How to File for Divorce in Utah Without a Lawyer
A plain-English, step-by-step guide with Utah-specific rules, forms, timelines, and pitfalls
In Utah, you can file for divorce on your own by meeting residency rules, completing the official forms, filing with the right District Court, serving your spouse correctly, waiting Utah’s mandatory period, and finalizing in court. Each step has technical requirements—mistakes (wrong forms, late service, missed deadlines) can delay or even dismiss your case.
This guide walks you through every step in plain English, with Utah-specific timelines, required classes, and common pitfalls so you can proceed with confidence.
Quick DIY Divorce Checklist (Utah)
Use this at-a-glance list to plan your filing. Expand each item as you work:
Check Eligibility
You or your spouse lived in a Utah county for 3+ months. Kids usually lived in Utah for 6+ months. Utah allows no-fault (“irreconcilable differences”).
Complete the Forms
Petition for Divorce, Summons, Certificate of Divorce. Use official PDFs or MyCase/OCAP.
File at District Court
File in the county where either spouse has lived 3+ months— in person, by email, or by mail.
Pay or Waive Fee
About $325 filing fee. If needed, submit a Motion to Waive Fees with your petition.
Serve Your Spouse
Sheriff, constable, process server, or an unrelated adult (not you) must serve within 120 days.
Wait 30 Days
Utah requires a 30-day wait. Your spouse has 21 days to respond (30 if out of state).
Take Classes (If Kids)
Both parents complete Divorce Orientation & Education within 60 days of filing.
Finalize
Judge signs Decree of Divorce. Uncontested: often no hearing. Contested: mediation, possibly trial.
Eligibility to File (Residency & Grounds)
Either spouse must have lived in Utah and in the same county for at least 3 months immediately before filing. For cases with minor children, the child must usually have lived with a parent in Utah for 6+ months to give Utah courts custody jurisdiction (limited exceptions apply).
Utah is a no-fault state. You may allege “irreconcilable differences” without proving fault (though fault grounds exist). You’ll state your ground in the petition; for no-fault, the court doesn’t require detail. (See Utah Code § 30-3-1.)
File in the correct county and choose the right “with children / without children” path from the start to avoid re-work.
Where to File & How to Submit
Pick the Right Court
Choose a Filing Method
Pay the Fee / Waive It
Automatic Injunction
Required Forms (Pro Se)
Utah provides official forms online and via the MyCase/OCAP interview:
MyCase/OCAP guides you through questions and generates the right forms for your situation—fewer mistakes, faster filing.
Serving Your Spouse (Utah Rules)
After filing, you cannot serve your spouse. Service must be by a sheriff, constable, process server, or another adult who isn’t a party. Service must be completed within 120 days. The server files a Proof of Service with the court.
Once served, your spouse is officially on notice and bound by the automatic injunction. Response is due within 21 days (30 if served outside Utah).
Final Hearing & Case Paths
Uncontested
Short Prove-Up
Contested
Decree & Follow-Through
Next Steps & Tips
Use the latest forms from the Utah State Courts site. Stay organized: keep copies, track deadlines, and set reminders for service, classes, mediation, and disclosures. The Self-Help Center can answer procedure questions; MyCase/OCAP helps generate forms. If you’re unsure, consider a limited consultation with an attorney or Licensed Paralegal Practitioner for document review or targeted advice.
Common Pitfalls: incorrect service, missing vital forms (like the Certificate of Divorce), skipping required tasks (parent classes, disclosures, mediation), and missing hearings or filing deadlines.
Need a Quick Gut-Check?
Doing your own divorce saves money, but details matter. A short consult can help you avoid costly mistakes and delays.
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Key Takeaways
File in the correct District Court, serve properly within 120 days, and calendar Utah’s 30-day waiting period.
Use the correct “with / without children” forms and complete required parent classes within 60 days if applicable.
Uncontested cases may finalize without a hearing; contested cases require mediation and can go to trial.
This page is legal information, not legal advice. When in doubt, get counsel before you file.
Wrapping Up
DIY divorce is doable if you follow Utah’s steps precisely. If things get messy or contested, consider a brief strategy consult.
Book a Divorce ConsultWe can review your documents, flag risks, and map your next filings so you keep momentum.