Can Your Pet Be a Wedding Witness? Not Exactly…

We answer the popular question: Can my cat or dog be a legal witness on my marriage license?

 

Plus tips on wedding witness requirements in your state!

 

 

Maybe you’ve seen the viral TikTok of a dog signing a marriage license with a freshly-inked paw, or that viral Instagram post that was making the rounds, or one of the dozens of pet-punning articles that have popped up in the last couple of years – all claiming that your beloved dog (or cat or rabbit) can be a legal witness at your wedding ceremony. 

 

We even had an AMM Minister reach out recently to ask if the rumors are true: “Can a pet be a wedding witness and sign the marriage license?” 

 

The answer is no, but yes… Let us explain! 

 

 

Photo: SolStock / iStock

 We LOVE seeing a cute puppy paw print on a ceremonial marriage certificate! Just be sure to follow your state's marriage laws when it comes to choosing a legal witness and completing the official marriage license.

 

 

ASK AMM: Can my dog be a witness for my marriage license? Is it legal for a pet to sign a marriage license with a paw print?

 

No, your pet can’t be a legal witness on a marriage license. If your state legally requires a witness to sign your marriage license, that witness must be a human -- and in most cases they must be a human who's 18 years old or older. A pet can’t take the place of a legally required witness. 

 

As for your marriage paperwork: Your marriage license might be denied by the clerk’s office if there’s a paw print on it, and you might have to pay for a new one in order to file. For example, the Denver, Colorado Office of the Clerk and Recorder for Marriages and Civil Unions explicitly states on their website that “Paw prints are not allowed on marriage licenses.”

 

Sorry, we know this is such a buzz kill, but bear with us! We think it’s a shame pets can't have any job they want, too, but at least this gets them out of paying taxes.

 

That said…

 

Photo: druvo / iStock

Your pet can be a ceremonial witness as long as a human witness signs the paperwork! Consider your pet a cute co-witness: Keep reading to see the states where your 

 

 

Your pet *can* serve as a ceremonial witness at your wedding!

 

However, your pet can serve as a ceremonial witness at your wedding ceremony!

 

A cerimonial witness is a symbolic witness, and doesn't have any legal responsibility. You can pose for pictures with your furry friends, and put them in a mini tux – just make sure they keep their paws off the official paperwork.

 

Here’s how your pet can be a witness at your wedding (symbolically!): 

 

• In states that don’t require a legal witness to sign the marriage license, your pet(s) can ‘stand in’ as a ceremonial witness. Your pet can sign a commemorative marriage certificate, but probably not your official marriage license which is filed with the state. 

 

The 28 states and U.S. territories that don’t require a legal witness at the wedding include: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Virginia, Washington District of Columbia, and West Virginia. That means that your pet can be a witness at the wedding (symbolically) and no additional legal witness is required. 

 

• In states that require one legal witness to sign the marriage license, your pet can serve as a ceremonial second witness – but your human friend will have to sign the marriage license. 

 

The 5 states that require one legal witness include: Alaska, California, Iowa, Nevada, and New York. That means that your pet can be a second witness at the wedding (symbolically) as long as one additional adult witness is present. 

 

• In states that require two legal witnesses at the marriage ceremony, you must have two human witnesses present. Your pet can always stand in as a symbolic third witness, or they can take on another fun job at the wedding: Your dog can walk you down the aisle, your fav feline friend can serve as flower cat, your pet alligator can be your ring bearer, and so on! 

 

The 20 states that require two legal adult witnesses at the wedding are: Arizona, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. That means that your pet can be a third witness (symbolically) in addition to your legal witnesses, or serve in another important role such as ring bearer or flower dog. Your human witnesses will sign the official marriage license, and your pet(s) can sign a cerimonial certificate.

 

 

Photo: Malkovstock / iStock

Bunny rabbits at the wedding? How cute! There are lots of ways to make your wedding and reception pet friendly, so that ALL your favorite family members can come -- including pets!

 

 

Pet-friendly wedding tips: More fun ways to include your pets at your wedding

 

Keep your animal companions close on the wedding day in other fun ways! We've seen adorable pets serve as dog ring bearer, flower cat and flower dog, Dog of Honor, and even an alligator as ring bearer! Your pets can walk you down the aisle, pose for cute pictures, help you stay calm and comfy, or serve as 'vibe manager' at the reception or after party and keep guests smiling all night long. 

 

Check out the articles linked below for more tips on how to plan a pet-friendly wedding: 

 

• 5 Tips for Including Pets in Your Wedding Ceremony
   
• A puppy helps with a proposal! Plus how to involve pets in your wedding ceremony
   
• The Anonymous Officiant: Top Hat & Actual Tails for This Bridal Beagle

 

 

Photo: terdonal / iStock

Man's best friend as Best Man? Sure! Many couples include their canine companions as 'Dog of Honor' or 'Best Dog' on the wedding day! For more pet friendly wedding ideas, check out the articles above. 

 

 

Who can sign marriage licenses?

 

Ok, so now let's look at who can legally sign a marriage license. Consider this person your pet's official co-witness, the human who takes care of the paperwork:

 

Most states require a wedding witness to be an adult (over the age of 18), with valid ID, who’s able to confirm that  you're entering the marriage voluntarily. 

 

There are also special cases in some places: In Puerto Rico for example, your witnesses must be at least 21 years old and able to read and write. Some states, such as Iowa, require couples to bring a witness when they apply for their marriage license, before the ceremony. 

 

In all states that require a witness to sign a marriage license, that witness must be a human.

 

Read more about wedding witness requirements: Witness Requirements on Marriage License

 

Photo: Marc Dufresne / iStock
Witness for marriage license: Many couples ask a close friend or relative to be their marriage witness, while others choose to hire witnesses for wedding and elopement ceremonies. In every state, your witness must be an adult human – no pets, robots, or inanimate objects allowed! The wedding officiant must also sign the marriage license. 

 

---

 

Need a wedding officiant? Ask a friend or relative to get ordained online free with AMM to officiate your wedding! 

 

Online ordination is free, easy, and fast with American Marriage Ministries. AMM ordains people from all backgrounds and faiths, and our ordinations are recognized in every state. 

 

• Get ordained online free with AMM
• Weddings by State: Minister Registration Requirements

 

You’ve just proposed to your partner, why not propose to your wedding officiant too? 

American Marriage Ministries offers a unique ‘Will You Marry Us?’ Gift Box to make it easy and fun to ask someone to officiate your wedding! 

 

ORDER YOUR GIFT BOX NOW!

Above: Everything included in the Will You Marry Us? gift box. Order today and propose to your wedding officiant! 
 

This officiant proposal gift box includes everything your friend needs to prepare for your ceremony: 

 

Wedding Ceremony Materials

 

• 1 Embroidered AMM Satin Wedding Officiant Stole
• 1 "Will You Marry Us?" greeting card + navy envelope
• 1 Copy of Asked to Officiate, a Ceremony Writing and Delivery Guide
• 1 Copy of our AMM Minister’s Manual
• 1 Screen Printed Canvas AMM Minister’s Tote Bag
• 1 Embossed AMM Minister’s Lapel Pin, Struck from Jeweler's Metal
• 1 AMM Embossed Gold Embossed Presidential™ Custom Pen

 

Credentials and Officiant Licensing Materials

 

• 1 Ordination Certificate (sent to your designated officiant)
• 1 Letter of Good Standing (sent to your designated officiant)
• 1 Certificate Holder (sent to your designated officiant)
• Minister Licensing Instructions (sent to your designated officiant, where applicable)
• Minister Licensing Application Materials (sent to your designated officiant, where applicable)

 

---

 

Love it? Pin it! 

 

 

---