Sheriff's Wedding Ordination: Tennessee Law Explained

Tennessee has a long list of people who are authorised to solemnise weddings, from religious leaders to government officials. But can an elected sheriff – a law enforcement officer – officiate a wedding in the state?

Who can officiate a wedding in Tennessee?

Tennessee recognises both civil and religious wedding ceremonies, and the law outlines the categories of officials who may perform each type.

Religious ceremonies

For a religious ceremony, the officiant must be a spiritual leader who has the "care of souls", and be over the age of 18. This includes ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders of every belief. They must be ordained or designated by their religious group to perform marriages, and this ordination must be a "considered, deliberate, and responsible act".

Civil ceremonies

For a civil ceremony, the following officials are authorised to perform weddings:

• County clerks
• Federal and state judges
• State or local officials, as long as they have not been convicted of a felony or removed from office
• Current and former members of county legislative bodies
• County mayors/executives and former county mayors/executives
• Current and former speakers of the senate and speakers of the house of representatives
• Mayors of municipalities
• Military chaplains officially appointed by their commanding officer
• A Tennessee Notary Public

An elected sheriff is not listed as one of the officials authorised to perform civil ceremonies in Tennessee. However, law enforcement chaplains duly appointed by the heads of authorised state and local law enforcement agencies are permitted to officiate weddings.

What are the requirements to officiate a wedding in Tennessee?

To officiate a wedding in Tennessee, you must be over the age of 18 and be one of the following:

• Regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, or other religious leaders of every religious belief, having the care of souls
• Current or former members of county legislative bodies
• County mayors/executives or former county mayors/executives
• Current or former judges and chancellors of the state, including federal judges and federal administrative law judges
• Current or former judges of general sessions courts
• Municipal court judges
• The county clerk of each county, and former county clerks who occupied the office on or after July 1, 2014
• Current or former speakers of the senate and speakers of the house of representatives
• Mayors of municipalities
• Members of the general assembly who have filed notice with the office of vital records
• Law enforcement chaplains duly appointed by the heads of authorized state and local law enforcement agencies
• Military chaplains officially appointed by their respective commanding officers
• Members of municipal legislative bodies
• A Tennessee Notary Public

In addition, there are some important steps you must follow when officiating a wedding in Tennessee:

• Check the county marriage laws and requirements
• Obtain a valid marriage license from the county clerk's office
• Perform the ceremony, including the couple's verbal consent to marry and acceptance of each other as spouses
• Fill out and return the marriage license to the county clerk within three days of the ceremony
• Sign the marriage license, listing your title as "Minister", the ceremony type as "Religious", and the denomination as "Non-Denominational"

What are the documents required to officiate a wedding in Tennessee?

To officiate a wedding in Tennessee, there are a few key documents that are required. These include:

• A valid marriage license: The couple must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office, which is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. The license must be presented to the officiant before the ceremony and returned to the issuing county clerk within three days of the wedding.
• Proof of identity and age: Both applicants must provide identification and information such as their names, ages, addresses, and social security numbers.
• Parental consent: If either party is under 18 years of age, parental or guardian consent is required.
• Proof of divorce: If either party has been previously married, proof of divorce is necessary.
• Ordination or designation: The officiant must be ordained or designated by a religious group or organization. This can include ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other spiritual leaders over the age of 18.
• Proof of premarital counselling (optional): Providing a certificate of completion for premarital counselling can result in a reduced marriage license fee.

It is important to note that the specific requirements may vary from county to county in Tennessee, so it is advisable to contact the local County Clerk's office to confirm the exact documents needed.

What is the minimum age to officiate a wedding in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the minimum age to officiate a wedding is 18 years. The state requires that all officiants be "regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis and other spiritual leaders of every religious belief, more than eighteen (18) years of age, having the care of souls".

While Tennessee Law does not require officiants to register with any government office, they must be ordained by a religious organization, such as the American Marriage Ministries, and have their official Ministry Credentials on hand as proof of their ordination.

In addition to religious officials, certain government officials are also authorized to perform wedding ceremonies in Tennessee. These include:

• The speaker of the Senate and former speakers of the Senate
• The speaker of the House of Representatives and former speakers of the House of Representatives
• Current and former members of county legislative bodies or county commissions
• Current or former county mayors or county executives
• Current or former judges and chancellors, including any judge of the United States courts who are citizens of Tennessee
• The county clerk of each county and former county clerks who occupied the office on or after July 1, 2014
• Mayors of any municipality

What is the process to become an ordained minister in Tennessee?

The process to become an ordained minister in Tennessee is straightforward, and can be completed in just a few steps. Here is a detailed guide on how to become an ordained minister in the state:

• Get Ordained Online: The first step is to get ordained online with an organization like the Universal Life Church (ULC). Ordination is free and can be completed in just a few minutes. The ULC is one of the world's largest religious organizations, and its ministers are legally recognized to perform weddings in Tennessee.
• Contact the County Clerk: Once you are ordained, you need to contact the office of your local marriage authority, typically the county clerk in Tennessee. Let them know that you are a minister ordained online and ask about any specific requirements or documents they may need from you. Requirements may vary from county to county, so it is essential to check with the specific county clerk's office.
• Obtain Credentials: After contacting the county clerk, you will need to obtain physical copies of your ordination credentials. This typically includes a Letter of Good Standing, which serves as proof of your ordination and ministry. These documents can be purchased from the online store of your ordaining organization.
• Register as a Wedding Officiant: In some cases, you may need to register as a wedding officiant with the county clerk's office. This step is not always required in Tennessee, but it is a good idea to confirm with the clerk's office to ensure you have met all the necessary requirements.
• Understand Marriage License Requirements: As a minister, it is important to understand how marriage licenses work in Tennessee. The couple getting married will need to obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office, which is typically valid for 30 days. There is usually no waiting period between when the couple receives the license and when the ceremony can be performed.
• Perform the Wedding: Once you have completed the above steps and the couple has obtained their marriage license, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure to sign the marriage license along with the couple and their witnesses after the ceremony. Return the signed license to the issuing office within the specified time frame, usually within three days.

By following these steps, you can become an ordained minister in Tennessee and legally perform wedding ceremonies in the state. It is important to stay informed about the specific requirements and laws in Tennessee to ensure that the weddings you officiate are legally recognized.

Frequently asked questions