Yes, the marriage certificate can be used as evidence in a spouse visa application. It will be an official marriage certificate (same as if you went to a local courthouse). Note that it does not say that the ceremony was performed online.
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While remote appearance ceremonies that are hosted by an officiant on VirtualMarriage are legal according to U.S. law, how they are accepted by immigration officials is constantly changing. That’s why we recommend that you speak with an immigration attorney if applicable. Read on to learn more about some of the requirements of applying for a spousal visa after your online marriage.
United States
With VirtualMarriage, you'll receive a valid U.S. marriage certificate through Utah County. The U.S. immigration law generally recognizes virtual weddings, as long as they do not violate any federal or state laws. We work with Utah County, and we follow their protocol to ensure your Marriage Certificate is valid.
Some U.S. attorneys also say that the couple must "consummate" the virtual marriage afterward, meaning they need to be together in the same physical place at some point after the virtual marriage and before applying for the visa. This is usually proven by providing documentation such as photos together, plane tickets, and hotel reservations.
If you are seeking a U.S. immigration lawyer, you may wish to reach out to our immigration partner Boundless. You may also reach them via email at help@boundless.com.
Canada
In Canada, a marriage that is performed legally overseas is usually recognized in Canada as valid. You do not need an apostille or to register it in Canada. You may read more about this on the Canadian government's website.
However, if you are getting married and plan to apply for a Spousal Visa, you should know that the IRCC does not recognize online marriage as valid, unless you meet certain requirements.
You may be exempt from this rule if:
Your application was received before June 10, 2015, or
You are a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. The marriage may be recognized if:
You could not be physically present at your marriage ceremony, because of travel restrictions related to your service,
the marriage took place outside of Canada, and
It was registered in a country where marriage by proxy is legal.
You can read more about the requirements on their website.
Disclaimer: VirtualMarriage cannot and does not provide legal advice in the areas of international marriage law or immigration. Please contact the officials in your jurisdiction or an immigration or family law attorney to determine the legal status of your remote appearance wedding and any additional steps or documents you may need for recognition.