How to Serve Divorce Papers in Wyoming

After you file your Complaint for Divorce with the District Court, the next step is serving your spouse. Wyoming law is strict about this: you cannot hand the papers to your spouse yourself, and you have a hard 90-day deadline to complete service before the court dismisses your case.

Here are your options and how each one works.

Option 1: County Sheriff

The most common method. Take your file-stamped copies of the Complaint and Summons to the sheriff's office in the county where your spouse lives. The sheriff (or a deputy) personally delivers the papers to your spouse and files a Return of Service with the court confirming the delivery.

Cost is typically $50, paid directly to the sheriff's office. In-county service usually takes 1-2 weeks. If your spouse lives in a different Wyoming county, you send the papers to that county's sheriff.

Option 2: Private Process Server

Licensed private process servers work on your schedule and can often complete service faster than the sheriff's office, especially for hard-to-reach individuals. Costs vary by location but typically run $50-$150 depending on the number of attempts needed.

The process server files a Return of Service or Affidavit of Service with the court after delivery.

Option 3: Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Service

If your spouse is cooperative, this is the fastest and cheapest method. Your spouse signs the Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Service form (DIVNoCP 8 or DIVCP 9), confirming they received the papers. This can happen the same day you file — no sheriff, no waiting.

File the signed Acknowledgment with the Clerk of District Court. This satisfies the service requirement completely.

Option 4: Service by Mail (Out-of-State)

For spouses outside Wyoming, you may request the court's permission to serve by registered or certified mail. File an Affidavit requesting this alternative service method. The Defendant then has 30 days from receipt to respond, instead of the standard 20 days for in-state service.

Option 5: Service by Publication (Last Resort)

When your spouse cannot be located after diligent efforts, the court may authorize service by publication. You must:

1. File an Affidavit detailing your efforts to locate your spouse
2. Receive a court order authorizing publication
3. Publish a legal notice in a newspaper of general circulation for a specified number of consecutive weeks

After the last publication date, your spouse has 30 days to respond. Service by publication typically adds 4-8 weeks to your timeline and costs $100-$300 for newspaper fees.

The 90-Day Deadline

Under Wyoming court rules, service must be completed within 90 days of filing the Complaint. If you miss this window, the court dismisses your case — and you have to refile and pay the $160 filing fee again.

Track your service deadline carefully. If complications arise (evading spouse, wrong address), file a motion for extension before the 90 days expire.

After Service Is Complete

Once the Return of Service or Acknowledgment is filed, your spouse's response clock starts running. They have 20 days (in-state) or 30 days (out-of-state) to file a written Answer or Answer and Counterclaim. If they do not respond, you can pursue a default divorce.

The Wyoming Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a service deadline tracker and step-by-step instructions for each method, including the exact forms needed for service by publication.

See more Wyoming guides →