Introduction to Kesuba: Difference between revisions

This stands in contrast to a Get where both spouses' official and nicknames are specified. This is largely because unlike Gittin, last names are written in Ketubot, making it possible to easily identify the various parties without using nicknames. Nonetheless, if it there is a doubt as to which name to put on the Ketubah (the original or nickname),  some suggest mentioning the nickname either in parenthesis (as is the opinion of Rav Elyashiv), or within in the text in the following format (Igros Moshe, Even HaEzer 4:102):  

"יוסף '''דמתקרי ג'ו''' בן יהודה" </ref> This is true even if the Hebrew names are not commonly used. If the person does not know or his/her Hebrew name, the English name may be written in Hebrew per transliteration conventions.<ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein (Even HaEzer 1:4) was of the opinion that one should not assign a Hebrew name to the Chatan/Kallah right before the wedding if he/she does not have one, as that is not a name that is well established with to identify the person. Using a name on a ketubah that does not adequately identify the party it is being used for renders the entire ketubah invalid. Therefore, in such a scenario, it is preferable to transliterate the person's English name into Hebrew using standard conventions. </ref>

#In the first and last relevant places in the ketubah, the names of the  Chatan and Kallah should be written as "__(Chatan/Kallah's hebrew name) ben/bat ___(father's hebrew name) L'mishpachat ___ (person's last name)" (e.g. Reuven Yaakov ben Shimon L'Mishpachat Goldberg)<ref>It is better to use this formulation instead of "Ploni ben Ploni Goldberg", as it implies that "Goldberg" is also part of the person's first name. </ref>

#In all other places in the middle of the ketubah where either of their names is required, only the Chatan/Kallah's full first name is used (e.g. Reuven Yaakov).