How to Complete a Marriage License

Marriage License vs. Marriage Certificate

If you're planning to officiate a wedding, one of your principal duties (aside from performing the ceremony, of course) will be to ensure the marriage license is correctly filled out. Before we jump into the details of how to sign a marriage license and complete the necessary paperwork, let’s quickly cover the difference between marriage licenses and marriage certificates. While they might sound similar, it’s important to understand the distinction.

Marriage License

A marriage license is a legal document issued by the government and can only be obtained by the couple. A minister cannot get this document for the couple. The marriage license acknowledges that a legal ceremony took place. After the wedding, the license is signed by both the couple and the officiant (minister) and needs to be returned to the government office that issued it for filing.

Marriage Certificate

A marriage certificate, on the other hand, usually has an artistic, polished appearance and includes much less information than a marriage license. This document is purely decorative, and is often used by couples to commemorate the special day of their wedding.

Below is a marriage certificate example:

Who Signs the Wedding Certificate and Marriage License?

As aforementioned, the officiant (minister) and couple must both sign the marriage license for it to be valid. The signatures confirm that the ceremony was conducted legally and with the couple's consent. The wedding certificate is typically a keepsake and not legally binding, but it may also be signed by the officiant as a symbolic gesture.

Giving a Marriage Certificate as a Gift

A quick side note: many of our ministers find that these certificates make for a wonderful gift to give to the couple after the ceremony. If you’d like to present the newlyweds with a marriage certificate, you can view the wide variety of styles and designs available in our online catalog.

How to Fill Out and Sign the Marriage License

Since filling out a marriage license can sometimes be confusing, we’ve crafted a sample version to help both ministers and couples become familiar with the process. The guide below is split into two parts: one for the couple and one for the minister.

Hover over each box for clarification on what must be included there. Consider taking some time to study this sample marriage license so that when you go to fill out the real thing, you’ll know what to expect. Scroll down to begin!

Couple's Section of the Marriage License

When the couple applies for a marriage license, this section will be filled out first. Both individuals will input some basic personal information, and the county auditor will usually sign here as well. Hover over the individual boxes to learn more.

What name do you sign on a marriage license? The couple should sign their legal names exactly as they appear on the marriage license application. This is critical to avoid any legal discrepancies.

COUNTY AUDITOR

COUNTY AUDITOR'S SIGNATURE

DATE RECEIVED (MM/DD/YYYY)

PERSON A:  BRIDE   GROOM    SPOUSE

LEGAL NAME BEFORE MARRIAGE (FIRST MIDDLE LAST

John James Smith

BIRTH NAME (IF DIFFERENT)

MALE FEMALE

CURRENT RESIDENCE(STREET, CITY)

123 Main St., Smallville

COUNTY OF RESIDENCE

Springfield

STATE OF RESIDENCE

Illinois

DATE OF BIRTH (MM/DD/YYYY)

12/31/1985

STATE OF BIRTH

California

MOTHER/PARENT BIRTH NAME

Sheryl

STATE OF BIRTH

California

FATHER/PARENT BIRTH NAME

Edward

STATE OF BIRTH

California

PERSON B:  BRIDE   GROOM    SPOUSE

LEGAL NAME BEFORE MARRIAGE (FIRST MIDDLE LAST

Jane Jennifer Doe

BIRTH NAME (IF DIFFERENT)

MALE FEMALE

CURRENT RESIDENCE (STREET, CITY)

123 Main St., Smallville

COUNTY OF RESIDENCE

Springfield

STATE OF RESIDENCE

Illinois

DATE OF BIRTH (MM/DD/YYYY)

06/31/1987

STATE OF BIRTH

Texas

MOTHER/PARENT BIRTH NAME

Alice

STATE OF BIRTH

Texas

FATHER/PARENT BIRTH NAME

Fred

STATE OF BIRTH

Texas

Officiant Portion of the Marriage License

The officiant section will be filled out after the ceremony has concluded. In addition to entering their personal details, the officiant must also make sure to sign the document using their legal name.

• What name should an officiant sign on a marriage license? Always sign the document using your full legal name (as printed on the license).
• Where does the officiant sign the marriage license? There is typically a designated section labeled “Officiant Signature,” along with space for their title and address.
• Where do witness signatures go? If the license asks for witness signatures, they will go here as well.

Note: For ministers in Hawaii, provide our address in the application instead of your home address.

OFFICIANT

I certify that the undersigned, by authority of license issued by the County noted above, did on this day join in lawful wedlock with their mutual consent in the presence of witnesses. In testimony whereof, witness our signature:

COUNTY OF CEREMONY

Springfield

DATE OF MARRIAGE (MM/DD/YYYY)

01/15/2017

DATE SIGNED (MM/DD/YYYY)

01/15/2017

RELIGIOUS CIVIL

IF RELIGIOUS, TYPE OF DENOMINATION

Non-denominational

OFFICIANT'S TITLE

Minister

OFFICIANT'S ADDRESS(STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE)

321 Plain St., Springfield, IL 123456

OFFICIANT'S DAY TIME PHONE

555-555-1234

OFFICIANT'S LEGAL NAME (PRINT)

Thomas Allen Smith

OFFICIANT'S SIGNATURE

Thomas Smith

WITNESS 1 SIGNATURE

Witness 1

WITNESS 2 SIGNATURE

Witness 2

PERSON A SIGNATURE

John James Smith

DATE SIGNED (MM/DD/YYYY)

01/15/2017

PERSON B SIGNATURE

Jane Jennifer Doe

DATE SIGNED (MM/DD/YYYY)

01/15/2017

What Is the Officiant Title on a Marriage License?

The marriage license will likely ask for the officiant to list a title in addition to basic information like their name, the couple's names, and the date. As a minister of the Universal Life Church, you may put either "Minister" or "Clergy" as your officiant title on the marriage license.

Returning the Marriage License

After the wedding license is signed by all parties – the couple, officiant, and witnesses – it must be returned to the issuing office. Be aware of the specific time requirements for returning the marriage license, as they vary by state. Some states allow several weeks, while others require it within a few days. Regardless, we recommend returning the marriage license sooner rather than later. To read up on the exact rules in your area, visit our wedding laws guide

Common Questions About Signing Marriage Documents & Completing the Marriage License

• Who signs the wedding certificate?

  Typically, the officiant, the couple, and sometimes witnesses.

• What is the officiant's role in signing the license?

  The officiant verifies that the ceremony was conducted legally and signs to affirm this.

• How do you sign a marriage license as an officiant?

  Use your legal name and official title as it appears in the section labeled for officiants.

• Can an online-ordained minister legally sign a marriage license?

  Yes, online-ordained ministers are legally empowered to solemnize marriage and can officiate weddings and sign marriage licenses. However, it’s crucial to check the rules for officiating in the state where the marriage is taking place to ensure you’re following all the required steps.

• How long is a marriage license valid?

  Marriage license validity varies by state, ranging from a few days to several months. Always check the expiration date of the license in your state so that the wedding occurs within the valid timeframe.

• What happens if there is an error on the marriage license?

  If there is an error on the marriage license, it’s critical to have it corrected before the ceremony. Contact the issuing office as soon as possible to resolve any discrepancies. Errors on the document can lead to legal complications when filing the completed license.

• Can someone else pick up the marriage license for the couple?

  Many states require both individuals in the couple to appear in person at the issuing office to apply for and pick up the marriage license. Some exceptions may exist, but additional documentation is typically required.