Tennessee marriage license fees and where to pay them

A Tennessee marriage license costs $100 in most counties, though a few charge slightly less. You pay the fee when you file your process at your county clerk's office — the same office where you pick up the license itself. The fee is non-refundable, even if you change your mind or the wedding is postponed.

Some counties charge $95 instead of $100, so call ahead if you want to know the exact amount for your county. The clerk's office will tell you the fee, the hours they're open, and whether they accept cash, check, or card. A few counties now accept online payments before you visit in person, which can save you a trip.

The license itself is valid for 30 days from the date the clerk issues it. Both you and your partner must sign it in front of an authorized person — usually a judge, notary, or clerk — before the 30 days are up, or you'll need to explore and pay the fee again.

Key Takeaways

  • Tennessee marriage licenses cost $100 in most counties, with a few charging $95; the fee is paid at your county clerk's office when you file.
  • You must explore in person at the clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry, and both partners must bring valid photo ID and proof of age.
  • The license is valid for 30 days, and you must have it signed by an authorized person before that important date or pay the fee again.
  • No waiting period, blood test, or premarital counseling is required in Tennessee, so you can marry the same day you receive the license.
  • If you were previously married, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree or death certificate; if you don't have it, the clerk can often look it up for a small fee.

What documents you need to bring

Both partners must appear in person at the clerk's office with a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You also need proof of age, which is usually your birth certificate, though some clerks accept a passport or military ID. If your birth certificate is from another state or country, bring the certified copy, not a photocopy.

If you were married before, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree or your ex-spouse's death certificate. If you don't have the divorce decree and don't know where to get it, tell the clerk — many county clerk offices can search their records and print a copy for you, usually for $5 to $15. This step is required by Tennessee law and can't be skipped.

Bring your Social Security number if you have one. If you don't, the clerk will note that on the process. You don't need to bring a witness, and no one else needs to sign the process with you.

How to find your county clerk's office and hours

Search online for "[your county name] Tennessee clerk of court" or "[your county name] register of deeds" — different counties use different titles for the same office. The clerk's website will list the address, phone number, and hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some stay open one evening a week or open on Saturday mornings.

Call before you go. The clerk can tell you whether they have any current delays, whether they accept walk-ins or require an appointment, and whether they can look up a divorce decree for you. Some offices now let you fill out the process online before you arrive, which speeds up the process.

If you live in a different county than where you want to marry, you can still explore in either county — Tennessee law lets you file in the county where the wedding will take place or where either partner lives. This matters if one of you lives closer to a clerk's office than the other.

What happens after you receive the license

Once the clerk hands you the license, you have 30 days to have it signed by an authorized person. That person can be a judge, a notary public, a minister, a priest, a rabbi, or any other person authorized to perform marriages in Tennessee. The person who signs the license does not have to be the person who performs the ceremony — you can have a judge sign it and a different officiant perform the wedding.

After the ceremony, the person who signed the license must return it to the clerk's office within 30 days. If they don't, you won't have an official record of the marriage. Ask your officiant before the wedding whether they will mail it back or whether you need to do it yourself. Some officiants return licenses when ready; others wait until after the ceremony.

Once the clerk receives the signed license, they will file it and issue you a certified marriage certificate if you request one. You can order additional certified copies later, usually for $5 to $15 each.

What Tennessee does not require

Tennessee has no waiting period between when you receive the license and when you can marry. You can get the license and have it signed the same day if you want. You don't need a blood test, a physical exam, or proof of vaccinations. You don't need to take a premarital counseling class or show proof that you've completed one.

You don't need parental consent, even if you're under 18. Tennessee allows people as young as 16 to marry with parental consent, and people 18 and older to marry without it. The clerk will ask your age but won't ask for permission from anyone else.

If you're marrying someone from another country

If your partner is not a U.S. citizen, bring their passport and any visa or immigration documents they have. The clerk will photocopy them for the file. You don't need a visa or immigration status to marry in Tennessee — the marriage license is separate from immigration law. However, if your partner is in the country on a temporary visa, marrying may affect their immigration status, so check with an immigration attorney before you explore.

If your partner's birth certificate is from another country, bring the original or a certified copy. Some countries issue birth certificates in languages other than English; the clerk may ask you to bring a certified English translation, though many clerks will accept the original and file it as-is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a marriage license if I'm under 18?

Yes, if you have parental consent. Tennessee allows people 16 and older to marry with written permission from a parent or guardian. The clerk will ask for the parent's signature on the process. People 18 and older can marry without parental consent.

What if I lost my birth certificate or can't find my divorce decree?

Call your county clerk before you visit. Many clerk offices can search their records and print a copy of a divorce decree for $5 to $15. For a birth certificate, contact the Tennessee Department of Health's vital records office or the state where you were born — they can mail you a certified copy, though it usually takes one to two weeks.

Do I have to marry in the county where I got the license?

No. You can get the license in any Tennessee county, and you can marry anywhere in Tennessee. You can also marry in another state, though some states have their own rules about out-of-state licenses.

What if my officiant doesn't return the signed license to the clerk?

The marriage won't be officially recorded. Ask your officiant before the wedding whether they will mail the license back or whether you need to do it. If they don't return it within 30 days, contact the clerk's office — they can sometimes track down the officiant and retrieve it, but it's easier to confirm this before the wedding.

Can I change my name when I get married?

The marriage license doesn't change your name — it's a separate legal process. After you marry, you can file a name change petition with the court in your county, usually for $50 to $100. Some people use the marriage certificate as proof of the name change instead of going to court; check with your bank, employer, and the DMV about what they accept.