Which Signature Do I Use on My Marriage Paperwork? A Celebrant’s Guide.

Are you wondering which signature you should be signing your marriage certificates with? The answer is simple; you sign your marriage paperwork with your current signature as it appears on your passport or driver's licence.

As a Gold Coast marriage celebrant, I get asked this exact question all the time by couples organising their weddings. You can only change your signature once you have changed your name which is a fairly arduous and lengthy process that can begin whenever you like once the marriage is registered.

For reference on the day, there are several pieces of paperwork you will be asked to sign. The first is the Declaration of No Impediment which is your statement that there is nothing stopping you from legally marrying, i.e you aren't still married, you aren't being bribed or coerced. We generally do this paperwork either at the rehearsal or on the day during the ceremony set-up and your getting ready time. I will come and see each of you separately to complete this piece of paperwork, check in and agree on any last-minute details or cues. Once that is signed by you both, and witnessed by me, we can do the ceremony.

As part of the ceremony there are three pieces of paperwork that we sign together with your two witnesses. There are two legal marriage certificates (I keep one and the other goes to Births, Deaths & Marriages), plus there is the commemorative certificate which you keep. For all of these pieces of paperwork you use and sign with your legal name as it appears on your identification. So your signature is the same signature you would have used to sign for your drivers licence, passport and the paperwork we completed together leading up to the ceremony. To learn more about the legal steps to get married in Australia click here.

For those looking to change your name post-wedding nuptials, did you know there are services out there to help you change your name with less hassle and stress? You can read more about what you need for changing your name after you are married here.

So, don't spend any more time worrying about what signature to use on your wedding day, it is as it was before the ceremony! There, that is one thing off the list of things to ask. Happy days!

Wedding Paperwork Know How