Last Updated: October 5th, 2023
5 Essential Facts to Know Before Officiating a Wedding in Tennessee
The facts below cover all the important aspects of what requirements you need to meet to be able to legally officiate a wedding ceremony in Tennessee.
1.
Who Can Officiate Weddings in Tennessee?
This is the relevant exerpt from the Tennessee Code § 36-3-301.
" (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 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, the county clerk of each county and the mayor of any municipality in the state may solemnize the rite of matrimony. "
Basically, this means that as long as you are ordained through any church, you can officiate weddings.
2.
Are Online Ordinations Recognized in Tennessee?
Yes. All online ordained ministers, including those ordained through AMM are recognized in Tennessee.
Get Ordained Now
3.
Is Government Registration Required to Officiate a Wedding in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants. Officiant registration is not required in Tennessee to officiate a wedding.
4.
What Office Do I Register with Before Officiating a Wedding in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Government does not have any office that licenses, registers, or certifies wedding officiants.
5.
What is the Minimum Legal Age to Officiate a Wedding in Tennessee?
All Wedding Officiants in Tennessee must be at least 18 years old.
Preparing to Officiate a Wedding in Tennessee
As there is no officiant registration required in Tennessee, once ordained your next step is to start preparing to officiate the wedding. If you have not officiated a wedding before, or it has been a while, check out our Tennessee Officiant Ceremony Preparation page.
PREPARE FOR THE TENNESSEE WEDDING CEREMONY