How to Get a Certified Copy of Your Divorce Decree in Wyoming

A certified copy of your divorce decree is the key that unlocks every post-divorce administrative task — name changes, title transfers, bank account closures, mortgage refinancing, and retirement account division all require one. Without it, agencies and institutions won't process your requests.

Here's how to get certified copies in Wyoming, what they cost, and how many you should order.

Where to Request Certified Copies

Your divorce decree is on file with the Clerk of District Court in the county where your divorce was granted. Wyoming has 23 counties, each with its own District Court Clerk's office. You must request copies from the specific county that handled your case — the clerk in a different county won't have your records.

If you're unsure which county holds your records, you were served or filed in the county where either you or your spouse resided at the time of filing. Wyoming requires a 60-day residency in the state before filing, but there's no county-specific residency requirement.

How to Request Copies

In person: Visit the Clerk of District Court office in your county. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. The clerk will locate your case file and certify copies while you wait in most offices.

By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of District Court including your full name (and maiden name if applicable), your ex-spouse's name, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Include a check or money order for the fees (some counties don't accept personal checks — call ahead). Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mailing.

Online/eRecording: Some larger counties like Laramie County support electronic access through services like Simplifile, CSC, ePN, and Indecomm. Availability varies by county — smaller or rural counties typically require in-person or mail requests only.

Fees

Wyoming District Court copy fees are set by state statute:

• $1.00 for the first page
• $0.50 for each additional page
• $5.00 certification fee per copy

A typical divorce decree runs 5-15 pages, so expect to pay roughly $8-$12 per certified copy. Payment methods vary by county — Laramie County accepts only cash, certified checks, or money orders for pro se filings, while Uinta County accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) with a minimum 2.6% surcharge.

How Many Copies to Order

Order at least three certified copies. Several agencies will retain the certified copy you submit rather than returning it, and you don't want to make multiple trips back to the courthouse mid-process. Here's a rough guide:

• Social Security Administration — keeps the copy (though they sometimes return it by mail)
• WYDOT Driver's License office — reviews and returns
• County Clerk (vehicle title transfer) — may keep for uncooperative-spouse transfers
• Mortgage lender — keeps a copy for refinancing applications
• Retirement plan administrator — keeps a copy with your QDRO submission

If you're changing your name, transferring property, and dividing retirement accounts, four or five copies gives you a comfortable margin.

Certified vs. Regular Copies

A regular photocopy of your decree is worthless for official purposes. A certified copy carries the Clerk's raised seal or stamp, the clerk's signature, and the date of certification. This is what proves to the Social Security Administration, WYDOT, banks, and plan administrators that your divorce is real and final.

Don't try to substitute a regular copy — every agency listed above will reject it.

What if You Can't Find Your Case Number?

The clerk can search by the names of the parties and the approximate year of the divorce. Having the case number speeds things up, but it's not strictly required. Check your original filing papers, any correspondence from your attorney, or the decree itself if you have an uncertified copy.

Next Steps After Getting Your Copies

With certified copies in hand, you can begin tackling name changes, account separations, and title transfers. The Wyoming After-Divorce Checklist lays out the exact sequence — which agency to contact first, what forms to bring, and the deadlines that matter most.

See more Wyoming guides →