The Utah County Passports and Marriage Office is pictured in Provo, Utah. (Utah County Clerk's Office)
PROVO, Utah — Couples from around the world have been turning to the Utah County Clerk’s Office for virtual marriages since the beginning of the pandemic.
Utah County Clerk Auditor Josh Daniels said that every single day, he is able to watch people’s lives change for the better because of the county’s virtual marriage license offerings.
The clerk’s office can perform legitimate marriages over a video call through virtual marriage licenses. They are available to couples anywhere in the world for about $150.
“Every day there are stories of couples who are undergoing a variety of challenges and this is a miracle for them,” Daniels said.
An additional perk of this program is that it provides an opportunity for same-sex couples to marry even if it’s illegal in their home country.
“No surprise they’ll come to our community where our office is ready to serve them through that remote appearance.”
People from around the globe have used this service here in Utah.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if most countries on Earth are represented in those that have come through our office remotely.”
Daniels said the program has been valuable for so many people. Couples kept apart by war or impacted by emergencies were able to marry through the clerk’s office’s program.
In a TikTok, the Utah County Passports and Marriages Office showcased one couple, who used its services to get married after their wedding was delayed by the pandemic.
@utahmarriageclerk Meet Black and Annie! They were married in April, and we asked how they met! How did you and your partner meet? #ldr#marriage#fyp#utahcounty ♬ original sound – Utah County Marriage Licenses