By Distant Vows | Updated 2026
Thinking about getting married online in Florida? Florida residents face a mandatory 3-day waiting period and must visit a county clerk’s office in person and if your partner is outside the state, Florida’s own virtual marriage option isn’t available to you.
By using Utah’s fully legal virtual marriage system, Florida couples can have a real, legally binding wedding over video with no waiting period and no courthouse visit required. Couples who want to get married online in Florida without the 3-day wait or the in-person clerk requirement use Utah’s remote marriage process through Distant Vows.
This guide walks you through exactly how to get married online in Florida — legally and simply — whether you’re in Miami, Orlando, or Tampa, or your partner is in another country. Thousands of couples choose to get married online in Florida through the Utah process every year.
Why Are Florida Couples Getting Married Online?
- Your marriage is legally valid. The ceremony is performed under Utah law, recognized across all 50 U.S. states including Florida.
- No 3-day wait. Florida residents face a mandatory waiting period, while Utah online marriage has none.
- Everything happens online. No Florida clerk’s office visit required.
- Perfect for international couples. Florida’s own virtual option requires both partners to be physically in Florida. Utah’s does not.
- Budget-friendly. No travel, no court fees beyond the license.
With Distant Vows, you can get married online in Florida completely — legally, easily, and without leaving home.
Florida Marriage License Requirements — And Why Couples Choose Utah Instead
Florida residents face a mandatory 3-day waiting period after applying for a marriage license before the ceremony can take place. Non-Florida residents have no waiting period. Florida residents can waive the wait by completing an approved 4-hour premarital preparation course, which also reduces the license fee from $86 to $61. However, both applicants must still appear in person at a Florida county clerk’s office.
Critically, Florida does allow remote marriage, but only if both partners are physically present in Florida during the video conference. For couples where one partner is in another state or another country, Florida’s own online option is off the table. The Utah online marriage process has no such restriction.
Florida also does not recognize common-law marriages formed after January 1, 1968. If you’re in a long-term relationship in Florida without a formal certificate, you have no legal marital protections, particularly important for immigration, inheritance, and hospital rights.
Is It Legal to Get Married Online in Florida?
Yes. A Utah online marriage is fully recognized in Florida under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Florida must recognize marriages that are valid in the state where they were performed and Utah online marriages are fully legal.
You can use your Utah marriage certificate in Florida to:
- Change your name through the Florida DMV and Social Security Administration
- Access spousal benefits, insurance, and joint tax filing
- Support USCIS immigration and visa applications
- Prove marital status to employers, landlords, or government agencies
Online Marriage for Military Couples in Florida
Florida is home to numerous major military installations — Naval Air Station Jacksonville, MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Eglin Air Force Base in the Panhandle, and Patrick Space Force Base on the Space Coast. For military couples with one partner deployed overseas, Florida’s in-person license requirement and 3-day wait are impossible to meet.
With Distant Vows, both partners join the ceremony by video from wherever they are. No Florida presence is required, and the Utah marriage certificate is fully valid in Florida. This makes it the best option for military families who need to get married online in Florida without both partners being present.
This is why military families and international couples consistently choose to get married online in Florida through Utah with no physical presence needed from either partner.
Online Marriage in Florida for International Couples
South Florida, particularly Miami ,has one of the highest concentrations of international residents and binational couples in the United States, with large communities from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela, Jamaica, and across Latin America and the Caribbean.
For couples where one partner is abroad, Florida’s own online marriage option requires both parties to be physically in Florida, making it useless for international situations.
When you get married online in Florida through the Utah process, your partner can be anywhere in the world. The resulting Utah certificate is accepted by USCIS for spousal visa and green card applications, and can be apostilled for international recognition in 120+ countries.
Why Florida Couples Choose Distant Vows
- Licensed Utah officiant conducts your video ceremony
- No 3-day waiting period, marry as fast as 24 hours
- Witnesses available if needed; invite family or friends at no charge, or use our witness service for a small fee
- Same-day certificate issued by Utah County after your ceremony
- Apostille support for international recognition
- Both partners can be together, or anywhere, even in different states or countries
Whether you’re in Miami, Orlando, or Tampa, Distant Vows makes it simple to get legally married online in Florida.
Online Wedding vs. Traditional Marriage in Florida
| Feature | Traditional Florida Marriage | Online Marriage with Distant Vows |
|---|---|---|
| In-person visit required | ✅ Yes — county clerk’s office | ❌ Not required |
| Waiting period | ⏳ 3 days (residents) | ✅ None |
| Both partners must be in Florida | ✅ Yes (even for Florida’s own virtual option) | ❌ Can be anywhere in the world |
| Time to get married | 3+ days minimum | As fast as 24 hours |
| Valid in Florida | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes, and all 50 states |
| Internationally recognized | Yes, with apostille | Yes, with apostille |
4 Steps to Get Married Online in Florida
- Confirm your eligibility to get married.
- Book a date and choose a wedding package.
- Complete the online application process. You and your partner will both need valid government-issued IDs.
- Join your officiant and witnesses on Zoom from anywhere — your home, hotel, or office. Say your vows, exchange rings (optional), and celebrate . You’re legally married! You’ll receive your digital marriage certificate right after the ceremony.
Name Change After Marriage in Florida
After your Utah marriage ceremony, Florida name changes are processed through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) for your driver’s license, and the Social Security Administration. Your certified Utah marriage certificate is accepted at both.
Florida requires you to update your Social Security record first, then bring the updated Social Security card to the DHSMV for your driver’s license update.
FAQs About Getting Married Online in Florida
Is online marriage legal in Florida?
Yes. A Utah online marriage is recognized in Florida under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Does Florida’s 3-day waiting period apply to a Utah online marriage?
No. The waiting period applies to Florida marriage licenses. A Utah license has no waiting period.
Can I get married online if my partner is outside Florida?
Yes — through Utah. Florida’s own virtual option requires both partners to be physically in Florida. Utah has no such requirement.
Do both partners need to be in Florida during the ceremony?
No. Both partners can be in different states or countries — anywhere with video access.
Can a Utah marriage certificate be used for immigration from Florida?
Yes. When you get married online in Florida through Utah, the certificate is recognized by USCIS for spousal visas and green card applications.
How fast can I get married online from Florida?
Typically 3 days from sign-up. With our expedited service, you can get married online in Florida in as fast as 24 hours.
For more on Florida’s traditional marriage license process, visit the Florida county clerk portal. For couples who want a fully remote option with no waiting period, the Utah online marriage process is the practical alternative.
Get Married Online in Florida with Distant Vows
Make your decision to get married online in Florida easy, legal, and stress-free. No courthouse visit, no 3-day wait, no requirement that both partners be in Florida. With Distant Vows, Florida couples can get married online in Florida, or from anywhere in the world with the same legal result.
We’ll connect you with a licensed Utah officiant, arrange witnesses if needed for a fee, or your family or friends can join your ceremony as witnesses at no charge. Need apostille support for international recognition? We handle that too.
Florida couples in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and across the state choose Distant Vows to get married online in Florida every week.
Join the thousands of Florida couples who have already chosen to get married online in Florida through Utah’s fully legal virtual marriage system.