Appendix A – Marriage Certificates, Possible Wordings

These are the traditional words:
WHEREAS, (name______), County of (name_____) and State of (name), son of (name____) and (name_____), County of (name_____), State of (name)_____ and (name_____), daughter of (name____) and (name_____), having made known their intentions of marriage with each other, in a Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, held at (name_____), (name_____), and having consent of their parents, their proposals were allowed by this Meeting, These are to certify that for the full accomplishment of their intentions, this _____ day of _____, in the year of our Lord _____, they appeared in an appointed meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, held at (place_____), where they took each other by the hand and publicly declared that, in the presence of the Lord, they did promise, with Divine assistance, to be loving and faithful to one another as long as they both shall live.

As a further confirmation thereof, they did then and thereto sign their names:

________________ ___________________

And we, whose names are hereunto affixed, being present at this marriage, have as witnesses thereto subscribed our names:
________________ __________________

Couples may review the wording with their arrangements committee. The wording of the vows is important to include, as the signatures are witnessing what has been said. Many current certificates do not include the names of the parents, or the county of residence. Both spouses sign the certificate, during the wedding, with the name he/she plans to use from then on.

---

Please return all comments or corrections to:

Kathy White, NYM Faith & Practice committee
210 Devon Ct.
Madison, WI 53711

or to

stanwhite@ieee.org.

Or call 608-274-8290.