Wyoming (WY) eviction guide
Quick answer
In Wyoming, landlords must serve a written 3-day notice to quit before filing a Forcible Entry and Detainer action in circuit court. The full process typically takes 3 to 4 weeks from notice to sheriff-enforced removal. Self-help eviction is illegal.
| Legal grounds | Nonpayment of rent, lease violations, property damage, health/safety violations, holdover tenancy, or refusal to allow landlord access |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 3 days (nonpayment, lease violations, holdover); 30 days (month-to-month termination) |
| Where to file | Wyoming Circuit Court in the judicial district where the rental property is located |
| Filing fee | Approximately $70 filing fee; total costs including service typically reach $150 to $255 |
| Typical timeframe | 3 to 4 weeks from notice to judgment; sheriff removal follows within a few days of a writ |
Served when rent is unpaid; the tenant must pay the full amount owed or vacate within 3 days of receiving the notice.
Used for lease violations such as unauthorized pets, property damage, health/safety violations, or refusing landlord access; tenant must fix the violation or vacate in 3 days.
Issued for serious or repeat violations where no opportunity to cure is required; tenant must vacate within 3 days with no option to remedy.
Required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause; landlord must give the tenant 30 days written notice before filing suit.
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve the Written Notice to Quit | Day 1 | Deliver the appropriate written notice (3-day or 30-day) to the tenant by personal service or by leaving it at the residence. Complete an Affidavit of Service as proof. The notice must state the reason, the amount owed if applicable, and the deadline to cure or vacate. |
| 2. Wait for the Notice Period to Expire | Days 1 to 3 (or Day 1 to 30) | Do not file in court until the full 3-day or 30-day period has passed. If the tenant pays rent in full or cures the violation during this window, the eviction process stops. |
| 3. File a Complaint for Forcible Entry and Detainer | Day 4 or later | File the FED complaint at the Wyoming Circuit Court in the county where the property sits. Pay the filing fee of approximately $70 and submit the Civil Cover Sheet. Bring a copy of the lease, the notice, and the Affidavit of Service. |
| 4. Serve the Summons and Complaint on the Tenant | Filed; hearing set 3 to 12 days out | The court issues a summons with a hearing date. Serve the tenant personally or by substituted service (with a person aged 14 or older at the residence). The hearing must be scheduled 3 to 12 days after service. |
| 5. Attend the Court Hearing | 3 to 12 days after service | Present your evidence: signed lease, rent ledger, payment records, photos, and communications. If the tenant does not appear, a default judgment is typically granted. If the judge rules in your favor, a Judgment for Possession is issued. |
| 6. Obtain and Execute the Writ of Restitution | Within a few hours to a few days after judgment | Request a Writ of Restitution from the court. The sheriff serves the writ and gives the tenant up to 2 days to vacate voluntarily. If the tenant refuses, the sheriff carries out the physical removal. Only the sheriff may forcibly remove a tenant. |
Wyoming landlords typically spend $150 to $255 in court-related costs, including the $70 circuit court filing fee plus fees for serving the summons and writ. If the tenant contests the eviction or an attorney is retained, total costs can rise to $500 or more depending on complexity and attorney rates.
Once a Judgment for Possession is entered, the landlord requests a Writ of Restitution from the court. The sheriff serves the writ and the tenant has up to 2 days to leave. If the tenant stays, the sheriff carries out the removal. Self-help eviction is illegal in Wyoming: a landlord who cuts utilities, changes locks, or removes a tenant's belongings without a writ faces liability for actual damages, court costs, and attorney fees, and the tenant may obtain an injunction to remain on the property.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Wyoming Statutes Title 1, Chapter 21, Articles 10 and 12 (Forcible Entry and Detainer; Residential Rental Property). Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
Wyoming eviction FAQ
Most Wyoming evictions are resolved in **3 to 4 weeks** from the date the notice is served. A contested hearing, delays in service, or a tenant requesting a continuance can extend the timeline by an additional one to two weeks.
Expect to pay **$150 to $255** in court and service fees for a straightforward eviction, starting with the **$70** circuit court filing fee. Contested cases or cases requiring an attorney can push total costs to **$500 or more**.
No. Wyoming law requires a court order and sheriff-enforced removal. A landlord who removes a tenant without a Writ of Restitution by changing locks, cutting utilities, or removing belongings is committing an illegal self-help eviction and can be sued.
The minimum notice is **3 days** for nonpayment of rent, lease violations, and holdover tenancy. Month-to-month tenancies require a **30-day** notice to terminate without cause.
A tenant can appeal the judgment, but typically must post a bond to stay on the property during the appeal. A tenant who pays all overdue rent and fees before judgment may cure the default and halt the eviction under certain lease terms.
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