UtahPeople may ask courts to recognize qualifying marriages
People in a marriage that was not properly performed may ask a court to recognize it if they meet the requirements and file before May 5, 2027.
What it does
A person may ask a court to recognize a marriage that was not properly performed if both people meet the requirements and file during the relationship or within one year after it ends.
Argument forCouples who meet the requirements could ask a court to recognize their marriage even though it was not properly performed.
Argument againstThe filing cutoff could leave couples who miss the deadline without this court process for having their marriage recognized.
More detail
A person may ask a court to recognize a marriage that was not performed according to Utah law. The process applies to two people whose marriage was not performed according to Utah law. The court may grant the petition only if both people were of legal age and able to consent, were legally able to marry, lived together, shared marital rights and duties, and presented themselves as spouses with a consistent reputation as spouses. The law took effect May 6, 2026. A petition had to be filed before May 5, 2027; no petition may be filed on or after that date. It must be filed during the relationship or within one year after it ends.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 13Senate/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 13Senate/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 11Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 11Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 6Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 6Bill Received from Senate for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 5Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 4House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 4House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Mar 4House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Mar 4House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
- Feb 26House/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules [House Rules Committee]Minor
- Feb 25House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 25House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
- Feb 18House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact [House Rules Committee]
- Feb 18House/ committee report favorable [House Judiciary Committee]Minor
- Feb 18House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]Minor
- Feb 11House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]Minor
- Feb 6House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 5House/ received from SenateMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 5Senate/ to House
- Feb 5Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Feb 5Senate/ uncircled
- Feb 4Senate/ circled
- Feb 4Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 3Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 3Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Jan 27LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0110S02
- Jan 27LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0110S01
- Jan 26LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0110S02
- Jan 26Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Jan 26Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
- Jan 25LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0110S01
- Jan 23Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Minor
- Jan 23Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Major
- Jan 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0110S02
- Jan 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0110S02
- Jan 22LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0110S01
- Jan 22LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0110S01
- Jan 21Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 21LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0110
- Jan 20Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Minor
- Jan 20Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 19LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0110
- Jan 12Senate/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 8LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0110
- Jan 8LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0110
- Jan 8Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 8Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced