Marriage License Fee in Tennessee

The fee on this page refers to the amount collected when the license is issued. The Tennessee Department of Revenue explains that county clerks collect state and local privilege taxes and additional state fees at the time of issuance. That means the fee is tied to the license process itself, not to the ceremony or to certified copies after the fact.

Some counties let applicants complete the marriage application form before visiting the office, but the license is issued by the clerk and the fee is paid when the license is created. This page summarizes the statewide fee structure and the core issuance rules county clerks publish, then points you to the county clerk for any local appointment or payment rules.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue lists two state privilege taxes ($15 and $5), a local option privilege tax of up to $5, and an additional state fee of $62.50. The same revenue guidance cites the Tennessee Code sections that authorize each tax and fee. County clerks collect these amounts when they issue a license. Because a local option tax is involved and counties handle collection, you should confirm the exact total with the county clerk where you will apply, but the statewide tax structure is set by law rather than by individual counties.

The Revenue table also cites the specific Tennessee Code sections that authorize each line item, including Tenn. Code Ann. sections 67-4-411 and 67-4-505 for the state privilege taxes, 67-4-502 for the local option privilege tax, and 36-6-413 for the additional state fee. Those citations help confirm that the fee components are statewide taxes and fees collected by the county clerk at issuance.

Because the local option tax is capped rather than fixed, county totals can vary. County clerk pages such as Knox County and Shelby County list a $97.50 total for their counties. If your county sets a lower local option tax, the total may be lower.

Use the amount published by your county clerk as the authoritative total for your application. If you plan to apply in a county different from where you live, use that county's published total.

For example, Knox County and Shelby County both publish a $97.50 total. Those same county pages list a reduced total of $37.50 when applicants complete an approved premarital preparation course.

The $60 difference aligns with the statewide waiver described by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Because totals are published locally, confirm the exact amount with the county clerk where you will apply.

The revenue page also notes that applicants must provide the county clerk with a certificate of completion form available on the county's website. County clerk pages add practical details: Shelby County specifies that the premarital preparation must be at least four hours with a qualified instructor and that the form must be notarized and signed, and Knox County similarly requires a notarized certificate of completion.

If you are seeking the waiver, confirm whether your county requires a specific form, and bring the notarized certificate or proof of out-of-state residency when you apply.

Knox County states that both parties must appear together to obtain the license, and county clerks collect the fees at issuance. The Tennessee Department of Revenue maintains a county clerk locations page that can help you find the correct office and contact information. Use that directory to locate your county clerk, then confirm office hours, appointment rules, and accepted payment methods before you visit.

Even though the statewide fee structure is consistent, counties control scheduling and payment procedures, so checking locally avoids delays. County clerks may require appointments or issue licenses only during specific hours, so confirm the marriage license issuance hours before you visit.

Knox County also states the license is valid for 30 days from issuance, and Shelby County states that if the license is not used within 30 days it is void and a new license must be purchased.

These timing details come from county clerk guidance, so confirm the current rules with the county clerk who will issue your license.

Knox County states that applicants must provide proof of date of birth, which can be a certified birth certificate or a government-issued photo identification. Knox County also requires a Social Security number for individuals who have been issued one, and reiterates that both parties must appear together.

Shelby County adds that applicants ages 18 to 20 must present a certified birth certificate, and that applicants 21 and over may use a picture ID for verification. Requirements can vary by county, so confirm the document list with your county clerk before you apply.

No marriage license can be issued to applicants under 17, and provisions allowing judges to waive the age restrictions have been repealed. For applicants between 17 and 18, the other applicant cannot be more than four years older, a certified birth certificate is required, and a parent or legal guardian must join the application in person or provide a sworn and notarized affidavit of underage marriage consent. Shelby County notes that this is not required for an emancipated 17-year-old, but certified proof of emancipation must be presented.

The county also notes a three-day waiting period for approvals in this underage category. These requirements are described by the county clerk and are strictly enforced when a minor applies for a license. Confirm underage rules with your county clerk before you apply.

If a person is incarcerated at the time of application or has a disability that prevents the person from appearing, that person may submit a notarized statement on the county's required form. These exceptions are narrow and require documentation, so contact the county clerk before your visit if you believe the exception applies.

Other counties may handle exceptions differently, so follow the specific form instructions provided by your clerk to avoid delays or rejection.

That means you can apply in one county and hold the ceremony in another Tennessee county, as long as the ceremony occurs within the 30-day validity period. This guidance can be helpful for couples planning destination ceremonies within Tennessee.

Even so, the license must still be issued by a county clerk, and the forms must be returned to the issuing clerk after the ceremony. If your ceremony is in a different county, confirm how your officiant will return the paperwork to the issuing clerk on time.

Those documents are used after the ceremony to record the marriage with the county clerk and to provide proof of the marriage for name changes and other legal purposes.

Keep these documents in a safe place and review them with the county clerk so you know which parts must be completed by the person performing the ceremony.

The county states that the marriage is not recognized by Tennessee until the clerk receives the forms and enters them into the state system. This means your officiant has a responsibility beyond the ceremony itself, and it is a good idea to confirm how and when the forms will be returned.

Shelby County also notes that couples receive a certified copy form at issuance and can use that as proof of marriage for name changes and other legal updates once the record is recorded.

This means the issuance process focuses on identity, age, and documentation rather than medical testing.

While counties may have their own administrative steps, a blood test is not part of the county guidance for issuance, and you should not plan additional time or cost for medical testing as part of the Tennessee marriage license fee.

Applicants often arrive without the correct proof of age or without a certified birth certificate when one is required for ages 17 to 20. Missing Social Security numbers, incomplete premarital course certificates, or notarization errors can also prevent the fee waiver from being applied. Underage applicants must meet the age gap rule and provide the required consent affidavit or emancipation proof, which takes time to obtain.

Finally, applying too early can create problems if your county clerk enforces a 30-day validity window and the ceremony is scheduled beyond it. Confirm the document list with the county clerk and plan the timing to avoid a second visit and a second fee.