Once the Petition and the Confidential Statement of the Parties for Child Support Order are filed, a file-stamped copy of each must be formally given to (this is also known as served on) the Respondent. Personal service of the Petition, Confidential Statement of the Parties and Summons on the Respondent by a Sheriff is required unless the Respondent completes an Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Service form. Formal service is required for the Petition and Confidential Statement of the Parties for Child Support Order so the Court has proof that the other party actually received the paperwork. Other forms of service exist, but these are the easiest methods that meet the formal service requirement for a Petition. If you cannot serve the Respondent by either of these methods, ask the Clerk for additional forms for alternative methods of service.
You MUST give the Respondent official notice that you have filed a Petition and Confidential Statement of the Parties for Child Support Order within 90 days from the date that you filed them. This is done by serving a file-stamped copy of the Summons, the Petition, and the Confidential Statement of the Parties for Child Support Order upon the Respondent, OR by having the Respondent sign an Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Service form stating a copy of those documents were received. If you do not serve the Respondent within 90 days, your case can be dismissed by the Court.
As explained in the next few pages, there are two main forms of serving the Defendant (choose only one):
- Personal Service by a Sheriff
- Acknowledgment & Acceptance of Service
NOTE: Other forms of service exist, but these are the easiest methods that meet the formal service requirements for a Petition, Confidential Statement of the Parties for Child Support, and Summons. If you cannot serve the Defendant by either of these methods, ask the Clerk of the District Court for additional forms for alternative methods of service. Additional forms are also available through the Wyoming Judicial Branch Self-Help Forms.