All affiliates

Labels

Getting Married Online: How I Legally Tied the Knot Through Utah in the UK

-

A few years ago, the idea of getting married over Zoom sounded like something out of a sitcom. But now? It’s totally possible — and 100% legal if you do it the right way.

I know because I did it myself through:

RemoteVows.

So… Can You Really Get Married Online?

Yes, you can! Utah is one of the only states in the U.S. that allows you to have a fully legal wedding ceremony online — meaning you can get your marriage license, have your ceremony, and get your certificate without ever stepping foot in Utah.

Here’s how it works in simple terms:

  • The officiant (the person marrying you) has to be in Utah when the ceremony happens.
  • You, your partner, and your witnesses can be anywhere in the world — as long as you’re all on a live video call at the same time.
  • You still have to get a Utah marriage license, and the paperwork goes through a Utah county clerk (usually Utah County).
  • Once the ceremony is done and the forms are signed, your marriage is officially registered in Utah’s legal system.

So no, this isn’t some shady internet thing. Utah literally wrote it into law. They’re the only U.S. state that’s fully embraced this kind of “virtual wedding.”

Why Utah of All Places?

Utah actually started allowing online marriages back in 2020, during the pandemic, when in-person weddings were tough. The system worked so well that the state kept it going — and even updated the law in 2024 to make the rules clearer.

The biggest rule? The officiant has to be in Utah during the ceremony. Everyone else can be remote. That’s what keeps it legal.

My Experience with RemoteVows

When my partner and I started looking into online weddings, we found RemoteVows. 

They made the whole thing super easy. Here’s how it went:

  1. We applied for our Utah marriage license online.

  2. RemoteVows walked us through every step and handled all the official paperwork with the county clerk. You just have to check your emails for the next steps. When your license is first issued, it’s really important to check that your names are spelled correctly. Sometimes ID uploads can cause small errors — like your name appearing twice or in the wrong order.

  3. If you spot anything that doesn’t look right, you can contact Utah County Marriages directly marriage@utahcounty.gov to have it corrected before your ceremony. Their staff are friendly and used to helping with remote weddings. 

  4. We picked a date and had our ceremony on video.
    Our officiant was in Utah, but we were in the UK! We had two witnesses, and we said our vows live on camera, just like an in-person ceremony.

  5. We received our marriage certificates.
    Right after the ceremony, we were emailed our virtual marriage certificate, which is immediately valid in America. Then about a week later, our official Utah paper certificate arrived in the post, confirming that everything had been fully processed and recorded.

One thing to keep in mind — when you use RemoteVows, you pay them for their service, but the Utah marriage license fee is paid separately to the county. It’s not included in the RemoteVows package, so make sure to budget for that extra step.

And that was it. We were legally married. No travel, no courthouse lines, and no waiting months for an appointment.

Is It Really Legal Everywhere?

Here’s the thing: if a marriage is valid where it happens (in this case, Utah), it’s usually valid everywhere else in the U.S. too. So yes — a Utah online marriage counts as a real marriage across the country.

And if you’re in the UK, it’s also legally recognized there!

That’s because both the UK and the US are part of the Hague Convention, an international agreement that says official documents (like marriage certificates) are recognized between member countries once they’re apostilled — basically a government stamp confirming the document’s authenticity.

That said, I haven’t needed an apostille for anything. My Utah marriage certificate has been accepted just fine for everything I’ve needed so far. If you ever do need one, RemoteVows can explain exactly how to get it — but for most people, it’s not required unless you’re submitting your certificate to an embassy or foreign government.

A Small but Important Tip

Sometimes when you upload your ID during the marriage license process, your name can accidentally appear twice (for example, “Jane Jane Smith”) or show up slightly wrong on your certificate. It’s really important to double-check all your details as soon as you get your license before your actual wedding especially if it's your name, it has to be properly spelt on your license before marriage.

You can correct other things after marriage like name of your parents but it is best to get it corrected before the wedding so check through very carefully.

If you spot a mistake or aren’t sure what to do next, you can ask RemoteVows — they’ll tell you exactly what steps to take to get it fixed. They’re super helpful and familiar with how the Utah County Clerk’s system works.

You will likely be directed to, and I advise anyway, to contact Utah County:

marriage@utahcounty.gov 

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

If you’re thinking of doing it too, a few quick tips:

  • Make sure the officiant is in Utah — that’s what makes it legally valid.
  • Your license expires after 32 days, so don’t wait too long to have the ceremony.
  • Remember you pay RemoteVows for their service and Utah County separately for the marriage license.
  • Stick with a trusted company like RemoteVows — they guide you through everything and make it stress-free.
  • If you need to use your certificate outside the U.S., you can always get it apostilled, but you might never need to.
  • And if you’re using it for immigration purposes (like a U.S. visa), you may need to show that you’ve physically met or lived together since the wedding.

Final Thoughts

For me, getting married online wasn’t just convenient — it was life-changing. I’ve struggled with social anxiety and mental health issues for years, and the idea of having a traditional wedding honestly felt impossible. The thought of being the center of attention or dealing with a big social event used to fill me with panic, and I’d come to terms with the idea that marriage just wasn’t something I’d ever experience. 

But being able to do it from the comfort of my own home, online, completely changed that. It took away the stress and pressure, and, I could actually enjoy the moment. Without this option, I genuinely don’t think I ever would have gotten married.

The way we got married was a dream come true for me.

It ended up being simple, special, and completely legal. Utah’s virtual marriage law makes it possible for couples around the world to say “I do” without borders getting in the way.

So if you’ve ever wondered whether an online wedding is real — it absolutely is.

And thanks to RemoteVows, I’m living proof.
Because Utah recognizes it, America recognizes it, and thanks to the Hague Convention, so does the UK.

Back to top

Back to top

Popular posts from this blog

My Experience: Living with Diabetes

-
Image
I wanted to share something personal — something I hope helps someone else recognise the signs before things become too difficult. When I was first being tested, my results showed crystals in my urine , which turned out to be a sign that my body wasn’t processing sugar properly. That discovery led to my diabetes diagnosis . At first, it was overwhelming. I didn’t fully understand what it meant or how much it would change my life. But over time, I realised that diabetes doesn’t just affect your body — it affects your mind, your emotions, and the way you see yourself. Recognising the Symptoms Diabetes can develop gradually, and it often goes unnoticed in the early stages. Some of the symptoms I experienced — and others that are common — include: Feeling tired or drained all the time Extreme thirst and needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night Dry mouth and dehydration even after drinking fluids Blurred or changing vision Pain, tingling, or numbness in ...
View Article