Who may serve a summons and complaint in Wyoming?

A Wyoming sheriff (or the sheriff's designee), a United States marshal (or the marshal's designee), or any other person who is at least 18 years old and not a party to the action may serve a Wyoming summons and complaint (W.R.C.P. Rule 4(c)). Wyoming has no statewide process-server license, bond, or registration requirement.

Can a party serve their own summons in Wyoming?

No. Wyoming Rule of Civil Procedure 4(c)(1) requires a private server to be someone who is not a party to the action. A party must have a sheriff, marshal, a designee of either, or another qualifying adult serve the summons instead.

Is ordinary mail enough to serve a Wyoming summons?

No. Ordinary mail alone does not serve a Wyoming summons. Registered or certified mail through the clerk, marked restricted delivery with a return receipt, is available only in the narrow nonresident or unascertainable-address circumstances that qualify for service by publication, and only after a Rule 4(l) affidavit is filed (Rule 4(r)(2)).

Does Wyoming have an official proof of service form?

Wyoming has no statewide, numbered proof-of-service-of-summons form for an ordinary civil action. W.R.C.P. Rule 4(s)(2) instead lists the facts the affidavit or certificate must contain: the date, place, and manner of service. If the issuing court requires its own version, that court's form controls. Numbered form packets exist for specific case types, such as small claims and eviction, but not for a general civil complaint.

Does a Wyoming proof of service need to be notarized?

Not always. A sheriff, undersheriff, or deputy proves service with an unsworn certificate, with no oath or notarization required (Rule 4(s)(2)(A)). A private server's proof is called an affidavit under Rule 4(s)(2)(B), but Wyoming Statutes Annotated Section 1-2-104(a) lets that affidavit be an unnotarized written statement certified under penalty of false swearing instead. Only a special deputy appointed solely to serve process must submit a sworn or certified affidavit.

How long do I have to serve a summons in Wyoming?

A defendant must be served within 90 days after the complaint is filed. If service is not made in that time, the court must dismiss the action against that defendant without prejudice, absent good cause or a court-granted extension (W.R.C.P. Rule 4(w)).

Is there a deadline to file the proof of service in Wyoming?

Wyoming sets no fixed number of days to file the proof of service. Rule 4(s)(1) requires it to be made promptly and within the time the served defendant has to respond, and Rule 4(s)(4) states that a missed or defective proof does not undo the service itself.

How do I serve later papers like motions in a Wyoming case?

If a party is represented, later papers such as motions generally go to the attorney unless the court orders service on the party directly. Methods include hand delivery, leaving a copy at the office or dwelling, or mailing to the last known address. A mailed paper is not complete service on its own: Wyoming Rule of Civil Procedure 5(b)(2)(D) also requires sending it simultaneously by electronic means, unless the court has ordered otherwise. Proof is a certificate of service filed within a reasonable time after service (Rule 5(d)(1)).

What happens if service of a Wyoming summons is defective?

Defective service can prevent the court from gaining jurisdiction over the defendant, which can void a default judgment later. Follow Wyoming Rule of Civil Procedure 4's manner and timing requirements exactly, and never certify a proof of service that misstates how or when service occurred, since Wyoming treats a knowingly false certification as false swearing under Wyoming Statutes Annotated Section 6-5-303(c).

Does this Wyoming proof of service cover federal court, service abroad, or a government defendant?

No. Service on the federal government, a foreign country, or under the Hague Service Convention, and service in federal court under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, follow separate rules not covered on this page.

Wyoming Proof of Service

Wyoming bars a party from serving their own summons; a sheriff, U.S. marshal, or any other person at least 18 who is not a party may serve it instead, and a private server's affidavit can be an unnotarized statement certified under penalty of false swearing rather than perjury.

Find out where you stand in Wyoming

Where are you with service?

DocDraft provides document preparation, not legal advice.

Introduction

Wyoming has no statewide process-server license, but it bars a party from serving their own summons. Under W.R.C.P. Rule 4(c), a sheriff or U.S. marshal (or either one's designee) may serve, or any person at least 18 who is not a party. A special deputy appointed solely to serve process uses a sworn or certified affidavit; a sheriff, undersheriff, or deputy uses an unsworn certificate instead. No statewide proof form exists for an ordinary civil action; Rule 4(s)(2) lists the required facts, and any issuing-court form controls. A private server's proof, though called an affidavit in Rule 4(s)(2)(B), may instead be unnotarized, certified under penalty of false swearing under Wyoming Statutes Annotated Section 1-2-104(a). Methods include personal delivery, leaving copies at the dwelling with a resident over 14 or at the business with an employee in charge, or delivery to an authorized agent. Ordinary mail alone does not serve a summons; certified mail through the clerk applies only in narrow publication-eligible cases. A defendant must be served within 90 days after the complaint is filed or the court must dismiss that defendant without prejudice, absent good cause or an extension. Proof has no fixed filing deadline but must be prompt and within the defendant's response time. Later papers go to a represented party's attorney unless the court orders service on the party, and a mailed paper must also go electronically unless the court orders otherwise, proven by a certificate of service. Federal, foreign, or government service is not covered here. Attorney review is available.

Key Things to Know

1
Wyoming lets a sheriff (or the sheriff's designee), a United States marshal (or the marshal's designee), or any other person who is at least 18 and not a party to the case serve the summons and complaint (W.R.C.P. Rule 4(c)). There is no statewide, numbered proof-of-service-of-summons form for an ordinary civil action; Rule 4(s)(2) instead lists the facts the affidavit or certificate must contain, and the issuing court's own form controls if one is required.
2
A party to the case cannot serve their own summons in Wyoming. Service must come from a sheriff, marshal, a designee of either, or an independent adult who meets Rule 4(c)(1)'s age and non-party requirements; Wyoming imposes no statewide process-server license, bond, or registration.
3
A private server's proof is called an affidavit under Rule 4(s)(2)(B), but Wyoming Statutes Annotated Section 1-2-104(a) lets that affidavit be an unnotarized written statement certified under penalty of false swearing rather than a notarized document. A sheriff, undersheriff, or deputy instead proves service with an unsworn certificate; only a special deputy appointed solely to serve process must submit a sworn or certified affidavit.
4
Permitted methods for an individual are personal delivery of the summons and complaint together, or leaving copies at the person's dwelling or usual place of abode with someone over 14 who lives there, or at the person's place of business with an employee in charge, or delivery to an authorized agent (Rule 4(e)). Unlike some states, Wyoming's rule does not require a follow-up mailing after substituted or abode service.
5
Ordinary mail alone does not serve a Wyoming summons. Registered or certified mail through the clerk, marked restricted delivery with a return receipt, is available only in the narrow nonresident or unascertainable-address circumstances that qualify for service by publication under Rule 4(r)(2), after a Rule 4(l) affidavit is filed; it is not a stand-alone option for an ordinary in-state defendant.
6
A defendant must be served within 90 days after the complaint is filed, or the court must dismiss the action against that defendant without prejudice, absent good cause or an extension (W.R.C.P. Rule 4(w)).
7
Rule 4(s)(1) sets no fixed number of days to file the proof of service; it must be made promptly and within the time the served defendant has to respond, and Rule 4(s)(4) says a missed or defective proof does not undo the service itself. Later papers such as motions instead require a certificate of service filed within a reasonable time after service (Rule 5(d)(1)).

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Proof of Service in Wyoming, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Proof of Service guide walks through them.

Open the Proof of Service guide

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IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE [JUDICIAL DISTRICT] JUDICIAL DISTRICT [COUNTY] COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING

[PLAINTIFF NAME], Plaintiff, v. Civil Action No. [CASE NUMBER] [DEFENDANT NAME], Defendant.

PROOF OF SERVICE

Wyoming has no statewide numbered proof-of-service form for an ordinary civil action. Wyoming Rule of Civil Procedure 4(s)(2) sets the facts this proof must contain. If the issuing court requires its own version, that court's form controls.

SHERIFF OR MARSHAL CERTIFICATE

[IF APPLICABLE: I certify that I am a sheriff, undersheriff, or deputy sheriff. I served the Summons and Complaint, together with [LIST OF ADDITIONAL PAPERS SERVED, IF ANY], on [NAME OF PERSON SERVED] by [PERSONAL DELIVERY, LEAVING COPIES AT THE DWELLING OR USUAL PLACE OF ABODE WITH A PERSON OVER 14 RESIDING THERE, LEAVING COPIES AT THE PLACE OF BUSINESS WITH AN EMPLOYEE IN CHARGE, OR DELIVERY TO AN AUTHORIZED AGENT] on [DATE OF SERVICE] at [TIME OF SERVICE], at [ADDRESS OR OTHER PLACE OF SERVICE]. No oath or notarization is required for this certificate under Rule 4(s)(2)(A).]

SPECIAL DEPUTY OR NON-PARTY SERVER STATEMENT

[IF APPLICABLE: I am [SPECIAL DEPUTY APPOINTED SOLELY TO SERVE PROCESS IN THIS ACTION, OR A PERSON AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD WHO IS NOT A PARTY TO THIS ACTION], as Wyoming Rule of Civil Procedure 4(c) requires. I served the Summons and Complaint, together with [LIST OF ADDITIONAL PAPERS SERVED, IF ANY], on [NAME OF PERSON SERVED] by [PERSONAL DELIVERY, LEAVING COPIES AT THE DWELLING OR USUAL PLACE OF ABODE WITH A PERSON OVER 14 RESIDING THERE, LEAVING COPIES AT THE PLACE OF BUSINESS WITH AN EMPLOYEE IN CHARGE, OR DELIVERY TO AN AUTHORIZED AGENT] on [DATE OF SERVICE] at [TIME OF SERVICE], at [ADDRESS OR OTHER PLACE OF SERVICE].]

[NOTE: If service was by registered or certified mail through the clerk under Rule 4(r)(2), proof is the clerk's certificate showing the mailing date and the date the return receipt was received (Rule 4(s)(2)(C)), not this statement.]

[IF APPLICABLE: I certify under penalty of false swearing that the foregoing is true, as Wyoming Statutes Annotated Section 1-2-104 permits in place of a notarized affidavit.]

[IF APPLICABLE, IN PLACE OF THE CERTIFICATION ABOVE: Sworn to and subscribed before me this [DAY] day of [MONTH, YEAR], by [NAME OF SERVER].

[NOTARY SIGNATURE AND SEAL]]

[SIGNATURE] [NAME OF SERVER] [ADDRESS OF SERVER] [CITY, WYOMING ZIP] Official capacity, if any: [OFFICIAL CAPACITY OF SERVER]

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF LATER PAPERS

[IF APPLICABLE: I certify that on [DATE], I served a copy of [NAME OF DOCUMENT] on [NAME OF PARTY OR ATTORNEY OF RECORD] by [HAND DELIVERY, LEAVING A COPY AT THE OFFICE WITH THE PERSON IN CHARGE, LEAVING A COPY AT THE DWELLING WITH A PERSON OF SUITABLE AGE AND DISCRETION, MAIL TO THE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS TOGETHER WITH SIMULTANEOUS ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION AS WYOMING RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 5(b)(2)(D) REQUIRES UNLESS THE COURT HAS ORDERED OTHERWISE, OR A METHOD THE RECIPIENT CONSENTED TO IN WRITING], at [ADDRESS OR EMAIL ADDRESS].

I certify under penalty of false swearing that the foregoing is true.

[SIGNATURE] [NAME]]

Wyoming Requirements for Proof of Service

No Process-Server License Required
Any person at least 18 years old who is not a party to the case may serve a Wyoming summons and complaint, alongside a sheriff, marshal, or their designee, with no statewide process-server license, bond, or registration requirement (W.R.C.P. Rule 4(c)(1)).
Party Barred From Serving the Summons
A party to the case cannot serve their own summons and complaint in Wyoming. Service must come from a sheriff, a United States marshal, a designee of either, or another qualifying adult non-party (W.R.C.P. Rule 4(c)(1)).
90-Day Deadline to Serve With Dismissal
A defendant must be served within 90 days after the complaint is filed, or the court must dismiss the action against that defendant without prejudice, absent good cause or an extension (W.R.C.P. Rule 4(w)).
Certified Mail Limited to Publication-Eligible Cases
Registered or certified mail through the clerk, marked restricted delivery with a return receipt, serves an individual only in the narrow nonresident or unascertainable-address circumstances that qualify for service by publication, after a Rule 4(l) affidavit is filed (Rule 4(r)(2)); it is not a stand-alone option for an ordinary in-state defendant.
No Fixed Deadline to File the Proof
Rule 4(s)(1) sets no fixed day count to file the proof of service, only that it be made promptly and within the defendant's response time, and Rule 4(s)(4) states that a missed or defective proof does not undo the service itself.
Unnotarized Certification Under Penalty of False Swearing
A private server's affidavit under Rule 4(s)(2)(B) may instead be an unnotarized written statement certified under penalty of false swearing under Wyoming Statutes Annotated Section 1-2-104(a), using different language than the perjury declarations most states require.
No Statewide Proof-of-Service Form for a General Civil Action
Wyoming has no numbered, mandatory statewide proof-of-service-of-summons form for an ordinary civil action; Rule 4(s)(2) lists the required content instead, and the issuing court's own version controls if one is required.
Electronic Service Required With Mailed Later Papers
Mailing a later paper to the last known address is not complete service on its own; Wyoming Rule of Civil Procedure 5(b)(2)(D) also requires sending it simultaneously by electronic means, unless the court has ordered otherwise.
Certificate of Service Required for Later Papers
Any paper after the complaint that must be served has to be filed together with a certificate of service within a reasonable time after service (W.R.C.P. Rule 5(d)(1)).

Find out where you stand in Wyoming

Introduction

Key Things to Know

Key decisions before you file

Customize your Proof of Service Template with DocDraft

Wyoming Requirements for Proof of Service

No Process-Server License Required

Party Barred From Serving the Summons

90-Day Deadline to Serve With Dismissal

Certified Mail Limited to Publication-Eligible Cases

No Fixed Deadline to File the Proof

Unnotarized Certification Under Penalty of False Swearing

No Statewide Proof-of-Service Form for a General Civil Action

Electronic Service Required With Mailed Later Papers

Certificate of Service Required for Later Papers

Frequently Asked Questions