Getting Married Remotely: A French-Philippine Couple's Guide to a Utah Online Wedding and Moving to France

In an increasingly connected world, love doesn't always wait for borders to open or travel plans to align. For a French national and his Filipino fiancée separated by thousands of miles, a remote wedding offers a practical and legally sound way to tie the knot. Services like

Freedom Marriages specialize in facilitating fully virtual ceremonies under Utah law, one of the few places worldwide that allows couples to marry online without being physically present in the state.

As of early 2026, Utah continues to support virtual marriages, though proposed legislative changes could introduce limits in the future (always check the latest from Utah County Clerk or services like Freedom Marriages). This approach has helped countless international couples formalize their relationships. Here's a complete, up-to-date guide on how to make it work, ensure recognition in France, and unlock the path for the Filipino partner to relocate.

1. The Utah Online Wedding Process: Step-by-Step

Utah stands out because it has no residency or citizenship requirements for marriage licenses, and the entire process—from application to ceremony—can be handled digitally. The key is that the officiant must be physically in Utah during the video ceremony, making the marriage legally occur in the state.

Freedom Marriages streamlines this for international couples, handling coordination, providing a licensed Utah officiant, and assisting with paperwork. Packages typically cost €300–€500 (plus the Utah license fee of around $50–$70), depending on extras like apostille help.

Required Documents

• Valid government-issued photo ID for both (e.g., passports showing full name and date of birth in English).

• Proof of age (18+; birth certificates if requested).

• Proof of single status: A notarized affidavit or certificate of no impediment (for the Filipino partner, this might come from Philippine authorities; prior divorces require decrees or death certificates).

• Stable internet, webcam, and two witnesses (who can join remotely via video).

No blood tests, waiting periods, or in-person visits are needed.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Apply for the Marriage License — Use the official Utah County Clerk portal (utahcounty.gov). Both partners submit details online; the application is verified digitally (often within days). The license costs ~$50–$70 and is valid for 32 days.

2. Schedule the Virtual Ceremony — Book through Freedom Marriages or directly with a licensed Utah officiant. Choose a date within the license validity window.

3. Hold the Ceremony — Join via secure video call (e.g., Zoom). Exchange vows live—no proxies allowed. The officiant (in Utah) and two witnesses oversee it.

4. Finalize and Get Certified — The officiant returns the signed license digitally. Utah County records it and issues a marriage certificate (digital or mailed).

5. Add an Apostille for International Use — Request this from Utah authorities (~$10–$45 + shipping). It's essential for recognition abroad under the Hague Convention.

The whole process can wrap up in 1–4 weeks. For immigration or family purposes, some countries recommend meeting in person afterward to demonstrate an ongoing relationship.

2. Making the Marriage Official in France

France recognizes valid foreign marriages under international private law, and Utah virtual ceremonies are generally accepted as long as they're properly authenticated—especially since they're not true "proxy" marriages (both parties participate live).

Thousands of international couples have successfully used this route, and EU countries (including France) typically honor apostilled U.S. marriages for rights like free movement.

Key Steps for Recognition

1. Get the Apostille — Authenticate the Utah certificate via Utah's Lieutenant Governor's Office. This verifies it for France (a Hague member).

2. Translate if Needed — Have the apostilled certificate translated into French by a certified (sworn) translator.

3. Transcribe into French Records — The French spouse submits everything to the Service Central d'État Civil in Nantes (the central registry for overseas/French marriages). Include proof of French nationality. This officially records the marriage in France, issuing a French marriage certificate or updating the livret de famille.

   • Processing: 1–3 months.

   • Not mandatory but strongly recommended for full legal effects (e.g., visas, inheritance, name changes).

4. Potential Extra Checks — Confirm no issues like polygamy or lack of consent. If concerns arise, consult a French notary or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Once transcribed, the marriage is treated as fully valid in France—equivalent to one performed locally.

3. Unlocking the Benefits: Helping Your Filipino Spouse Move to France

Marrying a French national opens one of the smoothest immigration pathways in Europe. After transcription, the Filipino spouse qualifies as a conjoint de Français (spouse of a French national), bypassing stricter family reunification rules.

Visa and Residency Pathway

• Apply for the Long-Stay Spouse Visa (VLS-TS "Conjoint de Français") — Submit at the French consulate/embassy in the Philippines (or VFS Global center). It's free or low-cost.

  • Key documents: Apostilled/transcribed marriage certificate, proof of French spouse's nationality (passport/ID), evidence of relationship/community of life (photos, messages, joint plans), accommodation proof, and financial support (from the French spouse).

  • Processing: 1–3 months.

  • Allows entry and initial 1-year stay with work rights.

• Validate on Arrival — Within 3 months of arriving in France, validate the visa online and apply for a residence permit ("vie privée et familiale").

  • Leads to a multi-year card (renewable, up to 4 years), full work access, healthcare, and social benefits.

• Long-Term Options — After 3–5 years of marriage and residence, apply for a 10-year resident card or French citizenship (faster track for spouses; requires B1-level French and integration proof).

This spouse route is faster and less restrictive than standard visas—no 18-month sponsor residency wait, and it grants EU-wide rights to live/work in other member states.

Final Thoughts

A Utah online wedding through Freedom Marriages can be a loving, efficient solution for couples like this French-Philippine pair, turning distance into a shared milestone. Always double-check current rules (Utah laws evolve, and France may request specific proofs), and consider consulting professionals (e.g., Freedom Marriages for the wedding, a French immigration lawyer for the visa).

Love knows no borders, and with the right steps, neither do legal unions. If you're in a similar situation, start with the Utah license application, your future together might be just a video call away!