How To Officiate A Wedding In Tennessee

If you're planning to officiate a wedding in Tennessee, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, it is important to check the county marriage laws and requirements as these can vary from county to county. You will also need to obtain a valid marriage license, which is issued by the county clerk's office, and has a validity period of 30 days with no waiting period. It is the responsibility of the officiant to handle and complete the marriage license on the wedding day.

In terms of who can officiate a wedding in Tennessee, this includes all regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders over the age of 18, as well as certain government officials such as judges, mayors, and members of legislative bodies. It is worth noting that in 2019, Tennessee attempted to pass a law barring ministers ordained online from solemnizing weddings, but this was challenged in court and the rights of ministers to officiate were secured in 2023.

Who can officiate a wedding in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the following people can officiate a wedding:

• Regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders of every religious belief, over the age of 18, having the care of souls
• Current and former members of county legislative bodies
• County mayors/executives and former county mayors/executives
• Current and former judges and chancellors of the state, including federal judges and federal administrative law judges
• Current and 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 and 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 2019, Tennessee tried to pass a law that would bar ministers who were ordained online from solemnizing weddings. However, this law was challenged in federal court, and in 2023 the ULC secured assurances that its ministers' rights to perform wedding ceremonies in Tennessee would be respected.

Regardless of location, there are some basic steps that need to be followed to officiate a wedding in Tennessee:

• Become ordained online
• Check county marriage requirements
• Obtain a valid marriage license
• Prepare for the wedding

As a wedding officiant in Tennessee, you have two main duties:

• Conduct the wedding ceremony (non-legal duty)
• Complete the marriage license (legal duty)

It is the legal responsibility of the officiant to fill out the marriage license in the presence of the couple and any required witnesses.

How to officiate a wedding in Tennessee

Tennessee has very specific rules about who can officiate a wedding. In 2019, the state tried to pass a law that would bar ministers who were ordained online from solemnizing weddings. However, this law was challenged in court and, as of 2023, online ministers' rights to officiate weddings in Tennessee are protected.

Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Tennessee?

According to Chapter 3 of Title 36 of the Tennessee state code, the following people are authorized to perform a marriage in the state:

• Regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other spiritual leaders of every religious belief, over 18 years of age, having the care of souls
• Current and former members of county legislative bodies
• County mayors/executives and former county mayors/executives
• Current and former judges and chancellors of the state, including federal judges and federal administrative law judges
• Current and 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 and 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

If you are qualified to officiate a wedding in Tennessee, there are several steps you must follow to ensure that the ceremony is legal:

• Become ordained online: If you are becoming ordained specifically to officiate a wedding, this is your first step.
• Check county marriage requirements: Marriage requirements can vary from county to county in Tennessee, so it is important to contact the local County Clerk's office to find out what documents you will need to present.
• Obtain a valid marriage license: In Tennessee, marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk's office and are valid for 30 days. There is no waiting period, so the wedding can take place as soon as the license is obtained.
• Prepare for the wedding: This includes everything from writing the ceremony to ordering any necessary documents or supplies.
• Perform the wedding: On the day of the wedding, the officiant's main duties are to conduct the ceremony and complete the marriage license.
• Return the marriage license: In Tennessee, the signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office within 3 days of the ceremony.

Tennessee marriage license

To obtain a marriage license in Tennessee, couples must visit the main office of the County Clerk in their county. Both parties must be present and provide a completed Marriage License application submitted online prior to their visit. They must also provide a valid driver's license, government-issued photo ID, or passport, and proof of their social security number. The cost of a marriage license in Tennessee is typically $97.50, but this fee is reduced to $37.50 if the couple completes a Premarital Preparation Course. There is no waiting period for marriage licenses in Tennessee, and the license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.

Once the couple has obtained their marriage license, it is the officiant's responsibility to ensure that it is filled out correctly and returned to the County Clerk within three days of the wedding. When filling out the marriage license, the officiant should enter "Minister" for their officiant title, "American Marriage Ministries" for the church name, "Non-Denominational" for the religious denomination (unless the ceremony is conducted according to a specific religious tradition), and "Religious" for the ceremony type.

It is important to note that Tennessee law requires couples to be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. For couples where one applicant is between the ages of 17 and 18, the other applicant cannot be more than four years older, and a birth certificate is required for verification.

Tennessee marriage laws

In 2019, Tennessee tried to pass a law that would bar ministers who were ordained online from solemnising weddings. However, this was challenged in court, and in 2023, the ULC secured assurances that its ministers' rights to perform wedding ceremonies in Tennessee would be respected.

To officiate a wedding in Tennessee, there are some basic steps to follow:

• Check County Marriage Laws: Each county may have its own requirements, so it is important to contact the relevant county clerk's office to inquire about specific requirements.
• Acquire a Tennessee Marriage License: Marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk's office and must be presented to the officiant before the wedding. The license is valid for 30 days and there is no mandatory waiting period.
• Perform the Ceremony: As the officiant, you must conduct the wedding ceremony and complete the marriage license, including signing it with the couple.
• Return the Marriage License: The signed marriage license must be returned to the county clerk within 3 days of the wedding.

It is important to note that Tennessee marriage laws require the officiant to be over the age of 18 and to be a recognised religious leader. This can include ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other spiritual leaders of any religious belief who have the care of souls.

Additionally, current and former members of specific government positions, such as county legislative bodies, county mayors, and judges, are also authorised to solemnise marriages in Tennessee.

Tennessee wedding officiant requirements

In Tennessee, the following people can solemnize a marriage:

• Regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders of every religious belief, over 18 years of age, having the care of souls
• Current and former members of county legislative bodies
• County mayors/executives and former county mayors/executives
• Current and former judges and chancellors of the state, including federal judges and federal administrative law judges
• Current and 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 and 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 2019, Tennessee tried to pass a law that would bar ministers who were ordained online from solemnizing weddings. However, in 2023, the Universal Life Church (ULC) secured assurances that its ministers' rights to perform wedding ceremonies in Tennessee would be respected.

To officiate a wedding in Tennessee, you must:

• Check county marriage laws and requirements
• Acquire a Tennessee marriage license by contacting the issuing office, typically the county clerk
• Perform the ceremony
• Complete and sign the marriage license, which must be returned within 3 days of the wedding

Marriage licenses in Tennessee are valid for 30 days and there is no waiting period, meaning the couple can get married on the same day they file for their license.

Frequently asked questions