{"id":226545,"date":"2026-01-29T20:17:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T19:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uauu.cat\/que-es-el-acta-matrimonial\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T20:32:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T19:32:46","slug":"what-is-the-marriage-certificate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uauu.cat\/en\/what-is-the-marriage-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the marriage certificate and why is it signed?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
The marriage certificate is the official document that certifies a couple has married according to the law. It is a written statement, signed by the spouses, the witnesses, and the competent authority (judge, notary, priest, or other authorized celebrant), stating that both have freely and knowingly given their consent to marry.<\/p>\n
Do not confuse it with other documents related to marriage:<\/p>\n
The marriage certificate is the basis for all of them, since without its signature the marriage cannot be registered nor can the subsequent certificates be obtained.<\/p>\n
Signing the marriage certificate is the act that gives legal validity to the marriage. Without this signature, the ceremony has no legal effect. The reason is simple: the law requires that the consent of both parties is recorded in writing and in front of witnesses, to prevent doubts, fraud, or coercion.<\/p>\n Signing the certificate serves three main purposes:<\/p>\n In short, the marriage certificate is the document that transforms the ceremony into an act with full legal validity.<\/p>\n Berta Camprodon Fotografia<\/p><\/div>\n Signing the marriage certificate is a solemn and mandatory moment. The following must sign:<\/p>\n All must be physically present at the time of signing. If any signature is missing, the marriage is not valid.<\/p>\n The marriage certificate is always signed at the end of the ceremony, right after the couple say \u201cI do\u201d or declare their consent.<\/p>\n In civil weddings, it is usually signed at the table where the officiant reads the act. In religious weddings, the signing usually takes place in the sacristy, a side chapel, or sometimes in front of the altar.<\/p>\n After signing, the certificate remains with the officiant, who is responsible for submitting it to the civil registry (for civil weddings) or parish\/diocese (for religious weddings). The couple do not keep the original certificate but can request copies or official certificates once the marriage is registered.<\/p>\n The specific content can vary depending on the type of wedding and local regulations, but a standard marriage certificate usually includes:<\/p>\n In the case of religious weddings, the certificate usually also includes information from the canonical marriage file and the Church\u2019s confirmation.<\/p>\n Hygge Weddings<\/p><\/div>\n Although the objective is the same\u2014to record the marriage legally\u2014there are some differences:<\/p>\n The marriage certificate<\/strong> is the document that turns a ceremony into a legally recognized act. It is not just an administrative requirement but the written testimony of a free and conscious decision. Carefully review the certificate, check the details, and keep copies safe to avoid problems and preserve the symbolic and legal value of that day.<\/p>\n At UAUU, we help you resolve any questions about the marriage certificate and other formalities so your wedding is perfect\u2026 even on paper.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column]\n[\/et_pb_row]\n[\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]The marriage certificate is one of the most important documents in any wedding, whether civil or religious. While many couples focus on the dress, banquet, or music, without this simple paper signed at the end of the ceremony, the marriage would have no legal validity. Do you really know […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":226535,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"The marriage certificate is one of the most important documents in any wedding, whether civil or religious. While many couples focus on the dress, banquet, or music, without this simple paper signed at the end of the ceremony, the marriage would have no legal validity. Do you really know what a marriage certificate is, why it is signed, who must do it, and what it is used for afterwards? At UAUU, we answer all the most common questions and explain in detail everything you need to know about the marriage certificate.\r\n\r\n[lwptoc depth=\"2\"]\r\n\r\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWhy is the marriage certificate signed?<\/h2>\n
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Who signs the marriage certificate?<\/h2>\n
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When and where is the marriage certificate signed?<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat information does it contain?<\/h2>\n
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Differences between civil and religious marriage certificates<\/h2>\n
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Frequently asked questions about the marriage certificate<\/h2>\n
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Why the certificate is much more than a formality<\/h2>\n
What is the marriage certificate?<\/h2> The marriage certificate is the official document that certifies a couple has married according to the law. It is a written statement, signed by the spouses, the witnesses, and the competent authority (judge, notary, priest, or other authorized celebrant), stating that both have freely and knowingly given their consent to marry.\r\n\r\nDo not confuse it with other documents related to marriage:\r\n\r\n
<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhy is the marriage certificate signed?<\/h2> Signing the marriage certificate is the act that gives legal validity to the marriage. Without this signature, the ceremony has no legal effect. The reason is simple: the law requires that the consent of both parties is recorded in writing and in front of witnesses, to prevent doubts, fraud, or coercion.\r\n\r\nSigning the certificate serves three main purposes:\r\n\r\n
Berta Camprodon Fotografia[\/caption]\r\n\r\nWho signs the marriage certificate?<\/h2> Signing the marriage certificate is a solemn and mandatory moment. The following must sign:
When and where is the marriage certificate signed?<\/h2> The marriage certificate is always signed at the end of the ceremony, right after the couple say \u201cI do\u201d or declare their consent.\r\n\r\nIn civil weddings, it is usually signed at the table where the officiant reads the act. In religious weddings, the signing usually takes place in the sacristy, a side chapel, or sometimes in front of the altar.\r\n\r\nAfter signing, the certificate remains with the officiant, who is responsible for submitting it to the civil registry (for civil weddings) or parish\/diocese (for religious weddings). The couple do not keep the original certificate but can request copies or official certificates once the marriage is registered.\r\n\r\n
<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhat information does it contain?<\/h2> The specific content can vary depending on the type of wedding and local regulations, but a standard marriage certificate usually includes:
Hygge Weddings[\/caption]\r\n\r\nDifferences between civil and religious marriage certificates<\/h2> Although the objective is the same\u2014to record the marriage legally\u2014there are some differences: