Witness Signatures: Before Or After The Wedding Vows?

A wedding officiant cannot double as a witness for the purpose of signing a marriage license. The couple, the wedding officiant, and at least one or two witnesses are required to sign the marriage license, depending on the state. The witnesses must complete their required fields on the license and sign the document. Witnesses are required to ensure that the wedding was done legally, that neither party was forced into the marriage, and that the officiant carried out their job correctly. The witnesses must be at least 18 years old, though this varies by state, and they must be able to understand and witness the wedding ceremony.

Witness signature requirements

Witness signatures are required after a wedding to make the union legal. The number of witnesses needed varies depending on the location of the wedding. In the U.S., most states require one or two witnesses, while others, like Alabama, don't mandate any. In the UK, two witnesses are required by law, but some officiants may allow for more than two signatures.

There are no strict limitations on who can be a witness, but they must be able to understand and witness the wedding ceremony and sign their name. Typically, witnesses are members of the wedding party, such as the maid of honour, best man, bridesmaids, or groomsmen. However, it is not uncommon for parents, siblings, grandparents, or close friends to act as witnesses as well. In elopement ceremonies, the officiant's spouse or a stranger may be called upon to witness.

While there are no age restrictions on witnesses, they must be old enough to comprehend the significance of the ceremony. In most cases, witnesses must be at least 18 years old, but this may vary depending on the location and the officiant's discretion.

Witnesses are not required to be present when the couple applies for the marriage license, but they must be present at the wedding ceremony and sign the license afterward, along with the couple and the officiant.

Who can be a witness?

In most cases, a witness must be at least 18 years old, but this varies by state/country. For example, in the UK, there is no restriction on the age of a witness, and a teenager can be a witness as long as they clearly understand what they are doing and why they are there. It is up to the officiant to decide whether the person is a suitable witness or not. Some officiants prefer the witnesses to be over 18.

There are almost no limitations to who you can have as a wedding witness. The only rule is that they need to understand what they are witnessing, otherwise, their witnessing of the wedding would be meaningless. This means that while your witnesses do not have to be UK residents, they must at least be able to speak the language the ceremony is being conducted in. They must also be old enough to understand what weddings are and why they are important.

Anybody who understands what a marriage is and what a legal ceremony should look like is fit to be a witness, even if they are under 18. Any member of the wedding party can be a witness, too. This includes the best man, the maid of honour/chief bridesmaid, bridesmaids, ushers (groomsmen), the ring bearer, page boy or flower girl (if they’re old enough). The parents of either the bride or groom can be witnesses, too. This might seem like a ‘conflict of interest’, but the law doesn’t see it that way, so you’re free to choose from the parents of either the bride or groom. You are also allowed to pick any other family member, from uncles and aunts to grandparents and cousins.

You absolutely can grab a complete stranger to be your wedding witness—so long as they agree to witness your wedding, that is! This is very common at elopements (where the couple get married privately, with no guests). You could choose a random member of staff at the wedding venue, somebody who’s at the venue for a different wedding, or even ask someone who’s simply walking past in the street.

What do witnesses do?

The core role of a wedding witness is to observe the wedding ceremony and sign the marriage certificate or paperwork afterwards. Wedding witnesses are typically required to be present when the couple makes their declarations and exchanges vows, and to sign the official marriage paperwork to indicate that they have witnessed the wedding taking place.

In the UK, civil weddings and Church of England weddings legally require two witnesses to sign the marriage register. Witnesses can be anyone capable of writing a signature and understanding what they have signed, although some officiants prefer witnesses to be over 18. Witnesses do not need to bring ID to the wedding, and they don't need to know the couple, although they must be able to speak the language the ceremony is conducted in.

Witnesses might also have another role in the wedding party, such as best man, maid of honour, bridesmaid, usher, or even the parents of the couple.

When do witnesses sign?

The witnesses must sign the marriage license after the couple and the officiant have signed it. The witnesses must complete their required fields on the license and sign the document. Traditionally, this is done by the maid of honour and/or best man, but the couple can choose whoever they like. The witnesses must be at least 18 years old and should be able to understand and witness the wedding ceremony.

In the US, the marriage license is a required document that makes the marriage legal once signed by the couple, the officiant, and the witnesses. Most states require one or two witnesses, but this can vary, so it's important to check with the county clerk's office in the state where the wedding will take place.

The witnesses' signatures are important because they help to prevent fraud and ensure the authenticity of the document. The witnesses confirm that the couple has signed the agreement and provide evidence of the validity of the contract.

Where do witnesses sign?

The location of the signatures of the witnesses on a wedding certificate depends on the region and type of wedding ceremony. In most cases, witnesses sign the marriage license, which is a required document in the U.S. that makes the marriage legal. The witnesses must complete their designated fields on the license and sign the document.

Traditionally, the best man and maid of honour/matron of honour act as witnesses and sign the marriage license. However, the couple can choose anyone they want, such as parents, grandparents, siblings, or close friends. The witnesses must be at least 18 years old and should be able to understand the wedding ceremony.

In some states, like Alabama, witnesses are not required on the marriage license. On the other hand, some states require one witness, while others, like New Jersey, require two witnesses. It is important to check the specific requirements of the state and county where the wedding will take place.

After the ceremony, the officiant is responsible for returning the signed marriage license to the county clerk, either by mail or in person. The couple will then receive a marriage certificate, proclaiming them legally married.

Frequently asked questions