If you don't have a paper marriage certificate, you can still use an electronic version of the certificate, but with a number of restrictions. Here's how it works:

🩵 Once your marriage is registered, you can request an electronic copy of your marriage certificate (for example, through the Utah online service).
Within the United States, an electronic certificate may be sufficient for most administrative purposes, such as changing your name at a bank or applying for a visa.

🩵 For international recognition, you will need to order a paper copy of your marriage certificate and have it apostilled at the Utah Lieutenant General's office for the document to be recognized abroad.

🩵 In most cases, for international use (for example, for marriage recognition in Russia or other countries), only a paper marriage certificate with an apostille is required. An electronic marriage certificate will not be legally binding internationally, as it lacks a physical signature or seal.

Summary: An electronic version of the certificate may be useful for local needs, but for international recognition you will still need to obtain a paper copy and have it apostilled.

With us, you can always obtain any number of marriage certificates and apostilles – both immediately after your marriage and later!