Who Can Be a Witness for a Wedding & How Do You Choose?

Everything you need to know about being a witness to a wedding ceremony 

 

Choosing a witness for your wedding is just as important as choosing the perfect wedding venue or formal wear – in states where witnesses are required, they have to sign your marriage license to make the ceremony legal. It’s an important job to plan for, and you don’t want to leave it to chance!

 

Currently, 22 states require wedding witnesses. Of these, 20 states require a pair of witnesses (two people), and 2 states require only a single witness (one person). Check to see the witness requirements in your state by clicking the link below: 

 

• Witness Requirements on Marriage License by State

 

(You don’t need a witness to sign your license in 28 states and the District of Columbia, but you can have a ceremonial witness if you want.)

 

In general, any adult can be a witness to a marriage ceremony, although there are a few details to be aware of. To help you get started, we’ve answered a few common questions about who can be a witness for a wedding, what a wedding witness does, how to choose one (or two) for the big day, and our favorite ways to say, “Will you be my wedding witness?”

 

Let’s take a look! 

 

 

• What is the Age Requirement for Being a Witness to Weddings or Elopements? 

 

In most states, a witness to a wedding must be at least 18 years old, but there are a few exceptions. 

 

In California, for example, there’s no age requirement for a witness, but they must be old enough to know they’re witnessing a marriage ceremony and old enough to sign their name on the marriage license. (via California Department of Public Health) And in Washington State, Clark County requires wedding witnesses to be at least 14 years old, although the state marriage laws don’t specify any age requirements. Other states have similarly vague marriage laws, so many couples just choose adults for the role to ensure their marriage is valid.

 

To learn the specific age requirements for a witness to a wedding in your state, check your state’s Marriage Laws, or talk to someone at the clerk’s office when you purchase your marriage license. They’ll get you headed in the right direction!

Can a Child be a Witness at a Wedding?

 

As mentioned above, a child is not allowed to be a witness at a wedding in most states. Almost all states require witnesses to be at least 18 years old; there are a few notable exceptions, but you’ll want to confirm the legal details with the local clerk’s office when you apply for your marriage license.

 

 

• What Does a Witness Do in a Wedding?

 

In general, a witness to a wedding must attend the marriage ceremony and sign the marriage license afterward. In some states, witnesses have additional responsibilities, but they are fairly simple to complete.

 

For example, in Alaska, wedding witnesses must talk to both partners before signing the marriage license to confirm that they want to get married. In Iowa, one of your witnesses must come with you to the clerk’s office when you apply for your marriage license to sign an affidavit before the ceremony can take place. And many states require a witness to present a photo ID or proof of identity before signing a license. Your clerk’s office is the best source of information on any extra witness responsibilities. 

 

“What Do l Need to be a Witness to a Wedding?”

 

If you’ve been asked to be a wedding witness, you should arrive at the wedding with proof of your identity (like a photo ID or passport) and a black ink pen (just in case someone else forgets theirs). As we mentioned in the section above, you must meet any age requirements in the state, and may need to do a few other tasks, such as talking to the couple before the ceremony to make sure they want to be married. But don’t worry – this is an amazing role to have and it’s not very complicated! 

 

 

• How to Find Witnesses for a Wedding?

 

In general, any adult can do the job, which makes finding witnesses for a wedding ceremony much easier. You can ask a maid of honor or best man, friend, family member, parent, grandparent, favorite barista, city employee, or even your next door neighbor to be your wedding witness! 

 

Choose someone who’s responsible, punctual, and thrilled to see you get married. 

 

If you’re planning a destination wedding or a secret wedding – or if you just don’t want to ask someone you know to be a witness – your wedding officiant might be able to provide a witness (or two) for a small fee. And in some cases, you might be able to pick someone from the crowd to sign your license; keep reading below to find out whether a stranger can serve as your witness. 

 

Related: Choosing a Wedding Officiant: What (or Who) Are Your Options?

 

 

• Can a Stranger be a Witness to Your Marriage Ceremony? 

 

Let’s say you’re eloping somewhere public – like on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, while riding a ferry across Puget Sound in Seattle, or in an Arizona courthouse. Can you ask a stranger who passes by to be your wedding witness? 

 

In most cases, yes – and many passersby will be delighted to be a part of your special day! Any witness you pick from the crowd will need to meet the state’s requirements (age, proof of ID, etc), but you don’t have to know them before the ceremony. 

 

If you’re getting married in a crowded place, relying on a stranger might not be a problem since there are plenty of choices around – but if you’re eloping somewhere quiet (like a hiking trail), don’t count on someone walking by at the perfect moment; it’s best to plan ahead in most cases.

 

There is at least one rare exception to this, however – in Iowa, the witness who accompanies you to your marriage license application appointment must know both of you personally. If you have any doubts, check with your local clerk for clarification. 

 

 

• Can a Wedding Officiant Also be a Witness? 

 

Let’s say you don’t take our advice in the section above and you elope on a hiking trail with no witnesses in sight. Can your wedding officiant also be your wedding witness in such an emergency? 

 

No – a wedding officiant can’t be a witness. You’ll need another qualified person (or two) to sign the marriage license along with your officiant. Click the link below to learn more: 

 

• Can a Wedding Officiant Also be a Witness on a Marriage License?

See Our Minister Ordination Package!

 

• “Will You be My Wedding Witness?”: How to Ask Someone to be a Witness at Your Marriage Ceremony

 

Ah, now for the sweet part! If you’ve chosen the perfect person to witness your wedding, all that’s left to do is ask! 

 

Some of our favorite ways to ask someone to be a wedding witness are: 

 

• Give them a heartfelt card with a handwritten note asking them to be your witness
• Give them a bottle of their favorite wine or sparkling cider with a custom label that asks “Will You be My Wedding Witness?”
• Wrap up a bag of their favorite coffee beans with a custom label that asks “Will You be My Wedding Witness?”
• Present them with a specialty black ink pen (to sign the license with), along with a handwritten card or gift tag 
• Take them out for a meal or drinks to ‘pop’ the question

 

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More Wedding Witness Ideas & Advice:

 

• 3 Things to Know Before Having a ‘Just Us’ Wedding Ceremony

 

• Can Your Pet Be a Wedding Witness? Not Exactly…

 

• Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s secret wedding had no witnesses -- Let’s talk marriage laws!

 

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