How To Get Married In Tennessee: The Complete Legal And Procedural Guide

To get married in Tennessee, both parties must personally apply for a marriage license at a County Clerk’s office, present valid government-issued photo identification, and pay a county-specific licensing fee. There is no waiting period or blood test required, meaning couples can marry immediately upon license issuance, provided the ceremony occurs within the 30-day validity window and is solemnized by an authorized officiant. Completing a qualifying premarital preparation course reduces the state license fee by $60 and waives the standard waiting period for out-of-state applicants under certain conditions.

Pre-Application Documentation and Eligibility Requirements

Securing a marriage license in Tennessee requires strict adherence to state statutes governed by Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 36-3-101 et seq. Before presenting yourselves to the County Clerk, both applicants must assemble a specific portfolio of legal documentation and ensure they meet the state's strict eligibility thresholds.

Administrative Checklist & Budget Benchmarks

• Valid Photo Identification: State-issued driver's license, state ID card, valid military ID, or foreign passport.
• Proof of Social Security Number (SSN): Social Security card, original W-2 form, or a recent payroll stub displaying the full SSN. Non-US citizens without an SSN must sign a sworn affidavit certifying they do not hold one.
• Age-Specific Proof of Birth: Certified copy of a birth certificate if the applicant is under 21 years of age, or if requested by the local clerk's office for verification.
• Premarital Course Certificate of Completion: The official Tennessee statutory form, signed and notarized by an eligible instructor, verifying at least four hours of premarital preparation completed within 12 months prior to the application date.
• Certified Dissolution Documents: If either applicant was previously married, a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a certified death certificate is required to prove the prior marriage has been legally dissolved.
• Licensing Fee Capital: Between $97.50 and $107.50 (varying by county) without the premarital course; exactly $37.50 to $47.50 with a qualifying Certificate of Completion. Note that clerk offices frequently assess a 2% to 4% processing surcharge on credit card payments.
• Time Commitment: Allocate 45 to 60 minutes for the in-person county clerk visit, plus a mandatory ceremony completion window within 30 days of license issuance.

Step-by-Step Tennessee Marriage Certification Process

The sequence for executing a legally binding marriage in Tennessee must follow a precise statutory pathway. Deviating from these steps or failing to meet filing deadlines can invalidate the ceremony or require a complete re-application.

Step 1: Complete the Online Pre-Application Form

Most Tennessee counties, including Davidson (Nashville), Shelby (Memphis), Knox (Knoxville), and Hamilton (Chattanooga), offer an online marriage license pre-application portal. Access the specific county clerk’s website where you intend to purchase the license and input your personal demographic information, parental details (including mothers' maiden names), and historical marital data.

Completing this step digitally populates the county database, reducing the processing time at the clerk's counter. This pre-application is not a substitute for the physical appearance of both parties; it merely expedites the intake process.

Step 2: Complete a Certified Premarital Preparation Course (Optional)

Under T.C.A. § 36-3-109, couples can secure a $60 discount on their marriage license fee by completing a qualifying premarital preparation course. The course must be a minimum of four hours in duration and conducted within one year prior to applying for the license.

The instructor must be a legally recognized professional in Tennessee, qualifying under one of these specific designations:

1. An active psychologist or licensed clinical social worker.
2. A licensed marriage and family therapist.
3. A licensed professional counselor.
4. An active member of the clergy or their designated, trained representative.

The instructor must complete, sign, and notarize the official "Tennessee County Clerk Parent/Premarital Preparation Course Certificate of Completion." You must present this physical, notarized certificate to the clerk during your in-person application. Photocopies or unnotarized digital templates are routinely rejected.

Step 3: Visit the Tennessee County Clerk’s Office

Both parties must appear together in person at any County Clerk’s office within the state. You do not have to apply in the county where you reside, nor do you have to apply in the county where the wedding ceremony will take place. However, the fully executed license must be returned to the exact county clerk's office that issued it.

Present your physical identification documents, proof of SSN, any required divorce decrees, and your premarital course certificate if applicable. The clerk will verify your details, administer an oath under penalty of perjury, and print your physical marriage license packet.

Pro-Tip: If you apply for your license in a highly populated county like Davidson or Shelby on a Friday or during the peak wedding months of May through October, expect wait times exceeding two hours. Schedule your visit for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning to minimize delays.

Step 4: Verify the Age and Consent Thresholds

Tennessee enforces precise age-based restrictions under T.C.A. § 36-3-105.

• Individuals aged 18 and older require no parental consent.
• Minors aged 17 may only obtain a license if they meet strict criteria: they must have parent or guardian consent, the older party cannot be more than four years older than the 17-year-old, and there is a mandatory three-day waiting period between the application and the issuance of the license.
• Individuals under 17 years of age are legally prohibited from marrying in Tennessee under any circumstances; judicial waivers for pregnancy or emancipated status are no longer authorized by state law.

Step 5: Solemnize the Ceremony Within 30 Days

Once the county clerk issues the marriage license, it is active immediately (there is no waiting period for adults). However, the license carries a strict 30-day expiration window. If the wedding ceremony is not performed and the license is not signed within 30 calendar days of issuance, the license becomes void, and the couple must repeat the application process and pay all fees again.

Your ceremony must be performed by an individual authorized to solemnize marriages under T.C.A. § 36-3-301. Eligible officiants include:

• Active or retired judges of any court of record or general sessions court.
• The governor or any former governor of Tennessee.
• The county mayor or any member of the county legislative body.
• Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other leaders of any religious institution.
• Tennessee Notaries Public (authorized by Public Chapter 415 in 2021).

Warning: Under current Tennessee jurisprudence, online-ordained ministers (such as those ordained through the Universal Life Church or similar internet-based organizations) remain in a legal gray area. T.C.A. § 36-3-301(a)(2) states that an officiant must have a "care of souls" or active congregation. To guarantee the legal validity of your marriage and prevent future estate or insurance disputes, ensure your officiant is a traditionally ordained minister, a judge, a county mayor, or a commissioned Tennessee Notary Public.

Step 6: Return the Executed License to the County Clerk

Following the ceremony, the officiant is legally responsible for completing the bottom portion of the marriage license. They must record the date, time, and location of the wedding, and sign their name, title, and address.

No witness signatures are statutorily required on Tennessee marriage licenses, though space is provided on some certificates for optional witness signatures.

The completed license must be returned to the issuing County Clerk’s office within three business days of the ceremony. It can be delivered in person or sent via certified mail. Once the clerk registers the executed document, the marriage is legally finalized, and certified copies of the marriage certificate can be purchased for a nominal fee (typically $5.00 to $10.00 per copy).

Tennessee Marriage Regulation Matrix

The legal rules, fees, and documentation standards differ depending on your age, residency status, and premarital education status.

Common Administrative Obstacles & Remedial Actions

Issue: Officiant's Credentials Rejected or Challenged by County Clerk

• Root Cause: The wedding ceremony was performed by an internet-ordained minister whose legal standing under T.C.A. § 36-3-301 is actively questioned or rejected by the specific county clerk’s office registering the certificate.
• Actionable Fix: Arrange an immediate "administrative" ceremony with a local General Sessions Judge, County Mayor, or Tennessee Notary Public. Have them execute a new, valid marriage license within your 30-day window to guarantee the marriage is legally binding under Tennessee state law.

Issue: Non-US Citizen Lacks a Social Security Number

• Root Cause: The applicant is a foreign national on a visa or resides out of the country, meaning they do not possess an SSN card, which triggers a validation block on standard clerk application terminals.
• Actionable Fix: Request a physical copy of the "Affidavit of No Social Security Number" from the County Clerk. The non-citizen applicant must sign this document under oath in front of the clerk, which legally satisfies the SSN requirement. You must still provide a valid foreign passport as primary photo identification.

Issue: Expiration of the 30-Day Window Prior to the Ceremony

• Root Cause: Sudden scheduling changes, weather delays, or medical emergencies forced the postponement of the wedding beyond 30 days from the license's date of issuance.
• Actionable Fix: Do not attempt to use the expired license; a ceremony performed with an expired license is legally void. Both parties must return to the County Clerk’s office, apply for a completely new license, pay the registration fees a second time, and secure a new 30-day window.

Issue: Mismatched Names on Supporting Documents

• Root Cause: An applicant’s driver's license displays their current name, but their birth certificate or divorce decree shows a previous surname, causing an identity-matching error during validation.
• Actionable Fix: Bring a certified copy of the legal document that links the names (such as a certified final divorce decree, adoption decree, or court-ordered name change document). If these are unavailable, you must update your state-issued photo ID at a DMV to reflect your current legal name before applying for your marriage license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get married in Tennessee if we live in another state?

Yes. Tennessee has no residency requirements for marriage licenses. Non-residents can apply in any Tennessee county and get married anywhere within the state's borders. Out-of-state couples must still complete their ceremony within 30 days of license issuance and return the document to the issuing clerk.

Is a blood test required to get married in Tennessee?

No. Tennessee repealed its statutory requirement for premarital blood testing and medical exams. There are no health screenings, blood tests, or physical examinations required to obtain a marriage license in the state.

Can a notary public perform a wedding ceremony in Tennessee?

Yes. As of April 2021, under Tennessee Public Chapter 415, any commissioned Notary Public in the State of Tennessee is legally authorized to solemnize marriage ceremonies. The notary must sign the license and indicate their official title as "Notary Public" along with their commission expiration date.

How do we get a certified copy of our Tennessee marriage certificate?

You can obtain certified copies directly from the County Clerk’s office that issued your license, either by mail or in person, for a fee of approximately $5.00 per copy. Alternatively, you can order records online through the Tennessee Department of Health Office of Vital Records, which maintains marriage certificates dating back to 1945.

Begin Your Journey to a Legally Binding Tennessee Wedding

Prepare your documentation, schedule your appointment with the County Clerk, and locate a state-authorized officiant to ensure your marriage is recognized under Tennessee law. Taking these steps ahead of time allows you to focus on your celebration with complete peace of mind.