A comprehensive, plain-English resource for Utahans seeking a low-cost, low-stress divorce

By Bryant J. McConkie and brought to you by Unhitch.io

Introduction

Divorce in Utah doesn’t have to be expensive, confusing, or dragged out. While many people imagine courtrooms and costly attorneys, the reality is that thousands of Utah couples complete their divorce largely online — especially when the divorce is uncontested and both spouses can come to an agreement.

This Complete 2026 Utah Online Divorce Guide explains everything you need to know, including residency requirements, paperwork, costs, timelines, court rules, and how the online-preparation process actually works.

Whether you’re trying to understand your options or you're ready to start your paperwork today, this guide provides the clarity and accuracy you need to move forward confidently.

1. Is Online Divorce Allowed in Utah?

Yes — Utah permits individuals to prepare their divorce documents online and submit them to the court, even if they are self-represented and acting pro se (not using an attorney). Utah’s court system explicitly provides self-help resources and recognizes that many residents will file for divorce without a lawyer.

However, one important distinction:

True “electronic filing” (e-filing) is not currently allowed in Utah for self-represented people.

E-filing is available only to attorneys. If you complete your divorce online using a service or DIY tools, you will still need to print your completed forms and file them with the district court in person, by mail, or as otherwise allowed.

So when Utahns talk about “online divorce,” they mean:

Completing forms online or on a guided software system - something like Unhitch.io
Printing, signing, and filing in person or by mail
Minimizing attorney involvement and dramatically reducing cost

This is fully valid, legal, and widely used.

2. Utah Divorce Eligibility: Residency & Agreement Requirements

Before filing, you must confirm that you meet Utah’s mandatory criteria. Utah’s requirements are relatively straightforward, but they are strictly enforced.

2.1 Utah Residency Requirements

To file for and obtain a divorce in Utah:

Either spouse must have lived in Utah for at least 90 days, and
Must have lived in the same Utah county for at least 90 days before filing.

If you have children, additional residency rules will apply regarding child jurisdiction, depending on where the children have lived (that is a topic for another day, but it is important).

2.2 Legal Grounds for Divorce in Utah

Utah recognizes both fault-based and no-fault divorce.
Most uncontested divorces proceed under:

“Irreconcilable differences” — the standard no-fault option.

No-fault makes the process faster, simpler, and far more compatible with an online or DIY approach. If you want a finding of fault, or a divorce based on fault, an online tool may not be for you, and you should probably consult an attorney.

2.3 Agreement Requirements for Uncontested Divorce

To qualify for an “uncontested divorce,” which is what online divorce solutions support, spouses must fully agree on:

Division of property
Division of debts
Division of real estate (home, rental properties, etc.)
Child custody, parenting schedules, and other things related to parenting (if applicable)
Child support
Alimony (also called spousal support)
Other marital issues unique to your situation and circumstances

If any major issue is unresolved, the divorce becomes contested, which typically requires mediation, hearings, and often attorneys, driving up the cost.

3. Required Forms for an Uncontested Utah Divorce

Utah requires a collection of state-approved forms and documents that vary depending on children, property, military status, and other factors. These forms can be generated and drafted manually, or you can use an online tool like Unhitch.io.

Common Utah divorce documents include:

Verified Petition for Divorce
Summons
Civil Cover Sheet
Stipulation / Settlement Agreement (if spouses agree on terms)
Parenting Plan — if minor children are involved
Child Support Worksheets
Proof of Service / Certificate of Service
Financial disclosures (often required when assets or support are involved)
Verification of Income and Compliance with Child Support Verification
Affidavit of Jurisdiction
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
Decree of Divorce
Request to Submit

Online divorce services like Unhitch.io generate documents automatically based on your answers to a guided questionnaire. Creating documents manually requires careful reading of Utah self-help instructions and can be frustrating for people that don’t understand the law and the structure and process of divorce.

Several form references confirm these typical requirements.

4. Step-by-Step: How to Get an Online / DIY Divorce in Utah (2026)

Here is the complete process from start to finish.

Step 1 — Confirm Eligibility

Make sure you:

Meet the 90-day residence requirement
Meet the county residency requirement
Are proceeding based on irreconcilable differences
Agree on all divorce terms if filing uncontested

Step 2 — Gather Personal & Financial Documents

Step 3 — Complete Divorce Forms (Online or DIY)

You have several options:

Utah court’s self-help site + manual PDF forms (this is the least expensive)
Online form-preparation services like Unhitch.io (Unhitch.io costs a little more than the court’s self-help forms, but is far better and guiding you through the process - we think you will love it)
Paralegal-assisted preparation (more expensive then self-help and Unhitch.io, but less than the cost of an attorney)
Traditional attorneys (the most expensive option)

Online tools simplify this by generating all forms automatically.

Step 4 — Sign Forms & Prepare Copies

You’ll need:

The original signed documents
Extra printed copies for you, your spouse, and the court

Step 5 — File Your Initial Documents with the Court

Self-represented individuals must file in person or by mail, as Utah limits e-filing to attorneys.

Court clerks will stamp your documents and provide case numbers. To start the case, you file the Petition for Divorce. When you reach an agreement, you file the Stipulation.

Step 6 — Serve Your Spouse (If Required)

Online tools like Unhitch.io are not really build to simply help people fight through the process of divorce - they are built to encourage and memorialize agreements. In uncontested divorces where both spouses voluntarily sign the paperwork and eventually a Stipulation, you really don’t have to formal serve the other party. Signing the Stipulation is enough. So get negotiating!

Step 7 — Wait for Utah’s Mandatory Waiting Period

Utah imposes a 30-day waiting period between filing a Petition and getting a judge’s signature on a final decree. There is an option to get the 30-day waiting period waived, but it is quite uncommon, so we generally suggest you just be patient.

Step 8 — Submit Final Documents / Proposed Decree

If everything is in order and the case is uncontested (you have been able to come to an agreement with your spouse), you don’t need a hearing, and you can get a signature from the judge quite quickly.

5. How Much Does a Utah Divorce Cost (2026)?

Costs vary widely, depending on whether you choose DIY, online-prep, or attorneys. Plans using Unhitch.io start at $675. The most expensive Unhitch.io plan is $875. Attorneys are expensive and a well qualified attorney can cost $450/hr and to complete a case can take many hours. It is not uncommon that attorney fees exceed $50,000.

5.1 Court Filing Fee

Utah’s divorce filing fee is typically around $325 (and an additional $65 if you have children).

5.2 How Costs Compare Across Methods

Online divorce tends to offer the best balance of cost and convenience.

6. Pros & Cons of Online Divorce in Utah

Uncontested cases finalize without hearings.

Online or DIY divorce is risky when:

You can’t locate your spouse
Your spouse refuses to sign or you can’t come to an agreement
There is domestic violence
Your case requires service of process or service by publication
You anticipate custody disputes and disputes about property division

Service-by-publication cases, for example, are more complicated and typically require attorney guidance.

7. What’s New in Utah Divorce Processes in 2026

Utah is actively modernizing its self-help systems and document tools.

7.1 Replacement of OCAP with MyPaperwork

Utah’s older “OCAP” system is being phased out and replaced with MyPaperwork, a more modern tool intended to streamline the self-represented filing process.

7.2 Unhitch.io

In 2025, Unhitch.io went live and updates and improvements are constantly being made. Unhitch.io is more “user friendly,” consistently up to date, and offers just the right amount of support for most people who are divorcing.

Unhitch offers:

No time limits!
Virtual Divorce Mediator
AI custom provision creator
Parenting Plan options
Child and Spousal Support Calculators
Marital Estate Division Calculator

8. Utah Online Divorce Checklist (Printable)

Use this quick checklist to stay organized:

Before Starting

One spouse lived in Utah ≥ 90 days
Lived in the same county ≥ 90 days
Both agree on all major issues (uncontested)
Decide on DIY, online-prep, or attorney assistance

Forms / Documentation

Petition for Divorce
Summons
Settlement Agreement
Parenting Plan (if kids)
Child Support Worksheets
Financial disclosures

Filing

Print forms
File at county district court
Pay filing fee
Serve spouse (if required)
File proof of service

Final Steps

Complete divorce classes (if kids)
Wait 30 days
Submit final decree
Receive final divorce decree

9. When You Should Still Consider Hiring a Lawyer

Even if you're planning an online divorce, a Utah attorney may be helpful if:

You own a business or multiple real properties
You have complicated retirement accounts and assets
One spouse thinks the agreement is unfair or has unrealistic expectations
You expect a custody dispute
You suspect hidden assets
There has been domestic violence
One spouse tries to delay or sabotage the process

A short, one-hour consultation can prevent long-term issues.

10. Final Thoughts: Is Online Divorce Right for You?

For many Utah couples, especially those with cooperative spouses and largely uncontested issues, an online divorce is:

The cheapest solution
The fastest solution
The least stressful solution
The most predictable and straightforward solution

Utah’s legal structure explicitly supports self-represented divorce filings, and modern online tools make completing the paperwork easier and more accurate than ever.

Online Divorce in Utah: Complete 2026 Guide