits of uncontested divorce include lower attorney fees, faster resolution, less emotional stress, and greater privacy since contested hearings are public.
Wyoming Divorce Costs
Divorce costs in Wyoming vary widely based on complexity:
| Type | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | 70 (approximate base statutory fee; varies by county — some counties charge up to 160 with surcharges) |
| Uncontested (no attorney) | $300 – $1,500 |
| Uncontested (with attorney) | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Contested (with attorney) | $5,000 – $30,000+ |
| Mediation | $2,000 – $8,000 |
Fee waivers may be available for low-income filers. Contact the court clerk in your county for fee waiver applications.
Additional Wyoming rules: Wyoming uses an all-property approach to property division, meaning courts can divide both marital and separate property — this is unusual among equitable distribution states. Wyoming has one of the shortest residency requirements in the U.S. at just 60 days. Incurable insanity (with 2-year confinement) is the only fault ground; no traditional fault grounds exist. Wyoming recognizes common-law marriages that were validly created, which may affect divorce proceedings. The Wyoming Judicial Branch provides free self-help form packets and a Guided Form Completion tool at wyocourts.gov for self-represented litigants.
Official Sources & Resources
- Wyoming Courts: https://www.wyocourts.gov
- Legal Aid: https://www.lawyoming.org
- Cornell LII — Family Law: law.cornell.edu
- NCSL Divorce Laws: ncsl.org
This Wyoming divorce guide was last verified against official sources in April 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.