Step-by-Step Online Marriage Guide
How to Get Married Online: Step-by-Step Guide for Couples
If you are trying to understand how to get married online, this guide walks through the process in order: choosing a legal online wedding process, confirming eligibility, booking your ceremony, applying for the marriage license, attending the live video ceremony, and planning certificate next steps. By the end, you will know how to get married online and what to prepare before starting.
Process guide • Eligibility checklist • License application • Live video ceremony • Certificate next steps
Can You Get Married Online Legally?
Yes. Eligible couples can get married online when the required legal steps are completed correctly. The process is more than joining a video call. Couples still need to choose a valid online wedding process, meet eligibility requirements, apply for the marriage license, attend the live video ceremony, and complete certificate follow-up.
The key to understanding how to get married online is knowing that the video ceremony is only one part of the process. The license, identity verification, witnesses, officiant, and certificate filing all matter.
This page is focused on the order of the process. For a broader explanation of the concept, read our online marriage guide. For a Distant Vows service overview, read how to legally get married online with our team.
Important: This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. If you plan to use your certificate for immigration, apostille, government benefits, or international filings, confirm the requirements with the relevant agency, consulate, attorney, or local authority.
How to Get Married Online in 7 Steps
Use the steps below as a practical checklist. The exact timing can vary, but this is the sequence couples should expect when learning how to get married online with a legal online wedding process.
Choose a Legal Online Wedding Process
Make sure the process you choose is designed to produce an official marriage certificate, not just a symbolic ceremony. A legal online wedding process should include the required license, officiant, witnesses, live video ceremony, and certificate filing steps. If you are comparing ceremony types, read our guide on proxy marriage vs online wedding.
Confirm That You Are Both Eligible to Be Married Online
If you decide to do an online wedding, confirm that both partners are eligible before booking. Both partners must be older than 18, have valid government-issued IDs, and be able to attend the live video ceremony. If either partner was divorced within the last 60 days, you may still be able to get married, but you will need to submit the final divorce decree.
Select Your Wedding Package and Book a Wedding Date
Choose your wedding package and book your ceremony date. After booking, you will receive the Zoom login information for your wedding ceremony. You can book your ceremony here: book your wedding date.
Apply for the Marriage License Online
The online marriage license application usually takes about 20 minutes. There is a $71 fee paid directly to Utah county for the marriage license. You will need to submit copies of government-issued IDs and complete a self-verification process as part of the application.
Attend Your Live Video Wedding Ceremony With Witnesses
During the live video ceremony, you, your partner, the officiant, and the witnesses join in real time. You and your partner will need to present your government-issued IDs for verification during the ceremony.
Confirm Certificate Delivery and Next Steps
After the ceremony is completed and submitted, the certificate is mailed by U.S. Postal Service within the United States. Couples should expect to receive the certificate about 1–2 weeks after the ceremony.
Begin Apostille Processing if Needed
If you need to use your marriage certificate outside the United States, you may need an apostille or additional legalization. Start the apostille process after the certificate is available, and confirm the requirements for the country where the certificate will be used.
What to Prepare Before You Get Married Online
Preparing the right information before you begin can prevent delays. This is especially important if you need the ceremony completed quickly or if the certificate will be used for official paperwork.
Preparation Checklist
- Government-issued ID for both partners
- Correct legal names and dates of birth
- Final divorce decree if either partner was divorced within the last 60 days
- Reliable internet connection for the ceremony
- A ceremony time that works for both partners
- Witness plan
- Post-ceremony document plan
Questions to Answer First
- How soon do you need the ceremony?
- Are you in different time zones?
- Will witnesses be needed?
- Will the certificate be used abroad?
- Will it be used for immigration or a spouse visa?
- Will it be used for a name change?
How Long Does It Take to Get Married Online?
The online marriage license application usually takes about 20 minutes. Most couples complete the ceremony within 2–7 days of starting the process, depending on booking availability, license timing, and how quickly both partners complete the required steps.
After the ceremony, couples in the United States should expect the certificate to arrive by U.S. Postal Service in about 1–2 weeks. Apostille, legalization, translation, immigration, or other post-ceremony steps may follow a separate timeline.
License Application
The online license application usually takes about 20 minutes and includes ID submission and self-verification.
Ceremony Timing
Many couples complete the ceremony within 2–7 days after starting, depending on availability and license timing.
Certificate Delivery
Within the United States, the certificate is mailed by U.S. Postal Service and usually arrives about 1–2 weeks after the ceremony.
What Comes After the Certificate?
After the certificate is issued, the next step depends on how you plan to use it. Keep this simple: identify the purpose, then follow the instructions required by the agency, country, employer, or institution that will receive the certificate.
Name Change
Read the name-change guide.
Immigration
Read the online marriage and immigration guide.
Apostille
Review the U.S. State Department apostille information.
Military Paperwork
Read the military couples guide.
State-by-State Online Marriage Guides
Distant Vows also has state-by-state guides that explain how to get married online from different U.S. states. These guides are helpful if you want to understand how the process works based on where you live, while still using a legal online wedding process.
Start with our state-by-state online marriage guide to find resources for couples in different states.
Common Mistakes When Learning How to Get Married Online
Learning how to get married online also means knowing where couples often get delayed. Avoid these mistakes before choosing your ceremony date.
Booking Before Checking Eligibility
Confirm age, ID, and recent divorce requirements before choosing your wedding date.
Not Having IDs Ready
Both partners will need government-issued IDs for the license application and ceremony verification.
Forgetting the License Fee
The marriage license fee is $71 and is separate from the wedding package.
Ignoring Time Zones
If partners are in different locations, confirm the ceremony time in both time zones before booking.
Forgetting Witness Planning
Witnesses are required for the ceremony, so confirm who will attend before the ceremony date.
Waiting to Start Apostille Processing
If you need to use the certificate internationally, begin apostille planning after the certificate is available.
Helpful Resources
- Online marriage guide
- Legally get married online with Distant Vows
- State-by-state guides: how to get married online in your state
- How to get married online in New York
- Online marriage for military couples
- Proxy marriage vs online wedding
- Distant Vows apostille guide
- U.S. State Department apostille information
- Online marriage and immigration success
- How to change your name after getting married online
- Dancing With Her: LGBTQ+ marriage guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first step to get married online?
The first step is choosing a legal online wedding process that results in an official marriage certificate.
Who is eligible to be married online?
Both partners must be older than 18, have valid government-issued IDs, and be able to attend the live video ceremony. If either partner was divorced within the last 60 days, a final divorce decree is required.
How do we book the ceremony?
Select your wedding package and book your ceremony date. After booking, you will receive the Zoom login information for your ceremony.
How long does the marriage license application take?
The online marriage license application usually takes about 20 minutes. You will need to submit government-issued IDs, complete self-verification, and pay the $71 marriage license fee.
What happens during the live video ceremony?
You, your partner, the officiant, and the witnesses join in real time. You and your partner will need to present your government-issued IDs for verification.
How long does it take to receive the certificate?
The certificate is mailed by U.S. Postal Service within the United States. Couples should expect to receive it about 1–2 weeks after the ceremony.
When should we start apostille processing?
If you need an apostille, begin the process after the marriage certificate is available. Requirements depend on where the certificate will be used.
What should we do after the certificate is issued?
Decide how the certificate will be used. Name change, immigration, military paperwork, employer benefits, and international use may each require different next steps.
Ready to Start the Process?
Now that you understand how to get married online, Distant Vows can help you start the legal ceremony process with officiant support, witness support, certificate follow-up, and optional apostille assistance.
Start the Process – Get Married Online