Tennessee Marriage Laws
Tennessee marriage license fee varies by county. However, license applicants who have completed a premarital preparation course within a year prior to the date of application for the license are exempted from paying $60.00 of this fee.
Before a marriage can occur in Tennessee, a license must be obtained from a County Clerk’s office. Both parties must appear for the issuance of the license. There is no waiting period, the marriage license is valid for thirty (30) days from issuance, and is good for ceremonies performed anywhere in Tennessee. Proof of your Social Security number is required for both parties. The age requirements for marriage in the State of Tennessee are as follows. For persons:
Under the age of 16:
A waiver must be issued from Juvenile Court.Between the ages of 16 – 18:
You must have both parents accompany you and sign the approval affidavit. A birth certificate is required for verification. There is also a three-day waiting period for approvals.Between the ages of 18 – 21:
A birth certificate is required for verification.Over the age of 21:
A picture ID is required for verification.
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| Anderson | Bedford |
| Benton | Bledsoe |
| Blount | Bradley |
| Campbell | Cannon |
| Carroll | Carter |
| Cheatham | Chester |
| Claiborne | Clay |
| co*cke | Coffee |
| Crockett | Cumberland |
| Davidson | Decatur |
| DeKalb | Dickson |
| Dyer | Fayette |
| Fentress | Franklin |
| Gibson | Giles |
| Grainger | Greene |
| Grundy | Hamblen |
| Hamilton | Hanco*ck |
| Hardeman | Hardin |
| Hawkins | Haywood |
| Henderson | Henry |
| Hickman | Houston |
| Humphreys | Jackson |
| Jefferson | Johnson |
| Knox | Lake |
| Lauderdale | Lawrence |
| Lewis | Lincoln |
| Loudon | Macon |
| Madison | Marion |
| Marshall | Maury |
| McMinn | McNairy |
| Meigs | Monroe |
| Montgomery | Moore |
| Morgan | Obion |
| Overton | Perry |
| Pickett | Polk |
| Putnam | Rhea |
| Roane | Robertson |
| Rutherford | Scott |
| Sequatchie | Sevier |
| Shelby | Smith |
| Stewart | Sullivan |
| Sumner | Tipton |
| Trousdale | Unicoi |
| Union | Van Buren |
| Warren | Washington |
| Wayne | Weakley |
| White | Williamson |
| Wilson |
Marriage Application Requirement Tennessee:
To complete the application for a marriage license, a couple must:
Proof of date of birth (Government Issued Photo Identification or Certified Birth Certificate)
Proof of Social Security Number (for individuals that have been issued one.)
Both parties have to be present, unless one is incarcerated. If one party is incarcerated, the other party must bring 2 forms of ID for the one incarcerated and also must have a relative of the incarcerated party to sign for them.
Completing the online Marriage Pre-Application will save you a considerable amount of time. The general information you submit will be forwarded directly to the County Clerk’s office. After completing the pre-application online, you may then visit the County Clerk’s office locations to obtain your license.
Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. 36-3-104(a) (1997), “No county clerk nor deputy clerk shall issue a marriage license until the applicants make an application in writing, stating the names, ages, addresses and social security numbers of both the proposed male and female contracting parties and the names and addresses of the parents, guardian or next of kin of both parties.” The application must be sworn to by both parties. Id. The requirement of a social security number was added by legislative amendment, Acts 1997, ch. 551, 30, effective July 1, 1997.
Marriage ID Requirement:
A valid driver license
State issued picture ID
State certified birth certificate
Military ID
Valid VISA
Valid Passport
Social Security number must be given if applicant has one (T.C.A. 36-3-104)
Marriage Waiting Period:
There is no waiting period. If all your paper work is in order you will receive your marriage license should be issued same day.
Marriage Residency Requirement:
You do not have to be a resident of Tennessee.
Previous Marriages: ✔ Search Marriage | Divorce Records
If you have been married previously, then you will need to provide a copy of your divorce decree.
Marriage License Fees:
The marriage license fees varies from Tennessee county to county, so call ahead to your local County Clerk’s office to find out the fee and ask what form of payment is accepted. In some cases, you may need to bring cash.
Pre-marital Education:To qualify for the exemption by attending a premarital preparation course, both applicants must submit a notarized Certification of Completion completed by the course provider confirming the couple attended the course together, or separately, within one year of the date of application to the County Clerk for the license. This document must be notarized and presented at the time of payment and receipt of your license.The Certification of Completion form was developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts and defines the qualifications of persons who are eligible to conduct the four (4) hours of premarital preparation training as required by Chapter No. 854. Click here to print the Certificate of Completion form. This is the only form that can be accepted as proof of counseling.
According to Tennessee Statutes 36-6-413-b-2, non-residents in some counties can receive a $60 discount upon showing the county clerk proof that establishes they are not Tennessee residents. Call the County Clerk’s office in the county you wish to get married to see if this discount is applicable.
Proxy Marriages:
No. However, if an individual is incarcerated or has a “disability that prevents the applicant from appearing”, a notarized statement containing the “person’s name, age, current address and the names and address of the parents or next of kin” may be accepted by the county clerk.
Cousin Marriages:
Yes. A marriage to a first cousin is allowed.
Common Law Marriages:
Common Law Marriages are not recognized in the state of Tennessee.
Marriage Blood Test Tennesee:
The State of Tennessee does not require a blood test.
Name Change:
Getting a marriage license with your new name on it does not mean your name has automatically changed. If you need to change your last name, you can use an online marriage name change kit.
Marriage Age Requirements: ✔ Get Copy Of Birth Certificate
If either party is under the age of 18, they must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
If either party is under the age of 16, Tennessee law requires that the couple receive a court order before being allowed to marry.
Marriage Officiants Tennesee:
Any ordained or licensed clergymen over the age of 18, and justices of the peace, members of county legislative bodies, county executives and former county executives, current and former judges and chancellors of this state, current and former judges of general sessions courts, current and former governors of this state, the county clerk of each county, current and former speakers of the senate and speakers of the house of representatives, and Mayors of municipalities.
The authorized officiant must return the completed license within 3 days from the date of the marriage.
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Marriage Witnesses
No witness is needed for the marriage to be recognized, but there is room on the marriage license for one witness to sign
Expiration Date of Marriage License:
The marriage license is valid for thirty (30) days.
The license can only be used within the State of Tennessee.
Copy of Certificate of Marriage License
Tennessee Vital Records
Department of Health
421 5th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37243
Ph: 615.741.1763
Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. For more information regarding Tennesee marriage license laws please visit www.tncountyclerk.com.
