How to Sign Your Marriage License in Michigan

Steve signs a Michigan marriage license for one of our Infinity Play Entertainment couples. (IPE File Photo, 2021)

Do I sign my maiden name, or my new last name on the marriage license in Michigan? In Michigan, the rules seem to be sort of vague when it comes to everything needed to know about your marriage license. In this post, we go over what we understand to be the "rules" when it comes to marriage licenses in Michigan.

It can be a sort of stressful thing - you have to apply, make sure that you've got all the necessary documents, pay the fee, make sure it's filed correctly... and then, from now on, it's a really important, official document you've got to have to change last names, prove residency, applications for your Social Security card, your driver's license... so you want to make sure you're doing it right!

One of the biggest questions we get is: as someone taking your new spouses' last name - on the lines at the bottom, where you print your name and sign with your signature, do I sign with my maiden name, or my new last name?

The correct answer is: you sign with your new last name. You may think it would be the opposite - but this is the document that will kick off the name change for all of the other documents that will need to be changed. This is your starting point!

In Michigan, the rules for actually applying appear to differ from county to county. Some counties will ONLY grant you a marriage license if you both have your raised stamp birth certificate. Some require only driver's licenses, Social Security cards, passports, etc. Make sure to brush up on the rules for your county by searching online for your county name and "marriage license".

At Infinity Play Entertainment, we're proud to provide officiant services as part of our line up. Whether you're looking for a quick ceremony, or would prefer the whole gammit, including pre-marriage counseling - we take marriage seriously. It's part of our full time job, of course! Interested in having us officiate your wedding? Officiant services are one of our FREE add-ons to our silver and gold package! Learn more here.