FAQs

Wyoming attorneys who are licensed have access to eFile within the Supreme Court. Self-represented litigants must file their documents traditionally.

No. Proposed orders are not to be filed in the Supreme Court, pursuant to the Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 1.02(c)(3).

The case status and all case reminders, including brief deadlines, are listed on the Supreme Court’s public docket, and can be found at this link: https://efiling.courts.state.wy.us/public/caseSearch.do

Pursuant to W.R.A.P. 1.01(c)(1), one original (with signature) and six copies of briefs, petitions, motions and other documents shall be filed in the Supreme Court.

The case will be docketed once we are notified by the district court clerk the record is complete and all transcripts, if any were ordered, have been filed.

No. An Appeal is filed with the trial court pursuant to the Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 2.01(a).

The Supreme Court will send you a letter along with the case caption. You can also search the Supreme Court’s public docket found at this link: https://efiling.courts.state.wy.us/public/caseSearch.do

Once the filed briefs have been reviewed and the case is taken under advisement, the issuance of the written opinion could take several months, typically within a range of three to six months.

Licensed Wyoming Attorneys: Efiling within the district courts is mandatory. When the district court dockets your initial filing, the eFiling vendor (FSX) will cover the filing fees on your behalf. FSX will then issue an invoice to you for reimbursement of the fees.
Self-represented Litigants: Filing fees will be paid to the clerk of court upon filing. Methods of payment include cash and certified check. Debit/credit card payments may be available and is variable by location. Please call the district court clerks office in your county for further information.

Wyoming Statutes Sections 5-3-206 and 2-2-401 sets the initial filing fee at $160*. Of this fee, $40 is for court automation and $10 is for indigent civil legal services. The filing fee applies to original actions commenced in district court, and actions reopened after a final decree had previously been entered. The fee is to be paid by the filing party.
*This does not include variable fees, such as inventory fees for probate cases pursuant to Section 2-2-401.

For self-represented litigants, the district court clerk will keep the original of the filed documents. The filer is responsible for providing copies for their records, and enough to complete the necessary service.

Case records can be viewed by the public at the public access terminal at the office of the clerk of district court. This is the PASS system.

If you need an interpreter for a district court case, please contact the judicial assistant for the judge assigned to your case. Requests must be made well in advance of any hearings. Judicial assistant contact details can be found in the judge’s profile under the Location Info for each court. Click here to find a court.

Si necesita un intérprete para un caso en un tribunal de distrito, comuníquese con el asistente judicial del juez asignado a su caso. Las solicitudes deben realizarse con suficiente antelación a las audiencias. Puede encontrar la información de contacto del asistente judicial en el perfil del juez, en la sección “Location Info” de cada tribunal. Haga clic aquí para encontrar un tribunal.

To request a remote appearance, you will likely need to file a request or motion. Contact the judge’s chambers of the district court handling your case. The judicial assistant can inform you whether remote participation is available and what steps must be taken. Availability and procedures may vary by court. Click here to find a court.

If you’ve arranged to appear remotely with the judicial assistant of the district court handling your case, you’ll need a device capable of connecting through Microsoft Teams. Make sure your internet connection is stable and that your microphone and camera are functioning properly. You should be in a quiet place, without distractions, and dressed appropriately for court. Your device should be muted until called upon by the judge. For help getting started, click here for Microsoft Teams instructions for desktop or mobile devices.

Please refer to the Audio Video Connections and Surface Hub if you plan to use the technology in the courtroom.

Please refer to the court flyer to find out what clerks can and cannot help you with.

Art. 5, § 8 of the Wyoming Constitution provides for general provisions the district courts, including jurisdictional provisions. Generally, the district courts hear felony cases, civil cases involving claims exceeding $50,000, domestic relations cases, juvenile cases, real estate title disputes, probate cases, and involuntary commitment cases.

In addition to the overarching rules that apply to all civil and criminal proceedings in Wyoming courts, the following rules specifically govern the district courts:
• Uniform Rules for District Courts of the State of Wyoming
• Rules and Fees for Costs for District Courts
• Wyoming Rules for Electronic Filing and Service

Rule 2 of the Rules for Fees and Costs for the Chancery Court sets the initial filing fee at $610. Of this fee, $100 is for court automation and $10 is for indigent civil legal services. The filing fee applies to original actions commenced in chancery court, actions removed to chancery court, and actions reopened after a final decree previously had been entered. The fee is to be paid by the filing party.

On the day the chancery court dockets your initial filing, the eFiling vendor (FSX) will advance the filing fees to the court. FSX will then invoice you to recover the filing fees.

No.

A case makes it to chancery court in one of two ways. First, a party directly files an initial pleading with the chancery court and no party lodges a timely objection to proceeding in chancery court. Or, second, parties jointly remove an eligible case from district court to chancery court by timely consenting in writing.

The initial filing fee of $610 applies to actions removed to chancery court.

Yes. The chancery court “may exercise supplemental ancillary jurisdiction over any cause of action” not listed in the enabling statute.

Attorneys seeking to appear before the chancery court pro hac vice must comply with the requirements of U.R.Ch.C. 104 and Rule 8 of the Rules Governing the Wyoming State Bar and the Authorized Practice of Law.

Parties who wish to remove an eligible case from district court to chancery court may do so if they consent in writing within 60 days of service on the last defendant or within sixty (60) days after the defendant receives a copy of an amended filing that first shows the case is removable. To do so, the parties must file a notice of removal with the chancery court. This notice must be eFiled as a “new case” and electronically stapled to the chancery court cover sheet using the main and supporting document function. The parties must also file a copy of the notice with the district court. Within three days of this notice, the chancery court will enter an order of removal. And within 14 days of that order of removal, the removing party must file a copy of the entire district court record with the chancery court.

No.

Typically, the chancery court will hold an initial case management and scheduling conference “within the earlier of 14 days after any defendant appears or files an answer or other response to plaintiff’s initial pleading.”

To serve litigants across Wyoming and minimize costs, the chancery court conducts most pre-trial proceedings remotely using Microsoft Teams. When beneficial, in-person proceedings may be held in the dedicated courtroom in Casper or in other available courtrooms statewide, depending on courtroom availability and the convenience of the parties, counsel, litigants, and courts.

If you’ve arranged to appear remotely with the clerk’s office, you’ll need a device capable of connecting through Microsoft Teams. Make sure your internet connection is stable and that your microphone and camera are functioning properly. For help getting started, click here for Microsoft Teams instructions for desktop or mobile devices.

Yes. In most cases, the monetary demand must exceed $50,000 exclusive of interests, costs, fees, and claims for punitive or exemplary damages. The threshold does not apply to demands arising from shareholder derivate actions, dissolutions, certain actions related to arbitration, and trademark disputes.

Rule 2 of the Rules for Fees and Costs for the Chancery Court provides that the fee is “to be paid by the filing party.” Accordingly, FSX will advance the filing fee and then invoice the user or firm who used her, his, or its account to electronically file the notice of removal. While FSX will invoice the party that eFiled the notice of removal, the parties are free to negotiate among themselves how to cover the cost of a filing fee, including reimbursing the filing party a portion of the fee.

The chancery court is a full-party consent jurisdiction. A party may object to proceeding in chancery court by the date its first pleading or motion to dismiss is due. If a valid forum-selection agreement designating chancery court applies, the case remains in chancery. Otherwise, the plaintiff may elect to dismiss without prejudice or to remove to an appropriate district court. If the plaintiff elects removal, the chancery court will transfer the action to the district court selected by the plaintiff, where it will proceed as though originally filed there.

No. There is no fee to eFile subsequent filings.

The Chancery Court Clerk’s Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday, except holidays. However, the electronic filing system accepts filings twenty-four hours a day.

Section 5-13-115 defines the chancery court’s jurisdiction. Generally, the chancery court has jurisdiction to decide actions seeking declaratory or injunctive relief and actions seeking money recovery over $50,000 that arise from claims including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, derivative actions, the Uniform Commercial Code, and the Uniform Trust Code.

A specialized court of limited jurisdiction that resolves business and trust cases on an expedited schedule with bench trials and limited motions practice.

In addition to the overarching rules that apply to all civil proceedings in Wyoming courts, the following rules specifically govern the chancery court:
• Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedures for the Chancery Court;
• Uniform Rules for the Wyoming Chancery Court;
• Rules for Fees and Costs for the Chancery Court; and
• Wyoming Rules for Electronic Filing and Service.

These rules closely follow those applicable in district court and are only lightly modified to account for chancery court’s unique attributes, including specialized jurisdiction, active case management, accelerated resolution, and use of bench trials.

The Wyoming Chancery Court is a statewide court with a state-of-the-art courtroom centrally located in the Thyra Thomson State Office Building in Casper. While Casper serves as the primary hub, the court serves litigants across Wyoming. To reduce costs and enhance accessibility, proceedings are often held remotely. When necessary, in-person hearings may be conducted in Casper or other available courtrooms statewide, based on the convenience of the parties, counsel, litigants, and the court.

The Chancery Court is Wyoming’s newest court. Consequently, parties and litigants may have questions that go beyond what can be answered here. If you have questions, please email chancery@courts.state.wy.us or call 307.262.3421. Please be advised that chancery court staff cannot offer legal advice or interpretations. However, staff will seek to provide general information about the court’s schedules, policies, and procedures.

If you have questions about the electronic filing system, or experience trouble eFiling, please contact File & ServeXpress Client Support at 888.529.7587. Help is available 24/7.

Ben Burningham became Wyoming’s first full-time chancery court judge on January 1, 2025. Experienced in complex civil litigation, his past work spans pharmaceuticals, securities, multidistrict litigation, antitrust, unfair trade practices, and transactional matters. He previously served as Chief Legal Officer for the Wyoming Judicial Branch and Director of the Wyoming Chancery Court, where he helped establish and operate the court. Before that, he led the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Unit at the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office. Before his service to Wyoming, he worked on multi-billion-dollar securities litigation for the D.C.-based law firm, Kellogg Hansen.

Judge Burningham earned a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Virginia University, where he captained the football team, and a Juris Doctor from George Washington University, graduating with honors and serving as managing editor of The George Washington International Law Review.

He has written for the ABA on consumer protection and business law and currently co-edits an annual ABA publication on business courts. Judge Burningham is committed to fulfilling the chancery court’s promise of delivering focused, fast, and fair resolutions for business and trust disputes.

Please refer to the court flyer to find out what the clerk can and cannot help you with.

If you wish to contest your citation, please locate the court and appear for the court date on your citation.

Citations eligible for online payment need to be paid on or before the court date through the citation payment portal. If you cannot locate your citation, please call 833.660.1879.

Licensed Wyoming Attorneys: Efiling within the district courts is mandatory. When the district court dockets your initial filing, the eFiling vendor (FSX) will cover the filing fees on your behalf. FSX will then issue an invoice to you for reimbursement of the fees.
Self-represented Litigants: Filing fees will be paid to the clerk’s office upon filing. Methods of payment include cash, check, or money order.

General Civil (includes evictions): Section 5-9-135 sets the initial filing fee at $70. Of this fee, $40 is for the court automation and $10 is for indigent civil legal services.
Small Claims: Rule 3 of the Rules and Forms Governing Small Claims Cases sets the initial filing fee at $10.
Protection Orders: There is no filing fee for protection order cases.
All filing fees applies to original actions commenced in circuit court, and actions reopened after a final decree previously has been entered. The fee is to be paid by the filing party.

The circuit court clerk will keep the original of filed documents. The filer is responsible for providing copies for their records, and enough to complete necessary service.

Case records can be viewed by the public at the public access terminal at the office of the circuit court clerks office. This is the PASS system.

To request an interpreter for a case in circuit court, contact the clerk’s office for the specific circuit court where the interpreter is needed. Requests must be made well in advance of any hearings. Find a Court

Si necesita un intérprete para un caso en un tribunal de circuito, comuníquese con el asistente judicial del juez asignado a su caso. Las solicitudes deben realizarse con suficiente antelación a las audiencias. Puede encontrar la información de contacto del asistente judicial en el perfil del juez, en la sección “Location Info” de cada tribunal. Haga clic aquí para encontrar un tribunal.

To request a remote appearance, contact the clerk’s office of the circuit court handling your case. The clerk can inform you whether remote participation is available and what steps must be taken. Availability and procedures may vary by court. Click here to find a court.

If you’ve arranged to appear remotely with the clerk’s office of the circuit court handling your case, you’ll need a device capable of connecting through Microsoft Teams. Make sure your internet connection is stable and that your microphone and camera are functioning properly. You should be in a quiet place, without distractions, and dressed appropriately for court. Your device should be muted until called upon by the judge. For help getting started, click here for Microsoft Teams instructions for desktop or mobile devices.

Please refer to the Audio Video Connections and Surface Hub if you plan to use the technology in the courtroom.

Please refer to the court flyer to find out what clerks can and cannot help you with.

Title 5, Chapter 9 provides for general provisions of the circuit courts, including jurisdictional provisions. Generally, circuit courts have exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases where the amount claimed does not exceed $50,000, and original jurisdiction for all misdemeanor criminal cases, including traffic citations.

In addition to the overarching rules that apply to all civil and criminal proceedings in Wyoming courts, the following rules specifically govern the circuit courts:
• Uniform Rules for the Circuit Courts of Wyoming
• Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure for Circuit Courts
• Rules for Fees and Costs for Circuit Courts
• Rules and Forms Governing Small Claims Cases
• Wyoming Rules for Electronic Filing and Service
• Adult Diversion Court Rules
• Temporary Rules for Electronic Management in Campbell County Circuit Court

Treatment courts help participants break the cycle of substance use disorder and the criminal behavior linked to it. Treatment courts offer an alternative to traditional sentencing by focusing on treatment and recovery, providing structured support instead of incarceration.

Treatment court programs combine court supervision, substance use treatment, and community-based services for individuals whose criminal activity is tied to substance use. Participants, often at high risk of reoffending, benefit from a structured, team-based approach focused reducing recidivism and promoting long-term recovery.

A mental health diversion court is designed to divert non-violent individuals with serious mental illness away from incarceration and into treatment and community-based support services. These programs aim to reduce the repeated cycling of individuals with acute mental illness through courts, jails, and state hospitals by addressing the underlying mental health needs directly.

Participant success relies on the collaboration of a dedicated team that includes the program judge, coordinator, prosecutor, public defender, treatment providers, and law enforcement. These core members work closely throughout the program to support progress and accountability. Additional support often comes from social services, health care providers, job training programs, and other community agencies. Together, they form a coordinated network focused on promoting stability, recovery, and long-term success.

In Wyoming, there are four (4) categories of treatment courts: Adult, juvenile, DUI and adult mental health diversion. These programs are designed to address substance use and mental health issues through structured support and supervision. At a national level, there are many different types of treatment courts including adult, juvenile and family, tribal, DUI, re-entry courts, campus courts, mental health courts, veteran’s treatment court, homeless courts, diversion courts, plus many others.

Treatment courts focus on recovery and rehabilitation rather than punishment. Participants follow a structured program that includes frequent drug testing, judicial and probation supervision, individual, group, and family counseling, substance use treatment, educational opportunities, and employment requirements. Progress is monitored through a system of incentives and sanctions. Unlike traditional court proceedings, judges in treatment courts take an active, hands-on role in supporting and guiding participants toward lasting recovery.

In Wyoming, each treatment court operates independently and sets its own program policy and procedures. However, all treatment courts in Wyoming must follow the Wyoming State Statutes governing treatment courts, which can be found here (starting on page 82), as well as the Wyoming Treatment Court Standards.