Tennessee Wedding Laws
What to expect when officiating a wedding.
Get Ordained
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: None
- Couple’s Consent: Required
- Pronouncement: Required
Tennessee allows couples to customize their ceremony’s style but mandates the couple’s verbal consent and the officiating minister’s pronouncement for the marriage to be legally binding.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 (16-17 with Guardian Consent; Under 16 requires Juvenile Court Approval)
- Residency: Not Required
- Kinship Restrictions: First Cousins Allowed; No Closer Relations
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be at least 18 years old to marry without restrictions. Minors aged 16-17 require consent from two legal guardians. Those under 16 need court approval.
Marriage License Requirements
- Who Picks Up: Both Parties of the Couple
- Where Valid: Any County in Tennessee
- Pick-Up: In Person Only
- Cost of License: $90 to $110 (Varies by County)
- Accepted ID: Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
Marriage licenses must be obtained in person. The application requires personal details, including social security numbers, and proof of prior divorce if applicable. Couples completing premarital counseling can receive a $60 fee discount.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Mandatory Waiting Period: None
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 3 Days of Ceremony
The license is valid for 30 days and must be returned to the issuing county clerk’s office within three days after the wedding ceremony.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Proof of Ordination
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Document Submission Deadline: Before Ceremony
Tennessee recognizes online-ordained ministers as legal officiants but requires proof of physical ordination before officiating. Ministers should be prepared to present ordination credentials if requested.
Final Steps
- Officiant’s Title on Marriage License: Minister
- Church/Ordaining Body: Universal Life Church Ministries
- Address of Church: Minister’s Home Address
The officiant must:
- Record the date and time of the ceremony on the license.
- Identify their title and ordaining body (Universal Life Church).
- Provide a home address if required.
- Return the signed license to the issuing county clerk’s office within three days.
Failure to comply is considered a Class C misdemeanor.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: None
- Couple’s Consent: Required
- Pronouncement: Required
Tennessee allows couples to customize their ceremony’s style but mandates the couple’s verbal consent and the officiating minister’s pronouncement for the marriage to be legally binding.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 (16-17 with Guardian Consent; Under 16 requires Juvenile Court Approval)
- Residency: Not Required
- Kinship Restrictions: First Cousins Allowed; No Closer Relations
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be at least 18 years old to marry without restrictions. Minors aged 16-17 require consent from two legal guardians. Those under 16 need court approval.
Marriage License Requirements
- Who Picks Up: Both Parties of the Couple
- Where Valid: Any County in Tennessee
- Pick-Up: In Person Only
- Cost of License: $90 to $110 (Varies by County)
- Accepted ID: Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
Marriage licenses must be obtained in person. The application requires personal details, including social security numbers, and proof of prior divorce if applicable. Couples completing premarital counseling can receive a $60 fee discount.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Mandatory Waiting Period: None
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 3 Days of Ceremony
The license is valid for 30 days and must be returned to the issuing county clerk’s office within three days after the wedding ceremony.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Proof of Ordination
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Document Submission Deadline: Before Ceremony
Tennessee recognizes online-ordained ministers as legal officiants but requires proof of physical ordination before officiating. Ministers should be prepared to present ordination credentials if requested.
Final Steps
- Officiant’s Title on Marriage License: Minister
- Church/Ordaining Body: Universal Life Church Ministries
- Address of Church: Minister’s Home Address
The officiant must:
- Record the date and time of the ceremony on the license.
- Identify their title and ordaining body (Universal Life Church).
- Provide a home address if required.
- Return the signed license to the issuing county clerk’s office within three days.
Failure to comply is considered a Class C misdemeanor.