Guidelines to Citizens Filing Court Documents

The Clerk of District Court Office wants to encourage you to get legal counsel for any court procedure. The Wyoming Supreme Court has recently adopted new rules which allows an attorney to “limit the scope of representation”, which means that an attorney may help you fill out these forms. The Wyoming State Bar Referral Service will give you a list of attorneys in our community that will provide this service. That number is: 307-632-9061.

The Clerk of Court office keeps the records of all court papers according to the law. We are NOT attorneys and cannot give you legal advice. We will, however, give you information regarding basic court procedures.

There are the forms and the cost of the packets available through out office at this time:

• Divorce with Children-Plaintiff $10.00
• Divorce with Children-Defendant $10.00
• Divorce without Children-Plaintiff $10.00
• Divorce without Children-Defendant $10.00
• Modification of Child Support $10.00
• Modification of Child Custody $10.00
• Motion for Order to Show Cause $10.00

These packets are also available for download at no cost from the Wyoming Supreme Court website. Please click here to access the packets: Wyoming Supreme Court

If you plan to proceed without legal counsel, PLEASE READ ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS before filling out the forms.

1. The filing fee is sixty dollars ($60.00). We only accept cash, certified check, or money orders. Keep you receipt because it refers to your “docket number” which identifies your case. There is no additional filing fee for the “Answer”, “motions”, or any other pleadings filed in the case.
2. However, if your case is closed for any reason with a Court Order, you will need to pay a $60.00 filing fee to re-open the case.
3. If you are reopening a matter after a final Decree has been entered, you must pay a $60.00 filing fee.
4. Service on the opposing party may be made through the Sheriff or private process servers:
   
   

   Sheriff’s Department	633-4727
   Civil Service	221-0860
   Counter Measures	632-2729
   Day & Night	633-2056
   Maximum Security	421-7498
   Sentury Security	778-7091 or 920-1518

   
   
5. Every form you complete must be notarized. We do not have a notary in this office so you need to take your documents to a notary before filing them in the Clerk of Court office.
6. If you are seeking a Divorce, the “Affidavit for Divorce” is required in Laramie County, First Judicial District Court. This document is in your packet.
7. The “Supplemental Order for Divorce” form is also a requirement in this District. A copy of this Order will be provided for you from the Clerk of Court.
8. The “Standard Visitation” form is required when children are involved, and is a requirement of the First Judicial District. This form is available at the Judges’ Chambers.
9. Child Support: Both parents are required to complete a Confidential Financial Affidavit with a Child Support Computation Form along with copies of supporting documents. For further information on how to calculate child support, please click here.

Procedures:

1. All Original documents plus copies must be provided by you, and must be filed in the Clerk of District Court Office. If we make copies for you, we must charge the statutory rate of $1.00 for the first page, and $.50 for each additional page.
2. Please refer to the instructions regarding “Answers and Counterclaims” and the time frames allowed.
3. The final Order of Decree of Divorce can generally be submitted to the Clerk of Court Office for the Judge’s signature, 20 days after service (in state) or 30 days after service (out of state). This applies ONLY if the matter is uncontested. Please read your instructions in your packet carefully.
4. It generally takes the Judge ten to fourteen days to review your paperwork. After 14 business days, you may call our office to see if the Decree has been signed (307-633-4270). Assuming all of your pleadings and paperwork comply with the statutes, the Judge will return the signed Decree to the Clerk of Court office.
5. It is YOUR responsibility to come to the Clerk of Court Office and make certain that your Decree is signed and that it is properly filed. You must provide copies and a self addressed, stamped envelope to notify the opposing party of the final Order. If you provide copies, we will certify the copies of the documents for you.

The Law Prevents Us From Doing the Following Things:

1. We cannot fill out the forms for you, or advise you what information should be included on the forms, or instruct you on which forms should be filed.
2. We cannot suggest or advise what you should or should not say in court.
3. We cannot help any person to speak with a Judge about their case.
4. We cannot refer you to a specific attorney of law firm except when the referral is made through a court-appointed pro bono referral program.

The Clerk of Court Office is here to serve the public. We are here to provide information about cases and the Court. You must seek legal advice from a licensed attorney.