Tennessee lets you officiate weddings through three legal routes: ordination with a religious organization, a one-time ministerial license from the state, or appointment as a notary public
Tennessee does not require you to be ordained or licensed to perform a wedding ceremony — the state recognizes three separate paths, and which one you take depends on your background and how many weddings you plan to conduct. The simplest route for a single ceremony is a one-time ministerial license from the Tennessee Secretary of State, which costs nothing and takes about two weeks. If you are already ordained through a church or online ordination service, you can use that credential directly. If you hold a notary public commission in Tennessee, you can also solemnize marriages without additional paperwork.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee recognizes three legal ways to officiate weddings: ordination through a religious organization, a one-time ministerial license from the state, or a notary public commission.
- A one-time ministerial license costs nothing, requires a straightforward form, and takes about two weeks to arrive by mail from the Secretary of State.
- You must be at least 18 years old and have no felony convictions to obtain a ministerial license or notary commission in Tennessee.
- The couple must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk before the ceremony, and you must sign and return it within 30 days of the wedding.
- If you plan to officiate more than a few weddings, ordination through a church or online ministry is often simpler than renewing ministerial licenses repeatedly.
Getting a one-time ministerial license from Tennessee
A one-time ministerial license is the fastest route if you have no religious affiliation and want to officiate a single wedding. You request it from the Tennessee Secretary of State by mail or in person. The form is called the "process for Ministerial License" and is available on the Secretary of State website under the Notary Public section.
Fill out the form with your full legal name, date of birth, address, and the date you want the license to take effect. You do not need to explain why you want it or provide references. Mail the completed form to the Secretary of State's office in Nashville, along with a check or money order for the filing fee — currently $0, though you should confirm the current fee on their website. Processing takes about two weeks. The license arrives by mail and is valid for one year from the date it takes effect, which means you can use it for multiple weddings during that year if needed.
Once you have the license, you are legally authorized to solemnize marriages in Tennessee. The couple still needs to obtain a marriage license from their county clerk before the ceremony. After the wedding, you sign the marriage license in the officiant section and return it to the county clerk within 30 days — this is the couple's responsibility to give you the license and collect it afterward, but confirm this with them before the ceremony.
Ordination through a religious organization or online ministry
If you are already ordained through a church, denomination, or online ordination service, Tennessee recognizes that credential without requiring state registration. You do not need to notify the Secretary of State or obtain any additional license. Your ordination certificate is sufficient proof that you can solemnize marriages.
Online ordination services such as the Universal Life Church, American Marriage Ministries, and the Spiritual Humanist Institute all offer ordination that Tennessee recognizes. These services typically charge a small fee (usually $10 to $50) and issue an ordination certificate when ready or within a few days. You print the certificate and keep it with you during the ceremony as proof of your authority, though you do not need to show it to the couple or the county clerk.
The advantage of ordination is that it does not expire and does not need to be renewed. If you think you will officiate more than a few weddings over time, ordination is usually simpler than explore for a new ministerial license each year. The disadvantage is that you are paying a private organization rather than using a free state process.
Becoming a notary public to officiate weddings
Tennessee notaries public have the legal power to solemnize marriages as part of their notary commission. If you already hold a notary commission or plan to become one for other reasons, you can use that same commission to officiate weddings without any additional steps.
To become a notary in Tennessee, you must be at least 18 years old, a Tennessee resident, and have no felony convictions. You explore through the Secretary of State's office, pay the process fee (currently around $100 for a four-year commission), and pass a brief exam on notary law. Once commissioned, your notary seal and journal authorize you to perform marriages alongside your other notary duties.
This route makes sense if you need a notary commission for work or personal reasons anyway. If your only goal is to officiate weddings, the one-time ministerial license or ordination is simpler and cheaper.
Age, background, and legal requirements
Tennessee requires that anyone seeking a ministerial license or notary commission be at least 18 years old. You must also have no felony convictions — the state will not issue a license or commission to someone with a felony record, though misdemeanors do not automatically disqualify you. If you have questions about your specific background, contact the Secretary of State's office directly.
You do not need to be a Tennessee resident to obtain a one-time ministerial license, but you must be a resident to become a notary public. If you live out of state and want to officiate a wedding in Tennessee, the ministerial license or online ordination are your options.
There is no age limit on how old you can be, no requirement that you have any religious training or belief, and no requirement that you have officiated a wedding before. Tennessee treats marriage officiation as a civil function, not a religious one, so your personal faith or lack of faith does not affect your legal authority.
What happens after you officiate the wedding
After the ceremony, your role is to sign the marriage license in the section marked "Officiant" or "Solemnizer." The couple is responsible for giving you the license before the ceremony and collecting it from you afterward. You must sign and date it, and the couple must return it to the county clerk's office within 30 days of the wedding — if they do not, the marriage will not be recorded and they will not have a legal marriage certificate.
Make sure the couple understands this responsibility before the ceremony. Some couples ask the officiant to mail the license to the clerk, so clarify who will do that. If you are unsure, ask the county clerk's office in the county where the marriage license was issued — they can tell you the exact process and important date.
Your legal obligation ends once you sign the license. You do not need to file anything with the state, renew your ministerial license for that specific wedding, or follow up with the couple.
Choosing between the three routes
Use this table to compare your options based on your situation:
| Route | Cost | How long it takes | How long it lasts | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-time ministerial license | $0 | About 2 weeks by mail | 1 year | A single wedding or a few weddings in one year |
| Online ordination | $10–$50 | Same day to a few days | Never expires | Multiple weddings over time; you want it when ready |
| Notary public commission | Around $100 | 1–2 weeks after exam | 4 years | You need a notary for other reasons and want to officiate weddings too |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I officiate a wedding if I have a criminal record?
Felony convictions disqualify you from a ministerial license or notary commission. Misdemeanors do not automatically disqualify you, but contact the Secretary of State's office with details of your conviction to confirm. Online ordination services have their own policies and may not require a background check at all.
Do I need to be religious to officiate a wedding in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee does not require any religious belief or affiliation. You can be an atheist, agnostic, or any faith and still obtain a ministerial license or notary commission. The state treats marriage officiation as a civil function.
What if the couple loses the marriage license before I sign it?
They must go back to the county clerk and request a duplicate. The clerk can issue a replacement, and you sign that one instead. This delays the process, so remind the couple to keep the license safe until the ceremony.
Can I officiate a wedding in another state with a Tennessee ministerial license?
No. A Tennessee ministerial license is only valid in Tennessee. If you want to officiate in another state, you need to follow that state's rules, which vary widely. Online ordination through a national organization like the Universal Life Church is often recognized across multiple states.
Do I need liability insurance to officiate weddings?
Tennessee does not require it, and most officiants do not carry it. However, some couples or venues may ask about it. Liability insurance for officiants is inexpensive (usually under $200 per year) and available through some online ordination organizations or general liability insurers.