Our complete list of the 20 Tennessee Code relevant to marriage. American Marriage Ministries provides a comprehensive list of laws for Tennessee related to the marriage license, who can officiate weddings, and officiant registration.
The law(s) below are the relevant statutes relating to who can solemnize marriage and officiant registration in Tennessee (where applicable).
(a) (1) All regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis and other spiritual leaders of every religious belief, more than eighteen (18) years of age, having the care of souls, and all members of the county legislative bodies, county mayors, judges, chancellors, former chancellors and former judges of a county, a municipality, or this state, former county executives or county mayors of this state, former members of quarterly county courts or county commissions, the governor, the speaker of the senate and former speakers of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and former speakers of the house of representatives, members and former members of the general assembly who have filed notice pursuant to subsection (l), law enforcement chaplains duly appointed by the heads of authorized state and local law enforcement agencies, members of the legislative body of any municipality in this state, the county clerk of each county, former county clerks of this state who occupied the office of county clerk on or after July 1, 2014, notaries public, and the mayor of any municipality in this state may solemnize the rite of matrimony. For the purposes of this section, the several judges of the United States courts, including United States magistrates, United States bankruptcy judges, and federal administrative law judges, who are citizens of Tennessee are deemed to be judges of this state. The amendments to this section by Acts 1987, ch. 336, which applied provisions of this section to certain former judges, do not apply to any judge who has been convicted of a felony or who has been removed from office. (2) In order to solemnize the rite of matrimony, any such minister, preacher, pastor, priest, rabbi or other spiritual leader must be ordained or otherwise designated in conformity with the customs of a church, temple or other religious group or organization; and such customs must provide for such ordination or designation by a considered, deliberate, and responsible act. Persons receiving online ordinations may not solemnize the rite of matrimony. (3) If a marriage has been entered into by license issued pursuant to this chapter at which any minister officiated before July 1, 2019, the marriage must not be invalid because the requirements of the preceding subdivision (a)(2) have not been met. (b) The traditional marriage rite of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), whereby the parties simply pledge their vows one to another in the presence of the congregation, constitutes an equally effective solemnization. (c)(1) Gratuity received by a county mayor, county clerk, member of a county legislative body, or municipal mayor for the solemnization of a marriage, whether performed during or after such person's regular working hours, must be retained by such person as personal remuneration for such services, in addition to all other sources of compensation such person might receive, and such gratuity must not be paid into the county general fund or the treasury of such municipality. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (c)(1 ), a county mayor, county clerk, member of a county legislative body, and municipal mayor shall not charge a fee or demand compensation of any kind for the solemnization of a marriage under this part. Such a public officer who knowingly charges a fee or demands compensation of any kind for the solemnization of a marriage under this part commits a Class C misdemeanor, and such violation creates a rebuttable presumption that there is an actionable basis to institute ouster proceedings under title 8, chapter 47, or quo warranto proceedings under title 29, chapter 35, for the removal of the public officer from office. (d) If any marriage has been entered into by license regularly issued at which a county mayor officiated prior to April 24, 1981, such marriage shall be valid and is hereby declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. (e) For the purposes of this section, “retired judges of this state” is construed to include persons who served as judges of any municipal or county court in any county that has adopted a metropolitan form of government and persons who served as county judges (judges of the quarterly county court) prior to the 1978 constitutional amendments. (f) If any marriage has been entered into by license regularly issued at which a retired judge of this state officiated prior to April 13, 1984, such marriage shall be valid and is hereby declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. (g) If any marriage has been entered into by license issued pursuant to this chapter at which a judicial commissioner officiated prior to March 28, 1991, such marriage is valid and is declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. (h) The judge of the general sessions court of any county, and any former judge of any general sessions court, may solemnize the rite of matrimony in any county of this state. Any marriage performed by any judge of the general sessions court in any county of this state before March 16, 1994, shall be valid and declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. (i) All elected officials and former officials, who are authorized to solemnize the rite of matrimony pursuant to subsection (a), may solemnize the rite of matrimony in any county of this state. (j) If any marriage has been entered into by license issued pursuant to this chapter at which a county mayor officiated outside such mayor's county prior to May 29, 1997, such marriage is valid and is declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. (k) The judge of the municipal court of any municipality, whether elected or appointed, shall have the authority to solemnize the rite of matrimony in any county of the state. (I) In order to solemnize the rite of matrimony pursuant to subdivision (a)(1 ): (1) A member of the general assembly must first opt in by filing notice of the member's intention to solemnize the rite of matrimony with the office of vital records; and (2) A former member of the general assembly must have filed notice pursuant to subdivision (1)(1) while serving in the general assembly. (m) A person shall not be required to solemnize a marriage.
Code 1858, § 2439 (deriv. Acts 1778, ch. 7, § 2; 1845-1846, ch. 145, § 7); Acts 1879, ch. 98, § 1; 1889, ch. 134, § 1; Shan., § 4189; Code 1932, § 8412; Acts 1949, ch. 251, § 4; C. Supp. 1950, § 8412; Acts 1970, ch. 440, § 1; 1973, ch. 66, § 3; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, § 7; Acts 1979, ch. 87, § 1; 1981, ch. 211, §§ 1, 2; 1983, ch. 331, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-415; Acts 1984, ch. 516, § 1; 1987, ch. 146, § 1; 1987, ch. 336, §§ 4, 5; 1988, ch. 471, §§ 1, 2; 1991, ch. 86, § 1; 1992, ch. 911, § 1; 1993, ch. 50, § 1; 1994, ch. 619, § 1; 1995, ch. 94, § 1; 1995, ch. 128, § 1; 1997, ch. 295, §§ 1, 2; 1998, ch. 745, §§ 1, 2; 1999, ch. 526, § 1; 2003, ch. 90, § 2; 2003, ch. 376, § 3; 2005, ch. 21, § 1; 2012, ch. 677, § 1; 2014, ch. 747, § 1; 2015, ch. 159, § 1; 2017, ch. 288, § 1; 2019, ch. 415, §§ 1-4.; 2023, ch. 46; 2023 Pub. Ch. 185; 2024 Pub. Ch. 511
Below you can read through our curated list of all Tennessee laws related to marriage, weddings, officiants, and marriage licenses. If it is in any way marriage related, you will find it here.
(a) When either applicant is under eighteen (18) years of age, the parents, guardian, next of kin or party having custody of the applicant shall join in the application, under oath, stating that the applicant is seventeen (17) years of age or over and that the applicant has such person's consent to marry. (b) If the applicant is in the legal custody of any public or private agency or is in the legal custody of any person other than a parent, next of kin or guardian, then such person or the duly authorized representative of such agency shall join in the application with the parent, guardian or next of kin stating, under oath, that the applicant is seventeen (17) years of age but less than eighteen (18) years of age and that the applicant has such person's consent to marry. This subsection (b) does not apply to applicants who are in the legal custody of the department of mental health and substance abuse services or the department of intellectual and developmental disabilities. (c) The parents, guardian, next of kin, other person having custody of the applicant, or duly authorized representative of a public or private agency having legal custody of the applicant shall join in the application either by personal appearance before the county clerk or deputy county clerk, or by submitting a sworn and notarized affidavit. (d) The consent of the applicant's parents, guardian, next of kin, other person having custody of the applicant, or duly authorized representative of a public or private agency having legal custody of the applicant is not required if the applicant is emancipated at the time of the application. (e) Marriage shall remove the disabilities of minority. A minor emancipated by marriage shall be considered to have all the rights and responsibilities of an adult, except for specific constitutional or statutory age requirements, including voting, the use of alcoholic beverages, and other health and safety regulations relevant to the minor because of the minor's age. (f) A minor shall be advised of the rights and responsibilities of parties to a marriage and of emancipated minors. The minor shall be provided with a fact sheet on these rights and responsibilities to be developed by the administrative office of the courts. The fact sheet shall include referral information for legal aid agencies in this state and national hotlines for domestic violence and sexual assault. (g) As used in this section, “parent” or “parents” means a person or persons listed as a parent on the child's birth certificate or who have been adjudicated to be the legal parent of the child by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Acts 1937, ch. 81, § 3; C. Supp. 1950, § 8414.3; modified; Acts 1959, ch. 124, § 2; 1972, ch. 545, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-408; Acts 1987, ch. 131, § 1; 2000, ch. 947, § 6; 2010, ch. 1100, § 46; 2012, ch. 575, § 1; 2018, ch. 1049, § 4; 2019, ch. 93, §§ 1, 2.
(a) (1) All regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis and other spiritual leaders of every religious belief, more than eighteen (18) years of age, having the care of souls, and all members of the county legislative bodies, county mayors, judges, chancellors, former chancellors and former judges of a county, a municipality, or this state, former county executives or county mayors of this state, former members of quarterly county courts or county commissions, the governor, the speaker of the senate and former speakers of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and former speakers of the house of representatives, members and former members of the general assembly who have filed notice pursuant to subsection (l), law enforcement chaplains duly appointed by the heads of authorized state and local law enforcement agencies, members of the legislative body of any municipality in this state, the county clerk of each county, former county clerks of this state who occupied the office of county clerk on or after July 1, 2014, notaries public, and the mayor of any municipality in this state may solemnize the rite of matrimony. For the purposes of this section, the several judges of the United States courts, including United States magistrates, United States bankruptcy judges, and federal administrative law judges, who are citizens of Tennessee are deemed to be judges of this state. The amendments to this section by Acts 1987, ch. 336, which applied provisions of this section to certain former judges, do not apply to any judge who has been convicted of a felony or who has been removed from office. (2) In order to solemnize the rite of matrimony, any such minister, preacher, pastor, priest, rabbi or other spiritual leader must be ordained or otherwise designated in conformity with the customs of a church, temple or other religious group or organization; and such customs must provide for such ordination or designation by a considered, deliberate, and responsible act. Persons receiving online ordinations may not solemnize the rite of matrimony. (3) If a marriage has been entered into by license issued pursuant to this chapter at which any minister officiated before July 1, 2019, the marriage must not be invalid because the requirements of the preceding subdivision (a)(2) have not been met. (b) The traditional marriage rite of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), whereby the parties simply pledge their vows one to another in the presence of the congregation, constitutes an equally effective solemnization. (c)(1) Gratuity received by a county mayor, county clerk, member of a county legislative body, or municipal mayor for the solemnization of a marriage, whether performed during or after such person's regular working hours, must be retained by such person as personal remuneration for such services, in addition to all other sources of compensation such person might receive, and such gratuity must not be paid into the county general fund or the treasury of such municipality. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (c)(1 ), a county mayor, county clerk, member of a county legislative body, and municipal mayor shall not charge a fee or demand compensation of any kind for the solemnization of a marriage under this part. Such a public officer who knowingly charges a fee or demands compensation of any kind for the solemnization of a marriage under this part commits a Class C misdemeanor, and such violation creates a rebuttable presumption that there is an actionable basis to institute ouster proceedings under title 8, chapter 47, or quo warranto proceedings under title 29, chapter 35, for the removal of the public officer from office. (d) If any marriage has been entered into by license regularly issued at which a county mayor officiated prior to April 24, 1981, such marriage shall be valid and is hereby declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. (e) For the purposes of this section, “retired judges of this state” is construed to include persons who served as judges of any municipal or county court in any county that has adopted a metropolitan form of government and persons who served as county judges (judges of the quarterly county court) prior to the 1978 constitutional amendments. (f) If any marriage has been entered into by license regularly issued at which a retired judge of this state officiated prior to April 13, 1984, such marriage shall be valid and is hereby declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. (g) If any marriage has been entered into by license issued pursuant to this chapter at which a judicial commissioner officiated prior to March 28, 1991, such marriage is valid and is declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. (h) The judge of the general sessions court of any county, and any former judge of any general sessions court, may solemnize the rite of matrimony in any county of this state. Any marriage performed by any judge of the general sessions court in any county of this state before March 16, 1994, shall be valid and declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. (i) All elected officials and former officials, who are authorized to solemnize the rite of matrimony pursuant to subsection (a), may solemnize the rite of matrimony in any county of this state. (j) If any marriage has been entered into by license issued pursuant to this chapter at which a county mayor officiated outside such mayor's county prior to May 29, 1997, such marriage is valid and is declared to be in full compliance with the laws of this state. (k) The judge of the municipal court of any municipality, whether elected or appointed, shall have the authority to solemnize the rite of matrimony in any county of the state. (I) In order to solemnize the rite of matrimony pursuant to subdivision (a)(1 ): (1) A member of the general assembly must first opt in by filing notice of the member's intention to solemnize the rite of matrimony with the office of vital records; and (2) A former member of the general assembly must have filed notice pursuant to subdivision (1)(1) while serving in the general assembly. (m) A person shall not be required to solemnize a marriage.
Code 1858, § 2439 (deriv. Acts 1778, ch. 7, § 2; 1845-1846, ch. 145, § 7); Acts 1879, ch. 98, § 1; 1889, ch. 134, § 1; Shan., § 4189; Code 1932, § 8412; Acts 1949, ch. 251, § 4; C. Supp. 1950, § 8412; Acts 1970, ch. 440, § 1; 1973, ch. 66, § 3; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, § 7; Acts 1979, ch. 87, § 1; 1981, ch. 211, §§ 1, 2; 1983, ch. 331, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-415; Acts 1984, ch. 516, § 1; 1987, ch. 146, § 1; 1987, ch. 336, §§ 4, 5; 1988, ch. 471, §§ 1, 2; 1991, ch. 86, § 1; 1992, ch. 911, § 1; 1993, ch. 50, § 1; 1994, ch. 619, § 1; 1995, ch. 94, § 1; 1995, ch. 128, § 1; 1997, ch. 295, §§ 1, 2; 1998, ch. 745, §§ 1, 2; 1999, ch. 526, § 1; 2003, ch. 90, § 2; 2003, ch. 376, § 3; 2005, ch. 21, § 1; 2012, ch. 677, § 1; 2014, ch. 747, § 1; 2015, ch. 159, § 1; 2017, ch. 288, § 1; 2019, ch. 415, §§ 1-4.; 2023, ch. 46; 2023 Pub. Ch. 185; 2024 Pub. Ch. 511
(a) A county clerk or deputy clerk shall not issue a marriage license until the applicants make an application in writing, stating the names, ages, current addresses, and social security numbers of both of the proposed contracting parties. An applicant under eighteen (18) years of age must also include the name and current address of the parents, guardian, or next of kin of the applicant. The application must be sworn to by both applicants. Should either individual be incarcerated, the inmate must not be made to appear but shall submit a notarized statement containing the inmate's name, age, current address, and social security number. If an applicant has a disability that prevents the applicant from appearing, the applicant may submit a notarized statement containing the applicant's name, age, current address, and social security number. (2) (A) If an applicant is a member of the armed forces of the United States stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation, the applicant shall submit: (i) A notarized statement containing the applicant's name, age, address in the United States, if applicable, and the names and addresses of the applicant's parents, guardian, or next of kin; (ii) A certified copy of the applicant's deployment orders; and (iii) An affidavit from the battalion, ship, or squadron commander, as applicable, notarized by the judge advocate stating that the applicant is deployed. (B) A person submitting a statement under subdivision (a)(2)(A) who intends to appear for the marriage ceremony via video conferencing pursuant to § 36-3-302(b) must indicate such intention in the statement. (b) [Deleted by 2019 amendment.]
Acts 1937, ch. 81, § 2; C. Supp. 1950, § 8414.2; modified; Acts 1959, ch. 124, § 1; 1965, ch. 59, §§ 1, 2; 1971, ch. 60, §§ 1, 2; 1976, ch. 755, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-406; Acts 1993, ch. 418, § 2; 1994, ch. 639, § 1; 1995, ch. 241, §§ 1, 2; 1997, ch. 551, § 30; 2017, ch. 397, § 1; 2019, ch. 93, § 3.; Amended 2024 Pub. Ch. 608
A second marriage cannot be contracted before the dissolution of the first. But the first shall be regarded as dissolved, for this purpose, if either party has been absent five (5) years, and is not known to the other to be living.
Code 1858, § 2438 (deriv. Acts 1829, ch. 23, § 16); Shan., § 4188; Code 1932, § 8411; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-404.
(a) Before being joined in marriage, the parties shall present to the minister or officer a license under the hand of a county clerk in this state, directed to such minister or officer, authorizing the solemnization of a marriage between the parties. Such license shall be valid for thirty (30) days from its issuance by the clerk. (b) All existing marriages that occurred before March 24, 1986, are validated if a marriage certificate was signed by the county clerk either from a county in which the female did not reside or from a county where the marriage was not solemnized. (c) (1) The county clerk issuing a marriage license is hereby authorized to record and certify any license used to solemnize a marriage that is properly signed by the officiant when such license is returned to the issuing county clerk. The issuing county clerk shall forward the record to the office of vital records to be filed and registered with such office. If a license issued by a county clerk in Tennessee is used to solemnize a marriage outside Tennessee, such marriage and parties, their property and their children shall have the same status as if the marriage were solemnized in this state. A county clerk is prohibited from issuing a license for a marriage that is prohibited in this state. (2) All existing marriages occurring prior to May 2, 1989, by the authority of a Tennessee license, properly signed and certified by the officiant, are validated and the issuing clerk is authorized to record such license when it is returned to the issuing county clerk and to forward the record to the office of vital records to be filed and registered with such office.
Code 1858, § 2441 (deriv. Acts 1778, ch. 7, §§ 2, 3); Shan., § 4191; Code 1932, § 8414; Acts 1976, ch. 539; § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-405; Acts 1986, ch. 582, §§ 1, 2; 1989, ch. 224, § 1; 1996, ch. 1031, § 2.
Marriage cannot be contracted with a lineal ancestor or descendant, nor the lineal ancestor or descendant of either parent, nor the lineal descendant of a grandparent, nor the lineal descendants of husband or wife, as the case may be, nor the husband or wife of a parent or lineal descendant.
Code 1858, § 2436 (deriv. Acts 1829, ch. 23, § 18); Shan., § 4185; Code 1932, § 8408; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-401.; 2024 PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 806
(a) It is unlawful for any county clerk or deputy clerk in this state to issue a marriage license to any person where: (1) Either of the contracting parties is under seventeen (17) years of age; or (2) One (1) of the contracting parties is at least seventeen (17) years of age but less than eighteen (18) years of age and the other contracting party is at least four (4) years older than the minor contracting party. (b) Any marriage contracted in violation of subsection (a) may be annulled upon proper proceedings therefor by such person or any interested person acting in the person's behalf.
Acts 1937, ch. 81, § 1; C. Supp. 1950, § 8414.1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-407; Acts 2018, ch. 1049, § 3.
No license shall be issued when it appears that the applicants or either of them is at the time drunk, insane or an imbecile.
Acts 1937, ch. 81, § 3; C. Supp. 1950, § 8414.3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-411.
Any interested person shall have the right to contest the issuance of the marriage license, which contest shall be filed, heard and determined by the judge of the probate court, or judge of the juvenile court, or any judge or chancellor; provided, that such contest shall not be filed without the filing of a cost bond in the sum of at least fifty dollars ($50.00) with solvent sureties executed by the contestant, conditioned as in civil cases, and the cost of such contest shall be adjudged against the losing party.
Acts 1937, ch. 81, § 4; C. Supp. 1950, § 8414.4; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-412.
Any county clerk or deputy clerk who issues a marriage license without compliance with the last sentence in § 36-3-103(c)(1), §§ 36-3-104 — 36-3-106, § 36-3-109, § 36-3-110, or § 36-3-113, and not in good faith, commits a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1937, ch. 81, § 5; C. Supp. 1950, § 8414.5; Acts 1959, ch. 124, § 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-413; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1996, ch. 1031, § 3; 2018, ch. 1049, § 6.
Fraudulently signing or knowingly using any false document purporting to be one provided for in § 36-3-104(a) or § 36-3-106 is a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1937, ch. 81, § 7; C. Supp. 1950, § 8414.7; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-414; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
(a) Tennessee's marriage licensing laws reinforce, carry forward, and make explicit the long-standing public policy of this state to recognize the family as essential to social and economic order and the common good and as the fundamental building block of our society. To that end, it is further the public policy of this state that the historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one (1) man and one (1) woman shall be the only legally recognized marital contract in this state in order to provide the unique and exclusive rights and privileges to marriage. (b) The legal union in matrimony of only one (1) man and one (1) woman shall be the only recognized marriage in this state. (c) Any policy, law or judicial interpretation that purports to define marriage as anything other than the historical institution and legal contract between one (1) man and one (1) woman is contrary to the public policy of Tennessee. (d) If another state or foreign jurisdiction issues a license for persons to marry, which marriages are prohibited in this state, any such marriage shall be void and unenforceable in this state.
Acts 1996, ch. 1031, § 1.
The clerk shall, on each license, place the following form of certificate, to be signed by the person solemnizing the marriage: “I solemnize the rite of matrimony between the above (or within) named parties on the day of _____, _____.”
Code 1858, § 2444; Shan., § 4194; mod. Code 1932, § 8422; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-418.
Any such minister or officer who knowingly joins together in matrimony two (2) persons not capable thereof commits a Class C misdemeanor and shall also forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred dollars ($500), to be recovered by action of debt, for the use of the person suing.
Code 1858, § 2446 (deriv. Acts 1778, ch. 7, § 5); Shan., § 4196; mod. Code 1932, § 8423; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-419; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
Failure to comply with the requirements of §§ 36-3-104 — 36-3-106, 36-3-109 — 36-3-111 shall not affect the validity of any marriage consummated by ceremony. No marriage shall be valid, whether consummated by ceremony or otherwise, if the marriage is prohibited in this state.
Acts 1937, ch. 81, § 6; C. Supp. 1950, § 8414.6; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-420; Acts 1996, ch. 1031, § 4; 2018, ch. 1049, § 7.
Any marriage that may have been or may be celebrated between persons, by license regularly issued, is valid, and the issue thereof is declared legitimate, although the baptismal name of either party may be omitted in the license, or a nickname be used instead thereof; provided, that the parties have consummated the marriage by cohabitation, and can be identified as the persons between whom such marriage was solemnized.
Acts 1870-1871, ch. 100, § 1; Shan., § 4200; mod. Code 1932, § 8425; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-421.
All marriages contracted and entered into during the War Between the States (1861-1865) and duly solemnized, are declared valid, and the issue of these marriages are declared legitimate.
Acts 1865-1866, ch. 58, § 1; Shan., § 4199; mod. Code 1932, § 8424; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-422.
(a) Marriage, at any age, that is entered into without valid, freely-given consent from both parties is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in this state. (b) A person who is forced, whether by violence, threats, or coercion, to marry another shall have a cause of action against any party who forced the person to marry. A claim under this section shall not be based on parental or familial guidance motivated by the person's best interest, which is expressed in a reasonable manner. (c) Damages for a claim under this section shall include: (1) Liquidated damages of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000); (2) Reasonable attorneys' fees; and (3) Court costs. (d) Upon a finding of forced marriage, the court shall order the marriage in question void. (e) Notwithstanding § 28-3-104, an action under this section must be commenced within ten (10) years after the cause of action accrues by solemnization of marriage.
Acts 2018, ch. 1049, § 8.
(a) No formula need be observed in such solemnization, except that the parties shall respectively declare, in the presence of the minister or officer, that they accept each other as husband and/or wife. (b) For the purposes of satisfying the requirement in subsection (a) that each party must make a declaration in the presence of a minister or officer, a member of the armed forces of the United States may appear at the marriage ceremony via video conferencing if: (1) The member of the armed forces is stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation; (2) A commissioned officer is present with, and confirms the identity of, the member of the armed forces; (3) A person authorized to solemnize marriages pursuant to § 36-3-301 is present with, and confirms the identity of, the person who is marrying the member of the armed forces; and (4) The person who is marrying the member of the armed forces is present in this state.
Code 1858, § 2440; Shan., § 4190; Code 1932, § 8413; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-416; Acts 2017, ch. 397, § 2.
(a) One authorized by § 36-3-301 who solemnizes the rite of matrimony shall endorse on the license the fact and time of the marriage, and sign the license, and return it to the county clerk within three (3) days from the date of marriage. Every person who fails to make such return of the license commits a Class C misdemeanor. (b) The functions, duties and liabilities of the party solemnizing marriage as set forth in this part shall, in the case of marriages solemnized among the Religious Society of Friends, be incumbent upon the clerk of the congregation, or in the clerk's absence, the clerk's duly designated alternate.
Code 1858, § 2443 (deriv. Acts 1815, ch. 47, § 1); Acts 1879, ch. 98, § 2; 1889, ch. 134, § 2; 1915, ch. 109, §§ 1, 2; Shan., § 4193; mod. Code 1932, § 8421; Acts 1963, ch. 68, § 1; 1970, ch. 440, § 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-417; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
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