AMERICAN WEDDINGS BLOG
Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers.
Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers.
Published Thursday, Oct. 20th, 2022
Updated May, 2024: Special thanks to Russ J. Rampton, Digital Services Supervisor & Utah County Deputy Clerk for providing us with up-to-date information. Contact the Utah County Clerk's office with any additional questions on performing remote appearance ceremonies.
Thousands of couples all around the world are getting married without ever leaving home – with the help of Utah County’s fully online marriage portal.
This online marriage portal is currently the only one of its kind in the United States, and makes it possible for both U.S. citizens and international couples located anywhere in the world to be married remotely by a wedding officiant in Utah, using a Utah marriage license.
Utah County’s remote wedding service has been life-changing for LGBTQ+ couples in countries where same-sex marriage isn’t yet legal, and for couples in countries like Israel, where strict religious laws forbid nontraditional or civil marriage ceremonies. The service has also come in useful for members of the military, disabled couples, and for some immigration purposes, when restrictions or illness make travel difficult.
Using the virtual portal, couples are able to apply for their marriage license and fill out all the necessary documents over the web. The wedding ceremony is performed by an officiant in Utah and is legally binding, even for those living internationally.
(Note: Some countries, like China, do not currently recognize same-sex marriages solemnized in the U.S.)
Below, we cover the process for officiating a remote wedding ceremony in Utah.
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Utah Law (§ 30-1-6) states that: “(2) The following individuals may solemnize a marriage: (a) an individual 18 years old or older who is authorized by a religious denomination to solemnize a marriage... ”
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In order to perform a remote ceremony in Utah, the officiant must be physically located in Utah at the time of the ceremony, and any marriage license “issued within this state by a county clerk may only be used within this state,” (Utah Code 30-1-7).
Now that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself.
Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You'll appreciate our wedding officiant training pages, which are a comprehensive library of information and tips for first time officiants, to help you prepare and ensure that your first wedding ceremony goes smoothly. You'll find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts and templates, to brainstorming prompts, and more.
Even though the ceremony is remote, it's still just as special as an in-person wedding and carries with it the same weight. You'll want to make sure that you're prepared to give the couple a memory to last a lifetime.
It’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain the marriage license. They can do this completely online from anywhere in the world! There are no residency or citizenship requirements.
Your job is to officiate the ceremony and then sign and file the marriage license electronically. The marriage license is only valid for 32 days so it's important to perform the ceremony within that time frame.
The couple's marriage license is issued electronically and takes the form of a unique URL for that couple. The couple will need to send you this URL after they apply for the license, which you will then use to complete and file the license after the ceremony has been performed.
As of May 1st, 2024, the wedding ceremony must include a verbal 'declaration of intent,' which means that both parties to the marriage must state their willingness to marry. There are no other specific requirements in Utah for wording, nature, tone, or other aspects of the ceremony. All other aspects of the ceremony are left up to you and the couple, and any cultural traditions or religious tenets they choose to include.
After you perform their marriage ceremony, you will use the URL to submit the information necessary to finalize and file the marriage certificate.
Online wedding services in Utah make marriage more accessible to couples around the world.
Illustration by Jessica Levey
From the article: The more the merrier! Why hybrid weddings are a good idea
Learn how to host a hybrid wedding by livestreaming a small in-person wedding ceremony to your remote online guests... the best of both worlds: small intimate weddings and online weddings! Learn more here.
Friends and family members can officiate wedding ceremonies in New Jersey: Become an ordained minister with AMM's free online ordination.
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