How to Get Married Online in North Dakota

By Distant Vows | Updated 2026

If you are trying to figure out how to get married online in North Dakota, you will find a system with no waiting period and a uniform $65 fee that can be paid at any county recorder’s office in the state. North Dakota’s marriage law moves quickly once you are in front of the recorder, but it has a few requirements that are more demanding than most states. Both partners must appear in person together. If either applicant has ever been divorced, a certified copy of every divorce decree from every prior marriage must be presented at the time of application. North Dakota also requires two witnesses at the ceremony, and both witnesses must be at least 18 years old.

By using Utah’s fully legal online marriage system through Distant Vows, North Dakota couples can get married online in North Dakota 100% virtually and receive a U.S. marriage certificate valid in North Dakota and all 50 states. If you are comparing rules across the country, you can also review our full guide on how to get married online in all 50 states.

How North Dakota Marriage Usually Works if You Don’t Get Married Online in North Dakota

North Dakota marriages are governed by North Dakota Century Code Chapter 14-03. Marriage licenses in North Dakota are issued by county recorders in most counties, with a minority of counties using district court clerks instead. Both applicants must appear together in person at the recorder’s office to complete the application. North Dakota residents may apply at any county recorder’s office in the state regardless of where they live. Non-residents must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. U.S. Armed Forces members stationed in North Dakota are considered state residents for marriage license purposes and may apply in any county.

North Dakota has no waiting period. The license is issued the same day as the application and is valid immediately. The license is valid for 60 days from issuance and may only be used for a ceremony within North Dakota. If the 60-day window passes before the ceremony, the license is void with no refund and the couple must reapply and pay the $65 fee again.

The $65 fee is uniform statewide. Couples who wish to have their ceremony performed by the county recorder at the recorder’s office during normal business hours may do so for an additional $30 fee. Certified copies of the completed license cost $5 for the first copy and $2 to $10 per additional copy depending on the county, and are only available after the officiant has returned the signed license to the issuing recorder’s office.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the issuing county recorder’s office within five days. This is one of the strictest return windows of any state. North Dakota vital records have been managed at the county level since 2008, when the state stopped issuing marriage certificates centrally. Certified copies can only be obtained from the county recorder that issued the license, not from any state office. North Dakota does not recognize common-law marriage and does not permit proxy marriages.

One feature of North Dakota’s name change process is more flexible than most states. On the marriage license application, either partner may specify a post-marriage name that combines their own pre-marriage surname with the other spouse’s surname, with or without a hyphen, or takes any current or former surname of either spouse. A middle name may also be changed at the time of marriage to consist of a pre-marriage or former surname of that individual. These options apply equally to all couples regardless of gender.

Documents, Waiting Period, and Age Requirements in North Dakota

North Dakota’s minimum marriage age is 16, with parental or guardian consent required for applicants who are 16 or 17. The consenting parent or legal guardian must appear in person at the recorder’s office at the time of application and present photo identification. A legal guardian must also bring certified proof of the guardianship relationship. No one under 16 may obtain a marriage license in North Dakota under any circumstances. North Dakota does not impose a waiting period between divorce and remarriage.

Standard requirements at the county recorder’s office include the following:

Valid government-issued photo ID proving name and date of birth, such as a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, passport, or military ID. A certified copy of a birth certificate is also acceptable.
Social Security numbers for both applicants. Presenting the Social Security card is preferred but not required; the number must be provided.
If either applicant has ever been divorced, a certified copy of the divorce decree from every prior marriage must be provided. If an applicant has been divorced more than once, certified copies of all divorce decrees from all prior marriages are required. These documents are retained in the recorder’s file alongside the application.
If either applicant’s most recent marriage ended in the death of a spouse, a certified copy of that death certificate must also be provided.
Two witnesses at the ceremony, each at least 18 years old. Both witnesses must sign the marriage certificate. The recorder’s office does not provide witnesses.

North Dakota does not require a blood test. The premarital syphilis blood test requirement was abolished in 1983. If a translator is needed at the time of application, the applicant must bring a human translator. County recorders do not accept device-based translation at the time of application.

Are Online Weddings Allowed Directly if You Want to Get Married Online in North Dakota?

Cass County, which includes Fargo, allows couples to begin the marriage license application online before their in-person visit. Other counties may offer downloadable forms. However, the completed application and the license itself require both partners to appear in person together at the recorder’s office. There is no mechanism under North Dakota law for a license to be issued without an in-person appearance by both applicants.

North Dakota also requires the ceremony to be performed within the state using a North Dakota license and a physically present officiant. Two witnesses aged 18 or older must be present in person. These combined requirements, along with the all-divorce-decrees rule and the five-day return window for officiants, are why couples who want to get married online in North Dakota choose to marry under Utah law through a live video ceremony and use their Utah certificate in North Dakota instead.

4 Steps to Get Married Online in North Dakota with Distant Vows (Through Utah)

With Distant Vows, the same four-step process applies whether you want to get married online in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, or Montana. The legal engine is always Utah’s online marriage system, which allows couples to apply for a license and hold a ceremony entirely over video while still being recognized nationwide.

Step 1 – Verify Your Eligibility

First, you confirm that you and your partner meet basic Utah requirements and complete Distant Vows’ quick intake form. Typically, you both must be 18 or older, not currently married to anyone else, and able to join a live video call together. This foundation lets couples who want to get married online in North Dakota do so fully under Utah law. North Dakota recognizes marriages valid where they are performed, so couples who get married online in North Dakota through Utah receive a certificate valid in the Peace Garden State.

Confirm you are legally free to marry, whether single, divorced, or widowed.
Gather valid government-issued photo IDs, such as a North Dakota driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a device with audio and video so you can comfortably get married online in North Dakota.

Step 2 – Choose Your Package and Ceremony Date

Next, you choose a Distant Vows package and select a ceremony date and time that works for your schedule in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, or anywhere else. You can keep the ceremony short and simple or personalize it with vows, readings, and guests watching online as you get married online in North Dakota.

Select a basic legal-only ceremony or a more personalized experience.
Pick a time that works for your time zone and any guests joining from North Dakota or overseas.
Tell us if you need witness support, custom vows, religious or civil wording, or language options.

Step 3 – Apply for Your Utah Online Marriage License

After you pick your date, you complete a Utah online marriage license application. Utah County’s system lets you submit everything digitally, including your information, ID uploads, and signatures. You never have to visit a North Dakota county recorder’s office, gather every certified divorce decree, or locate two witnesses aged 18 or older for an in-person ceremony, because the license is issued by Utah even though your goal is to get married online in North Dakota.

Fill out the secure Utah County application form online from your home in North Dakota or anywhere in the world.
Upload clear images of your IDs and any requested documents, such as divorce decrees if applicable.
Respond to any brief follow-up from the Utah clerk if they need clarification before issuing the license.

A Utah online marriage license is valid for 32 days from the date it is issued, and Distant Vows schedules your ceremony within that 32-day window so your marriage is properly created under Utah law.

Step 4 – Attend Your Online Ceremony and Get Your Certificate

On your wedding day, you and your partner join a live video ceremony with a Utah-licensed officiant. Two adult witnesses are required and they can join from anywhere in the world. If you do not have friends or family available, you can invite them at no charge, or use our witness service for a small fee.

Join from your home in North Dakota or from anywhere in the world, as long as you are both on the same live video call.
Participate in a real-time ceremony where you exchange vows and say your “I dos.” This is the moment you actually get married online in North Dakota, even though the legal ceremony is taking place under Utah law.
After the ceremony, your officiant files the certificate in Utah and you receive your official Utah County marriage certificate digitally and, if requested, by mail.

North Dakota County Recorder System vs Online Utah Marriage

Before you decide how to get married online in North Dakota, it helps to compare the two approaches side by side. The table below shows the key differences between the traditional North Dakota county recorder process and using Distant Vows to get married online in North Dakota through Utah.

Feature	Traditional North Dakota Marriage	Get Married Online with Distant Vows (Utah)
Issuing office	County recorder or district court clerk. Residents apply in any county statewide. Non-residents apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. Military members stationed in North Dakota are considered residents.	Utah County online application. No office visit required in North Dakota or anywhere else.
In-person requirement	Both applicants must appear together in person. No absentee or mail-in option.	No in-person visits required. Everything is completed online.
Waiting period	None. License is issued the same day and valid immediately for 60 days within North Dakota.	No waiting period. Utah license is issued after online review and the ceremony is scheduled within the 32-day validity window.
Prior divorces	Certified copies of every divorce decree from every prior marriage are required at the time of application. All copies are retained by the recorder’s office.	A single divorce decree upload is typically sufficient for Utah’s online application process.
Witnesses	Two witnesses required, each at least 18 years old. Both must sign the marriage certificate. The recorder’s office does not provide witnesses.	Two adult witnesses required under Utah law. Distant Vows can provide them if needed.
Officiant return deadline	The officiant must return the completed license to the issuing county recorder within five days of the ceremony. This is one of the strictest return windows in the country.	Distant Vows officiants file the Utah certificate directly after the ceremony. No five-day county deadline applies.
Certified copies	Available from the issuing county recorder for $5 to $10. Only available after the officiant returns the signed license. North Dakota vital records are county-level only; no state office issues marriage certificates.	Distant Vows delivers a certified digital copy after filing. Hard copies available by mail on request.
Valid in North Dakota	Yes.	Yes, and in all 50 states once properly issued and filed in Utah, because North Dakota recognizes marriages valid where they were performed.
International use	May require apostille or legalization depending on the foreign country’s rules.	Utah certificates can receive an apostille for use in many countries, even if you get married online in North Dakota. Learn more at Distant Vows apostille services.

Military Couples in North Dakota

Many North Dakota couples use the Utah online marriage process when one partner is deployed or stationed away from the state. The Utah process works well for military couples because both partners can join the live video ceremony from different locations, which makes it easier to get married online in North Dakota without coordinating leave, travel, and recorder appointments. You can read more about how this works for service members at Distant Vows for Military Couples.

Immigration and Long-Distance Couples in North Dakota

Many North Dakota couples use a Utah online marriage when one partner lives abroad and the other is in North Dakota. As long as your ceremony is live, follows Utah law, and is not a mere paper proxy, a Utah marriage certificate can generally support spousal visa and green card applications, subject to federal immigration rules and consular requirements. If you need your marriage recognized by another country, Distant Vows can also help you obtain an apostille so your Utah certificate can be used internationally. You can learn more at Distant Vows apostille services.

Couples researching international marriage recognition may also want to read our guide on whether getting married online affects immigration cases.

Using Your Utah Certificate After You Get Married Online in North Dakota

After you get married online in North Dakota through Utah, your certified Utah County marriage certificate is your primary legal document for updating your records. North Dakota agencies accept any valid U.S. marriage certificate and do not require it to be North Dakota-issued.

Change your name with the Social Security Administration first. North Dakota’s DMV checks SSA records when processing name changes on driver’s licenses, so updating SSA before visiting the DMV prevents delays.
Update your North Dakota driver’s license or state ID through the North Dakota Department of Transportation.
Adjust your name and marital status with banks, employers, schools, and insurance providers.
Use your certificate for USCIS spousal visa and green card applications. The Utah County certificate is treated the same as any North Dakota-issued license for immigration purposes.

Many couples who get married online in North Dakota also use their Utah certificate to complete a legal name change after the ceremony. You can learn more in our guide on how to change your name after getting married online.

Related Online Marriage Guides

If you are researching how to get married online in North Dakota or nearby states, you may also want to read:

FAQ: Getting Married Online in North Dakota

Is it legal to get married online in North Dakota?
North Dakota recognizes marriages valid where they are performed. When you get married online in North Dakota through Utah’s system, your marriage is valid under Utah law and North Dakota must recognize it. North Dakota’s own requirements about in-person recorder appearances, certified divorce decrees, and in-state ceremonies apply only to North Dakota licenses, not to marriages legally performed in Utah.

Do we still need to visit a North Dakota county recorder?
No. If you choose the Utah online route, your license is issued by Utah County. You do not need to visit any North Dakota county recorder’s office or provide certified copies of prior divorce decrees to Utah. Every couple who chooses to get married online in North Dakota through Distant Vows completes the entire process digitally, with no in-person steps anywhere.

Why does North Dakota require certified copies of all prior divorce decrees?
North Dakota Century Code requires the county recorder to retain certified copies of all prior divorce decrees alongside the marriage license application. If an applicant was divorced more than once, certified copies from all prior marriages are required, not just the most recent one. Utah’s online application process does not impose the same all-decrees requirement, which is one practical reason some previously-divorced applicants prefer the Utah route when they want to get married online in North Dakota.

Does North Dakota require witnesses?
Yes. North Dakota requires two witnesses at the ceremony, and both witnesses must be at least 18 years old. Both must sign the marriage certificate. The county recorder does not provide witnesses. Under Utah law, Distant Vows also requires two adult witnesses, and we can provide them if needed for couples who get married online in North Dakota through our service.

Can military couples get married online in North Dakota this way?
Yes. Both partners join the ceremony by video from wherever they are. A service member who is deployed or stationed at another installation can participate from any location while the other partner remains in North Dakota or elsewhere. North Dakota law already treats Armed Forces members stationed in the state as residents for marriage license purposes, but the Utah online route removes the in-person recorder visit entirely. You can read more at Distant Vows for Military Couples.

Can same-sex couples get married online this way?
Yes. North Dakota’s ban on same-sex marriage was struck down as part of the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges ruling on June 26, 2015. Same-sex marriages are treated identically under Utah and federal law, so same-sex couples who want to get married online in North Dakota can do so through Utah and receive the same legal certificate as any other couple.

How fast can we get married online from North Dakota?
Many couples complete all four steps and receive their digital certificate within a few days. Rush options are available for couples who need to get married online in North Dakota on a tighter timeline. Whether you are in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, or a rural oil country community, the steps to get married online in North Dakota through Distant Vows are the same for every couple.

For details on North Dakota’s traditional marriage license requirements, North Dakota Vital Records and your local county recorder provide official guidance. For couples who want to get married online in North Dakota without visiting a recorder’s office, gathering every prior divorce decree, or arranging two in-person witnesses aged 18 or older, Distant Vows handles everything remotely.

Ready to Get Married Online in North Dakota?

If you are ready to get married online in North Dakota, Distant Vows makes the process simple. Our four-step system walks you from eligibility to your official U.S. marriage certificate, with licensed Utah officiants, witness support, and clear guidance at every stage.

Start today and let us handle the legal details so you can get married online in North Dakota without leaving home. Every week, couples from Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, and across the Peace Garden State choose Distant Vows to get married online in North Dakota. You can begin by completing our intake form at get married online.

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