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Tennessee Marriage Laws


Tennessee Marriage Laws and Tennessee Marriage License Requirements

Tennessee has much to offer when it comes to a destination wedding. There are several very romantic destinations within Tennessee that are just perfect for hosting your special day. The Chattanooga area provides both the beauty of Lookout Mountain and the serene beauty of a Fall Riverboat wedding on the Tennessee River. As well as the Chattanooga area Tennessee has Gatlinburg which is nestled in the Smokey Mountains and is the gateway city to the Smokey Mountains. Gatlinburg has for decades been a favorite spot for those couples wanting to elope. But, before you get too carried away with finding what city in Tennessee you want to get married in you will first want to make sure that you satisfy all the requirements need for marriage in the state of Tennessee. We recommend that you read through the high level Tennessee Marriage License Requirements provided below, and then follow that up with a phone call to the county clerks office to make sure everything needed is in order.

Valid US ID

If you are a United States citizen you will need a Social Security Number to get married in the state of Tennessee. As well as the SSN you will need either a birth certificate that has been certified or a driver’s license. If you are not a US citizen you can present a valid passport with a current visa to the county clerk’s office.

Residency

You neither have to be a Tennessee or United States resident to marry in Tennessee.

Waiting Period

There is no waiting for a marriage license in state of Tennessee. Though if you are a resident of Tennessee and want to get the premarital counseling discount then you will need to finish your pre-marriage counseling within a year of your wedding date. See the fees and taxes section below.

Length Marriage License is Valid

Your marriage license will be valid for thirty 30 days from the time it is issued, and will be good for ceremonies performed anywhere in Tennessee.

Medical and Other Tests

There are no medical test required.

Age Requirements

At the age of 18 no parental consent it needed. Before the age of 18 all applicants must be accompanied by their parents, legal guardian, next of kin, or person having custody of the applicant and that person must, under oath, state that the applicant is at least 16 years old and that person must give their consent to marry.

Marriages by Proxy

No a proxy marriage in its purist sense is not allowed in Tennessee. Though, if one of the marriage license applicants is incarcerated or has a disability which prevents then from appearing before the county clerks office then a notarized statement containing the applicants name, age, current address and the names and address of the parents, guardian or next of kin can be presented before the county clerk.

Previously Married

If you have been previously divorced then you will need to supply a copy of the divorce decree.

Fees and Taxes

Marriage License fees will range from $97.50 to $99.50. The state of Tennessee will take $60 off of any marriage license if you have taken the voluntary premarital counseling and provide a Certificate of Completion form that has been signed by the course provider. If you are not a resident of the state the cost is only $38.50.

Marrying a Cousin

Yes. You may marry a first cousin in the state of Tennessee.

Common Law

There are no common law marriages in the state of Tennessee, but the state will recognize a common law marriage from other states.

Same Sex Marriages

There is no same sex marriage in Tennessee.

Wedding Officiants

  1. Pastors, ministers, preachers, priests,
    rabbis, and other spiritual leaders of every religious
    belief, that is older than 18 years old. The qualified officiants must be ordained with the customs of a religious group.
  2. Any member of a county legislative body or any county executives
    Former or otherwise may officiate. Current and former judges, governors, and current county clerks, current or former speakers of the senate or house my officiate.
  3. Mayors of municipalities.

Miscellaneous

Please leave a comment and let me know if you have any other information that might be useful. Two usefull links for obtaining Tennessee marriage laws information are the Nashville, Tennessee County Marriage Law information page and the Hamilton County Marriage Laws page.

Obtaining a Copy of Marriage Certificate

You must contact the county you married via mail and request including the bride’s full maiden name, the groom’s name, the date of the marriage and $5.00 for each copy requested. Please contact the county clerk’s office for more details.

Premarital Counseling

Premarital counseling is not required in Tennessee, but there are discounts provided by the state if you do receive counseling. See the Fees and Taxes above.

Topics: Tennessee |

One Response to “Tennessee Marriage Laws”

  1. burden Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 7:42 am

    Im a ga resident, want to get married in TN.what I need to do, to use my license in ga.

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