Serving divorce papers in Vermont
After you file in Vermont, your spouse must get the papers. This page covers who can deliver the papers, how your spouse can accept or waive service, the deadline to respond, what happens without a response and the law.
Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026
Quick answer
If you were served: Time to respond: 21 days after service (from the day the acceptance/waiver was signed, or the day mail or sheriff service happened) If you are filing: Hand the papers to your spouse and have them sign an Acceptance of Service (form 400-00844); or mail them with a Notice of Action and Request for Waiver of Service (form 400-00820); or use the sheriff; publication if you can't find them.
- Time to respond
- 21 days after service
- Accept or waive service
- Possible: your spouse signs a form
- Law
- Vermont Judiciary: Divorce Process; Serving Papers
Were you served in Vermont?
Enter the day you got the papers (the summons and the petition). We show the deadline to answer.
How papers are served in Vermont
Hand the papers to your spouse and have them sign an Acceptance of Service (form 400-00844); or mail them with a Notice of Action and Request for Waiver of Service (form 400-00820); or use the sheriff; publication if you can't find them.
Law: Vermont Judiciary: Divorce Process; Serving Papers
Deadline to respond and default
21 days after service (from the day the acceptance/waiver was signed, or the day mail or sheriff service happened)
If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.
Serving your spouse in Vermont, step by step
File your papers first
File with the Vermont Superior Court, Family Division. Service comes after filing.
Serve the papers
Hand the papers to your spouse and have them sign an Acceptance of Service (form 400-00844); or mail them with a Notice of Action and Request for Waiver of Service (form 400-00820); or use the sheriff; publication if you can't find them.
Or have your spouse sign
Hand the papers to your spouse and have them sign an Acceptance of Service (form 400-00844); or mail them with a Notice of Action and Request for Waiver of Service (form 400-00820); or use the sheriff; publication if you can't find them.
File proof of service
File the proof of service with the court.
Watch the deadline
21 days after service (from the day the acceptance/waiver was signed, or the day mail or sheriff service happened)
If there is no response
If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.
Questions about serving divorce papers in Vermont
How do you serve divorce papers in Vermont?
Hand the papers to your spouse and have them sign an Acceptance of Service (form 400-00844); or mail them with a Notice of Action and Request for Waiver of Service (form 400-00820); or use the sheriff; publication if you can't find them.
Can my spouse accept or waive service in Vermont?
Hand the papers to your spouse and have them sign an Acceptance of Service (form 400-00844); or mail them with a Notice of Action and Request for Waiver of Service (form 400-00820); or use the sheriff; publication if you can't find them.
How long does my spouse have to respond in Vermont?
21 days after service (from the day the acceptance/waiver was signed, or the day mail or sheriff service happened)
More about divorce in Vermont
- All Vermont divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in Vermont
- Vermont divorce forms and filing fees
- Alimony in Vermont
- Child custody and support in Vermont
- Divorce timeline estimator for Vermont
- Divorce checklist for Vermont
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
- Timeline estimator