Will New Limits Be Placed on Utah’s Online Marriage Ceremonies in 2026?

Will international couples be prevented from using Utah's online wedding services?

 

 

Editor’s Note: After this article was published, AMM learned from a contact at the Utah County Clerk’s Office that at the January 23 committee hearing, Sen. Weiler said the version of 1st Sub SB 110 we reported on here had been shared in error. He clarified that the bill isn’t intended to include changes to remote appearance ceremonies. Sen. Weiler further clarified that the language referenced below may be part of a different marriage law bill he is working on and sponsoring, that has not yet been numbered or publicly released. 

 

Weiler instead proposed a new substitute, 2ndSub SB110, which doesn't impact remote wedding ceremonies, and would only affect common law marriages in the state. 

 

We will continue to update this article as more details become available, so readers can track any changes to online marriage legislation in Utah in the coming weeks. If you have specific questions about the bill's current language, please contact Sen. Weiler's office directly with your concerns.

 

• Read more about the current substite bill and other marriage law changes being considered in Utah this year: 

How Will Marriage Laws Change in 2026? Legislation to Watch
 

• READ BILL TEXT: UTAH 2nd Sub. (Salmon) S.B. 110: Marriage Amendments

 

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Utah Senator Weiler proposed big changes to the state’s remote marriage laws this week with a bill that could bring an end to most fully-online weddings there. Here's what we know so far. 

 

Currently, the state’s tech-savvy virtual marriage portal allows individuals anywhere in the world to apply for a Utah marriage license online and have their ceremony officiated by a Utah wedding officiant over video-conference – all without leaving home. The fully-online process has been refined in recent years, and is incredibly popular with both American couples and couples living abroad.

 

However, Sen. Weiler’s proposed changes would bring most of these ceremonies to a stop. As suggested in 1st Sub SB 110*, introduced this week, the new law would allow only two paths for online weddings: 

 

*Please see the Editor's Note at the top of the page for corrections and updates on this legislation. The paths described below are no longer included in SB110.

 

Path one: Both individuals are Utah residents, and at least one partner is physically located in Utah during the ceremony. 

 

Path two: Individuals are residents of any state or country, but both partners are physically located in Utah during the ceremony. 

 

(In either case, the officiant must also be physically located in Utah while performing the wedding. This is an existing requirement and wouldn’t change.)

 

What the Utah County Clerk's Office is Saying

 

Given the scope of these proposed changes, AMM reached out to Russ J Rampton of the Utah County Marriage License and Passport Office to learn more. Rampton is the Digital Services Supervisor and Deputy Clerk for Utah County, and keeps a close eye on legislation in the state. Here's what he shared with us:

 

“As initially introduced, SB 110 would end the practice of "Common Law" marriage in Utah. Our office is neutral towards those provisions. 

 

The first substitute version of the bill would greatly limit the current practice of remote appearance marriages. We first became aware of it yesterday afternoon, and we are actively reaching out to the sponsor and other legislators. We will also be participating in public comment during its committee hearing scheduled for later today. [Details below]

 

Our office would like to continue in the spirit of the bill passed in 2024 that allowed for remote appearance ceremonies with important safeguards."

 

The Takeaway

 

These proposed changes would impact couples not just here in the US, but around the world. Since the introduction of Utah County’s online marriage services in early 2020, the process has been embraced by couples near and far, including interfaith and same-sex couples who cannot legally marry in their home countries, disabled couples and military couples who cannot easily attend an in-person ceremony, and many more. 

 

It first made headlines during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, providing vital services during an uncertain time that brought travel and in-person city services to a halt. It’s continued to make headlines internationally and here at home – for interfaith Israeli couples who married online because they couldn’t legally marry under Israel’s orthodox laws; for giving same-sex Chinese couples a way to celebrate their union; and for helping international couples complete important steps in their immigration process when travel isn't possible. 

 

Important changes were made to the state’s online marriage laws in 2024, which strengthened protections for minors: Updates to Utah’s Virtual Marriage Laws Are in Effect This Month

 

 Note: Jessica Levey (this article’s author) reached out to Sen. Weiler’s office directly for more information this morning but had not heard back at time of publication. 

 

 

Read AMM’s ongoing coverage of Utah's online wedding services

 

• Will Utah Legislators Put Limits on Virtual Weddings in 2024?

 

• How Much Does it Cost to Get Ordained Online in Utah?
   
• “The Las Vegas of Virtual Weddings”: Utah Sen. Weiler works with County Clerk and others to clarify guidelines for virtual marriages
   
• How to Get Married in an Online Wedding Ceremony in Utah
   

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