By Jill Coil, Founder and Family Law Attorney

Quick answer: Utah requires two classes in most divorces. Everyone getting divorced takes the Divorce Orientation Course ($30 per person). If you have children under 18, you and the other parent also take the Mandatory Parenting Course ($35 per person). Both can be taken online. The person who files has 60 days from filing; the other spouse has 30 days from receiving the Notice of Required Classes.

Which class do you have to take?

Both parties take the classes. You do not attend together, and you do not have to take them at the same time.

What each class costs

• Divorce Orientation Course: $30 per person.
• Mandatory Parenting Course: $35 per person.
• If you take the orientation course in person within 30 days of filing, or within 30 days of being served if you are the respondent, there is a $15 discount. The online version does not carry the discount.
• If you cannot afford the fees, you can file a motion asking the court to waive the education requirements.

Taking the classes online

Both courses are offered online through Utah State University at divorce.usu.edu, in English with closed captions and in Spanish. In-person classes are also scheduled at locations around the state. Most people take the online version because it can be done on your own schedule, and because it is the only practical option if you have moved out of state.

When you finish, you get a certificate, and that certificate has to be filed with the court. A divorce will not be finalised until both parties’ certificates are on file. This is one of the most common reasons a decree sits waiting at the end of an otherwise finished case.

The deadlines that matter

• If you filed the petition: complete the classes within 60 days after filing.
• If you were served: complete them within 30 days after you receive the Notice of Required Classes.

Missing the deadline does not end your case, but it does stall it, and a judge can take it into account when one parent is clearly dragging their feet. If your spouse will not take the class, that is worth raising with your attorney rather than waiting it out.

Can the requirement be waived?

Sometimes. You can file a Motion to Waive Education Requirements and ask the judge to excuse you, typically where there is a protective order, where the other party cannot be located, or where attendance would be impractical or unsafe. Waivers are not automatic and the judge decides. If domestic violence is part of your case, raise it before you enrol rather than after.

Where the classes fit in a Utah divorce

The classes run alongside everything else. They are not a substitute for the 30-day waiting period between filing and the decree, and taking them early does not speed the case up on its own. What it does is remove one item from the list of things that can hold up a final decree. We tell clients to book both classes in the first week or two, get the certificates filed, and forget about them.

For how filing works more broadly, see our Salt Lake County and Utah County pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Utah divorce class available online?

Yes. Both the Divorce Orientation Course and the Mandatory Parenting Course are offered online through Utah State University, in English and Spanish. In-person sessions are also held around the state.

How much does the Utah divorce class cost?

The Divorce Orientation Course is $30 per person and the Mandatory Parenting Course is $35 per person. A $15 discount applies to the in-person orientation course if you complete it within 30 days of filing or service.

Do both spouses have to take the class?

Yes. Each party takes the required classes separately and files their own certificate with the court.

Do I have to take the parenting class if we have no children?

No. The Mandatory Parenting Course applies when there are children under 18. Without minor children you take the Divorce Orientation Course only.

What happens if my spouse refuses to take the class?

The case stalls, because the decree generally will not be entered without both certificates on file. Your attorney can raise it with the court, and a judge can treat persistent refusal as a failure to move the case forward.

How long is the class?

Both courses are designed to be completed in a single session. Check the current run time with the course provider when you enrol, since it is updated from time to time.

Talk to a Utah Divorce Lawyer

The classes are the easy part. If you want to talk through what happens around them, call CoilLaw at 801-845-3598 or request a consultation online.

This page is for general information and is not legal advice. Course names, fees and deadlines are set by the Utah courts and can change. Confirm current requirements with the court or the course provider before you enrol.