Witness Options For Your Wedding: How Many?

The number of witnesses you can have at your wedding depends on where you are getting married. In the UK, for example, you need at least two witnesses, but you may be able to have more than one signature on each line, so you could have up to four witnesses. In Australia, you are required to have a maximum of two witnesses. In the US, the number of witnesses you need depends on the state. For example, in Arizona, you need two witnesses, whereas in California, you only need one.

The role of a wedding witness

A wedding witness is a person who observes the wedding ceremony and signs the legal paperwork afterwards. Historically, witnesses ensured that the wedding was done legally, that neither party was forced into the marriage, and that the officiant carried out their job correctly. Today, witnesses perform the same role and are still a legal requirement.

The core role of a wedding witness is to witness the bride, groom, and officiant signing the wedding certificate. Once the couple and the officiant have signed, the witnesses must also sign to indicate that they have witnessed the wedding taking place. A witness can also have other roles, such as being a bridesmaid or usher. There is no law dictating who can and cannot be a witness, as long as they are an adult and understand what is happening. They don't even need to know the couple!

The witness's signature on the wedding paperwork serves as proof that the ceremony was legal and entered into without coercion. The witness is not there to testify that the couple is in love but to ensure the legality and propriety of the ceremony and the signing of the paperwork. While witnesses are typically adults, there is no restriction on the age of a witness as long as they understand what they are doing and why they are there. It is up to the officiant to decide whether the person is suitable.

In the UK, every wedding must have at least two witnesses, and there are only two signature spaces on the wedding register. However, if the couple wishes to have more than two witnesses, they may be allowed to have more than one signature on each line, depending on the discretion of the officiant and the venue. If more than two people are to be included in photos, they can pose next to the register, but they won't be able to sign it.

How many witnesses are required?

The number of witnesses required at a wedding varies depending on the location and type of ceremony. In the UK, the law requires every wedding to have a minimum of two witnesses who are not part of the marrying couple or the officiant. The wedding register has two signature spaces for witnesses, but some officiants may allow more than one signature per line, accommodating up to four witnesses. Unofficially, you can have more than two witnesses, but they won't be able to sign the register.

In the US, the number of witnesses needed depends on the state. Some states, like Arizona, Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, require two witnesses. Other states, like California, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, South Dakota, and Vermont, only require one witness. Notably, some states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, do not mandate any witnesses.

In Australia, the law mandates a maximum of two witnesses aged 18 or older to sign the marriage documents. However, other guests at the wedding are also considered witnesses to the marriage.

Who can be a witness?

The role of a wedding witness is to observe the wedding ceremony and sign the legal paperwork afterwards. Witnesses are required to ensure that the wedding is done legally, and that neither party is being forced into the marriage.

There are no limitations on who you can choose to be a witness at your wedding. The only requirement is that they need to understand what they are witnessing, and what a legal ceremony should look like. This means that they must be able to speak the language the ceremony is being conducted in, and be old enough to understand what weddings are and why they are important. While there is no minimum age, the officiant must be satisfied that they are mature enough, with some officiants preferring witnesses to be over 18. Witnesses do not need to bring ID to the wedding, nor do they need to know the couple getting married.

Any member of the wedding party can be a witness, including the best man, maid of honour, bridesmaids, ushers, or even the ring bearer, page boy or flower girl, as long as they are old enough. The parents of the bride or groom can also be witnesses, as can other family members such as aunts, uncles, grandparents or cousins.

If you are eloping, you could ask a member of staff at the wedding venue, someone who is at the venue for a different wedding, or even a passerby on the street to be your witness.

Can a stranger be a witness?

Wedding witnesses are required to observe the wedding ceremony and sign the paperwork afterward. The role of the witness is to ensure that the wedding is performed legally, that neither party is forced into the marriage, and that the officiant carries out their job correctly. While there is a requirement to have at least two witnesses, there is no limit on the number of people who can act as unofficial witnesses.

While it may seem odd to have a stranger witness your wedding, it is important to remember that the witness can sit off to the side and will not interrupt your big day. In fact, some couples find it to be a huge privilege to have strangers witness their wedding, as it can make the moment even more personal.

If you are considering asking a stranger to be a witness, rest assured that it is a simple process. Simply approach them and ask if they are willing to witness your wedding. You can also ask the officiant or registry office staff to help you find witnesses if needed.

Can parents be witnesses?

Wedding witnesses are a legal requirement. They observe the wedding ceremony and then sign the marriage certificate to indicate that they have witnessed the wedding taking place. Witnesses are also required to ensure that the wedding is done legally, that neither party is being forced into the marriage, and that the officiant is carrying out their job correctly.

In the UK, every wedding must have at least two witnesses, and there are only two signature spaces on the wedding register. However, if you would like to have more than two witnesses, some officiants may allow more than one signature on each line, or for people to be unofficial witnesses.

There are almost no limitations on who can be a wedding witness. The only rule is that they need to understand what they are witnessing, be able to speak the language the ceremony is being conducted in, and be old enough to understand what weddings are and why they are important. This means that parents of either the bride or the groom can be witnesses, although this may seem like a "conflict of interest". It is also common to have other family members as witnesses, such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents.

Frequently asked questions