· Legal · 6 min read
Is Virtual Marriage Legit? Your Complete Legal Guide
Discover the truth about virtual weddings - from Zoom ceremonies to the myth of free online marriages. Learn how Vowed and Clear makes online weddings legally binding and recognized in all 50 states.
Virtual weddings have moved from science fiction into reality. During the pandemic, many couples held their ceremonies online – and today “Zoom weddings” are increasingly common[1]. So, is a virtual marriage really legit? The short answer is yes, as long as it follows state law.
Vowed and Clear guides couples through every legal requirement, and our team confirms that an online ceremony performed through our service creates a 100% legal marriage that is recognized in all 50 states. Thanks to the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution, a marriage legally performed in one state must be recognized by all other states[2]. In fact, our services are fully inclusive of all couples, so any pair can access a legal online wedding[2][3]. With the right paperwork and officiant, a Zoom wedding through Vowed and Clear is just as valid as an in-person one—and recognized nationwide.
Zoom Weddings and Legal Ceremonies
A Zoom wedding simply means you use video conferencing (like Zoom, Google Meet, or similar) for your ceremony. While marriage laws vary significantly from state to state—some requiring in-person ceremonies, others limiting who can officiate—Utah explicitly permits marriages over video as long as the officiant and both partners can see and hear each other[4]. This is why Utah has become the go-to state for legal online marriages.
Vowed and Clear operates exclusively from Utah, where online weddings are fully legal and enforceable. Here’s the key point: your Utah online marriage through Vowed and Clear is 100% legally recognized in all 50 states—no strings attached. Thanks to the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution, a marriage legally performed in Utah must be recognized by every other state. This means you can live anywhere in America and your online wedding will be just as valid as any traditional ceremony.
Our Utah-licensed officiants will walk you through the required vows and license presentation during the video ceremony[6][7]. After the ceremony, we file your signed license for you, just like a traditional wedding, so your marriage becomes official and recognized across the entire United States.
The Myth of “Free” Online Weddings
You may have heard of people claiming to “get married online for free,” but in reality there’s no free lunch here. Any legally recognized wedding – even a virtual one – involves costs (officiants, filing fees, etc.). One wedding planner bluntly calls it a myth: “Getting married online for free is a myth,” since the legal work is still required[8].
Without paying for those essentials, a so-called “free” ceremony often skips critical steps – like filing your license or using a valid officiant – which means no state will recognize the marriage. In short, if someone married you online at no cost, it was probably a symbolic ceremony or officiated by someone unlicensed. States will not honor unions performed by unvetted officiants[10]. Our team ensures every officiant meets Utah’s strict standards[10] so that your wedding is 100% legally binding and valid in all 50 states.
Why You Can’t Legally Marry Over the Phone
A phone call alone isn’t a legal wedding. Every state requires an officiant to see and hear both partners say their vows in real time[11]. The big rule is that a voice call (audio only) just doesn’t meet these requirements. In fact, officiants and legal experts confirm that “a wedding ceremony performed over the phone doesn’t meet the legal requirements to marry in any state” because visual confirmation is needed[11].
(This is why Utah and other states emphasize video, not audio, for remote weddings.) In other words, marrying “by phone” is a dead end today. Video is the workaround: a Zoom or FaceTime wedding lets the officiant actually witness your “I do’s.” Our ceremonies use those video platforms so that every person – including the officiant and any required witnesses – can see and hear each other clearly.
How Our Service Makes It Official (Witnesses Included)
We handle all the details so your virtual wedding is truly official—and recognized across all 50 states. Every Vowed and Clear officiant is fully licensed in Utah[7].
We also ensure you meet Utah’s witness requirements. Utah requires two witnesses at the ceremony, which is another reason you can’t get a valid wedding for free (witnesses need to see you too). We’ll coordinate those witnesses – they can attend virtually – so everything is done by the book[12].
In short, we give you exactly what a traditional wedding gives you: a Utah-licensed minister, official vows, witnesses signing the license, and prompt filing with Utah county offices. Then you’ll receive your government-issued Utah marriage certificate by mail, just as with any other wedding[13]. This Utah certificate is 100% valid and recognized in all 50 states, whether you’re filing taxes in Texas, changing your name in New York, or applying for spousal benefits in California—no questions asked.
Already Had a Symbolic Ceremony? We Can Make It Legal
If you’ve already done a symbolic Zoom ceremony and want the real thing, we can help with that too. As Vowed and Clear notes, many couples come to us after a non-binding ceremony. “As long as you have a valid marriage license, we can formalize your union with a fully legal ceremony,” the site says[14].
In other words, even if you had a “free” wedding that wasn’t filed, we can perform the legal ceremony afterward. All you need is the paperwork, and we’ll handle the rest—creating a marriage that’s legally valid across the entire United States.
As always, our goal is to make online weddings accessible for everyone. We work with couples of any orientation or background, and we follow the same legal process for all[3].
Ready to Make It Official in All 50 States?
Ready to make it official? Check our Pricing page for details on the ceremony cost and Utah filing fees[9]. There are no hidden charges – just the flat ceremony fee plus the Utah filing fee[9].
Our Pricing page also lists everything included (officiant, 30‑min ceremony, video recording, digital certificate, etc.)[6]. Once you’re ready, you can pay and book directly through that route. We even offer a satisfaction guarantee on our service[15].
In the end, a properly handled virtual wedding through Vowed and Clear is a real marriage—legally binding and recognized in all 50 states. Vowed and Clear is here to guide you through the process (witnesses included!), so your Zoom wedding will stand up anywhere in America, just like any other[16][13].
Sources: Legal experts and wedding providers confirm the above facts[11][8][2][16][9][6].
[1] [4] [11] Can You Get Married Over The Phone? (Plus a Look at Other Remote Wedding Options) | AMM Blog
[2] [3] [5] [7] [10] [12] [13] [14] [16] Legal Requirements for Online Marriages: What You Need to Know — Vowed and Clear
https://vowedandclear.com/resources/legal-requirements-online-marriage/
[6] [9] [15] Wedding Ceremony Pricing — Vowed and Clear
https://vowedandclear.com/pricing/
[8] Getting Married Online, Free (Is a Myth) | Easy Wedding Online
https://easyweddingonline.com/blog/getting-married-online-free-is-a-myth
