Wyoming Divorce Records
Wyoming began tracking divorce in 1941. Prior, records of divorce were only maintained by the District Court in the county where the divorce was finalized. Understanding the various aspects of a divorce will help you navigate the difficult process involved and how to locate any necessary records.
The divorce rate in Wyoming is high, comparable to the national average; 13.3 percent of Wyoming women older than 15 are divorced, compared to 10.5 percent of women in the same national demographic. Wyoming permits divorces on “no-fault” grounds based on irreconcilable differences or unstable mental health. Here, neither of the spouses is accused of any wrongdoing before the divorce is granted.
The divorce process in Wyoming begins with filing a complaint in the District Court of the appropriate county. The other spouse must be served the divorce papers and given time to respond. During the divorce, a temporary order for child custody and support is issued, and a decree outlining the final terms of the divorce is established.
What are Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Wyoming are official documents that contain proper details of the dissolution of a marriage within the state of Wyoming. Divorce records are not just information about certificates and divorce decrees; they include all the paperwork that details the proceedings. These documents include:
Basic information
- Names of both parties involved
- Dates of birth
- Date of marriage
Date of divorce
Divorce decree
- The court's final judgement and terms of the divorce
- Details on property division
- Child custody arrangements
- Divorce Certificate (A simpler document that states the divorce has occurred)
Full divorce records
- Petitions, motions, and court orders.
- All documents that were filed during the divorce proceedings.
The Wyoming Vital Statistics Services generally maintain these records, the Clerks of the District Court, and the Wyoming State Archives. Access to these records can vary, with more recent records restricted to the parties involved and their legal representatives. Divorce records in Wyoming are maintained because they are valuable for historical and genealogical research, helping individuals trace family histories and understand demographic trends. These records are also important documentation for legal purposes, such as remarriage and name changes.
These records ensure transparency and accountability in the legal process, allowing for public access to certain information while protecting sensitive details. Lastly, maintaining divorce records helps to preserve vital statistics, used by public health officials and researchers to observe trends and inform policy decisions.
Are Divorce Records Public in Wyoming?
Wyoming, unlike other states, makes an exception for divorce records. In the state, divorce records are considered confidential. Hence, unavailable to the general public. The Clerk of the District Court in the County where the divorce was granted processes requests for divorce records. These records are accessible to the individuals involved in the divorce, their immediate family members, legal representatives, and any other party with a direct interest in the case. This means that to obtain a divorce record in Wyoming, an individual must provide proof of their identity and relationship to one of the parties involved.
However, it is important to note that certain parts of the divorce records, such as summons, motions, oral arguments, and opinion dockets, are accessible to the public. Parties who are divorced can appeal to the court to conceal their divorce records and must provide compelling reasons to a judge to do so.
However, after about 50 years, these records are considered public and can be obtained from the Wyoming State Archives. To help locate a record of interest, one will need to provide sufficient information, such as the names of the divorced parties as they appear on the record, the date, and the county where the divorce was finalized. These records can be requested in person at Hathaway Bldg Cheyenne, WY 82002, or by completely relying on the services offered by the State’s archives.
Divorce certificates can be requested from the Vital Statistics services of the Wyoming Department of Health. The fee for obtaining a divorce certificate is $25. However, if the record cannot be located, the fee will be retained.
Divorce Stats and Rates in Wyoming
Like other states, Wyoming has seen some fluctuations in divorce rates over the years. In the United States, there has been a 12% reduction in divorce cases since 2020. However, Wyoming has one of the highest divorce rates in the U.S., just behind states like Nevada, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
The yearly divorce rate in Wyoming is about 3.7 incidents per 1,000 residents, which is about 4.0% higher than the national average. Among married folks in the state, these statistics translate to 19.96 divorce cases per 1,000 “married women,” which is about 7.1% higher than the U.S. average of 1.7%.
Compared to older age groups, younger age groups tend to have lower divorce rates in Wyoming. Individuals aged 25-34 have a divorce rate of approximately 2.5 per 1,000 residents, while for older individuals aged 50 and above, the rate is 5.5 per 1,000 residents. It is safe to say that a pattern known as “gray divorce” (divorce among older adults) has become more common.
Grounds for Divorce in Wyoming
Several factors contribute to divorce cases in Wyoming, as Wyoming allows “no-fault” and “fault-based” divorces. There are two major grounds for “no-fault” divorce in Wyoming:
- Irreconcilable differences: This means that neither spouse needs to prove the other's wrongdoing. This signifies that a marriage has broken beyond repair.
- Incurable Insanity: This ground requires proof that one spouse has been insane for at least two years. This divorce process is considered faster and easier.
However, several underlying reasons that lead to a “fault-based” divorce include:
- Infidelity
- Abandonment
- Abuse (Physical, emotional, or psychological)
- Non-support and Incompatibility
How to File for Divorce in Wyoming
Parties who intend to file for a divorce in Wyoming must reside in the state for at least 60 days before filing. Wyo. Stat. 20-2-107 It is also important to note that:
- Parties must obtain all the necessary forms from the Clerk of the District Court.
- Submission of all completed forms to the Clerk of the District Court in the county where either spouse resides. It is important to note that there may be a fee for this which varies by location.
- The divorce papers are served by a sheriff, a process server, or via an acceptance of service to the spouse.
- There is a set period for responding to divorce papers, after which, if a spouse violates it, a default judgment will be proceeded with.
- Both parties involved must file a confidential Financial Affidavit that embodies their financial situation.
- In cases where both parties have minor children, the state requires that they attend a Parenting Education Course.
- After all required hearings have been attended, and issues have been resolved, the judge will sign the divorce decree.
In Wyoming, If your case is relatively straightforward and you have a settlement agreement, you should be capable of managing the divorce filing on your own. Opting for a DIY divorce will be the most cost-effective way to terminate your marriage, but it will require careful attention and time to ensure that you possess all the necessary paperwork, and have completed it accurately.
Wyoming Divorce Decree
This is the final court order that officially ends a marriage. It includes important details such as the division of property, child custody arrangements, child support, and alimony, as well as other terms and conditions agreed upon by the court.
Once all issues have been resolved, the judge will sign the divorce decree, making it official.
Authorized persons can request a copy of a divorce decree in Wyoming from the Clerk of the District Court of the county where the divorce was filed. This may attract a fee. The Wyoming Department of Health’s Vital Statistics Services can also be contacted for official copies of divorce decrees.
In Wyoming, divorce decrees are not accessible through a statewide online database; however, third-party websites may offer access to these records for a fee.
How to Find and Access Wyoming Divorce Records
The Clerk of the District Court of the County where the divorce was granted maintains divorce records. Requests for these records can be made in person or via mail. Divorce records in Wyoming can be obtained through offline or online access.
Offline Access
For offline access to divorce records in Wyoming, residents can visit or contact the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the divorce was finalized. You can send a written request via mail, Including all necessary details, such as the full names of both parties, the date of the divorce, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of documents.
For divorce cases that occurred between 1941 and the present, contact the Wyoming State Archives and the Department of Health at 2300 Capitol Avenue in Cheyenne, on the first floor of the Hathaway Building, Room 175.
Online Access
Some of the county courts where divorce cases are finalized offer online access to these records, and residents can submit a request for this record through their website. This would involve filing an online form and paying a fee between $10 and $30. You will need to have all “necessary information, ” such as the names of parties involved, date, and case number, if available. For Wyoming, divorce records are not completely public. Hence for security reasons, one can be requested to verify identity as proof of relationship to the parties involved.
References
- https://health.wyo.gov/admin/vitalstatistics/vital-record/
- https://www.archives.com/genealogy/vital-records-marriage-divorce-wyoming.html
- https://www.maritallaws.com/states/wyoming/divorce
- https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61832/
- https://www.survivedivorce.com/divorce-laws-in-wyoming
- https://www.wyomingdivorce.org/divorce-records-in-wyoming/
- https://www.divorcenet.com/resources/filing-for-divorce/wyoming.htm
- https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/what-is-a-divorce-record.html