Divorce Orientation Course Utah: What It Covers, Cost, and How to Register

Two Required Courses, Not One

Utah requires divorcing parents to complete two separate courses — and the names are similar enough to cause confusion. They are different courses with different content, different fees, and different purposes.

Divorce Orientation Course — a one-hour session covering the divorce process overview, available court resources, and the impact of divorce on children. This is the shorter, introductory course.

Divorce Education Course (Parenting Education) — a longer course (typically 4 hours) focused on co-parenting skills, communication strategies, children's developmental needs during divorce, and conflict resolution techniques.

Both are required under Utah Code §§ 81-4-105 and 81-4-106 for any divorce or temporary separation case involving minor children; § 81-4-402(4) sets the completion deadlines. The court will not enter a final decree until both parents have filed completion certificates for both courses, unless the court waives the course requirement.

Deadlines

The applicable clock starts with filing for the petitioner and service for the respondent:

• Petitioner (the person who filed): Must complete the Divorce Orientation Course within 60 days of filing the petition
• Respondent (the other spouse): Must complete the Divorce Orientation Course within 30 days of being served with the petition

The same deadlines apply to the Divorce Education Course. In practice, most people complete both courses in the same window — there's no reason to delay one once you're registered.

Missing the deadline doesn't automatically dismiss your case, but it can create problems. The court may refuse to hear temporary motions (like requests for temporary custody or support) until the courses are completed. More critically, the judge will not sign your final decree until both certificates are on file, unless the court waives the course requirement — so missing the deadline directly delays your finalization date.

Cost and Fee Waivers

If you qualify for a court fee waiver (based on the household income thresholds — $1,882.50/month for a single-person household, $2,555/month for two, etc.), the class fees are fully waivable. Apply for the fee waiver when you file your divorce petition — the same "Motion to Waive Fees — Family" that covers the $350 filing fee also covers parenting class fees.

One important detail: no refunds are issued after payment. If you think you might qualify for a fee waiver, apply for the waiver before you register and pay for the courses. If your waiver is granted, you can then register without payment. If you've already paid, you can't get the money back.

How to Register

Both courses are administered through the Utah State University (USU) portal. Registration is online:

1. Go to the Utah Courts Required Classes for Parents page
2. Follow the link to the USU registration portal
3. Create an account and register for each course separately
4. Complete the course online (available 24/7 — you can do it at your own pace)
5. Download your completion certificate after finishing each course
6. File the certificates with the district court clerk

The courses are available in English and Spanish. In-person options have been available in some counties for an additional discount, but availability varies — check the USU portal for current in-person offerings.

What the Orientation Course Covers

The one-hour Divorce Orientation Course is essentially a crash course in what you're about to go through. Topics include:

• An overview of the Utah divorce process (filing, service, disclosures, mediation, finalization)
• Resources available through the court system (self-help center, MyPaperwork, mediation program)
• The emotional impact of divorce on adults and children
• Basic co-parenting communication principles
• How to avoid common procedural mistakes

It's designed for people who are just starting the process and may not yet understand the full scope of what's involved. If you've already done extensive research, some of the content will be review — but completion is mandatory regardless.

What the Education Course Covers

The four-hour Divorce Education Course goes deeper into co-parenting:

• Age-specific impacts of divorce on children (infants through teenagers)
• Communication techniques for reducing conflict between co-parents
• How to create and follow a parenting plan
• Managing transitions between households
• Handling holidays, school events, and special occasions
• When to seek professional help for children showing distress

This course is more practically useful than the orientation — the parenting plan and communication sections are directly applicable to the custody agreement you'll need to draft for your stipulation.

Common Questions

Can I complete the courses before filing? Yes. You can register and complete both courses before filing your petition. Some people prefer to get them out of the way early so the deadlines aren't a concern.

Does my spouse need to take the same course at the same time? No. Each parent completes the courses independently on their own schedule. You don't attend together.

What if my spouse won't complete the courses? The court will not finalize the divorce until both parents' certificates are on file, unless the court waives the course requirement. If your spouse refuses, you may need to file a motion asking the court to compel compliance or address the issue at a hearing.

Do I need the courses if I don't have children? No. The courses are only required when the divorce involves minor children (under 18).

If you want to make sure you're hitting every deadline — including the parenting class timeline — in the right order, the Utah Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a parenting class deadline planner that maps registration, completion, and certificate filing into your overall divorce timeline.

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