To get a marriage license in Tennessee, both you and your partner go in person to any county clerk’s office with valid photo identification, your personal information including Social Security numbers, and the license fee. There is no residency requirement, no waiting period for adults, and no blood test. Most couples leave with a license the same day.
What to Bring
The identification you need depends on your age. If you are 21 or older, any government-issued photo ID works: a driver’s license, a state ID, or a passport. If you are 18 to 20, bring a certified copy of your birth certificate as well to verify your age.1Shelby County, TN. Marriage Licenses
Both of you also need to provide your full legal name, current address, age, and Social Security number, along with the names and addresses of your parents, guardian, or next of kin.2Justia Law. Tennessee Code 36-3-104 – Conditions Precedent to Issuance of License If you don’t have a Social Security number, show proof of foreign citizenship instead. A foreign passport or immigration and visa documents satisfy that requirement.3Montgomery County Government, TN. Marriage Licenses
If either of you has been married before, know the exact date the prior marriage ended. Some counties want to see a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate, so bringing those along saves a second trip.
Where and How You Apply
Both applicants must appear in person. You can apply at any county clerk’s office in Tennessee, regardless of where you live or where the ceremony will happen. The one exception: if an applicant is incarcerated or has a disability that prevents them from appearing, that person’s presence can be waived by a sworn, notarized statement containing the required application information.
The Fee
The license fee varies by county. Montgomery County, for instance, charges $107.50 for a standard license.3Montgomery County Government, TN. Marriage Licenses Call the clerk’s office where you plan to apply for the exact amount. If the license expires before you marry, you’ll have to buy a new one at full price.
The $60 Premarital Course Discount
Completing a premarital preparation course before you apply cuts $60 off the fee. The course must run at least four hours and be led by a qualified instructor. When you finish, the instructor completes and notarizes a Certificate of Completion form issued by the Tennessee courts.4Tennessee Courts. Certificate of Completion Premarital Preparation Course Bring the certificate to the clerk’s office when you apply. You and your partner can attend separate classes, but each of you must submit a separate certificate.5Justia Law. Tennessee Code 36-6-413 – Funding
If You Are Under 18
You must be at least 17 to get married in Tennessee. No clerk can issue a license if either applicant is younger than 17.6UT County Technical Assistance Service. Minimum Age of Applicants
A 17-year-old applicant faces additional requirements. A parent, legal guardian, or person with custody must join in the application under oath, confirming the applicant is at least 17 and consenting to the marriage. That person can appear at the clerk’s office in person or submit a sworn, notarized affidavit.6UT County Technical Assistance Service. Minimum Age of Applicants The other partner cannot be more than four years older than the 17-year-old. A three-day waiting period also applies before the license issues when a minor is involved.
Marriages Tennessee Won’t License
Marriage between close family members is prohibited, and that includes stepparents and stepchildren. Marrying while you are still legally married to someone else is bigamy, a Class A misdemeanor carrying fines of up to $5,000 on top of any jail sentence.7Tennessee State Government. Public Chapter No. 227 If you have a prior marriage, make sure the divorce or annulment is fully finalized before you apply.
How Long the License Is Good For
Once issued, the license is valid for 30 days. Tennessee counts those 30 days by excluding the issue date and including the last day, unless the last day falls on a weekend or legal holiday, in which case that day is also excluded.8Nashville.gov. Thirty Day Marriage License Validity A ceremony performed after the license expires will not be accepted.
The license is valid for ceremonies anywhere in Tennessee and can also be used for a ceremony outside the state, including destination weddings and cruises. A marriage performed out of state on a Tennessee license carries the same legal status, including property and custody rights, as a ceremony held in-state.9UT County Technical Assistance Service. Out-of-State Ceremonies One catch: officiants authorized by Tennessee are not authorized to perform ceremonies elsewhere, so an out-of-state ceremony needs an officiant recognized where it takes place.
Who Can Legally Officiate
Tennessee authorizes religious leaders (ministers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other spiritual leaders at least 18 years old who have care of a congregation) as well as a broad list of government officials, including judges, chancellors, county mayors, county clerks, notaries public, and current and former state legislators who have filed notice.10Justia Law. Tennessee Code 36-3-301 – Persons Who May Solemnize Marriages A religious officiant must be ordained or designated through a considered, deliberate act by a recognized religious organization.
One point that surprises many couples: ministers ordained online cannot legally perform a wedding in Tennessee. Marriages performed by an online-ordained officiant before July 1, 2019 remain valid, but ceremonies after that date are at risk.10Justia Law. Tennessee Code 36-3-301 – Persons Who May Solemnize Marriages Confirm with your officiant how they were ordained before you finalize plans.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant endorses the license with the date and time of the ceremony, signs it, and returns it to the county clerk within three days.11UT County Technical Assistance Service. Certification and Return of the License Late return does not invalidate the marriage, but it can delay your ability to get a certified marriage certificate, so remind your officiant.
The license itself is not your long-term proof of marriage. For name changes, insurance updates, and other legal purposes, you need a certified marriage certificate. Order one from the Tennessee Vital Records Office in Nashville, from any local county health department, or online through VitalChek, the state’s authorized online vendor.12State of Tennessee Department of Health. How Do I Get My Certificate? (In Person, Local County Health Department, Mail, or Online) Bring a government-issued photo ID to pick one up in person, or mail an application with a photocopy of your ID and a check payable to Tennessee Vital Records.
If you plan to take your spouse’s last name, go to the Social Security Administration first, then visit a Driver Services Center with your current license and the original or certified marriage certificate. The certificate has to be the registered version issued after the ceremony, not the license that authorized it. The duplicate license fee runs $8 to $16.13TN.gov. Name Change