Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding in Tennessee requires an understanding of the state's unique marriage laws. To legally marry in Tennessee, couples must obtain a marriage license from their local county clerk's office. This typically involves providing proof of age, social security details, and parental information. Tennessee recognizes civil and religious wedding ceremonies, with authorized officiants including ministers, judges, and other government officials. The wedding ceremony must take place within 30 days of receiving the license, and the officiant must pronounce the couple married to fully solemnize the union. Same-sex marriages are recognized, while marriages between close blood relatives are prohibited.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum age of couple | 18 years old |
| Minimum age of minister | 18 years old |
| Minors | 16-17 years old: signed consent of two legal guardians and a 3-day waiting period |
| Minors | Under 16 years old: approval of Juvenile Court |
| Identification | Birth certificate, driver's license, social security card or number, passport |
| Documentation | Proof of divorce, death certificate, month and year of divorce |
| Marriage license | Valid for 30 days after issuance |
| Marriage license | Issued by the county clerk |
| Marriage license | Application fee: $100, discounted fee: $40 with documentation of premarital preparation course |
| Officiants | Ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, spiritual leaders, judges, government officials |
| Officiants | No registration required, but proof of ordination may be requested |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Marriage licenses: Apply in person at your local county clerk's office
- Identification: Bring a driver's license, birth certificate, and Social Security card or passport
- Previous marriages: Provide proof of divorce or death of a spouse
- Officiants: Must be ordained ministers or government officials
- Ceremony: Vows and declaration of marriage are mandatory
Marriage licenses: Apply in person at your local county clerk's office
To get married in Tennessee, you must obtain a marriage license from your local county clerk's office. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Marriage licenses are issued by county clerks in Tennessee, and the process can vary slightly from county to county. It is recommended to complete this process about a month before your wedding date.
Both parties must be present at the county clerk's office to obtain the license. You will need to bring a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license, birth certificate, or passport if you are not a US citizen. Additionally, you will need to provide your Social Security card if your Social Security number is not printed on your driver's license. You will also need to know your parents' names, birthplaces, and addresses, as well as your own name, age, address, and Social Security number.
If either party has been previously married, you will need to provide proof of divorce or the death of your previous spouse. A certified copy of the divorce decree will be required if one of the parties had a name change during the divorce and their name has not been updated on their driver's license.
The marriage license application fee is typically around $100, but it can vary by county. However, if you can provide proof of completing a premarital preparation course, you may be eligible for a discounted fee of $40. The license will be valid for 30 days after issuance, and there is no required waiting period between receiving the license and the wedding ceremony.
Once you have obtained the marriage license, you must present it to the officiant who will be performing the ceremony. The officiant will then be responsible for returning the completed license to the issuing county clerk's office within three days of the wedding.
Gifts for Family Weddings: To Give or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Identification: Bring a driver's license, birth certificate, and Social Security card or passport
When applying for a marriage license in Tennessee, you must bring proof of your date of birth and your Social Security number. Accepted forms of identification include a driver's license, birth certificate, and Social Security card or passport. If your Social Security number is not printed on your driver's license, you will need to bring your Social Security card. If you are not a US citizen, you must show a valid passport.
In addition to providing identification, you will also need to know your parents' names, birthplaces, and addresses. If you have been married before, you will need to provide proof of divorce or the death of your spouse. If one of the parties changed their name during the divorce and their name has not been updated on their driver's license, a certified copy of the divorce decree will be required.
It is recommended that you complete the legal element of your wedding around a month before your wedding date. You can start the marriage license application process online to save time, but you will still need to go to the county clerk's office in person to finalize and pick up your marriage license. Marriage licenses in Tennessee are valid for 30 days after issuance, and there is no required waiting period between receiving the license and the wedding ceremony. The application fee for a marriage license is typically around $100, but some counties offer a discounted fee of $40 for couples who present documentation that they have completed a premarital preparation course within the 12 months preceding the application date.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding": Fact or Fiction
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Previous marriages: Provide proof of divorce or death of a spouse
If either member of the couple has been married before, they will need to provide proof of divorce. A certified copy of the divorce decree will be required if one of the parties (bride or partner) had a name change during the divorce and her name has not been updated on her driver's license. If the spouse has been widowed, it may be useful to bring a death certificate to prove the previous spouse's death. This will include knowing the month and year of the divorce or the date of the death of the deceased spouse.
In Tennessee, marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk in each county. The requirements may differ by location, but it is a good idea to have your birth certificate and driver's license on hand. If your Social Security number is not printed on your driver's license, you will need to bring your Social Security card. If you are not a US citizen, you must show a valid passport.
Both parties must be at least 16 years old to marry in Tennessee. If either party is under 18, a parent, guardian, next of kin, or person with custody of the applicant must join the application. Minors under 16 cannot be issued a marriage license without the approval of the Juvenile Court. Minors between 16 and 18 must observe a waiting period of three days after obtaining signatures consenting to the marriage from two separate legal guardians.
Marriage licenses in Tennessee are valid for 30 days after issuance, and there is no required waiting period between receiving the license and the wedding ceremony. The wedding ceremony must take place within this 30-day period, and the license must be returned to the issuing county clerk within three days of the ceremony.
Planning a Wedding: First Steps for the Big Day
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Officiants: Must be ordained ministers or government officials
Tennessee has specific requirements for officiants, who must be ordained ministers or government officials. The state recognises both civil and religious wedding ceremonies, and the law outlines which categories of officials can perform each type.
For religious ceremonies, the officiant must be a minister, preacher, pastor, priest, rabbi, or another spiritual leader "having the care of souls". They must be over the age of 18 and be ordained by a "considered, deliberate, and responsible act". Tennessee does not require officiants to register with any government office, and online ordination is accepted. However, proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue, so it is essential to keep official Ministry Credentials on hand.
Civil ceremonies may be performed by county clerks, federal and state judges, and state or local officials, as long as they have not committed a felony. This includes the governor, current and former judges and chancellors, county clerks, and mayors of any municipality.
It is important to note that the couple must present a valid marriage license to the officiant before the ceremony. The officiant is then responsible for returning the completed license to the county clerk within three days of the wedding.
Songs for a Wedding Reception: How Many Do I Need?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ceremony: Vows and declaration of marriage are mandatory
When it comes to the ceremony, there are a few legal requirements for getting married in Tennessee. The vows and declaration of marriage are the only mandated parts of the ceremony. There is no required formula that needs to be observed, except that the couple must declare, in the presence of the officiant, that they accept each other as spouses. This declaration can be as simple as both couples agreeing to enter into the marriage.
For a marriage to be legally recognised by the state of Tennessee, it must include the verbal consent of each member of the couple to accept the other as their legally wedded spouse. After the vows, the officiant must pronounce the couple married for the wedding to be fully solemnised.
Tennessee does not require witnesses to be present for the wedding and leaves all other decisions up to the couple. However, if either member of the couple is divorced, they will need to provide proof of divorce. If either spouse has been widowed, bringing a death certificate to prove their previous spouse's death may also be useful.
In terms of who can officiate a wedding in Tennessee, the law specifies that all ministers, including online ordained ministers of American Marriage Ministries, are able to solemnise a marriage. However, there are no laws, offices, or procedures requiring officiants to register with any government office. This means that once you are an online ordained minister, you immediately have the legal ability to officiate weddings anywhere in Tennessee. It is, however, a good idea to keep personal records of your official Ministry Credentials, as proof of your ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.
Planning a Civil Wedding: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You must bring proof of your date of birth and social security number. If your Social Security number is not printed on your driver's license, bring your Social Security card. If you are not a US citizen, bring your passport. If you have been married before, bring proof of divorce or the death of your spouse.
You must be 18 or older to marry in Tennessee. The state recognizes same-sex marriages and does not require witnesses to be present at the wedding. If you are under 18, you must have the signed consent of two legal guardians and observe a three-day waiting period.
Religious ceremonies must be officiated by a minister, preacher, pastor, priest, rabbi, or another spiritual leader. Civil ceremonies may be performed by county clerks, federal and state judges, and state or local officials.
Booking accommodations early is key, especially if your wedding coincides with a major event. You should also start booking vendors 12-18 months in advance.
