Obtaining a Marriage License

Before being joined in marriage, the parties must present to the minister or other official performing the ceremony a license issued by a county clerk in the State of Tennessee, authorizing the solemnization of a marriage between the parties.  The license may be issued by the county clerk in any county in Tennessee, without regard to the residence of the parties or the county where the ceremony is to be performed.  A marriage license is valid for thirty (30) days from the date of issuance by the county clerk.  T.C.A. § 36-3-103.  A marriage license may be issued to persons otherwise complying with the requirements of the law who intend to have their marriage solemnized outside the state of Tennessee.  Ops. Tenn. Att’y Gen. 06-110 (July 12, 2006) and 85-243 (9/18/85).  A valid marriage will not result from a ceremony performed in Tennessee without first obtaining a marriage license.  Stovall v. City of Memphis, 2004 WL 1872896 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2004); Op. Tenn. Att’y Gen. 90-49 (4/9/90).