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For several years, the state of Utah has allowed couples from anywhere in the world to legally marry through fully remote, video-conferenced ceremonies – commonly known as “Utah Zoom weddings”. Introduced in 2019 and fully operational by 2020, this process enables couples to hold a legal ceremony online from the comfort of their home and obtain a valid U.S. marriage license and certificate, without either party needing to travel to the United States.
For Israeli and Israeli-international couples, this option has become especially significant. Many couples in Israel are unable or unwilling to marry through religious institutions, and remote-appearance marriages offer a practical, affordable, and fully legal alternative without the need to leave the country. Crucially, since 2023, Utah Zoom weddings have been officially recognized by Israeli authorities for the purpose of spouse visa and immigration applications, making them a key pathway for international couples seeking to formalize their family status in Israel.
Utah Remote Weddings May End in May 2026
Around three weeks ago, a bill introduced by Utah State Senator Todd Weiler proposed to abolish the practice of remote-appearance marriages. Although the bill was later corrected and the sections addressing remote marriages were removed, the proposal revealed a clear legislative intent to restrict or eliminate Zoom weddings in the near future.
AIC has been closely following this concerning development since then, and indeed, last week a new bill was published based on the same principles. The proposed legislation would effectively end fully remote weddings by limiting eligibility to:
- Utah residents (with at least one party physically present in the state), or
- Couples where both parties are physically present in Utah at the time of the ceremony.
If passed, the law would go into effect on May 6th, 2026. From that date onward, any remote-appearance marriage that does not meet these criteria would be considered prohibited and void.
Relevant section 81-2-402, Lines 2346-2373
AIC urges anyone planning a remote-appearance wedding in Utah to act now and schedule their ceremony before May 2026. Follow our guide to get started.
Can This Still Be Prevented?
As the representative organization of international couples in Israel, AIC has been actively engaged on this issue. We have already communicated directly with the Utah County Clerk’s Office and other stakeholders to express serious concern over the potential impact of these changes on Israeli-international couples, who cannot marry in Israel.
AIC is also preparing to reach out to Utah state senators to explain the unique and critical role that Utah marriages play for international couples in Israel. We may also participate in an upcoming meeting of the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee to express our concerns and possible solutions, during the public comments phase.
AIC’s stance is that the Utah option is vital for interfaith international couples, who cannot legally marry in Israel and may find themselves in situations where leaving the country is not possible. For our community, the issue is not only the emotional significance of being able to marry, but also a critical legal and immigration matter that directly affects their rights and status in Israel.
See what fellow community members, Adi (Israel) and Pedro (Brazil) shared about their Utah wedding:
“For us, the Utah Zoom wedding was the only real option. Not only was it the most accessible, which was really important as I was seven months pregnant at the time and didn’t have the energy to do much else and flying out of the country in order to get married wasn’t really an option, it also allowed us to have all of our friends and family take part in our wedding. We had people from Israel and Brazil attend our truly international wedding ceremony, in a time that was relatively convenient to all, despite the time difference. Had we chosen any other option, we couldn’t have all of our loved ones be with us and share these moments, so it was very special and meant a lot for us.“
What Can You Do to Help?
We have been advised that the public can help the cause of preserving Utah marriages, by expressing its importance to Utah state senators, who will soon convene to discuss this bill.
Feel free to send a respectful email to the following senators, explaining your position about the remote-marriage option, as an international couple in Israel:
| Sen. Todd Weiler | tweiler@le.utah.gov |
| Sen. Heidi Balderree | hbalderree@le.utah.gov |
| Sen. Brady Brammer | bbrammer@le.utah.gov |
| Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore | kcullimore@le.utah.gov |
| Sen. Luz Escamilla | lescamilla@le.utah.gov |
| Sen. Lincoln Fillmore | lfillmore@le.utah.gov |
| Sen. Michael K. McKell | mmckell@le.utah.gov |
| Sen. Calvin R. Musselman | cmusselman@le.utah.gov |
| Sen. Stephanie Pitcher | spitcher@le.utah.gov |
Suggested email text:
Dear Senator [last name],
I am writing to express my concern about the proposed restrictions on remote-appearance marriages in Utah in bill SB0257. I live in Israel and am a part of an international, interfaith relationship. For our community, not only can we not legally marry in Israel as interfaith/LGBT+ couples, but our life and rights in Israel also depend on our marital status from an immigration standpoint. Utah’s remote weddings are recognized in Israel, and are the most accessible way for people like us to legally marry. Restricting this option would make it very difficult and sometimes impossible for couples like us to formalize our marriage. I respectfully ask you to preserve the ability for couples worldwide to marry remotely in Utah.
Conclusion
Preserving the option of fully remote marriages is not merely a bureaucratic issue. For many couples, it is about equality, family unity, and the fundamental right to marry.
AIC will continue to follow developments closely and keep the community informed as the situation evolves. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified!
AIC fights for the rights of international couples with tireless advocacy – even across the Atlantic. Support our nonprofit work and help us continue making a difference by becoming a monthly donor today!
