POLITICS + GOVERNMENT

Utah’s online marriage licensing gets attention all over the world

Mar 29, 2023, 6:00 PM | Updated: Mar 30, 2023, 8:51 am

An online marriage licensing portal has grabbed the attention of Israel, where historically marriag...

An online marriage licensing portal has grabbed the attention of Israel, where historically marriage is controlled by the Rabbinate. (Photo credit: Getty images)

(Photo credit: Getty images)

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner made a simple policy change moving marriage licensing online, that had a ripple effect all over the world. 

She joined Boyd Matheson on Inside Sources to discuss how the change started in Utah County. 

Gardner said it all started when she joined the government with the intent to make aspects of life easier for citizens. 

“I was married four months before I took office. And my husband had to take a day off of work before our wedding. With three children in tow, we went down to the marriage license office. And filled out pieces of paper on clipboards with pencils,” she said. “And I just thought there’s gotta be a better way to do this.”

Then, in January 2020, Garder with the help of other teams launched an online marriage portal. Through the portal, partners can get legally married without help from a licensing office. 

“That’s really how this whole thing started. Let’s make the government easy to do business with,” Gardner told Matheson. 

Following the pandemic, the online portal began receiving requests not just from Utahns, but from all over the world. However, at the time the marriage licenses could only be used in Utah. 

“But then it occurred to me, if I’m performing the marriage and I’m sitting in Utah does that mean this marriage is valid,” Gardner questioned.

It was concluded that if judges allowed individuals to appear in court via zoom, then people should be allowed to be married via zoom. 

Marriage in Israel, and what’s next on Gardner’s agenda 

Not long after this decision, online marriage licensing got the attention of Israel. 

“In Israel, marriage is controlled by the Rabbinate, which is basically the religious authority,” Gardner explains. 

Until the creation of the online marriage portal, in Israel up until now, civil marriage was not allowed. That includes those who are of different religions or those who aren’t religious. 

“Israel Supreme Court found unanimously that marriages performed by Utah County via zoom are in fact valid in Israel,” said Gardner. 

Some other areas Gardner says we should look at, aside from marriage licenses, are making government overall more convenient for people. 

Currently, Gardner hopes to change the process of some health services. 

“See how many of these services can we let people sign up for remotely. So a single mom isn’t taking time off work to get a birth certificate to register her daughter for kindergarten,” she said to Matheson. 

Inside Sources with Boyd Matheson can be heard weekdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app. 

Related reading: Church reacts to Biden signing Respect for Marriage Act into law

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Politics + Government

none of the above voters dislike both president biden, pictured left, and former president trump, p...

Simone Seikaly

There’s probably more “none of the above” voters than we know

A 'none of the above' voter doesn't like any of the candidates running for the U.S. presidency. Right now 20% of U.S. voters feel this way.

12 hours ago

Former US President and current GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump...

MICHAEL R. SISAK, Associated Press

Trump’s lawyers say it is impossible for him to post bond covering $454 million civil fraud judgment

Trump's lawyers said “obtaining an appeal bond in the full amount” of the judgment “is not possible under the circumstances presented."

12 hours ago

us capitol shown, government shutdown deadline approaching...

Lauren Fox, Clare Foran and Manu Raju, CNN

Border policy a key sticking point in Congress with shutdown deadline just days away

While government operations would halt if funding is not approved in time, the damage would be minimal if a shutdown is relegated to the weekend.

13 hours ago

supreme court shown, social media decision...

MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press

Supreme Court seems favorable to Biden administration over efforts to combat social media posts

The case Monday was among several the court is considering that affect social media companies in the context of free speech.

13 hours ago

Sen Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, speaks during a Senate Business and Labor Committee meeting at the Cap...

Dan Bammes

Utahn who’s served 24 years in the legislature, is stepping down

Bramble will serve through Dec. 31, 2024, said the deputy chief of staff for the Utah Senate. He will not run for re-election.

13 hours ago

FILE - The TikTok app logo appears in Tokyo, on Sept. 28, 2020. US lawmakers are concerned about Be...

Laura He, CNN

Analysis: Is TikTok really Chinese?

U.S. lawmakers say they worry TikTok could share data with the Chinese government, what is the evidence that supports these concerns?

18 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Utah’s online marriage licensing gets attention all over the world