Signing the license as part of the ceremony

Hmmmm...I don't know! Technically, you can't sign it before he pronounces you man and wife, so I guess it would be right at the very end? Maybe something about "so and so are honored to be witnesses to this union, and will now sign the marriage certificate." oh, and fyi, you will have already signed it when you pick it up before the wedding at the clerk's office.

We're doing it, but I don't know exactly when. I haven't seen our ceremony yet. Your officiant should have experience with it and can make some suggestions. Everyone will know that the people standing near you as you sign are the witnesses, so introducing them is up to you, maybe to fill the silence during the actual signing.

You could sign a "keepsake" certificate though...

Ah, okay I guess we can just do it after the ceremony, sometime. I always thought it was weird that people don't sign it during the ceremony, since that piece of paper is what counts, but it never occurred to me that you actually can't.

Yea, you have to sign it in the presence of the clerk, long before the wedding. They even make you recite a bunch of stuff at the time, and sign with your NEW name! Yay!

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Do you not have your license yet? I am assuming not...You might want to look into getting it soon. Sometimes it can take a while.

I was going to see if FH wants to go Friday to get our license. I thought they were only good for 30 days here, but when I was looking up the phone number last night I found that they're actually good for 60. Either way, we're only a month out now, so it shouldn't matter. Crap, I should probably, ya know, practice writing out FH's last name. I've never done it before...

My license has no signature line for us - weird eh? We just signed the application. Just the officiants oath that he married us (he signs) and a space for 2 witnesses (optional). I know in England we signed the license after the ceremony, they took us and the witnesses behind the altar in a small room to sign it.

Make sure you don't need an appointment, and that they are open on Saturdays! We had to take a day off and schedule it with them.

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Yes practice it! Go all 3rd grade on your notebook! LOL

FH has to work Saturday, so Friday it will be, and I was going to call and confirm what we needed to bring anyway, so I'll ask! Ug, but, I LIKE my real name! I only have a month left to use it! I don't WAAAAANNNNAAA practice!

I am thinking of doing the same thing. I plan to just put on the program, signing of the marriage license just like any other part of the ceremony, like a reading or a song. I plan to have the document on a lectern and make the signing part of the ceremony similar to lighting a unity candle.

I believe that in the Jewish faith, they include the something about the marriage contract (not license) as part of the ceremony.

I also think that you have fulfilled the legal obligation to be considered married at the point where you have spoken your vows, not after the pronouncement. Your officiant should know the rules on that and can guide you to the appropriate moment to sign the license.

Good luck! & Congratulations!

Regina

Wowjunkie - whatever ID you bring is how your name will be on the license. I took my DL, wish I wouldve brought my passport because my DL has a middle initial that I don't have (my maiden name - stupid DMV)

Sharon- I think it's state specific. Mine was my new name, and it was what I used to change my name. I did have to provide my old ID though, but it was by SSN.

In Nevada, it has to be exactly as it is on your ID--which is why I'm bringing my passport, so I can have all four of my names on it!

@Analy- didnt realize they were all different - that explains why it seems everyone else gets to sign their license and we don't, stupid Texas!!

Eh, at any rate I guess I'll have to get used to signing it soon enough, I guess. I know we agreed that I'd change my name if he changed his, but...I like my name, darn it! It makes me sad to think I won't be able to write it anymore after a month.

WowJunkie - are you both hyphenating? Not changing mine because it's just too much trouble! Lol. Sooo romantic eh?

We aren't hyphenating, we're both taking my maiden name as an extra middle name and his last as our last name. The kids are also getting this combination. And yes, someone has already told me I'll change my mind. I told her I wouldn't, because, uh, IT'S MY NAME! Am I the only one who totally got that part of the Crucible?! Seriously.

I have my mom's surname as my second middle name, and so do my two younger sisters. (She doesn't have my dad's name at all.)

And see, Cabell turned out well adjusted and normal! Although, we can't speak for your Toe Dysmorphic Sister...

I think that's a cool idea - my bf's hubby took her name legally. You'd be amazed at how the social security office and DMV has no clue how to handle that - they even said he couldn't at first! She starting talking about discrimination and they did it.