Are Tennessee Marriage Records Public?
Pursuant to the 2010 Tennessee Code, Marriage Records are public records that can be accessed by members of the general public. The Tennessee State Library and Archives maintains marriage records from 1780 to 1970.
Family Court records can include marriage records and divorce records. These records contain personal information of those involved, and their maintenance is critical should anyone involved wish to make changes. Because of this both marriage and divorce records can be considered more difficult to locate and obtain than other public records and may not be available through government sources or third-party public record websites.
How to Find Tennessee Marriage Records
Tennessee marriage records are documents showing the details of marriages contracted in the state. They can serve as evidence of or authorizations for these marriages. These records include essential information, such as the names of the two parties involved in the recorded marriages and the dates and locations of the ceremonies. Tennessee Public marriage records are open to the general public. Hence, record seekers can search marriage records in Tennessee via the appropriate record custodian.
Some marriage records include other relevant information such as marriage contracts, marriage applications, divorce certificates in Tennessee (an official document that proves the dissolution of marriage records) and affidavits indicating parental consent. The different types of marriage records available in Tennessee are marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and marriage records. A marriage license search can only be done at the County Clerk’s office where the marriage license was issued. In contrast, a marriage certificate and records search can be done through the Tennessee Department of Health Office of Vital Records.
How to Find Out if Someone is Married in Tennessee
Marriage records are public, so a record seeker can view or obtain a copy for a small fee. As a result, individuals can find out if someone is currently married in Tennessee or has been previously married by requesting their marriage records online, by mail, or in person from the Tennessee Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Additionally, individuals can get information on the numbers of people who got married in Tennessee from 2009 to 2020 in the vital statistics report provided by the Department.
What is Considered a Marriage Record in Tennessee?
A marriage record is a full documentation of a marital union contracted in Tennessee. The record includes the information provided in a marriage certificate such as the names of the married couple and the time and location of the solemnization of the marriage.
Both government websites and organizations may offer divorce and marriage records. Similarly, third party public record websites can also provide these types of records. But because third party organizations are not operated or sponsored by the government, record availability may vary. Further, marriage and divorce records are considered highly private and are often sealed, meaning availability of these types of records cannot be guaranteed.
How to Find Public Marriage Records for Free in Tennessee
Record seekers can view Tennessee public marriage records for free at the county clerk’s office where the marriage was performed. However, a small fee may be required to obtain copies of such records. In addition, individuals can find marriage records at the Tennessee Department of Health Office of Vital Records or their local County Clerk’s offices.
How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Tennessee
The process of a Tennessee name change after marriage begins with getting a marriage license. This document is legally required when someone wants to change their name on other federal documents. Interested persons can get their Tennessee marriage license by visiting their county clerk’s office. Parties must provide a valid photo ID and a license fee of $100.
Parties that wish to change their name after marriage must also apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for a new social security card. Applicants must complete the social security card application form and attach the following:
- Their marriage license
- A Tennessee-issued driver’s license
- A birth certificate or US passport
The SSA accepts applications in person or by mail. After sending their application to the SSA, parties must apply for a new passport. If the current passport is only a year old, they must complete Form DS-5504. If the passport is older than a year, they must complete Form DS-82. The applicant must attach their current passport, marriage license, and a color photo and send the complete package to their local passport processing center. Finally, the Tennessee resident must change their driver’s license at their local DMV. Applicants must carry their current license and their Tennessee marriage licenses.
What is Considered a Marriage Certificate in Tennessee?
A marriage certificate in Tennessee is a vital document that indicates that two people are legally married. It contains the full names of the married persons, as well as where and when the marriage ceremony was held. Certified copies of Tennessee marriage certificates are only available to the individuals named on these records, their legal representatives, and immediate family members. Anyone may request plain copies of these records. In-person and online marriage certificates are available in Tennessee and can be obtained from the Department of Health Office of Vital Records.
How to Obtain a Marriage Certificate in Tennessee
The Office of Vital Records of the Tennessee Department of Health maintains and provides copies of marriage certificates for the state. An individual requesting copies of a marriage certificate must be one of the parties named on the record, their immediate family member, or attorney. Requesters can obtain marriage certificates in Tennessee by applying:
- Online
- By mail
- In person
Online
Online marriage certificates can be obtained through a third-party vendor approved by the Office of Vital Records. In addition, they have an online tool where record seekers can access marriage certificates for $26.50 (including processing fees).
By Mail
To request a marriage certificate in Tennessee by mail, use a Marriage Certificate Form. Attach a copy of a valid government-issued ID to the completed form. For acceptable IDs, check the Tennessee Vital Records' Identification Requirements page.
If the request is for a certified copy, submit a notarized application. The Tennessee Vital Records office charges $15 for the first copy of a marriage certificate and $15 for each additional copy that is requested at the same time. Fees for mail requests are payable with check, cash, and money order. Mail the completed application form, photocopy of acceptable identification, and fee to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
In-Person
To obtain a marriage certificate in person, the requester must submit a completed Marriage Certificate Form to the Tennessee Vital Records office located at:
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Open:
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. central time
Requesters can obtain Tennessee marriage certificates at the Customer Service Window or kiosk of the Tennessee Vital Records Office. The customer service window accepts checks, cash, money order, and credit/debit cards for payment. The kiosk only accepts credit/debit cards. The Tennessee Vital Records office charges the same fee for in-person and mail requests. However, a request submitted through the kiosk costs an additional $4.
What is Considered a Marriage License in Tennessee?
A marriage license is a state-issued document authorizing an intending couple to get legally married. Before issuing a marriage license, Tennessee expects both parties to meet certain requirements. For example, both of them must be 18 years of age. There are exceptions for certain underaged applications. Those under the legal age of consent in Tennessee must present parent consent affidavits when submitting their applications.
Tennessee Confidential Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are not confidential in Tennessee. Hence, the public can inspect or copy marriage licenses online or in person at the County Clerk’s Office where the marriage license was issued.
Tennessee Common Law Marriage Licenses
Tennessee does not, and has never, provided common law licenses. The state does not accept long-term cohabiting couples as married. However, it recognizes cohabiting couples living in the state as married couples so long as their common law marriages were contracted in another state that recognizes this form of marital union.
Tennessee Formal Marriage Licenses
A Tennessee formal marriage license is the official document that the state gives to applicants who intend to get married in the state. Before obtaining a license, a prospective couple must fulfill all requirements. This license must display the names of the couple and have an expiry date. Record seekers can order online or in-person to obtain marriage licenses.
How Do I Get a Marriage License in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, marriage licenses are obtained from the county clerk's offices. A prospective couple must appear in person at the clerk’s office in the county where they intend to tie the knot. Marriage licenses issued in Tennessee must be used for marriage ceremonies in the state. The licenses have no waiting period, but they have a validity period of 30 days from the day they were issued. An intending couple that does not use an issued marriage license within the validity period must apply for a new license to get married.
The legally acceptable age for marriage in Tennessee is 18 years old. However, if any of the parties is between the ages of 16 and 18, the parents of the party will accompany the couple to the county clerk's office to sign an approval affidavit. In this case, the couple will wait for three days for the affidavit to be approved.
The State of Tennessee allows marriages where one of the parties is below the age of 16 under certain conditions. This is only possible if a Juvenile Court issues a waiver to the concerned party(s). Any party that is 21 years and below is required to present a birth certificate for age verification. Applicants above the age of 21 need photo IDs.
When applying for a license, the intending couple must provide the following information:
- Current full names
- Social security numbers
- Proof of foreign citizenship of any party without a social security number
- Names and addresses of parents/guardians/next of kin of both parties
Tennessee Marriage license fee varies from county to county.
Are Prenups Public Records in Tennessee?
There is no all-encompassing law that states prenups are public records in Tennessee. Hence, the couple can verify the recording of prenups with their local probate office or land recorder's office. Prenups become a matter of public records once it is recorded.