marriage certificate, signature?

[ouma]

If I order a marriage certificate from GRO would it have the grooms signature on it?

Ouma

[Keziahemm]

No, the writing would be all in the same hand.

The only way to get original signatures is to order from the local registrar's office.
However not all offices have the facilities to scan/photocopy from the register.

Susan 

[kevinf2349]

I don't think so.

Of all the ones I have none have the actual signiture on them. They all look like they were written by the same hand. SOme even have 'x' the mark of.... one them.

[PaulineJ]

If it was in a church/chapel and the registers are deposited then there will be a signature/mark in the different hands.

Pauline

[coombs]

If the marriage took place after 1837 in a parish church then you should be able to look up the entry at your local Record Office. You can then obtain a photocopy for usually less than £1. Saves forking out for the GRO cert. But if the marriage took place in a registry office then you will not be able to obtain a copy from the local record office. Some non conformist registers have also been deposited at record offices.

GRO copies are scanned copies of the transcripts of the originals that registrars had to write out at the end of every quarter and send to the GRO.

[ouma]

Thanks to all who replied.

I'm overseas so unfortunately wont be able to go to the local registry office and internet
payments are not available.

I have the grooms signature on his marriage certificate, (2nd marriage here in SA)
and wanted to compare it with signature on the first certificate to see if I have the right man!
He was married at St Philip, Manchester in 1876.

Perhaps I should post on the Lancashire Lookup board to see if some kind person could go to
St Philip and photograph the document.

Ouma

[ouma]

Record and Register Office, are they the same thing?

Ouma

[Keziahemm]

Record Office is the local archives where documents are kept;  Register Office is the office of Registrar of births, marriages and deaths.

Try the Lancashire board, alternatively email the Lancashire Archives (Record Office) I'm sure they would photocopy and post to you for a small fee, especially as you know the church where he was married.

Susan

[ouma]

Hi Susan

Thanks for the info. I'll e-mail Lancashire Archives now then keep my fingers crossed!
If they can send me a signature and its him I'll be ecstatic as this is the only way of proving I have the right man!

Ouma