{"id":376470,"date":"2019-02-06T14:42:21","date_gmt":"2019-02-06T19:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-marriage-laws.html"},"modified":"2019-12-23T11:42:25","modified_gmt":"2019-12-23T16:42:25","slug":"tennessee-marriage-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-marriage-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Marriage Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Tennessee Marriage Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

When you propose to your sweetheart, you usually present them with a ring, not a contract. But, when you get married<\/a>, you do enter into a legal contract with your spouse. In addition to providing a variety of rights, marriage imposes responsibilities on each spouse.<\/p>\r\n

For this reason, each state has specific laws pertaining to marriage. These laws not only outline each spouse’s rights and liabilities<\/a>, but also the prerequisites and procedure for getting married. For example, in Tennessee, a marriage license can’t be issued to anyone who appears drunk. <\/p>\r\n

Tennessee Marriage Laws: The Basics<\/h2>\r\n

If you have a legal question, the best place to find your answer is within the actual text of a statute. Unfortunately, statutes are usually written in burdensome "legalese." That’s why reading the overview of a statute in plain English can be incredibly helpful. In the following chart, you’ll find an overview of marriage laws in Tennessee as well as links to applicable statutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\r\n

Tennessee Code, Title 36, Chapter 3:<\/p>\r\n

Age Requirements<\/b><\/td>\r\n

A marriage license cannot be issued if:<\/p>\r\n

Who May Solemnize a Marriage?<\/b><\/td>\r\n

The following individuals may solemnize a marriage in Tennessee:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  • Spiritual leader of any religion (who’s at least 18 years old);<\/li>\r\n
  • Member of county legislative body;<\/li>\r\n
  • Mayor;<\/li>\r\n
  • Judge;<\/li>\r\n
  • Chancellor;<\/li>\r\n
  • Governor;<\/li>\r\n
  • Speaker of the senate;<\/li>\r\n
  • Speaker of the house of representatives; and<\/li>\r\n
  • County clerk.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Former judges and other government officials may also solemnize a marriage, but people who received their ordinations online cannot legally solemnize a marriage.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Prohibited Marriages<\/b><\/td>\r\n

An individual can’t marry their child, parent, sibling (whole or half-blood), aunt, uncle, grandparent, grandchild, the lineal descendant of husband or wife, or the husband or wife of a parent or lineal descendant.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Related Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\r\n

Tennessee Code, Title 36, Chapter 3:<\/p>\r\n