Divorce education by state · Utah
Divorce Education Classes in Utah
In Utah, the court-required divorce-education requirement is the Divorce Education Course and Divorce Orientation Course (Utah Code §§ 81-4-105 (Divorce Orientation Course) and 81-9-103 (Mandatory Parenting / Divorce Education Course); UCJA Rule 4-907), overseen by the Utah State Courts (Administrative Office of the Courts). Here's who has to take it, whether you can do it online, how long it takes, what it costs, and how to find a course the Utah district court handling your divorce will accept.
Quick answer: divorce education in Utah
Online classes accepted. Utah is one of the few states that mandates divorce education by statute statewide. Parents with minor children must complete both the Divorce Orientation Course (Utah Code 81-4-105) and the Divorce Education Course — administered as the Mandatory Parenting Course under Utah Code 81-9-103 — before a decree. Both can be taken online: Utah State University (USU) Extension is the state's court-approved online provider (English and Spanish, closed-captioned), and live or video instruction is also available. the Utah district court handling your divorce decides what counts — confirm the course and format before you enroll or pay.
At a glance
| Is divorce education required? | Yes — required statewide for divorcing parents with minor children |
|---|---|
| Who takes it & when | Both spouses in a Utah divorce (or temporary separation) who have minor children must complete two separate courses — the Divorce Orientation Course and the Divorce Education Course — before the court will enter a decree. |
| Course name | Divorce Education Course and Divorce Orientation Course |
| Legal basis | Utah Code §§ 81-4-105 (Divorce Orientation Course) and 81-9-103 (Mandatory Parenting / Divorce Education Course); UCJA Rule 4-907 |
| Deadline | The petitioner must finish within 60 days of filing the petition; the respondent within 30 days after receiving the Notice of Required Classes. Both parties must complete both courses and file certificates before the final decree. |
| Typical length | About 3 hours total — the Divorce Orientation Course is ~1 hour and the Divorce Education Course ~2 hours. |
| Typical cost | About $65 per person: a $30 orientation fee (discounted to $15 for an in-person class taken within 30 days of filing or service) plus a $35 education fee. Fee waivers are available. |
| In person or online? | Online classes accepted |
Utah-specific rules to know
- Two separate courses are required when minor children are involved: a ~1-hour Divorce Orientation Course and a ~2-hour Divorce Education Course.
- Statewide statutory mandate — unlike most states, the requirement comes from Utah Code (Title 81), not a local court rule, so it applies in every judicial district.
- Both parties must complete the courses and file certificates of completion; the court will not enter the final divorce decree until they do (Utah Code 81-4-406).
- Deadlines are tied to the case: the petitioner has 60 days from filing and the respondent 30 days from receiving the Notice of Required Classes.
- USU Extension is the only court-approved ONLINE provider; live and video options also exist. A couple with no minor children is not required to take the courses (though the orientation is open to them).
Find an approved divorce-education class in Utah
Start with the official state or court list — that's the one the Utah district court handling your divorce is most likely to accept — then confirm the specific course with your court or clerk:
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for divorce-education classes in Utah — then check any provider against the official guidance above and your court's order before enrolling.
Divorce education vs. a parenting class: "divorce education" focuses on the divorce process itself and how it affects children, while a court-ordered parenting class is the broader custody / co-parenting requirement. In many states the two overlap or are the same course. Read our overview of how court-ordered parenting classes work.
Source & accuracy: compiled from the Utah State Courts (Administrative Office of the Courts) and official Utah court sources. Requirements change and can vary by county and case — always confirm the course, format, hours, cost, and deadline with your court before enrolling. Sources: utcourts.gov/en/self-help/case-categories/family/dived.html, le.utah.gov/xcode/Title81/Chapter4/C81-4-S105_2024090120240501.pdf, le.utah.gov/xcode/Title81/Chapter9/C81-9-S103_2024090120240501.pdf, legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-907, extension.usu.edu/divorce.