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How do I get a marriage license?

County Clerk (county level - each of Tennessee's 95 counties)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Both applicants must appear together in person at any TN County Clerk's office (appointments required at some offices - check your specific county website); many counties offer online pre-application to save time - complete in advance and bring a tracking number/confirmation
  2. Both applicants sign the permanent marriage record book in the presence of the County Clerk staff
  3. Pay the fee; license issued immediately - NO waiting period; can marry same day
  4. License valid for 30 DAYS from date of issue - one of the shorter validity windows nationally; ceremony must take place within 30 days; if expired, must reapply and pay again
  5. The authorized officiant MUST return the completed license to the issuing county Clerk within 3 DAYS from the date of the marriage (not the date of issue); this is the return deadline - alert your officiant
  6. Certified copies of the marriage certificate: available from the issuing County Clerk's office (typically $5-$10) or from TN Vital Records/Tennessee State Library and Archives ($15 statewide); request at time of application or after ceremony
  7. PREMARITAL PREPARATION COURSE FEE REDUCTION: Tennessee significantly reduces the license fee if the couple completes a minimum 4-hour premarital preparation course:
  8. - Standard fee: varies by county, approximately $97.50-$107.50
  9. - Reduced fee with counseling certificate: approximately $37.50-$47.50 (roughly $60 discount)
  10. - Must present a notarized Certificate of Completion from a qualified instructor AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION; certificate must be notarized with instructor's original notarized signature; no copies or after-the-fact submissions
  11. - Course must be conducted by a qualified instructor as defined by TN law (T.C.A. 36-3-301)
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid government-issued photo ID with date of birth (driver's license, passport, or government ID) for both applicants; OR a certified birth certificate; some counties require TWO forms of ID - verify with your county
  • Social Security number for both applicants (required by T.C.A. 36-3-104; must be provided if you have one issued); non-U.S. citizens without SSN are not required to provide one
  • Names and addresses of parents/guardians/next of kin for both applicants (per T.C.A. 36-3-104)
  • If previously married and divorced: some counties request date and county/state of divorce; certified divorce decree not always required but have it available
  • Both applicants must be at least 18; under 17 cannot marry in Tennessee; ages 17-17: additional requirements per TN law (anyone under 18 may not marry someone 4+ years older per current law); contact county Clerk for minor requirements
Fee
varies by county, approximately $97.50-$107.50 - Reduced fee with counseling certificate: approximately $37.50-$47.50 (roughly $60 discount) - Must present a notarized Certificate of Completion from a qualified instructor AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION; certificate must be notarized with instructor's original notarized signature; no copies or after-the-fact submissions - Course must be conducted by a qualified instructor as defined by TN law (T.C.A. 36-3-301)
Waiting Period
NONE - license effective immediately LICENSE VALIDITY: 30 DAYS from date of issue OFFICIANT RETURN DEADLINE: 3 DAYS after the marriage ceremony (not after license issuance) PREMARITAL COUNSELING DISCOUNT: Approximately $60 savings; requires notarized Certificate of Completion submitted at time of application ONLINE PRE-APPLICATION: Many TN counties offer this; reduces in-office time APPOINTMENT: Required at some counties (Wilson County, others - check your county) WHERE TO GO: County Clerk in any TN county
Where to Go
County Clerk in any TN county
County-specific variations apply

TN's 95 county Clerks each set their own exact fees and minor procedural details within state law. Shelby County (Memphis), Davidson County (Nashville), Knox County (Knoxville), Hamilton County (Chattanooga), Rutherford County (Murfreesboro), and Williamson County (Franklin) are the largest. Sevier County (Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge) is notable for its very high volume of weddings and sometimes offers non-resident discounts; call ahead. Montgomery County (Clarksville) is near Fort Campbell and handles high military volume. Rural TN counties may have limited hours.

Tennessee Notes

Important state-specific details

  • 30-day validity - short; plan ceremony within 30 days.
  • 3-day officiant return deadline - one of the shortest nationally; alert your officiant.
  • Premarital counseling discount: approximately $60 savings with notarized Certificate of Completion; brings fee to approximately $37.50-$47.50 at most counties.
  • No residency requirement; any county's license valid statewide.
  • First cousins may marry in Tennessee.
  • Common law marriage: NOT recognized in Tennessee (for marriages entered after Jan 1, 1997; some pre-1997 common law marriages still recognized).
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Tennessee Vital Records (marriage certificates after filing) - tn.gov/health/vr | vitalrecords.tn.gov; Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) - sos.tn.gov/library-archives | (615) 741-2764; County Clerk (varies by county)