How Courtly Works: A Simple Way to Get Legally Married Online

Courtly guides couples through the online marriage process, from starting the application to completing a remote ceremony and receiving the marriage certificate.

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Guided Process · Remote Ceremony · International and Same-Sex Couples Welcome

Same-sex couple celebrating their online wedding
Same-sex couples welcome
The direct answer

How does Courtly work?

Courtly helps couples complete a guided online marriage process. You start an application, prepare the required information, schedule a live video ceremony with a licensed officiant and witnesses, attend remotely, and receive your marriage certificate after filing. Optional services can include apostille, legalization, name-change support, or a spouse-visa consultation.

Couple participating in a guided online wedding ceremony
Courtly coordinates the journey from application to ceremony and certificate. It is not a law firm or government office.
Five clear stages

How the Courtly online marriage process works

Courtly keeps each requirement visible and helps you understand what comes next. Exact requirements and processing times may vary by situation.

  1. 01

    Start your online marriage application

    Share couple information, preferred timing, locations, document needs, and whether you may need apostille, legalization, or immigration-related support.

    Learn more →
  2. 02

    Prepare the required information and documents

    Prepare valid government-issued identification, personal details, prior-marriage records when applicable, and any information needed for your license or international use.

    License guide →
  3. 03

    Schedule your online wedding ceremony

    Choose an available live-video ceremony time. Courtly coordinates the officiant and witness requirements, and partners can join from different locations.

    Ceremony details →
  4. 04

    Attend your ceremony remotely

    Both partners join online while the officiant leads the ceremony and adult witnesses observe. Keep it simple and private, then celebrate later however you choose.

    Destination planning →
  5. 05

    Receive your marriage certificate

    After the ceremony is filed, certificate processing begins. Certified copies, apostille, legalization, mailing, and name-change support may involve additional steps and time.

    Certificate guide →
Legal context

Is Courtly’s online marriage process legal?

Online marriage can be legal when the license, officiant, witnesses, and ceremony meet the issuing jurisdiction’s rules. Courtly’s process centers on remote ceremonies led by Utah-licensed officiants, with participants able to see and hear one another and two adult witnesses observing.

Recognition can vary by country, agency, immigration situation, and intended document use. In most cases, online marriage is accepted in the destination country, but couples should review their specific requirements before relying on a particular outcome.

What Courtly helps with

A coordinated service can reduce uncertainty while keeping responsibilities, optional services, and next steps easy to understand.

Courtly helps with
Why it matters
Application guidance
Helps reduce confusion and avoid preventable information errors.
Scheduling, ceremony, and officiant coordination
Keeps the remote ceremony connected to the issuing jurisdiction’s process.
Marriage certificate support
Clarifies what happens after filing and how official proof is delivered.
Optional apostille and legalization
May prepare an authentication certificate for certain international uses, subject to destination requirements.
Optional post-marriage support
Name-change tools and immigration attorney consultations can support later administrative questions.

How long does it take to get married with Courtly?

Timing depends on application and document readiness, scheduling availability, ceremony completion, certificate processing, and any optional document services. Urgent timelines may be possible when documents are ready, but processing times vary. Most couples get married in less than a week, but many couples can in less than 24 hours.

Prepare ~1 day

Application accuracy and document readiness

Schedule ~1 Day

Ceremony timing depends on availability

Process ~1 Week

Certificates and document services may take additional time

Read about time-sensitive online marriage →

Courtly vs. doing it yourself

Some couples are comfortable coordinating every step directly. Others prefer a guided service that connects application support, ceremony coordination, and optional document services.

Guided

Courtly

Best for couples who want a clear online path, ceremony coordination, and optional post-marriage document support.

Start with Courtly →
Self-directed

Do it yourself

Best for couples comfortable researching requirements, arranging each participant, and following up on documents independently.

Compare Courtly and direct filing →
Local

Traditional in person

Best for couples planning locally who can attend physical appointments and coordinate travel, venues, and office hours.

Review online marriage services →
Couple reviewing online marriage information together
Clarity at every stage

Why couples choose Courtly

  • Easier than navigating every step alone
  • Works across separate locations
  • International and same-sex couple friendly
  • Military and long-distance friendly
  • Optional document help after marriage
  • Clear path from application to certificate
Common questions

How Courtly works FAQs

Review the basics before starting. Requirements, recognition, pricing, and processing times may vary by couple and intended use.

Read all FAQs

How does Courtly work?

Courtly guides application steps, coordinates a remote ceremony, and supports the marriage certificate process after the ceremony is completed.

Is Courtly a legal marriage service?

Courtly helps couples complete a process that can result in a legal marriage when the issuing jurisdiction’s requirements are followed. Recognition can vary by use case.

Do both partners need to be in the same place or travel?

No. Partners can generally join the live video ceremony from separate locations, making the process useful for long-distance and international couples.

Do we receive a marriage certificate?

Yes, after the ceremony is completed and recorded, couples will receive a digital marriage certificate in less than 24 hours and a mailed certificate in about a week. Delivery, certified-copy, and document-service timelines may vary.

Can Courtly help with apostille or legalization?

Optional apostille and legalization support are available for couples preparing documents for international use. Destination-country requirements should be checked.

Can Courtly help with immigration-related needs?

Yes, Courtly offers affordable spouse visa consultations with an attorney.

Can same-sex couples use Courtly?

Yes. Courtly supports same-sex couples. Recognition outside the United States may vary by country. Most countries that allow same-sex marriage will recognize an online marriage with Courtly.

How long does the process take, and how much does it cost?

Timing depends on readiness, availability, filing, and optional document services. Pricing depends on the package and add-ons selected; visit the pricing page for current details.

Ready to start your online marriage?

Courtly helps couples move through the online marriage process with application guidance, ceremony coordination, certificate support, and optional document services. Start today or review current packages before you begin.

Read FAQs before starting →