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New 2026 Requirement for Utah’s Online Weddings

Published Monday, May. 18th, 2026

Learn new requirements for Utah remote marriage ceremonies in 2026, for Utah wedding officiants and ministers.

A young couple sit in their wedding clothes holding a laptop — Learn about 2026 Utah remote marriage ceremony requirements for wedding officiants (Photo: Natan Karnushin / Pexels)

Attention AMM Ministers in Utah: Starting May 2026, you must give a unique verbal warning before performing a remote marriage ceremony (or the service won’t be legal)

TL;DR: Update to Utah's Online Marriage Requirements

Who: This law impacts Utah wedding officiants who perform remote marriage ceremonies using video-conferencing technology.

What: A unique verbal warning must be given to couples before their online ceremony; regardless of where the parties to the marriage are located. (See wording below.)

When: This law is effective immediately; officiants should say the verbal warning during the ‘pre-ceremony business’ portion of the video-conference.

Heads up, Utah wedding officiants! The laws for remote marriage ceremonies in your state have been updated: Effective immediately, you must give your couples a simple verbal warning before performing their online wedding:

“A marriage solemnized according to the laws of the State of Utah through online remote appearance may be invalid in the country where the parties to the marriage reside.”

This precise wording was given to us by our contact at the Utah County Clerk’s office. They tell us that this phrase will best-meet the new requirements outlined by UC §81-2-302, which went into effect May 6, 2026.

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When should Utah officiants give this verbal warning?

You must give this warning before every remote marriage ceremony you perform, regardless of where the parties to the marriage are located; this includes ceremonies for US citizens and international couples living in the US or abroad.

The best time to give this warning is during the “pre-ceremony business” portion of your video conference, when you are verifying the identities of your couple and their two witnesses – and before you begin reading your wedding script (“dearly beloved, we are gathered here today,” etc.)

Learn More: Wedding Officiant Training: Witness Requirements on Marriage License

This timing ensures that international couples understand the potential legal limitations of their marriage in their home countries, without interfering with the romantic and/or spiritual parts of their wedding ceremony.

Why has the law changed?

This new requirement was passed by state lawmakers (S.B. 257) to ensure that any international couple who marries in a remote ceremony using a Utah marriage license understands the potential legal limitations in their home countries.

For example, same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in some countries. If a same-sex couple in China or Nigeria gets married online using Utah’s remote marriage portal, they’re marriage will be recognized here in the US, but not in their home country. This is an important distinction that couples should be aware of before entering the marriage.

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Explore more information about Utah Online Weddings from American Marriage Ministries:

Jessica Levey

Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator

Jessica Levey is a writer, illustrator, and content manager at American Marriage Ministries, where she writes about marriage law and wedding industry trends. She holds a degree in Strategic Communications and has a background in trade journalism, with experience in data-informed, people-first reporting, SEO / AEO. She was ordained with AMM in 2020 and is an advocate for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and individuality. In her personal time, Jessica writes, illustrates, and makes comics and zines independently at hellojesslevey.com.

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