Tennessee Marriage Records

Tennessee began keeping state-wide vital records, including marriage records, in July 1945. Before that, marriage records were typically maintained by individual counties. The shift marked the beginning of a standardized process across the state, making it easy to preserve historical marriage data.

At 7.3 marriages per 1,000 residents, Tennessee's marriage rate is 15% above the national average, which is about 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people. Tennessee marriage records are the official documents that record the legal union of two people in the state. In Tennessee, marriage records consist of marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

• Marriage Licenses: A marriage license is the legal permission a couple obtains before getting married. It is issued by the County Clerk's Office after you and your partner fulfill the state's requirements and provide the necessary documentation. Once issued, the marriage license gives you the right to get married. Marriage licenses typically contain information about the couple, including their full names, date of birth, age, home address, license number, issue date, and expiry date.
• Marriage Certificates: A marriage certificate is the legal proof that a couple has officially tied the knot. After the witness and officiants sign the marriage license, it is returned to the County Clerk's Office, where the license is issued. The Clerk of Court issues the marriage certificate and files the same with the state, serving as the official record of your marriage. Marriage certificates, which include information about the couple, witnesses, officiant, and official seal of the issuing office, are valid for many personal and legal purposes.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Tennessee?

Tennessee marriage records are maintained by the following agencies:

• Marriage certificates from July 1945 are accessible at the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) - Office of Vital Records.
• The local County Clerk's Office is responsible for issuing marriage licenses.

You can order a marriage certificate from the TDH Office of Vital Records by mail by filling out the Application for Certified Copy of Tennessee Certificate of Marriage form. Mail the completed form and supporting documents to:

Each county in Tennessee manages licenses for marriages performed within its jurisdiction. You may visit the specific County Clerk's Office where the marriage license was issued to obtain the record. Similarly, you may access marriage certificates before July 1945 from the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

All requests for marriage records must include the following:

• Personal details of both parties to the marriage
• A valid, government-issued photo ID
• Notarized application form in place of a valid government-issued photo ID
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, marriage records are public records, but with a condition. Per state law, marriage records are kept confidential for the first 50 years. They are available only to authorized individuals, usually the persons named on the record, their immediate family members, or legal representatives. Once a marriage record is more than 50 years old, it is considered a public record. The record becomes accessible to the general public.

How Much Do Tennessee Marriage Records Cost?

It costs $15.00 to order a certified copy of marriage records from the TDH Office of Vital Records. Each additional copy also costs $15.00. Requests for certified copies of marriage records by mail have a processing time of 4 weeks.

The TDH Office of Vital Records does not provide expedited services for mail requests for marriage records. However, you may obtain the record on the same day if you request it in person.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Tennessee?

Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, marriage records, including marriage licenses and certificates, are considered public records. This means that once a marriage record is filed with the County Clerk's Office or the Tennessee Department of Health, it is generally open for public inspection. Unlike some states that may offer mechanisms to seal vital records, Tennessee does not provide a legal pathway to make marriage records confidential or to seal them. Once your marriage record is filed, it remains a public document.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Tennessee Marriage Records?

Whether for personal use or legal purposes, verifying the authenticity of your marriage records in Tennessee is important. Generally, you may need to confirm that a marriage record is genuine if you are applying for immigration benefits, researching your genealogy, claiming tax or insurance benefits, asserting inheritance rights, or changing your name.

You may visit or contact the TDH Office of Vital Records or the County Clerk's Office that issued the marriage license to verify the authenticity of your marriage record. For records older than 50 years, you may visit the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

A certified marriage record in Tennessee carries several features that ensure its authenticity and help prevent fraud. An authenticated marriage record includes an embossed or printed seal and an authorized signature from the issuing authority. In addition, certified marriage records are printed on special paper with watermarks and other security features that are difficult to replicate. These features help prevent unauthorized alterations, fraudulent copies, or misrepresentation of marital status.

Can I Find Tennessee Marriage Records Online for Free?

Obtaining an official, certified copy from government agencies typically involves a fee. However, there are several alternate avenues, usually non-governmental sources, to find Tennessee marriage records without cost.

FamilySearch.org is a free genealogy website that offers a robust collection of historical records, including marriage records from Tennessee. You can view digitized images or transcriptions of the records.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives provides online access to historical marriage records. Marriage records older than 50 years are available for public viewing. Websites like PublicRecords.us aggregate public record information from various sources, including marriage records. These third-party platforms provide details from marriage records, which can be useful for quick reference or introductory research.

What Is Required to Get a Tennessee Marriage License?

Obtaining a Tennessee marriage license is an important step to getting married. Couples obtaining marriage licenses in Tennessee must meet the following requirements and provide relevant documentation, including:

• Be present together at the County Clerk's Office
• Be 18 years and older. Applicants between 17 and 18 years may get married with parental consent.
• A valid, government-issued photo ID
• The divorce decree or death certificate if either spouses were previously married
• The licensing fees

The fee for a Tennessee marriage license typically ranges between $97.50 and $107.50, depending on the county. There is a $60.00 reduction on the marriage license fee if the couple attends and completes a Premarital Preparation course by a qualified instructor.

There is no waiting period after receiving the marriage license before the wedding ceremony can legally take place. Once issued, the license is valid for 30 days. The couple must have their wedding within this period. If the wedding is not conducted within 30 days, the license expires. The couple must reapply for a new marriage license if it expires.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, you can amend marriage records if they contain errors made during recording. Both marriage licenses and certificates can be corrected, but only for specific mistakes. Generally, you may amend the following errors:

• Typographical Errors: Misspelled first, middle, or last names
• Incorrect Personal Details: Error in the names or details of the parents
• Clerical Errors: Omitted information, such as omitted middle names or wrong middle initials
• Legal Name Change: Legal name change since the marriage was recorded

While these amendments are legally permissible in Tennessee, major factual alterations that change the substance of the marriage, such as altering the identities of the parties involved, are not permitted without a court order.

Amending Tennessee Marriage License

You can amend your marriage license in Tennessee if you notice errors on the document before the wedding. Since marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk's Office, any corrections must be made there. Contact the County Clerk's Office where the license was issued. Most counties require you to fill out a marriage license correction form available on their website or at their office.

Some counties may require that the amendment form be notarized. Depending on the error, you might need to supply additional documentation, such as a birth certificate or driver's license, to support your correction. You may submit your completed application in person or by mail.

Amending Tennessee Marriage Certificate

For marriages recorded after July 1945, the TDH - Office of Vital Records is the agency responsible for maintaining marriage certificates and processing corrections for errors. You may also correct marriage records at the County Clerk's Office, where the marriage license was issued.

To amend errors on your marriage certificate, obtain and fill out the Amendment form specifying the error and the correct information. You will need to provide documents that support the requested correction, such as hospital records, birth certificates, and court orders in cases involving name changes.

The fee for amending marriage certificates at the TDH Office of Vital Records is $15. The fee differs by county but generally ranges between $20 - $30. Submit your application form and fees to the TDH Office of Vital Records of the County Clerk's Office in person or by mail. Once submitted, processing typically takes about 12 months for mail applications at the TDH Office of Vital Records and around 7 to 10 business days for applications at the Clerk's Office.