Civil and Non-Temple Weddings in Utah Valley (2026)

Weddings October 20, 2026 9 min read ✓ Updated October 20, 2026

JoAnn Giordano Editor-in-Chief, Provo.com How we make Provo.com

Not every Utah Valley wedding happens in a temple. Some couples are not Latter-day Saints. Some are mixed-faith. Some are members who choose a civil ceremony first so their whole family can watch, then a sealing later. And some just want a fifteen-minute ceremony at the county building on a Tuesday. All of these are ordinary here, and the legal side is simpler than most couples expect.

This page covers the ways to do it and the legal steps. For the license itself in detail, see our marriage license guide; for choosing a friend or professional to officiate, our civil officiants guide goes deep.

The legal minimum, in one paragraph

Get a Utah marriage license (Utah County's is digital, most couples pay $71.75, it is issued immediately and it expires 32 days later; there is no waiting period). Have an authorized officiant who is physically in Utah. Have two witnesses, each at least 18. Each of you declares your intent to marry, by a statement or an "I do." The officiant pronounces you married and, within 30 days, submits the details online. That is all the law requires, according to the Utah County Clerk and Utah Code 81-2-305. Everything else is taste.

Option 1: the Clerk's office ceremony

The simplest wedding in the county. The Utah County Clerk's office says its deputy clerks "provide simple wedding ceremonies," either in its office or by remote video.

What the Clerk lists, as of October 2026:

Fee: $35, ordered with your license or added later.
What you need: a Utah County digital marriage license (you'll be asked for its number when you schedule) and two witnesses at least 18 years old with ID.
The ceremony: a deputy clerk uses "a simple script" for "a legal and dignified marriage ceremony with an opportunity for you to share your own vows and an optional ring exchange."
When: by appointment during business hours, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; closed on federal holidays.
Remote option: the clerk hosts a Zoom call with you, your witnesses and any guests, who can be in different places. Everyone must be able to see and hear one another.
Where: the marriage license office is at 111 South University Avenue in Provo. Our Clerk's Office wedding guide covers the ceremony step by step, plus photos at the Historic Courthouse.

The remote warning. Utah law requires officiants to read a notice before any remote ceremony: "A marriage solemnized according to the laws of the State of Utah through online remote appearance may be invalid in the country where the parties to the marriage reside." If either of you lives outside the United States, check with your own country before choosing a remote ceremony.

If the Clerk's times do not work, the office notes that any authorized officiant physically present in Utah can perform the wedding instead.

Option 2: a venue ceremony

Many Utah Valley reception centers have a separate ceremony space or can turn one room from ceremony rows into reception tables. From the venues' own sites:

The Northampton House, American Fork: a 1903 meetinghouse turned event venue. Its "Monarch" room is the former chapel, described on its site as "our stained glass adorned chapel with a mahogany staircase. Perfect for wedding ceremonies." See our Northampton House profile.
Sleepy Ridge, Orem: a Garden Patio listed for ceremony seating of 150, with the indoor Sunset Room for the reception. See our Sleepy Ridge profile.
Wadley Farms, Lindon: offers a ceremony add-on at any of its buildings, and says it typically does not schedule outdoor ceremonies from October through March. See our Wadley Farms profile.
The Ivory Hall, downtown Provo: a single 4,000-square-foot hall that its site says can host "both your ceremony and reception," with ceremony arches included. See our Ivory Hall profile.

Our reception centers by city and wedding venues guide cover many more.

Option 3: outdoors in a public place

City amphitheaters and parks. The best-known is American Fork's stone amphitheater, which the city rents by reservation; our American Fork Amphitheater guide explains the booking window and the rules when the park is reserved. City and county pavilions elsewhere work the same way: a municipal reservation, a municipal price, and everything else (chairs, sound, restrooms, weather backup) is yours to arrange. Permit rules for canyons and parks are in elopements and small weddings.

The canyons. Provo Canyon and the resort at Sundance are common settings for small ceremonies and portraits; our wedding venues guide covers Sundance's event spaces, and our Provo Canyon and Sundance dining guide covers the area. For public land, check with whoever manages it before you plan anything bigger than a couple and two witnesses. Our photo locations guide notes that state parks charge entry and some city parks and gardens require a reservation or fee for formal shoots.

Whatever the setting, the officiant has to be physically in Utah, and the ceremony location on the officiant's submission has to match where the officiant stood.

Option 4: a meetinghouse, with a bishop officiating

For Latter-day Saint couples choosing civil marriage, or for a member marrying someone of another faith, the Church's own buildings and leaders are an option. The Church's General Handbook (section 38.3) sets the terms.

Who can officiate. "When permitted by local law," a currently serving mission president, stake president, district president, bishop or branch president may perform a civil marriage in their Church capacity. Conditions include:

"The bride or the groom is a member of the Church or has a baptismal date."
The officer is legally authorized in the jurisdiction (in Utah, as a person authorized by a religious denomination).
"These officers may only perform a civil marriage between a man and a woman."
"A Church officer or chaplain who performs civil marriages in a Church capacity may not accept fees."
"Civil marriages and related religious ceremonies should not be performed on the Sabbath."

Where. The handbook says a wedding "may be held in a Church building if it does not disrupt the schedule of regular Church functions," in "the chapel, the cultural hall, or another suitable room." It adds that "weddings should not be held on the Sabbath or on Monday evenings," that "receptions may not be held in the chapel unless it is a multipurpose area," and that "music should be sacred, reverent, and joyful." In "rare circumstances," a bishop may allow a Church building for a marriage performed by someone who is not a Church officer, after counseling with the stake president.

Ask your bishop early; the building schedule fills on Saturdays.

Option 5: another faith's sanctuary

Utah Valley has Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and other congregations, and many perform weddings for their members. Each sets its own requirements, from preparation courses to membership. Our newcomer's guide to the valley's faith communities lists them; call the congregation's office first.

Civil first, sealing later

This is a common choice in mixed families. The handbook says couples sealed in the temple must be "either (1) married civilly before being sealed" or married and sealed in the same ceremony, and it describes civil-first as a pattern that "may also be followed when a temple marriage could cause parents or immediate family members to feel excluded." The handbook gives no waiting period between the two. Sealing cancellations and clearances are explained in second marriages and blended families.

Practical consequences:

Two dates. The civil wedding uses the marriage license. At the sealing, the handbook says couples "do not need to bring a marriage license to the temple."
Rings. The handbook says couples married civilly first "may exchange rings at their civil ceremony, at their temple sealing, or at both ceremonies." A separate ring ceremony is usually unnecessary.
Vows. The civil ceremony includes them; that is often the point.

Our Just Engaged: The First 30 Days page covers making this decision early.

A short checklist

Pick the format: Clerk, venue, outdoors, meetinghouse or another sanctuary.
Book the place and the officiant.
Line up two adult witnesses with ID.
Apply for the license 10 to 15 days ahead (the Clerk's suggestion); finish a marriage education course first if you want the $20 discount.
Send the digital license to your officiant.
After the ceremony, confirm the officiant submitted it. The digital certificate arrives by email, and the Clerk mails a paper one within a few business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get married at the Utah County Clerk's office?

Yes. The Clerk's office offers simple ceremonies performed by a deputy clerk, in its office or by remote video, listed at $35 in October 2026. You need a Utah County digital marriage license and two witnesses at least 18 years old. Ceremonies are by appointment during business hours, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where is the Utah County marriage license office?

At 111 South University Avenue in Provo. The Clerk lists office hours of 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, closed on holidays and on Saturdays next to a Monday or Friday holiday. Most couples apply online and never visit.

Who can legally officiate a civil wedding in Utah?

Utah Code 81-2-305 lists them: anyone 18 or older authorized by a religious denomination (including online ordination), a Native American spiritual advisor, several state officers, mayors and county executives, judges and court commissioners, federal judges and magistrates, county clerks and their designees, Utah legislators, members of Congress from Utah, certain retired judges and military chaplains. A friend can also be designated by the County Clerk.

Can a bishop perform our civil wedding?

Often, yes. The Church's handbook says a currently serving bishop, stake president, branch president, district president or mission president may perform a civil marriage when local law permits, when the bride or groom is a member or has a baptismal date, and only between a man and a woman. Church officers may not accept fees, and the handbook says civil marriages should not be performed on the Sabbath.

Can we get married in an LDS meetinghouse?

A civil wedding can be held in a Church building if it does not disrupt regular Church functions, according to the Church's handbook. It may be in the chapel, cultural hall or another suitable room, but not on Sunday or Monday evenings, and receptions may not be in the chapel unless it is a multipurpose area. Ask your bishop.

How many witnesses do we need for a Utah wedding?

Two, each at least 18. The Utah County Clerk says the witnesses must observe both parties' declaration of intent and the officiant's pronouncement, and their names go into the officiant's online submission. They do not have to sign a paper certificate.

Is there a waiting period after getting a Utah marriage license?

No. The Utah County Clerk says there is no waiting period, so you can marry the same day the license is issued. The license must be used within 32 days. Utah has no residency or citizenship requirement for a license.

Can we have a civil wedding and then be sealed in the temple later?

Yes. The Church's handbook says couples being sealed must either be married civilly first or married and sealed in the same ceremony, and it describes civil marriage first as a pattern couples may follow when a temple-only wedding could leave parents or immediate family feeling excluded. The handbook names no waiting period between the two.

Sources

The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.

Apply for a License, Utah County Clerk. Checked October 20, 2026.
Clerk's Office Ceremonies, Utah County Clerk. Checked October 20, 2026.
Officiant Responsibilities, Utah County Clerk. Checked October 20, 2026.
Become an Officiant, Utah County Clerk. Checked October 20, 2026.
Marriage License: Contact, Utah County Clerk. Checked October 20, 2026.
Utah County Marriage License (process), Utah County Clerk. Checked October 20, 2026.
Utah Code 81-2-305, Who may solemnize marriages -- Certificate (effective 11/6/2025), Utah State Legislature. Checked October 20, 2026.
General Handbook, 38: Church Policies and Guidelines (38.3 Marriage), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 20, 2026.
General Handbook, 27: Temple Ordinances for the Living (27.3 Sealing of Husband and Wife), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 20, 2026.
Pricing / Venues, Northampton House. Checked October 20, 2026.
Sleepy Ridge Weddings: Sunset Room, Sleepy Ridge Weddings. Checked October 20, 2026.
Wadley Farms: FAQs, Wadley Farms. Checked October 20, 2026.
The Ivory Hall: Home, The Ivory Hall. Checked October 20, 2026.

JoAnn Giordano

Editor-in-Chief

JoAnn Giordano is the editor-in-chief of Provo.com. Having lived in and around Utah Valley for years, she leads the site's editorial direction with a focus on the comprehensive, honest local coverage that helps residents, students, and newcomers feel at home. When she's not shaping Provo.com's restaurant and neighborhood coverage, she's exploring the valley's trails and tracking down the best new spots on Center Street.

Civil and Non-Temple Weddings in Utah Valley: The Clerk's Ceremony, the Venues, the Meetinghouse Option and the Law