George Boyle
As of May 1, 2015, civil ceremonies are no longer performed at the Rutherford County Clerk office in Tennessee. Marriage licenses are issued by the Rutherford County Clerk, but couples must have their licenses officiated to make their union official. There are no 'courthouse' weddings easily available in Nashville, but Nashville Wedding Officiant Zelda and her team have officiated over 1,000 weddings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Courthouse Weddings | Rutherford County, TN no longer performs civil ceremonies at the County Clerk office as of May 1, 2015 |
| Marriage License | Required to get married in Tennessee; cannot use an out-of-state license |
| Marriage License Fee | $107.50; $45 with a "Certificate of Completion" from the County Clerk |
| Certified Copies of Marriage License | $5 in person; $7 by mail |
| County Clerk Locations | Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Blackman, and Eagleville |
| County Clerk Hours | Vary by location, generally Mon-Fri 8am-4pm/5pm, some locations open on Saturdays |
| Additional Requirements for Marriage License | Both parties must have photo IDs and Social Security numbers, along with other details like parents' names and birth states |
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What You'll Learn
Rutherford County Clerk no longer performs civil ceremonies
As of May 1, 2015, civil ceremonies are no longer performed at the Rutherford County Clerk's office in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Eagleville, and Blackman locations. While the Rutherford County Clerk's office still issues marriage licenses, couples will need to find another official to perform the marriage ceremony and return the signed documents in order to receive their Marriage Certificate. This is a change from previous years, where the Rutherford County Clerk's office would perform civil marriage ceremonies in addition to issuing marriage licenses.
Obtaining a marriage license in Rutherford County, Tennessee, requires a fee of $107.50. If you have a "Certificate of Completion" form from the County Clerk's office completed and notarized by the Counselor/Minister, the fee is reduced to $45.00. The marriage license is valid for thirty (30) days, and if the couple does not marry within this time frame, all marriage documents must be returned to the Rutherford County Clerk's office.
Once the marriage ceremony has been completed, the officiant (or person who performs the marriage ceremony) must return the signed Marriage License to the Rutherford County Clerk within three (3) days. The couple can then pick up their official Marriage Certificate from the County Clerk's office; the certificate will not be mailed.
It is important to note that obtaining a marriage license does not mean that a couple is legally married. The license indicates that the couple is able to get married, but the license must be officiated to make the union official. In Tennessee, a marriage license issued by the state can be officiated in any county within the state. For example, a couple can get married in Nashville-Davidson County with a license issued in Sumner County.
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Marriage licenses are valid for 30 days
In Rutherford County, Tennessee, marriage licenses are valid for 30 days, including the day they are applied for. If a couple does not marry within this period, they must return all marriage documents to the county clerk's office. To obtain a marriage license in Rutherford County, couples can visit the County Clerk's office in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Eagleville, or Blackman. The fee for a marriage license is $107.50, unless a "Certificate of Completion" form from the County Clerk's office is completed and notarized by the Counselor/Minister, in which case the fee is $45.00.
It is important to note that obtaining a marriage license does not mean a couple is legally married. The license simply enables them to get married. Once the couple has their wedding or elopement, they must return the completed license to the official who issued it, which in Tennessee is the county clerk. The couple will then receive a Certificate of Marriage, at which point their marriage is officially recognized.
In Tennessee, couples must have a Tennessee marriage license to get married in the state. Out-of-state marriage licenses are not accepted. However, as long as a couple has a Tennessee marriage license, they can have their marriage officiated in any county within the state. For example, a couple could get married in Nashville-Davidson County with a license issued in Sumner County.
To avoid any issues, it is recommended that couples book their officiant as soon as they obtain their marriage license to ensure their license is still valid by the time of their wedding. If a marriage license expires before it is officiated, the couple must return to the county clerk and pay for a new license to be issued.
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The license fee is $107.50
To get married in Tennessee, you must have a Tennessee marriage license. The license fee in Rutherford County, TN, is $107.50. This is a flat fee for all couples applying for a marriage license, with some additional requirements. Both parties must be present with their photo IDs and Social Security numbers. Applicants must provide their parents' first, middle, and last names (including maiden names, if applicable) as well as the state of their parents' birth. If you've been married before, you'll need to provide the date your previous marriage ended (an approximate date is fine).
There is an additional 2.25% + $0.25 convenience fee charged on all credit and debit card transactions. This fee is collected by a third-party processor, and Rutherford County does not receive any part of this fee. The Rutherford County Clerk's Office accepts cash and checks drawn on Tennessee banks only. No out-of-state checks are accepted. Checks should be made payable to the Rutherford County Clerk and should include your phone number.
After obtaining your marriage license, you'll need to have your license officiated to make your union official. In Nashville, there are no 'courthouse' weddings easily available. Once you've had your wedding or elopement, you'll need to return the completed license to the official who issued it (in Tennessee, that will be the county clerk) to receive your marriage certificate. Only upon the return of the signed documents will the clerk provide the applicants with their marriage certificate. The couple can pick up their certificate at the County Clerk's office; it will not be mailed.
It's important to note that obtaining a marriage license does not mean you are legally married; it just means you are able to get married. If your marriage license expires before you can get it officiated, you'll have to return to the county clerk and pay to have a new license issued.
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Couples must provide photo IDs and Social Security numbers
To get married in Tennessee, you must have a Tennessee marriage license issued by the county clerk. In Rutherford County, TN, the county clerk issues marriage licenses, among other permits. However, as of May 1, 2015, civil ceremonies are no longer performed at the Rutherford County Clerk office in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Eagleville, and Blackman locations.
Couples seeking a marriage license must provide photo IDs and Social Security numbers. Applicants must also provide their parents' first, middle, and last names, including maiden names, as well as the state of their parents' birth. If either applicant has been married before, they must provide the date their previous marriage ended.
The marriage license fee in Rutherford County is $107.50. If you have a "Certificate of Completion" form from the County Clerk's office, completed and notarized by the Counselor/Minister, the fee is $45.00. The marriage license is valid for 30 days, and if you do not get married within this period, you must return all marriage documents.
After the wedding ceremony, the Officiant (the person who performs the marriage) must return the Marriage License within three days. The couple can then pick up their marriage certificate at the County Clerk's office.
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Certified marriage license copies cost $5 in person and $7 by mail
As of May 1, 2015, civil ceremonies are no longer performed at the Rutherford County Clerk office in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Eagleville, and Blackman locations. Marriage licenses are officiated by the county clerk, who also issues the marriage certificate.
In Rutherford County, Tennessee, the county clerk is a constitutional officer who is elected for a four-year term. The clerk issues marriage licenses, as well as business licenses, county beer permits, and passports. The Rutherford County Clerk's Office accepts cash, checks from Tennessee banks, and debit and credit cards. A convenience fee is charged on all debit and credit card transactions.
In Nashville, Tennessee, there are no 'courthouse' weddings easily available. However, a marriage license can be obtained from any county in the state and officiated in another. For example, a marriage license issued in Sumner County can be officiated in Nashville-Davidson County.
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Frequently asked questions
No, as of May 1, 2015, civil ceremonies are no longer performed at the Rutherford County Clerk office in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Eagleville, and Blackman locations.
You can obtain a marriage license by visiting the Rutherford County Clerk's office in person or by mail. The fee for a marriage license is $107.50, and it is valid for 30 days.
If you are unable to appear in person due to a disability or incarceration, you may submit a notarized statement containing your name, age, current address, and the names and addresses of your parents or guardian.
You can obtain certified copies of your marriage license in person at the Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Blackman offices for a $5.00 fee. Alternatively, you can request the copies by mail for a $7.00 fee.
