How To Get Married In Tn

Marriage License

Marriage license and notary commission services are fully operational at our main office. Marriage license applicants must submit an application online before visiting the office. Security will be on hand to limit the number of people entering the office and will only allow access to the customers transacting business. All persons entering a building owned, managed or leased by Metro shall wear a cloth face covering or mask.

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE

Proof of date of birth such as government issued photo identification

AND…

Proof of Social Security Number, such as social security card or tax document with social security number listed. Passports and birth certificates do not meet this criteria. This requirement is for individuals who have been issued a social security number.

AND…

Both parties must appear together at the700 2nd Ave South, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37210 (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., M-F) and must have proof that they are 18 or older.
The fee for a marriage license is $99.50. 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. The couple must provide a Certificate of Completion form that has been completed and signed by the course provider. (Course provider's signature on the Certificate of Completion must be notarized).
Cash, debit/credit cards, and money orders are acceptable forms of payment. The County Clerk's Office does not accept checks for the purchase of a marriage license.

The marriage license is valid for thirty (30) days from issuance and is good for ceremonies performed anywhere in Tennessee. The only marriage law information available from this office pertains to Tennessee only. We do not provide information on divorce or annulment.

MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION

You must apply onlinebefore visiting the County Clerk's Office. Click here and then click on "Marriage Application".

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 …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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I obtain a certified copy of a marriage license?
Click here for more information.

Who can solemnize a marriage?
Click here for more information.

Why should we participate in the premarital preparation course?
Tennessee's voluntary premarital preparation course is an attempt to lessen the number of divorces in the state. Participants receive a $60 discount on the purchase of a marriage license. Click here for the form and all of the details.

What happens if I purchase a marriage license but don't get married?

If a marriage license application is not signed by an officiant solemnizing the marriage and returned to our office the marriage is not recorded in the County's Marriage Registry. The marriage license fee is non-refundable, however, the $5 fee for a certified copy of the marriage certificate will be refunded upon request.

What are some of the restrictions of who can get married?

Click here for more information on the minimum age of marriage applicants.

Does Tennessee recognize Common Law Marriages?
Marriage is controlled by statute and not common law in Tennessee. Although Tennessee does not recognize common law marriages, Tennessee will recognize a valid common law marriage entered into in a jurisdiction which recognizes common law marriages. In re Estate of Glover, 882 S.W.2d 789 (Tenn. App 1994); Andrew v. Signal Auto Parts, Inc., 492 S.W.2d 222 (Tenn. 1972); Lightsey v. Lightsey, 407 S.W.2d 684, 56 Tenn. App 394 (Tenn. App 1966); Troxel v. Jones, 322 S.W.2d 251, 45 Tenn. App 264 (tenn. App. 1959). But see Crawford v Crawford, 198 Tenn. 9, 277 S.W.2d 389 (1955) (parties may be estopped to deny marriage, as between themselves, in exceptional circumstances).

How can I research or get a copy of a family member's marriage license?
Contact theTennessee Vital Records office at 615-741-1763.

If you have any questions not answered in the above information, please call us at (615) 862-6256.