How to Fill Out Your Ketubah: A Step-by-Step Guide

You have chosen a beautiful design, picked a text that speaks to your heart, and your wedding day is approaching. Now comes the practical question: how do you actually fill out your ketubah? What information do you need, what goes where, and who fills in what?

Take a deep breath. This is one of those things that sounds more complicated than it actually is. Whether you are working with an Orthodox rabbi or a secular officiant, filling out a ketubah follows a clear process. We will walk through every step so you feel completely prepared.

What Information You Will Need

Full Names

Your ketubah will include both partners' names. Depending on the text style you have chosen, this might mean:

English names: Most modern, Reform, egalitarian, interfaith, and secular texts use English names. You do not need your full legal name. If everyone calls you Jon instead of Jonathan, either works.

Hebrew names: Traditional, Orthodox, and many Conservative texts include Hebrew names in a specific format: your name followed by "ben" (son of) or "bat" (daughter of) and your parent's or parents' Hebrew names. For example: Miriam bat Avraham v'Sarah (Miriam, daughter of Abraham and Sarah).

At Ketubah Tov, we handle all the personalization for you. Just provide the names and details, and we format everything correctly for your selected text. It is included free with every order.

Not Sure of Your Hebrew Name?

Most people are not sure of their Hebrew name, and that is completely fine. If you have one, your parents or grandparents will often remember it, or your rabbi can help you find it.

And if you do not have a Hebrew name at all, no problem. At Ketubah Tov, we can simply transliterate your English name into Hebrew, so your ketubah has a beautiful Hebrew version of the name you already use. Either way, we make it easy.

Parents' Names

Traditional ketubah texts include parental names as part of the identification. You may need your parents' Hebrew names as well. The same strategies above apply: ask directly or check family records.

A Note About Divorced Parents

If your parents are divorced, both parents' names are typically still included. Your Hebrew name does not change based on your parents' marital status. The document uses your biological or adoptive parent's name, not a stepparent's, unless you and your rabbi decide otherwise.

A Note About Converts

Converts traditionally use "ben/bat Avraham Avinu v'Sarah Imeinu" (son/daughter of Abraham our father and Sarah our mother) as the patronymic. However, some converts choose to include their biological parents' names, or a combination. This is a conversation to have with your officiant. There is no single right answer, and a good rabbi will help you find an approach that honors both your Jewish identity and your family.

The Wedding Date

Traditional and many Conservative texts include both the secular (Gregorian) date and the Hebrew (Jewish calendar) date. Reform, secular, and interfaith texts often use only the English date, though some couples choose to include both.

Converting a secular date to the Hebrew calendar is easy. Use an online converter like hebcal.com. The Hebrew date format typically includes the day, Hebrew month, and Hebrew year.

If your wedding falls on Shabbat or a Jewish holiday, mention this to your officiant, as it may have halachic implications depending on your denomination.

The Wedding Location

The ketubah includes where the wedding takes place. For traditional texts, this is the city and sometimes the state or country. Your text style will determine the format.

What Gets Pre-Printed vs. What Gets Filled In

How It Works at Ketubah Tov

We make the process as simple as possible:

You choose your design and text. Browse our collection, pick the art that speaks to you, and select the text that matches your values.

You provide your details. Names, date, location, and Hebrew names or date if applicable.

We personalize and print. Your ketubah arrives with all details beautifully incorporated into the document. No handwriting into blank spaces, no worrying about smudging ink on your art. The only handwriting will be the signatures.

The Signing: Who Signs What and When

When Does It Get Signed?

Traditionally, the ketubah is signed before the ceremony during a private gathering called the signing ceremony, typically thirty minutes to an hour before the main event. Many couples describe this as the most emotionally powerful moment of the day.

Who Signs?

Both partners. In egalitarian, Reform, interfaith, secular, and most modern ceremonies, both partners sign. In traditional Orthodox practice, technically only the groom and witnesses sign, though many modern Orthodox couples have the bride sign as well.

Two witnesses. In Orthodox practice, witnesses must be Shabbat-observant Jewish men unrelated to the couple. In Conservative practice, men and women can serve, though they should be Jewish. In Reform, egalitarian, and secular practice, witnesses can be anyone meaningful to the couple.

The officiant. Many texts include a line for the officiant, though this is not universally required.

What Kind of Pen?

Use permanent, archival-quality ink. A fine-point felt-tip or quality ballpoint in black works well. Avoid gel pens (they can smudge) and anything with ink that might fade over time. Your ketubah will hang on your wall for decades, so you want signatures that last. Test the pen on scrap paper first to make sure it writes smoothly.

Step-by-Step Timeline

Step 1: Choose your design and text. Browse our text options.

Step 2: Gather your details. Names (and Hebrew names if applicable), date (and Hebrew date if applicable), and location.

Step 3: Place your order. Enter your personalization details and we typeset everything beautifully.

Step 4: Review your proof. Check every detail: spelling, dates, location. This is the time to catch errors.

Step 5: Receive your ketubah. It arrives ready to sign. We offer express shipping for tighter timelines.

Step 6: Sign on your wedding day. Gather with your partner, witnesses, and officiant. Read the text aloud, sign, and enjoy this beautiful moment.

Common Questions and Edge Cases

What if one partner is not Jewish?

For interfaith couples, the non-Jewish partner's name is typically written in English on the ketubah. You do not need a Hebrew name if you are not Jewish, though some partners who have adopted a Hebrew name choose to include it. Interfaith ketubah texts are designed to be inclusive and meaningful for both partners, so neither person has to sign something that does not resonate with them.

Can we personalize the text beyond names and dates?

Absolutely. Whether you want to add a line from a poem, include a specific commitment, or adapt the ketubah text for your unique situation, check out the custom text options. Many couples add personal touches that make their document truly one of a kind.

What if I am not sure which text to choose?

Start with your denomination. If you are having an Orthodox ceremony, your rabbi will likely require the traditional Aramaic ketubah text. Conservative couples typically use the Lieberman text. For Reform, egalitarian, secular, and interfaith ceremonies, you have a wide range of options. Read through several texts with your partner and see which one makes you both feel something. The right text is the one you are both proud to sign.