Can you put your new married signature on the marriage register and certificate?

chanelbaby · Jun 15th, 2008, 12:24 PM

My old signature includes my maiden surname, I really want to put my new married signature on the register and marriage certificate, does anyone know if this is legal to do in the State of Alabama and Mississippi?

I haven't decided where I am going to get married yet, but any legal advice on this issue would be greatly welcomed.

amanda · Jun 15th, 2008, 12:29 PM

I can't say this for certain, but I'd say that since you're not married yet and you haven't legally changed your name, you need to sign your marriage license with your legal name at the time of signing.

And if by register, you mean your registry for gifts at a store, I doubt that matters at all what name you sign with since it's not a government document. If a marriage register is some kind of legal document that I've never heard of, sign your legal name at time of signing, which is your maiden name.

You'll have plenty of time to sign your married name after you get married. Don't get all stressed over it.

LadyLinda · Jun 15th, 2008, 05:28 PM

Can't speak for Alabama or Mississippi, but I'm pretty sure certificates of marriage registration aren't signed by the parties, they're signed by the city or county clerk to verify that the marriage is recorded. The document submitted by the officiant, stating that they married the parties, is signed by each person before the wedding, and filed by the officiant after. For that document, I signed my maiden name, because that was my legal name at the time I consented to marry.

For a definitive answer, call the City Clerk of the city issuing your marriage license. They'll be able to answer your question, and glad to do so, I would think.

illinirdhd · Jun 15th, 2008, 08:02 PM

We had to sign ours when we got the license, but I don't think we signed it when we actually got married - I believe only the minister and the 2 witnesses signed on our wedding day...

I don't think you can legally sign your new name until your name has been legally changed. Your marriage license/certificate/etc does not change your name. You have to do that at Social Security. When I applied for my new Social Security card was the first time I signed my married name. I waited a couple of months though - for some reason, I had never practiced signing it, so I didn't change it right away! I realized that right after the wedding when DH asked me to sign the credit card receipt for him at the grocery store! In the end, my maiden name and my married name are the same # of letters, and my signature is fairly jumbled, so I changed my name, but use the same signature.

VPT · Jun 15th, 2008, 09:52 PM

Technically it wouldn't be right to use your married surname but if you insist and your sig looks like an undecipherable mess of swiggles then go for it.

chanelbaby · Jun 16th, 2008, 04:37 PM

I didn't know that once you are married you still had to change your name!

ilovepinkhearts · Jun 16th, 2008, 04:41 PM

yup, you have to go to the social security office and get a new card with your married name on it...you will need your marriage license. you always will have to change it on your DL and your passport.

illinirdhd · Jun 16th, 2008, 07:09 PM

I've changed my Social Security card, but not my driver's license yet. The reason I haven't changed my DL is that Hubby and I are planning to go to Mexico soon, and I don't know how long it will take to get my passport changed. So I figured I'd wait til we get home. I figure my DL and passport should match.

cristalena56 · Jun 16th, 2008, 07:12 PM

i just finally changed my name on my license on monday haha

and we got married on 02/19/05, whoops haha

Jun 15th, 2008, 12:24 PM	#1
chanelbaby Member Location: Alabama and London	Can you put your new married signature on the marriage register and certificate? My old signature includes my maiden surname, I really want to put my new married signature on the register and marriage certificate, does anyone know if this is legal to do in the State of Alabama and Mississippi? I haven't decided where I am going to get married yet, but any legal advice on this issue would be greatly welcomed. __________________ My 11 babies: 92? black vintage lambskin jumbo 02 Pink Olsen 05 Pink Valentine Chain 05 Red Valentine Chain 05 black lambskin mini classic 06 M White/Black Cambon Tote 06 Denim Cabas 06 Fabric patchwork flap 07 Perforated Union Jack flap 07 Dark Grey EW MC 07 Red EW with bijou chain

Jun 15th, 2008, 12:29 PM	#2
amanda I Bleed Georgia Red Location: Athens, GA	I can't say this for certain, but I'd say that since you're not married yet and you haven't legally changed your name, you need to sign your marriage license with your legal name at the time of signing. And if by register, you mean your registry for gifts at a store, I doubt that matters at all what name you sign with since it's not a government document. If a marriage register is some kind of legal document that I've never heard of, sign your legal name at time of signing, which is your maiden name. You'll have plenty of time to sign your married name after you get married. Don't get all stressed over it. __________________ PROUD TO BE A UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BULLDOG! Read my blog: http://graduationday.wordpress.com

Jun 15th, 2008, 08:02 PM	#4
illinirdhd Sofa King Hooked Location: Las Vegas, NV	We had to sign ours when we got the license, but I don't think we signed it when we actually got married - I believe only the minister and the 2 witnesses signed on our wedding day... I don't think you can legally sign your new name until your name has been legally changed. Your marriage license/certificate/etc does not change your name. You have to do that at Social Security. When I applied for my new Social Security card was the first time I signed my married name. I waited a couple of months though - for some reason, I had never practiced signing it, so I didn't change it right away! I realized that right after the wedding when DH asked me to sign the credit card receipt for him at the grocery store! In the end, my maiden name and my married name are the same # of letters, and my signature is fairly jumbled, so I changed my name, but use the same signature. __________________

Jun 15th, 2008, 09:52 PM	#5
VPT i ♥ blood oranges Location: Singapore / Vancouver	Technically it wouldn't be right to use your married surname but if you insist and your sig looks like an undecipherable mess of swiggles then go for it. __________________

Jun 16th, 2008, 04:37 PM	#6
chanelbaby Member Location: Alabama and London	I didn't know that once you are married you still had to change your name! __________________ My 11 babies: 92? black vintage lambskin jumbo 02 Pink Olsen 05 Pink Valentine Chain 05 Red Valentine Chain 05 black lambskin mini classic 06 M White/Black Cambon Tote 06 Denim Cabas 06 Fabric patchwork flap 07 Perforated Union Jack flap 07 Dark Grey EW MC 07 Red EW with bijou chain

Jun 15th, 2008, 05:28 PM	#3
LadyLinda Member Location: Philadelphia	Can't speak for Alabama or Mississippi, but I'm pretty sure certificates of marriage registration aren't signed by the parties, they're signed by the city or county clerk to verify that the marriage is recorded. The document submitted by the officiant, stating that they married the parties, is signed by each person before the wedding, and filed by the officiant after. For that document, I signed my maiden name, because that was my legal name at the time I consented to marry. For a definitive answer, call the City Clerk of the city issuing your marriage license. They'll be able to answer your question, and glad to do so, I would think.

Jun 16th, 2008, 04:41 PM	#7
ilovepinkhearts hi, i'm danielle Location: Texas	yup, you have to go to the social security office and get a new card with your married name on it...you will need your marriage license. you always will have to change it on your DL and your passport. __________________

Jun 16th, 2008, 07:09 PM	#8
illinirdhd Sofa King Hooked Location: Las Vegas, NV	I've changed my Social Security card, but not my driver's license yet. The reason I haven't changed my DL is that Hubby and I are planning to go to Mexico soon, and I don't know how long it will take to get my passport changed. So I figured I'd wait til we get home. I figure my DL and passport should match. __________________

Jun 16th, 2008, 07:12 PM	#9
cristalena56 ~bethy-lame-o~ Location: phoenix,az	i just finally changed my name on my license on monday haha and we got married on 02/19/05, whoops haha __________________ "A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, My CB Site MySpace But diamonds are a girl's best friend......" Wishlist My Little Collection