Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official bill document posted by the Utah Legislature, fetched 2026-08-23. Where this bill amends existing law, language marked for deletion in the official document appears here in brackets. This is the enrolled version. The official bill page.
Marriage Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Todd Weiler House Sponsor: Karianne Lisonbee LONG TITLE General Description: This bill modifies provisions relating to the validity of a marriage. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: provides that a marriage that is not properly solemnized is valid only if an individual files a petition for a court to legally recognize the marriage before May 5, 2027. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 81-2-408, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 366 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 81-2-408 is amended to read: 81-2-408. Validity of marriage not solemnized or solemnized before an unauthorized individual. [(1) A marriage that is not solemnized according to this chapter is legal and valid if a court or administrative order establishes that the marriage arises out of a contract between two individuals who:] [(a) are of legal age and capable of giving consent;] [(b) are legally capable of entering a solemnized marriage under the provisions of this chapter;] [(c) have cohabited;] [(d) mutually assume marital rights, duties, and obligations; and] [(e) who hold themselves out as and have acquired a uniform and general reputation as spouses.] (1) Before May 5, 2027, an individual may file a petition with a court to validate and make legal a marriage that is not solemnized in accordance with this chapter. (2) On a filing of a petition described in Subsection (1), the court may enter an order validating and making legal a marriage that is not solemnized in accordance with this chapter if the court establishes that the marriage arises out of a contract between two individuals: (a) of legal age and capable of giving consent; (b) legally capable of entering a solemnized marriage under the provisions of this chapter; (c) who have cohabited; (d) who mutually assume marital rights, duties, and obligations; and (e) who hold themselves out as and have acquired a uniform and general reputation as spouses. [(2)] (3) (a) [A petition for an unsolemnized marriage shall be filed] An individual may only file the petition described in Subsection (1) during the relationship described in Subsection [(1)] (2), or within one year following the termination of that relationship. (b) Evidence of a marriage recognizable under this section may be: (i) manifested in any form; and (ii) proved under the same general rules of evidence as facts in other cases. (4) On and after May 5, 2027, an individual may not file a petition described in Subsection (1). [(3)] (5) (a) A marriage solemnized before an individual professing to have authority to perform marriages may not be invalidated for lack of authority if consummated in the belief of the parties or either party that the person had authority and that the parties have been lawfully married. (b) Except as otherwise explicitly provided by law, Subsection [(3)(a)] (5)(a) may not be construed to validate a marriage that: (i) is prohibited or void under Section 81-2-403; or (ii) fails to meet the requirements of Section 81-2-302, as validated by a court with jurisdiction. Section 2. Effective Date. This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026. 3-6-26 9:54 AM
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.