Wyoming Divorce Certificate

A divorce certificate is the simplest official record that proves a divorce happened. This document includes basic information: the names of both parties, the date the divorce was finalized, and the Wyoming county where the divorce was finalized. Think of it as the "proof of divorce" paper you show when someone needs to verify your current marital status.

The Wyoming vital records office keeps these certificates on file. Unlike the full divorce decree (which we'll discuss later), a certificate doesn't include details about property division, child custody arrangements, or financial agreements. It's a clean, one-page document that simply states: "Yes, this divorce occurred on this date."

How is a certificate different from a divorce decree?

Many people confuse these two documents, but they serve completely different purposes.

• A divorce certificate  from the vital statistics services is a summary document. It confirms the divorce took place but doesn't list any terms or conditions. You'd use this when applying for a new marriage license, changing your name on your driver's license or state ID, or updating your Social Security records.
• A divorce decree  is the complete court order from your district court case. This multi-page document outlines everything the judge decided: who received the house, how much child support is paid, custody schedules, debt division, and any other agreements made during the divorce. You get the divorce decree from the Clerk of the District Court in the county where your case was heard, not from the Wyoming Department of Health.

When would you need each one? If you're just proving you're divorced so you can remarry, the certificate works fine. If you need to enforce a court order about property or kids, you need the full decree.

Who can request a Wyoming divorce certificate?

Wyoming protects the privacy of vital records, including marriage and divorce certificates. Not just anyone can walk in and request your divorce certificate.

Eligible parties include

• Either person named in the divorce (both the petitioner and respondent)
• A lawyer representing either party in a legal matter
• Someone with a valid court order

If you're the person requesting your own divorce certificate, you'll need to prove your identity. The vital statistics services office requires a photocopy of your current government-issued ID. This can be your driver's license, Wyoming state id, or passport. The ID should be clear and legible; if it's within 60 days of expiration, that's still acceptable.

If you don't have a photo ID, you can submit a notarized signature instead. The person requesting the certificate signs their name before a notary public, and the notarized document serves as proof of identity.

Where do you get divorce certificates for different time periods?

The location where you request your Wyoming divorce certificate depends on how long ago the divorce happened.

For divorces from May 1941 to the present

Contact Vital Statistics Services at the Wyoming department of health. They maintain records for all counties across the state. Their office is located in the Hathaway Building, 82002 Cheyenne, WY.

For divorces finalized more than 50 years ago

These historical records will be transferred to the Wyoming State Archives. If your divorce happened before 1974, you'll contact the Archives instead of Vital Statistics. The Archives can be reached at (307) 777-7826 or by email at WyArchive@state.wy.us.

The Archives holds records for research and genealogy. If you need a certified copy of an old divorce certificate (not just information for research), you may still need to go through Vital Statistics Services depending on your specific situation.

How much does a Wyoming divorce certificate cost?

The standard fee for a certified copy of a Wyoming divorce certificate is $25 . This applies whether you request in person, by mail, or online through the vital records portal.

Here's what that fee covers: one certified copy of your divorce certificate with the official state seal. If you need multiple copies, you'll pay $25 for the first copy and reduced fees for additional copies ordered at the same time.

Important note about the search fee

If Vital Statistics Services searches their records and cannot find a divorce certificate matching the information you provided, they keep your $25 as a searching fee. You don't get a refund just because they didn't locate a record. This usually occurs when people provide incorrect dates, misspell names, or request records for events that did not occur in Wyoming.

What information do you need to provide?

When you fill out the application for a certified copy of your divorce certificate, accuracy matters. Missing or incorrect information delays your request or results in "no record found."

Required details include

• Full legal names of both parties as they appeared on the divorce papers (including maiden names if applicable)
• The date the divorce was finalized (or at least the year and approximate timeframe)
• The city or county in Wyoming where the divorce took place
• Your current mailing address, where the certificate should be sent
• Your relationship to the people named on the certificate
• Your signature (original signature required, not a copy)

If you don't remember the exact date, providing a range helps. For example, "sometime between June 2018 and December 2018" gives the office a window to search. However, very broad searches spanning multiple years might require additional fees.

How to order a divorce certificate in person

If you live near Cheyenne or prefer handling things face-to-face, you can visit the Vital Statistics Services office directly.

Step 1:  Print and complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record form. You can download this from the Wyoming Department of Health website or pick up a blank form at the office.

Step 2:  Make a clear photocopy of your government-issued ID. Make sure your photo, name, and signature are all legible. The office suggests enlarging the copy slightly to ensure clarity.

Step 3:  Visit the office during business hours:

Vital Statistics ServicesWyoming Department of HealthHathaway Building2300 Capitol AvenueCheyenne, WY 82002

Step 4:  Submit your completed application, ID copy, and payment. The office accepts checks and money orders made payable to Vital Statistics Services. They also accept personalized checks from the person making the request, meaning the check must have your name and address pre-printed on it. They do not accept third-party checks or non-personalized checks.

Walk-in requests typically process within a few business days, though it can take up to five business days during busy periods.

How to request a divorce certificate by mail

Mail requests follow a similar process but require a few extra steps to ensure nothing gets lost.

Step 1:  Download and print the official marriage or divorce certificate application from health.wyo.gov. Fill out every section completely.

Step 2:  Make a photocopy of your driver's license, passport, or state ID. Again, make sure it's clear and readable.

Step 3:  Prepare your payment. Write a check or purchase a money order for $25, made payable to Vital Statistics Services. Remember, only personalized checks with your name and address are accepted if you're paying by personal check.

Step 4:  Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. This is where the office will send your certificate once it's processed. Make sure you put enough postage on the envelope.

Step 5:  Mail everything together to:

Vital Statistics ServicesWyoming Department of HealthHathaway Building2300 Capitol AvenueCheyenne, WY 82002

Processing time for mail requests typically takes 2-3 weeks from the date your package is received. This includes round-trip mailing time and processing time at the office.

Can you order online through the vital records portal?

Yes! Wyoming now offers an online ordering system through the Wyoming Vital Records Portal. This is often the fastest and most convenient method, especially if you're comfortable uploading documents and paying online.

How the online system works

Visit the Wyoming Vital Records Portal on the Wyoming Department of Health website. Click "Sign Up" to create a new account. You'll need to provide an email address and create a password.

Once logged in, select "Divorce Certificate" from the menu of available vital records. Fill in all required fields with the information about your divorce. The online form asks for the same details as the paper application.

Upload a digital image of your valid government ID. This can be a photo taken with your phone or a scanned copy. The image must be clear enough to read all the information.

Select your delivery method. Standard delivery is first-class mail at no extra charge. If you need faster delivery, you can upload a prepaid shipping label from FedEx or UPS. The label must show your address as both sender and recipient.

Pay the $25 fee using a credit or debit card. A 2.4% convenience fee (minimum $1) is added to all online orders to cover payment processing costs.

Submit your order. You'll receive a confirmation email with a tracking number. Most online orders are processed within 3-5 business days.

What payment methods are accepted?

Accepted payment methods vary based on how you submit your request.

In-person and by mail

• Money orders payable to Vital Statistics Services
• Bank-personalized checks (must have your name and address printed on the check)
• Cashier's checks

Not accepted for mail/in-person

• Third-party checks (checks written by someone other than the requestor)
• Non-personalized checks or starter checks
• Cash (for mail requests, check with the office about in-person cash payments)
• Credit cards (only available online)

Online only

• Credit cards
• Debit cards

The reason for these restrictions is security and verification. A personalized check helps verify the identity of the person requesting because their name and address appear on the check.

How long does it take to receive your certificate?

Processing times depend on your request method and the time of year.

Keep in mind that these are estimates. During peak times (tax season and the summer months when people plan weddings), processing may take slightly longer. State holidays and weekends don't count as business days.

What if you need expedited delivery?

Standard processing can't be rushed; the office needs those 3-5 business days to verify information and prepare your certified copy. However, you can expedite the shipping.

• For online requests , upload a prepaid FedEx or UPS label when you submit your order. The label must include a valid FedEx or UPS account number. The office will not accept labels with credit card numbers listed; those orders will be sent via regular first-class mail instead.
• For mail requests , include a prepaid, self-addressed FedEx or UPS envelope with your application. Again, the label needs your account number, not a credit card number. List your address as both sender and recipient.

The office cannot process overnight or rush orders for the actual certificate preparation. The expedited delivery only affects how the certificate gets to you after it's ready.

What if your divorce didn't occur in Wyoming?

This is crucial: the Wyoming Vital Statistics Services can only issue certificates for divorces that were finalized in Wyoming. If your divorce happened in another state, you need to contact that state's vital records office.

Many people move to Wyoming after divorcing elsewhere and assume they can get their certificate here. That's not how it works. Vital records stay with the state where the event occurred, regardless of where you live now.

To find the right office for out-of-state divorces, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "Where to Write" webpage. This database lists contact information for vital records offices in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

Do you need the divorce decree instead?

Remember, the certificate from the vital statistics office is only proof that the divorce occurred. It doesn't include any legal terms or conditions from your case.

You need the full divorce decree if

• You're enforcing a court order about property division
• You need proof of child support amounts for modification
• You're dealing with custody disputes
• You need to show the exact terms of your settlement
• You're refinancing a property that was addressed in the divorce
• Your attorney needs the complete court record

Where to get the divorce decree

Contact the Clerk of District Court in the county where your divorce was finalized. Each county maintains its own court records. For example, if you divorced in Laramie County, contact the Laramie County District Court Clerk. If it were Natrona County, contact their clerk's office.

Court clerk fees differ from vital records fees and vary by county. Expect to pay around $10 for the first page and additional fees for each extra page of the decree.

What if you can't find your divorce information?

Sometimes people don't remember exact details about their divorce, especially if it happened many years ago. Here's how to track down the information you need.

If you remember the county

Call the District Court Clerk in that county. They can search their records by your name and approximate year to find the case number and exact date.

If you don't remember the county

You'll need to do some detective work. Think about where you were living when the divorce was filed. Divorces are typically filed in the county where either spouse resides. Check old addresses, tax records, or ask family members who might remember.

For old divorces (50+ years)

Contact the Wyoming state archives. They may have indexed records that can help you pinpoint the date and location, even if they don't have the actual certificate.

Can someone else pick up your certificate?

Yes, but with restrictions. The office takes privacy seriously regarding vital records.

If you're ordering in person but want someone else to pick up the certificate, you'll need to provide written authorization. This should be a signed letter authorizing [person's name] to pick up your divorce certificate. Both you and the authorized person must present valid IDs.

For routine requests where you're having the certificate mailed to you, this isn't an issue; it's sent to the mailing address you provided on the application.

What about name changes after divorce?

Many people, especially women who changed their name upon marriage, want to revert to their previous surname after divorce. The Wyoming divorce certificate alone doesn't change your name on official documents; you need to take additional steps.

To change your name on your driver's license

Take your divorce decree (not just the certificate) to the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The decree must specifically state that you're resuming use of your former name. You'll complete a name change form and get a new license issued.

To change your Social Security records

Visit your local Social Security office with your divorce decree. They'll update their records so your Social Security card reflects your previous name.

For other documents, banks, credit card issuers , utility companies, and insurance providers each have their own requirements. Most want to see the divorce decree, but some accept the certificate. Call ahead to ask what they need before making a trip.

Are divorce records public in Wyoming?

Wyoming treats divorce records as confidential, which means most details are sealed and not available to the general public. This differs from some states, where anyone can request another person's divorce records.

The confidential information includes financial details, child support agreements, custody arrangements, and any information involving minors or abuse victims. This protection exists to keep private matters private.

However, certain parts of the divorce record remain public: basic case information (case number, filing date, parties' names), summons, motions, and some testimonies. These public portions are accessible through the county courthouse where the case was filed.

The Wyoming divorce certificate from Vital Statistics Services is only available to eligible parties (the divorced individuals, their lawyers, or someone with a court order). Random members of the public cannot request your divorce certificate.

What if the office can't find your record?

If Vital Statistics Services searches their database and doesn't find a divorce matching your information, several things might have happened.

• The divorce didn't actually occur in Wyoming (maybe it was finalized in a different state)
• The names are spelled differently from what you provided
• The date is significantly off from what you remembered
• The divorce is older than 50 years, and the records have transferred to the state archives
• The divorce was never officially finalized (the case was filed but withdrawn before the final decree)

When this happens, your $25 fee will be retained as a search fee. This may seem frustrating, but the office has searched its records based on the information you provided.

If you believe there's an error, double-check your information and try again with corrected details. You might also contact the district court clerk in the county where you think the divorce happened to verifythat  the case actually went through.

How to correct errors on your divorce certificate

Sometimes the birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates contain errors, misspelled names, wrong dates, or incorrect locations. If you receive your Wyoming divorce certificate and notice a mistake, you can request a correction.

For minor clerical errors

Contact Vital Statistics Services and explain the error. They may be able to correct simple typos or data entry mistakes at no charge if the error was their fault.

For substantive changes

If the error appeared on the original documents filed with the court, you'll need to go back to the district court that handled your divorce. The court must amend the decree first, then Vital Statistics Services can update their records to match.

Corrections can take several weeks to process, and you may need to pay additional fees depending on the type of correction needed.

Starting your request today

Getting your Wyoming divorce certificate doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you need it to get remarried, update your identification documents, or handle other legal matters, the process is manageable if you follow the steps.

Before you start, gather what you need: the full names of both parties, the approximate date and location of the divorce, a copy of your ID, and payment. Decide whether you want to order online (fastest), by mail (most traditional), or in person (if you're local to Cheyenne).

Most requests process smoothly when you provide accurate information and follow the instructions. The $25 fee gets you an official certified copy with the state seal that's accepted by government agencies, courts, and other organizations that need proof of your marital status.

For questions about your specific situation, call Vital Statistics Services at (307) 777-7591 during business hours. Their staff can clarify requirements and help you determine whether you need a certificate, a decree, or both for your purposes.