How to Marry Someone in Prison Online
If your partner is in prison, jail, a detention center, or another correctional facility, you can get legally married online. The key is completing the Utah County online marriage license process correctly and confirming that the facility will allow your partner to join the ceremony by live audio and video.
Distant Vows helps couples navigate prison ID, jail ID, facility profile identification, facility approval, video access, officiant scheduling, witnesses, and certificate follow-up so the online wedding process is clear from the start.
Prison ID accepted • Jail ID accepted • Facility profile accepted • Utah online marriage license • Live video ceremony
Can You Get Married If Your Partner Is in Prison or Jail?
Yes. Incarcerated people retain the right to marry, but correctional facilities can control the process for safety, scheduling, identification, staff availability, and security reasons.
That means the legal right to marry is only one part of the process. The practical question is whether the prison, jail, detention center, or correctional facility will approve the marriage request and allow the incarcerated partner to join the online ceremony by live audio and video.
The Legal Right to Marry While Incarcerated
A prison sentence does not automatically remove a person’s right to marry. In Turner v. Safley, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that incarcerated people retain a constitutionally protected right to marry, although correctional facilities can regulate how the marriage takes place for security and administrative reasons.
In practice, that means the facility may require a written request, chaplain review, warden approval, counselor involvement, case manager approval, a facility marriage coordinator, or a supervised video session. The exact process depends on the correctional facility.
Legal Right
Incarceration does not automatically prevent someone from getting married.
Facility Control
The prison or jail can set rules for approval, timing, video access, and security.
Online Option
Online marriage can reduce the need for an in-person facility ceremony when video access is allowed.
What Makes an Online Prison Wedding Possible?
An online prison wedding works when three pieces line up: the Utah County marriage license, the incarcerated partner’s identification, and the facility-approved video connection.
1. Utah County Marriage License
Distant Vows uses the Utah County online marriage license process. The marriage license is issued online and is valid for 32 days from the date of issuance.
2. Prison ID or Jail ID
For incarcerated applicants, Utah County accepts prison ID, jail ID, or a facility profile when it includes the applicant’s full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
3. Facility Video Access
The incarcerated partner must be allowed to join by live audio and video through Zoom, Securus, ViaPath, GTL, GettingOut, Smart Communications, or another facility-approved video method.
Can a Prison ID, Jail ID, or Facility Profile Be Used?
Yes. For incarcerated applicants, Utah County accepts a prison ID, jail ID, or facility profile as identification when it includes the applicant’s full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
This matters because many incarcerated partners do not have physical access to a driver’s license, passport, or state ID while they are in custody. A facility-issued ID or inmate profile can solve that problem when it includes the required identifying information.
Accepted Identification for Incarcerated Applicants
- Prison ID with full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
- Jail ID with full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
- Facility profile with full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
- Inmate record or profile page if it clearly shows the required identifying details.
What to Request From the Facility
- A clear copy or screenshot of the incarcerated partner’s facility ID.
- A profile page showing full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
- Confirmation that the ID matches the name used on the marriage license application.
- Staff guidance if the facility has a specific process for marriage paperwork.
What to Ask the Prison or Jail Before You Book
Before choosing a ceremony date, contact the facility and ask practical questions. This is the step that prevents delays.
Ask About Approval
- Does the facility allow incarcerated people to get married?
- Does the incarcerated partner need to submit a marriage request form?
- Who approves the request: warden, chaplain, counselor, case manager, or facility marriage coordinator?
- How long does approval usually take?
- Does the non-incarcerated partner need to be on the approved visitation list?
Ask About Video Access
- Can the incarcerated partner join a live video ceremony?
- Can they use Zoom, or must the call happen through the facility’s own video system?
- Does the facility use Securus, ViaPath, GTL, GettingOut, Smart Communications, or another platform?
- Can staff help the incarcerated partner join at the scheduled time?
- Are there specific video visit times that must be used?
Ask About ID
- Can the facility provide a copy of the prison ID or jail ID?
- Can the facility provide an inmate profile with full name, date of birth, and photo?
- Does the facility allow the incarcerated partner to receive or review marriage paperwork?
- Does the incarcerated partner’s facility profile match their legal name?
Ask About Ceremony Logistics
- How much notice does the facility need?
- Can the ceremony happen during regular video visitation?
- Can witnesses join remotely?
- Will the call be monitored or limited in length?
- What happens if the video call disconnects?
Will Securus, ViaPath, GTL, GettingOut, Smart Communications, or Zoom Work?
It depends on the facility. Some prisons and jails allow Zoom or staff-assisted video calls. Others only allow calls through the facility’s approved communication system, such as Securus, ViaPath, GTL, GettingOut, Smart Communications, or another jail tablet or video visitation provider.
The platform itself is not the most important issue. The most important issue is whether the facility will allow a live audio and video ceremony at the scheduled time.
Securus Wedding Call
If the facility uses Securus Video Connect, the ceremony may need to fit within the facility’s video visitation rules, approved hours, and account requirements.
ViaPath, GTL, or GettingOut
Some facilities use ViaPath, GTL, GettingOut, or related systems for inmate tablets and video visits. The facility must confirm whether the system can be used for a ceremony.
Smart Communications
If the facility uses Smart Communications or another secure platform, ask whether a live video ceremony can be scheduled and whether staff must assist.
Zoom Access
If Zoom is allowed, the process is usually simpler. If Zoom is blocked, the ceremony may still be possible through the facility’s approved video system.
Jail Tablet Marriage
A jail tablet marriage may be possible if the tablet system supports live audio and video and the facility approves the ceremony.
Staff-Assisted Call
Some facilities require a chaplain, counselor, case manager, or officer to help the incarcerated partner access the video call.
How to Marry Someone in Prison Online in 6 Steps
The exact timeline depends on the correctional facility. Once facility video access is confirmed, the online marriage process is straightforward.
Confirm the facility allows the marriage request
Contact the prison, jail, detention center, or correctional facility. Ask whether the incarcerated partner must submit a marriage request and who approves it. This may involve the warden, chaplain, counselor, case manager, or facility marriage coordinator.
Confirm live audio and video access
Ask whether the incarcerated partner can join by live video. Confirm whether the facility allows Zoom or requires Securus, ViaPath, GTL, GettingOut, Smart Communications, a jail tablet, or another approved video method.
Gather the incarcerated partner’s ID
For incarcerated applicants, Utah County accepts prison ID, jail ID, or a facility profile when it includes the applicant’s full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
Complete the Utah County online marriage license process
The incarcerated partner must complete and notarize the absent spouse form and mail it to Utah County. The partner who is not incarcerated will complete their section of the marriage license application online. When Utah County receives the mailed absent spouse form, they will add the incarcerated partner’s information to the online application and issue the marriage license.
Schedule the online ceremony around facility access
Choose a ceremony time that matches the facility’s approved video call window. Distant Vows coordinates the officiant, live video ceremony, and witnesses.
Complete the ceremony and receive the certificate
During the ceremony, the couple, officiant, and witnesses join by live video. After the ceremony is completed and filed, the couple receives the digital certificate and physical certificate according to the normal certificate process.
Online Marriage vs. Traditional In-Prison Ceremony
A traditional in-prison wedding can involve facility scheduling, in-person officiant access, limited guests, staff coordination, and longer internal approval timelines. Online marriage can be simpler when the facility allows live video access.
| Factor | Online Prison Marriage With Distant Vows | Traditional In-Prison Ceremony |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Couple joins by live video from separate locations | Ceremony usually happens inside the facility |
| Incarcerated partner ID | Prison ID, jail ID, or facility profile accepted when it shows full legal name, date of birth, and photo | Facility ID rules depend on the local process |
| Video access | Can use approved live video access if the facility allows it | May not require video, but requires facility ceremony coordination |
| Approval process | Facility still approves participation and video access | Facility usually controls the entire wedding process |
| Guests | Guests may be able to attend virtually, depending on the ceremony setup | Guests are often very limited or not allowed |
| Officiant | Distant Vows coordinates the online officiant | Often a chaplain, approved officiant, or facility-approved person |
| Best for | Couples who need a legal marriage without an in-person prison ceremony | Couples whose facility requires or prefers an internal ceremony |
Common Problems and How to Avoid Delays
The Facility Will Not Allow Zoom
Ask whether the ceremony can happen through Securus, ViaPath, GTL, GettingOut, Smart Communications, jail tablet video, video visitation, or a staff-assisted video session.
The Chaplain Has Not Responded
Ask whether a counselor, case manager, facility marriage coordinator, or warden’s office handles marriage requests instead of the chaplain.
The Facility Has Not Confirmed Video Access
Prison ID, jail ID, or a facility profile can be used when it includes the incarcerated partner’s full legal name, date of birth, and photo. The bigger issue is confirming that the facility will allow the incarcerated partner to join the ceremony by live audio and video.
The Facility Has Limited Video Hours
Schedule the ceremony around the facility’s approved video visitation window. Confirm time zone, duration limits, and whether staff must be present.
The Tablet Blocks Outside Links
Ask whether the facility can approve the video link, use its own video system, or arrange a staff-assisted call from a secure location.
The Approval Timeline Is Unclear
Start the facility approval process before booking a ceremony time. The legal marriage process can move quickly, but facility approval can take longer.
Who Should You Contact at the Facility?
Different facilities use different titles and departments. If one person does not know the answer, ask who handles inmate marriage requests or special video access.
Chaplain
Many prisons route marriage requests through the chaplain or religious services office, even when the ceremony itself is not religious.
Warden or Administrator
Some facilities require approval from the warden, jail administrator, or another senior facility official.
Case Manager or Counselor
A case manager or counselor may help the incarcerated partner submit forms, request video access, or coordinate staff support.
Facility Marriage Coordinator
Some facilities have a designated marriage coordinator or staff member who handles marriage requests.
Visitation Department
The visitation office may control video visit approval, Securus access, ViaPath/GTL access, GettingOut scheduling, or visitor list approval.
Records or Classification
Records, classification, or inmate services may help provide a facility profile or confirm the incarcerated partner’s ID information.
Why Couples Use Distant Vows
Distant Vows is designed for couples who cannot be together in person but still need a legal, organized, and guided marriage process. This includes long-distance couples, military couples, international couples, same-sex couples, and couples where one partner is incarcerated.
Guided Online Process
We help couples understand the order of steps so the facility, license, ceremony, witnesses, and certificate process are coordinated correctly.
Incarcerated Partner ID Support
We help couples prepare the prison ID, jail ID, or facility profile information needed for the Utah County online marriage process.
Live Video Ceremony
The ceremony is completed by live video with the couple, officiant, and witnesses, as long as the facility allows the incarcerated partner to participate.
Witness Support
Two witnesses are needed for the ceremony. If you need witnesses, Distant Vows can provide them.
Certificate Follow-Up
After the ceremony is completed and filed, we help with certificate follow-up so you know what to expect after the wedding.
Apostille Support
If the marriage certificate will be used internationally, Distant Vows can help with apostille processing after the ceremony.
Helpful Resources
These resources can help you understand the legal right to marry, Utah County remote marriage rules, video visitation platforms, and related Distant Vows guides.
- Book your online ceremony
- Legally get married online
- How online marriage works
- Are online weddings legal?
- Online marriage for military couples
- Same-sex marriage online
- Apostille marriage certificate guide
- Online marriage and immigration
- Marriage license requirements by state
- Turner v. Safley overview
- Turner v. Safley Supreme Court decision
- Securus Video Connect
- ViaPath / GTL correctional communication services
- Smart Communications correctional communication services
How to Marry Someone in Prison Online FAQ
Can you marry someone in prison online?
Yes. You can marry someone in prison online when the facility allows the incarcerated partner to participate by live audio and video and the Utah County online marriage license process is completed correctly.
Can you marry someone in jail online?
Yes. The process can work for a partner in jail if the jail allows live video participation and the incarcerated partner has acceptable identification, such as a jail ID or facility profile with full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
Does Utah County accept prison ID?
Yes. For incarcerated applicants, Utah County accepts prison ID, jail ID, or a facility profile when it includes the applicant’s full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
Does Utah County accept jail ID?
Yes. For incarcerated applicants, Utah County accepts jail ID when it includes the applicant’s full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
Can a facility profile be used for the marriage license?
Yes. A facility profile can be used when it includes the incarcerated applicant’s full legal name, date of birth, and photo.
Does my incarcerated partner need to leave the facility?
No. If the facility approves live video participation, the incarcerated partner can join the ceremony from inside the prison, jail, detention center, or correctional facility.
Can the ceremony happen through Securus?
It depends on the facility. If the facility uses Securus and allows the video session for a ceremony, the incarcerated partner may be able to participate through that approved video access.
Can the ceremony happen through ViaPath, GTL, or GettingOut?
It depends on the facility’s rules. Some facilities use ViaPath, GTL, or GettingOut for inmate tablets and video visitation. The facility must allow the live video ceremony to take place through the approved system.
What if the facility blocks Zoom?
If Zoom is blocked, ask whether the ceremony can happen through the facility’s approved video visitation system, jail tablet, supervised video room, or staff-assisted video call.
Do prison weddings need chaplain approval?
Some facilities require chaplain approval. Others use a warden, counselor, case manager, facility marriage coordinator, visitation office, or inmate services department. The exact process depends on the facility.
Do we need witnesses?
Yes. The Utah County remote ceremony process requires two witnesses to appear by live video. If you need witnesses, Distant Vows can provide them.
How long is the Utah County marriage license valid?
The Utah County marriage license used for Distant Vows ceremonies is valid for 32 days from the date of issuance.
Can I marry someone in prison if I live outside the United States?
Yes. International couples may be able to marry online if the facility allows the incarcerated partner to join by live audio and video and the couple completes the Utah County online marriage process.
Can I get an apostille after marrying someone in prison online?
Yes. If you need to use the marriage certificate outside the United States, Distant Vows can help with apostille processing after the ceremony.
Ready to Marry Someone in Prison Online?
Start by confirming facility approval and live video access. Then Distant Vows can help with the Utah County marriage license process, prison ID or jail ID requirements, officiant coordination, witnesses, and certificate follow-up.
Start the process