Expert Advice for How to Amend a Marriage Certificate

Make a mistake on your marriage certificate or license? You certainly wouldn't be the first, nor would you be the last! Navigating the ins and outs of legal documentation can be overwhelming. The good news: you can totally amend a marriage certificate or fix a mistake on your marriage license. It might require a few steps, but we're here to help with it all.

We talked to two officiants well versed in these documents, Tanya Pushkine of The Vow Whisperer and Rev. Laura Cannon of Ceremony Officiants™, about how to handle amendments to marriage licenses and marriage certificates. Plus, how to avoid having to amend marriage certificates in the first place. But first, make sure you know the difference between a marriage license versus marriage certificate. Then you can get started prepping for them and the rest of your wedding, which you can do all in one place and on-the-go with The Knot App.

In this article: What Can Stop You From Getting a Marriage License? | What Makes a Marriage License Invalid? | How to Correct a Marriage License | How to Amend a Marriage Certificate | How to Avoid Mistakes on a Marriage License

What Can Stop You From Getting a Marriage License?

A surefire way to not get your marriage license? Not having the proper documentation when you go to apply for one.

The requirements vary by jurisdiction; in some areas, both applicants need to apply in person at the courthouse while in other areas, only one person needs to go, explains Cannon. "Since it varies so much by location you always want to make sure to call the clerk of the court in the place where your marriage is taking place to find out what documentation you need to provide," she says.

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A marriage license can be denied if you don't meet certain legal requirements, which also vary depending on where you live. But they commonly include age restrictions (most places require you to be at least 18 years old), medical requirements and not being married to anyone else. Some places also have residency requirements.

What Makes a Marriage License Invalid?

An invalid marriage license can have legal, financial and personal implications. It means the marriage may be considered void, or at least voidable.You may lose legal protections, such as community property rights or the ability to file jointly on your taxes. You also might not qualify for spousal benefits, like health insurance coverage or pension rights.

A marriage license is invalid if it's not executed according to the laws of that state, says Cannon. That can include several procedural problems, which we break down below.

Incorrect Paperwork

Spelling mistakes, missing signatures, and wrong names (make sure it matches your ID and don't use a nickname) can all render a marriage license invalid. If you're planning to change your name and wondering if you sign your marriage license with your maiden name, the answer is yes. Your signature should be your legal name at present (not what your name might be in the future). And nothing can be scratched out, says Pushkine, or the license will be void. You also need to write it in black ink, she adds. Fraud can also be grounds for a nulled marriage license. Presenting falsified documents or fake ID, for example, is an obvious no-go.

Not Following Timing Rules

Many states have a waiting period from the time you obtain the license until the time it becomes valid, intended to give couples time to reconsider their decision, so you must get married after the waiting period ends. "You should never wait until the last minute to get a license since there are some states that require 48–72 hours," Cannon says. But the marriage license also expires in many places, she adds, which means you must also get married before it.

Improperly-Performed Marriage Ceremony

A license is usually tied to the county or state where it's issued, so tying the knot elsewhere can invalidate it. So can getting married by someone who doesn't have the legal authority to do so in that particular jurisdiction, according to Cannon. You can find an officiant in the location you need via The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Just filter by distance, religious affiliation, ceremony type and more.

How to Correct a Marriage License

Trust us, it's not uncommon to make a mistake on your marriage license. A few of the classics? Getting a license in the wrong jurisdiction, for one. "If you accidentally obtain a license where you live, instead of where the marriage is taking place, you will have to get an entirely new license," says Cannon.

Information errors, like not updating legal documents or bringing in the wrong or expired documents, are also common. So too is filling in incorrect details or making a spelling mistake on marriage license paperwork. If this happens to you, Pushkine recommends contacting the town clerk immediately to see how you can make adjustments. You can typically correct small details like name spellings, birth dates and addresses, but you can't make changes that would alter your spouse's identity, such changing their name entirely. In this event, you would need to reapply, which could cost another fee (you can view the marriage license cost by state here).

How to Amend a Marriage Certificate

If you do make a mistake on your marriage license, this could have implications for your marriage certificate, the document issued to you after your wedding. Whatever is written on the license is recorded on the marriage certificate, so an error like a misspelling will carry over. If the clerk notices the problem on the license when it's submitted, they'll reject it until the correction is made, which means that your marriage certificate could be delayed.

Unfortunately, making a correction to a marriage certificate is a little more complicated than amending a marriage license. Fixing a license before a wedding is usually simple, which will prevent any errors from carrying over to the certificate. But making an amendment to a marriage certificate after it's filed can be a whole process through the vital records office that often involves notarized affidavits, supporting documents and in some cases, a court order. You'll need to immediately contact the county clerk or vital records office to ask about their process for a marriage certificate correction and any required forms, including an application to amend a marriage record.

How to Avoid Mistakes on a Marriage License

Just getting started? There's no need to sweat, we've got you covered. Once you've figured out how to get a marriage license, just make sure you're thorough and prepared. Here are a few tips to ensure a correction-free marriage license (and certificate).

• Know your timing. Make sure you check the waiting period in your jurisdiction and that your wedding will occur before the license expires. Here's a handy guide to determine when to apply for a marriage license. And make sure you apply in the right county or state!
• Double check names and personal info. Use your full legal name as it appears on your IDs and confirm spellings, dates and Social Security numbers. There's also usually a spot for the "county" to be entered—Pushkine recommends calling the venue to make sure it's correct before filling it in.
• Bring all supporting documentation. This includes a valid photo ID, divorce or death certificates if previously married, and sometimes a birth certificate. You'll also need proper documentation if you've had a name change. Bring originals and photocopies.
• Confirm officiant requirements. Make sure your officiant is legally authorized to perform weddings in your state or county. If they need to register with the county, it should be done before the ceremony.
• Review everything before signing. Read everything line by line through a fine tooth comb to make sure everything is accurate. "I always suggest the license be signed prior to the ceremony by the bride and groom and witnesses," Pushkine says, adding that it's the officiant's responsibility to mail it back.

We know that paperwork is never fun—but getting through this process will get you one step closer to actually tying the knot.