Divorce Classes Utah: Required Courses, Costs, and Deadlines

If you're divorcing in Utah and have minor children, the court won't finalize your decree — and won't even hear your temporary order motions — until both parents complete two mandatory courses. This catches most people off guard. They file the petition, get served, and then discover they've triggered a clock that penalizes them if they don't enroll immediately.

Here's exactly what's required, what it costs, and the deadlines you need to hit.

The Two Required Courses

Utah mandates two separate courses, not one:

1. Divorce Orientation Course A brief overview of the divorce process, court expectations, and available resources. It covers what to expect procedurally and introduces options like mediation.

• Cost: $30 standard, or $15 if you take it within 30 days of filing (live class discount)
• Format: Available online or in-person through court-approved providers
• Duration: Approximately one hour

2. Divorce Education (Parenting) Course A more in-depth class focused on how divorce affects children and strategies for effective co-parenting. It covers communication techniques, reducing conflict during transitions, and protecting children from being caught in the middle.

• Cost: $35
• Format: Online or in-person through approved providers
• Duration: Varies by provider, typically 2-4 hours

Both courses are offered through Utah State University's extension program (divorce.usu.edu) and other court-approved providers. You'll receive a Certificate of Completion for each course, which must be filed with the court clerk.

The Deadlines That Matter

This is where the timing pressure comes from:

• Petitioner (the spouse who files first): Must complete both courses within 60 days of filing the petition
• Respondent (the spouse who is served): Must complete both courses within 30 days of being served

These are hard deadlines. Under Utah Code § 81-4-402(6)(a), the court is barred from hearing or deciding a Motion for Temporary Order until the moving party has completed both courses and filed their certificates. That means if you need an immediate temporary custody order or temporary child support, you're blocked until those certificates hit the clerk's office.

The same rule applies to final decrees — no certificates, no final divorce order.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline

Missing the deadline doesn't automatically dismiss your case, but it creates real procedural problems. You won't be able to request temporary orders for custody, support, or possession of the family home. Your case will stall until the certificates are filed, and the judge may view the delay unfavorably.

If you're the respondent and only have 30 days, enroll the same day you're served. The online courses are self-paced and can typically be completed in a single sitting.

Fee Waivers

If you qualify for a fee waiver on your court filing fees (Form 1102FA), the court may also waive or reduce the course fees. Ask the clerk's office about this when you file — it needs to be requested, not assumed.

Children's Course

Utah also offers a separate online program for children going through their parents' divorce, available through the court website. It's voluntary, runs monthly, and is designed to help kids process the transition. It's free and virtual.

Getting Both Done Efficiently

The fastest path: enroll in both courses online the same day you file (or the day you're served). Complete the Orientation Course first (one hour), then start the Education Course. File your certificates of completion with the court clerk immediately — don't wait.

This matters most if you need temporary orders. A parent who completes both courses in the first week after filing can request temporary custody and support arrangements right away. A parent who waits until day 55 can't get a temporary hearing until after the certificates are filed, losing nearly two months of potential court protection.

For a complete timeline of every deadline in the Utah custody process — including course requirements, filing windows, and mediation scheduling — the Utah Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide maps each milestone chronologically.

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