How to Get an Order of Protection in Wyoming
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Wyoming · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Wyoming, an order of protection is a civil court order under the Family Violence Protection Act that directs a household member to stop abusing you and to stay away from you (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-101 and following). You seek one when a spouse, partner, family member, or other household member has committed domestic abuse against you. You start by filing a petition for an order of protection with the circuit court clerk in your county, or the district court clerk if the county has no circuit court. There is no filing fee or other court cost charged to a petitioner (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(d)). If the specific facts in your sworn petition show a danger of further domestic abuse, the court can immediately grant an ex parte temporary order of protection the same day, without the other person present (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(i)). The court then holds a hearing within seventy-two hours after granting that temporary order (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(iii)). At the hearing, if the court finds domestic abuse occurred, it can enter a final order of protection that lasts a fixed period of up to three years and can be extended for more three-year periods (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106(b)). If you are in immediate danger, call 911; the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Wyoming
Where are you in getting a restraining order?
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How do I get an order of protection in Wyoming?
File a petition for an order of protection with the circuit court clerk in your county, or the district court clerk if there is no circuit court. There is no filing fee (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(d)). If your sworn petition shows a danger of further abuse, a judge can grant a same-day ex parte order.
How fast can I get an order of protection in Wyoming?
If the specific facts in your petition show a danger of further domestic abuse, the court can grant an ex parte temporary order of protection immediately, the same day you file, without the other person present (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(i)). The court then holds a hearing within seventy-two hours after granting it.
How long does an order of protection last in Wyoming?
An ex parte temporary order lasts until your hearing, which the court holds within seventy-two hours after granting it (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(iii)). After the hearing, a final order of protection lasts a fixed period of up to three years and can be extended for more three-year periods on good cause (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106(b)).
Which court handles orders of protection in Wyoming?
You file with the circuit court clerk in the county where you can seek relief, or with the district court clerk if the county has no circuit court (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(a)). The clerk provides standard petition forms, prepared by the attorney general's victim services division, free of charge (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(e)).
Wyoming order of protection law at a glance
In Wyoming, an order of protection is a civil court order under the Family Violence Protection Act that directs a household member to stop the domestic abuse and stay away from you (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-101 and following). You file a petition with the circuit court clerk, or the district court clerk in a county without a circuit court, and there is no filing fee or other court cost (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(d)). If your sworn petition shows a danger of further domestic abuse, the court can immediately grant an ex parte temporary order of protection the same day, without the other person present (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(i)). The court then holds a hearing within seventy-two hours (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(iii)). A final order of protection lasts up to three years and can be extended (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106(b)).
Getting a Wyoming order of protection after threats from a household member
Suppose a former partner you lived with in Wyoming has been showing up at your home and sending threatening messages. You ask the circuit court clerk for the standard petition, describe the threats with dates under oath, and file it at no cost (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(d)). Because your sworn petition shows a danger of further abuse, the court grants an ex parte temporary order of protection the same day (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(i)) and sets a hearing within seventy-two hours. A deputy serves the papers. At the hearing you show the messages and testify, and the court enters a final order of protection lasting three years (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106(b)). You keep a copy and calendar the expiration to extend it. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103 (petition, no filing fee, forms)
Provides that a victim may petition the circuit court for an order of protection, that no filing fee or other court costs or fees shall be assessed or charged to a petitioner seeking an order of protection under the act, and that the clerk shall make available standard petition forms with instructions prepared by the victim services division within the office of the attorney general.
Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104 (temporary ex parte order; hearing window)
Requires the court, upon the filing of a petition, to immediately grant an ex parte temporary order of protection if the specific facts shown by the affidavit or petition establish a danger of further domestic abuse, and to hold a hearing on the petition within seventy-two hours after granting the temporary order or as soon thereafter as it may be heard.
Wyo. Stat. 35-21-105 (order of protection; contents and remedies)
Provides that upon finding an act of domestic abuse has occurred the court shall enter an order of protection ordering the respondent to refrain from abusing the petitioner, specifically describing the prohibited behavior, and authorizes additional remedies such as sole possession of the residence and no contact.
Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106 (duration and extension of the order)
Provides that an order of protection granted under W.S. 35-21-105 shall be effective for a fixed period of time not to exceed three years, that either party may move to modify, terminate, or extend it, and that it may be extended repetitively upon a showing of good cause for additional periods not to exceed three years each.
Regional Variances
Wyoming order of protection rules at a glance
Order name
Order of protection, issued under the Family Violence Protection Act (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-101 and following). It protects a person from domestic abuse by a spouse, partner, family member, or other household member.
Where to file
The circuit court, by filing a petition with the circuit court clerk, or the district court clerk in a county that has no circuit court (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(a)). There is no filing fee or other court cost (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(d)).
Emergency and temporary orders
The court immediately grants an ex parte temporary order of protection the same day if the petition shows a danger of further domestic abuse (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(i)), then holds a hearing within seventy-two hours after granting it (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(iii)).
Final order duration
After the hearing, a final order of protection is effective for a fixed period of up to three years, and it may be extended repetitively for additional periods of up to three years each on a showing of good cause (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106(b)).
Main form
The petition for an order of protection. The clerk of the court provides standard petition forms with instructions, prepared by the victim services division within the office of the attorney general, free of charge (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(e)).
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the petition for an order of protection
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingGet the standard petition from the circuit court clerk and describe the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates under oath (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(b) and (e)). The forms are free. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition with the court clerk
Same day you finish the petition days after startingFile the petition with the circuit court clerk in your county, or the district court clerk if the county has no circuit court (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(a)). There is no filing fee or other court cost (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(d)). The clerk refers the matter to the court.
Get and carry the temporary order of protection
Same day the court grants it days after startingIf the court grants an ex parte temporary order of protection (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(i)), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. Note your hearing date, which the court sets within seventy-two hours after granting the temporary order.
Confirm the respondent is served
Before the hearing days after startingThe court has the temporary order and notice of hearing served on the respondent immediately (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(ii)). Service is required before the court can enter a final order at the hearing. Confirm with the clerk that service was completed.
Attend the court hearing with your evidence
On the hearing date, within 72 hours days after startingGo to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can appear and testify. If the court finds domestic abuse occurred, it enters a final order of protection (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-105(a)). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire.
Track the expiration and extend if needed
Before the order expires (up to 3 years out) days after startingA final order of protection lasts up to three years (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106(b)). Calendar the expiration date and move to extend it before it ends, for up to three more years each time, on a showing of good cause.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the petition for an order of protection | Get the standard petition from the circuit court clerk and describe the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates under oath (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(b) and (e)). The forms are free. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your petition with the court clerk | File the petition with the circuit court clerk in your county, or the district court clerk if the county has no circuit court (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(a)). There is no filing fee or other court cost (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(d)). The clerk refers the matter to the court. | - | Same day you finish the petition |
| Get and carry the temporary order of protection | If the court grants an ex parte temporary order of protection (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(i)), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. Note your hearing date, which the court sets within seventy-two hours after granting the temporary order. | - | Same day the court grants it |
| Confirm the respondent is served | The court has the temporary order and notice of hearing served on the respondent immediately (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(ii)). Service is required before the court can enter a final order at the hearing. Confirm with the clerk that service was completed. | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the court hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can appear and testify. If the court finds domestic abuse occurred, it enters a final order of protection (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-105(a)). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire. | - | On the hearing date, within 72 hours |
| Track the expiration and extend if needed | A final order of protection lasts up to three years (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106(b)). Calendar the expiration date and move to extend it before it ends, for up to three more years each time, on a showing of good cause. | - | Before the order expires (up to 3 years out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(d) states that no filing fee or other court costs or fees shall be assessed or charged to a petitioner seeking an order of protection under the act. You also are not charged to have the papers served on the other person.
The court holds the hearing within seventy-two hours after granting a temporary order (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(iii)). Both sides can appear and testify, and you can bring evidence. If the court finds an act of domestic abuse occurred, it enters an order of protection describing what the respondent must not do (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-105(a)).
A victim of domestic abuse may petition the circuit court (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(a)). With the victim's consent, the district attorney may file on the victim's behalf, and a person with legal authority may file for a victim who is a minor, a vulnerable adult, or otherwise unable to file.
You file a petition for an order of protection. The clerk of the court makes available standard petition forms, with instructions, prepared by the victim services division within the office of the attorney general (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(e)). The forms are free, and you may also file the petition on your own.
After the court grants a temporary order, it has the order and notice of hearing served on the respondent immediately, within or outside Wyoming (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-104(a)(ii)). A final order is filed with the clerk and personally served on the respondent unless the respondent was present when it was granted (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106(a)).
Yes. A final order of protection lasts a fixed period of up to three years, and either party may move to modify, terminate, or extend it (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106(b)). The court may extend the order repeatedly upon a showing of good cause, for additional periods of up to three years each.
Willful violation of an order of protection is a crime under Wyo. Stat. 6-4-404 (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-106(c)). The order has statewide effect, and a criminal case may be brought in any county where the respondent violates it. Keep a copy of your order with you and report every violation to police.
No. You may file the petition on your own, and the clerk provides standard forms with instructions free of charge (Wyo. Stat. 35-21-103(e)). The court may also appoint an attorney to represent a victim. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the respondent has a lawyer.
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