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 90-day deadline to complete service. If service is not completed, the court may dismiss the case without prejudice or order service within a specified time; good cause can support an extension.

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

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 $25-$50.

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) before a Notary Public, 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, use registered or certified mail through the Clerk where Rule 4 permits it. The Defendant then has 30 days after service 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 once per week for four consecutive weeks

After the last publication date, your spouse has 30 days to respond. The notice runs for four weeks, plus any additional timing required, and newspaper fees typically cost $100-$300.

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 may dismiss the case without prejudice or order service within a specified time; good cause can support an extension.

Track your service deadline carefully. If complications arise (evading spouse, wrong address), ask the court for an extension; good cause can support it.

After Service Is Complete

Once the Return of Service or Acknowledgment is filed, your spouse's response clock starts running. They have 20 days after service in Wyoming or after the Acceptance is signed, 30 days after service outside Wyoming, or 30 days from the last publication 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.

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