Is marriage legal if a spouse signed a different name on the marriage certificate?
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Is marriage legal if a spouse signed a different name on the marriage certificate?
I would like to know if my marriage is legal if my spouse signed his name differently in the signature spot on our marriage license. His name printed on the the marriage certificate is under one name. The name he signed is different.
Asked on October 6, 2010 under Family Law, Michigan
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Generally speaking, you can go by whatever name you should choose, even if different that your "legal" name, as long as there is not intent to defraud. Here, a red flag went up and you were wise to see it. I would be concerned as well. Which "name" are we talking about though: his first name or his last name? And if it is his last name, which name are you using? I would be doing some detective work here if I were you in to what is going on. It would not be an invalid marriage on its face and if there could be paperwork shown that it is the same person then you may be fine. But I would wonder as well for other reasons. Good luck.
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