Signature on marriage license

[Saruscha]

So where I am getting married, they require you to sign the marriage license using the last name that you intend on using after getting married. I want to change my last name to my fiance's last name eventually, but I was planning on applying for permanent residence using my maiden name so that I don't have to wait to get a new passport and all that, and then update them with the name change later.

So my question is, is it ok if I sign the marriage license using my fiance's last name even though I will be sending my application out under my maiden name? Or can this cause problems.

[CharlieD10]

The name on the application has to match the name on the passport and civil documents (birth and marriage certificates).  Is there somewhere else on the marriage certificate where they show your maiden name?  You would use the name on whatever passport you will be submitting to receive your visa.  There is nothing to say you can't change your name officially later and submit the new PP with your married name, either.

Also, where are you getting married, I find it odd that you are required to sign your "married" name on the marriage certificate, never seen that before and interested to know where that applies.

[Saruscha]

I'm getting married in Michigan. The marriage certificate will have my maiden name on it, since that's what my name will be when I apply for it. But apparently Michigan requires you to sign it using the name you intend on using after marriage (I have no idea why they require that... seems kind of silly since my name won't even be legally changed at that point). So basically all of my civil documents and my application would have my maiden name, with the exception of my signature on the marriage license.

I probably could just sign it using my maiden name and then a month later be like "oops changed my mind!" and change my name on all my documents at that point.

[inlimbo]

Sounds like an outdated system that presumes everyone changes their name once married. Sign your name as you intend to use it in all documents and identification for the next while.

[CharlieD10]

In that case, then the signature will not be such a big deal, as everything else, including the name before marriage on the certificate will match the name on the application.

[rjessome]

I'm getting married in Michigan. The marriage certificate will have my maiden name on it, since that's what my name will be when I apply for it. But apparently Michigan requires you to sign it using the name you intend on using after marriage (I have no idea why they require that... seems kind of silly since my name won't even be legally changed at that point). So basically all of my civil documents and my application would have my maiden name, with the exception of my signature on the marriage license.

I probably could just sign it using my maiden name and then a month later be like "oops changed my mind!" and change my name on all my documents at that point.

It will be fine.  If you want to apply for PR using your married name, just make sure that you change your passport to your married name.

[jayde]

I'd suggest signing it with you maiden name.  It asks for the name that you intend to use after you're married... and that's the name you intend to use after you're married, at least for a while.  Once you're in Canada it is simple enough to change your name to your married name.

[rjessome]

I'd suggest signing it with you maiden name.  It asks for the name that you intend to use after you're married... and that's the name you intend to use after you're married, at least for a while.  Once you're in Canada it is simple enough to change your name to your married name.

If she signs it using her married name or maidean name will NOT make a difference to her PR application to Canada.

[jayde]

If she signs it using her married name or maidean name will NOT make a difference to her PR application to Canada.

I stand corrected

I guess the statement I made was really more to reassure her that changing her name here won't be too much of an ordeal and not to sweat the signature on the certificate because she's using her maiden name for now while she applies, and will change her name later.  Maybe it didn't come across right