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The Daily Insight

Who can marry me in TN?

Author

Sarah Cherry

Updated on February 20, 2026

All regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis and other spiritual leaders of every religious belief, more than eighteen (18) years of age, having the care of souls, and all members of the county legislative bodies, county mayors, judges, chancellors, former chancellors and former judges of this state,

Thereof, who can sign a marriage license in Tennessee?

A marriage can be solemnized by any preacher, rabbi, religious leader, current or former judges, mayors, or legislators, the governor, or the county clerk. The license must be returned to the county clerk within three days of the ceremony.

Likewise, who is qualified to officiate a wedding? Members of the clergy, judges, justices of the peace, and some notary publics are all qualified to perform weddings. Each state has its own rules about this, which can vary widely. In some states, mayors can perform the ceremony.

Besides, can someone ordained online legally marry in Tennessee?

Tennessee law says ministers ordained online can't perform the ceremony. That's because part of a new state law prohibits "persons receiving online ordinations from solemnizing the rite of matrimony."

Can you get married at the courthouse in TN?

Yes, the County Clerk's staff can perform marriage ceremonies. However, the Old Courthouse is the only location where a ceremony may be performed and they are by appointment only.

Related Question Answers

What is needed to get married in Tennessee?

You will need a valid driver's license, certified birth certificate, or valid passport to get married in Tennessee. You must also provide your Social Security number; this is a non-negotiable requirement. Passports are acceptable identification for those who are not U.S. citizens.

Where can I elope in Tennessee?

Best Places to Elope in Tennessee
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
  • Cherokee National Forest.
  • Roan Mountain State Park.
  • Fall Creek Falls State Park.

Is common law marriage legal in TN?

The State of Tennessee does not recognize common law marriage, but Tennessee will recognize another state's common law marriage.

How do I get married in Pigeon Forge TN?

How To Get Married in Pigeon Forge
  1. Choose a Venue.
  2. Find a Wedding Officiant.
  3. Book Your Lodging.
  4. Get A Sevier County Marriage License.
  5. Plan Something Special For Your Big Day!
  6. Closing Thoughts.

Does Tennessee recognize online ordained ministers?

People who are ordained online have been able to officiate in Tennessee for years, because county clerks issue the marriage license and receive it once it has been signed, without being required to challenge the credentials of the person who files it.

How can you find out if someone is married in Tennessee?

If you need immediate assistance you may call the reference desk at (615) 741-2764 or visit us in person. Microfilm copies of pre-1861 marriage records are also available free on interlibrary loan. For more information, visit our web site for a list of county records that can be loaned to other libraries.

How much is a marriage license in Sevierville TN?

License can be used same day as applied for. Fee for out of state residents is $41.00 cash, or we also accept Visa or Mastercard with a small processing fee. Fee for Tennessee residents is $101.00 cash, or we also accept Visa or Mastercard with a small processing fee.

How do I get married in the Smoky Mountains?

If you are interested in getting married in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you will need to obtain a permit for your ceremony, and there is also a list of approved wedding locations. You can also apply for a permit for a non-approved location if you have a special location in mind.

Can a notary marry someone in TN?

If a Notary Public is ordained or receives a one-day officiant designation, they can also perform the ceremony and solemnize the wedding rites.

Can ordained ministers marry in TN?

The rite of matrimony may be solemnized by any of the following persons listed in T.C.A. § 36-3-301: All regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders of every religious belief, more than 18 years of age, having the care of souls.

Can an out of state minister marry in Tennessee?

87-151 (September 17, 1987), the Attorney General opined that a person ordained in conformity with customs of any denomination and authorized to perform religious functions is a "regular minister of the gospel of every denomination" and can solemnize a marriage even if that individual's regular residence is outside

What states do not recognize online ordination?

Tennessee and Virginia — and sometimes Alabama, New York, Pennsylvania and Utah — don't recognize ministers ordained online through sites such as Universal Life Church.

Does Tennessee recognize Universal Life Church?

The church issued a statement after The Commercial Appeal reported that Tennessee law does not recognize ULC marriages because its ministers were not ordained through a "considered, deliberate and responsible act" as required by statute.

How Long Does being ordained last?

To be fully compliant with general legal standards, ordination cannot be granted “for life.” Most ordaining bodies — churches and religious organizations — conform with a standard that limits the ordination term to a specific period. This gives both parties the option to continue the relationship, or to terminate it.

Are online Ministers legal?

Section 400-402 of the California Family Code states that any “authorized person of any religious denomination” may officiate a wedding, including those who have received authorization via the Internet from religious groups.

Who can legally marry you in PA?

6. A minister, priest or rabbi of any regularly established church or congregation. (c) Marriage license needed to officiate. --No person or religious organization qualified to perform marriages shall officiate at a marriage ceremony without the parties having obtained a marriage license issued under this part.

Who can perform a wedding ceremony in Pennsylvania?

Any ordained minister, priest or rabbi of any regularly established church or congregation, Judges, and Justices of Peace may perform wedding ceremonies. Mayors of cities and boroughs are also authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.

Is an informal marriage legal?

Common law marriage, also known as marriage without formalities or informal marriage, is a valid and legal way for a couple to marry in Texas. Texas law states that a common law marriage may be proved by evidence that the couple: “agreed to be married”; and.

Can a reverend get married?

Generally speaking, in modern Christianity, Protestant and some independent Catholic churches allow for ordained clergy to marry after ordination. However, in recent times, a few exceptional cases can be found in some Orthodox churches in which ordained clergy have been granted the right to marry after ordination.

Can a minister get married?

Any ordained minister, priest, or rabbi of any regularly established church or congregation; judges; justices of the peace; and county clerks or their appointed deputies may perform wedding ceremonies. Mayors of cities and boroughs are also authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.

Can a deacon officiate a wedding?

All ordained clergy (i.e. a deacon, priest, or bishop) may witness the wedding ceremony itself, though usually the wedding ceremony occurs during a Mass, which deacons lack the authority or ability to celebrate; however, in weddings that take place inside Mass, the deacon may still serve as the witness to the wedding,

Can a ship captain marry you?

A ship's captain generally does NOT have the legal right to officiate a wedding at sea. In order for a Captain of a ship to perform a marriage at sea, he must also be a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or an officially recognized officiant such as a Notary Public.

How much does it cost to get officiated?

If you do not currently meet your state's requirements to officiate a wedding you can do so by becoming an ordained minister online for free. Officially, ordination can be free but you need to pay for a certified copy to prove it. The cost is generally less than $20.

How can I officiate a wedding online?

Getting Ordained Online

Go to an online non-denominational ministry's website, such as The Universal Life Church Ministries or Open Ministry. Click on “Get Ordained” or something to that effect. Fill out the form. Pay the nominal online ordination fee, if any.

How can I get married without a wedding?

Self Solemnization, also known as a self-uniting marriage is one in which the couple are married without the presence of a third-party officiant. The couple can essentially perform the legal solemnization of their own marriage, which will be recognized as a legal marriage throughout all of The United States.

How much does it cost to get married at the courthouse in Knoxville Tennessee?

How much is the marriage license fee in Knox County, Tennessee? The marriage license fee is $97.50. If the couple has completed at least four hours of pre-marital counseling and have a certificate of completion, they are eligible for a reduced marriage license fee of $37.50.

How much does it cost to get married in Clarksville TN?

The marriage license application fee is $107.50. This fee will be reduced to $47.50 if the couple completes a minimum four hour premarital preparation course given by a qualified instructor. The instructor must complete and have a notarized signature on the Certificate of Completion form.

How old do you have to be to get married in Tennessee without parental consent?

16 18

How do you get married at the courthouse in Nashville TN?

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE
  1. Both parties must appear together at the 700 2nd Ave South, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37210 (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., M-F) and must have proof that they are 18 or older.
  2. The fee for a marriage license is $99.50.

What are Tennessee divorce laws?

In Tennessee, if divorcing spouses have minor children a divorce cannot be granted for at least 90 days after the Complaint for Divorce is filed. This is referred to as a “cooling off” period. If the parties do not have minor children, a divorce can be granted 60 days after the Complaint for Divorce is filed.