Can a Notary Public officiate a wedding in the state of tennessee?   

Yes, Public Chapter No. 255 of the 112th General Assembly changes the language allowing notary publics to perform marriages.  There are no additional provisions to regulate how Notaries perform marriages, but they must follow the rules required of all officiants. Effective April 28, 2021.

State of Tennessee per Senate Bill 509.

Section 1: Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 36-3-301(a), is amended by deleting the language "and the mayor of any municipality in this state" and substituting "notaries public, who and the mayor of any municipality in this state."

what is Tout Suite “I do’s” in Tennessee ?

Its the Completion of Marriage License & Quick “I Do’s” to legally solemnize your marriage. It is required by law to include the Declaration of Intent during this process.

Here’s what will be said

"[Name] and [Name], please face each other and join hands.

“Do you both stand here on your own free will to be joined in marriage?

If so say, “We do”.

[Name] & [Name], Do you take one another to be your lawfully wedded spouse; 'Do you both promise to love and cherish one another...'", from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health;  until you are parted by death. Say “Yes”

Ring Exchange (optional)

By the power vested in me by the State of Tennessee. It is my honor, privilege and absolute pleasure to pronounce you married. Now it’s time to seal it & stamp it to make it official! Please, Kiss your Bride, Spouse or Partner.

What is a wedding officiant/celebrant? 

A wedding officiant is perhaps best known as the person who leads the ceremony. However, that's only part of their job. An officiant, whether secular or religious, works with the couple in the months before the wedding day to craft the ceremony, which may include personal vows, readings, music selections, and more. They may also provide premarital counseling. The officiant must be legally ordained to perform weddings in your state and understand your jurisdiction's laws as they pertain to the marriage license. On your wedding day, your officiant will fill out and sign the marriage license (along with witnesses if required by the state. The state of Tennessee does not require a witness) and send it back to the county clerk's office for certification. This may sound like a minor detail, but without a marriage license, you're not actually married—so your wedding officiant has an essential role to play here.

What type of officiant/celebrant are you? 

 I would be considered a Civil wedding officiant, due to being a notary public in the State of Tennessee.

Civil officiants refer to those in government roles who have the ability to legally perform a marriage ceremony in accordance with their state laws. This type of secular officiant may have various titles, such as a justice of the peace, judge, mayor, city clerk, notary, or magistrate, and often oversee ceremonies within the context of a government setting, including courthouse weddings.

Many couples choose a civil officiant for a straightforward, nonreligious ceremony with the added assurance that their marriage is official in the eyes of the law. In fact, some couples marrying abroad will also need to conduct a legal secular ceremony back home with the help of a civil officiant.

What can I expect from you as my officiant/celebrant?

You can expect a professional, down to earth , dependable officiant who will make you feel comfortable before and during the ceremony.  You can expect the officiant to communicate with you to make sure all details are clear and correct before the ceremony day.

What is included in the cost of a wedding Celebrant?

When it comes to your wedding officiant’s cost, it’s more than just showing up on your wedding day to perform your ceremony. A typical wedding officiant’s cost includes the following:

• Prep work: There’s a lot of preparation that goes into making your ceremony a success. Your officiant will meet with you before your wedding to craft a ceremony that’s unique and meaningful to you, whether that means including religious elements, family traditions, readings you like, and more. Creating a ceremony plan takes at least three to four hours, not including edits and communication with you. If you’re writing your own wedding vows (36 percent of couples do!), your officiant can assist you with that as well.

• Travel and event time: You’re paying for your officiant’s time and presence at your wedding. And if your officiant is traveling a long distance to your event, you may incur additional travel charges.

• License handling: Your officiant is responsible for making sure your license is properly filled out, signed, and sent back within the required time frame.

• Rehearsal time: Your officiant may or may not attend your rehearsal, but if he or she does, it’s likely an extra charge.

• Equipment: Some officiants provide their own wireless microphones and speakers, which cost money to buy and maintain.

• Business expenses: From phone service and Internet to education and marketing, your wedding officiant cost probably includes these and more business expenses to ensure he or she can work efficiently and be as responsive as possible.

Marriage license, how to obtain a certified copy and Name Change info for Tennessee.

Before a marriage can occur in Tennessee, a license must be obtained from the County Clerk. The fee is $97.50. The fee is reduced to $37.50 if the couple completes a Premarital Preparation Course. There is no waiting period, the marriage license is valid for thirty (30) days from issuance, and is good for ceremonies performed anywhere in Tennessee.

• Proof of date of birth (Certified Birth Certificate or Government Issued Photo Identification)

• Social Security Number (for individuals that have been issued one)

• Both parties must appear together. If either party is under the age of 18, contact our office for additional requirements. If either individual is incarcerated at the time, or has a disability which prevents the person from appearing, that person may submit a notarized statement. Click the links below to download the required forms: Marriage License for Incarcerated Applicant Marriage License for Applicants with Disability

• The fee is $97.50. Applicants who have completed a premarital preparation course within a year prior to the date of applying for the license are exempted from paying $60.00 of this fee. Applicants must present a Certificate of Completion completed and signed by the course provider. This document must be notarized and presented to our office at the time of payment and receipt of your license.

How do I obtain a certified copy of my marriage license?

You may request a certified copy of your marriage license by visiting any of the Knox County Clerk's Office locations or you may request a copy online with a credit card. We will need the names of both applicants as well as the date of the marriage. Please note that the Knox County Clerk's office only has marriage license records for couples who applied for their marriage license in Knox County, Tennessee.

Fees for a Certified Copy of a Marriage License.

In-Person

Online

(includes mail fee and online processing fees)

$5.50

$9.02

Name Change

You must visit a Driver Service Center to make changes to your name. You will need your current license and the original or certified document showing the reason for the change; for example: An original or certified marriage certificate, original or certified copy of your divorce decree, or the original court order.

You will be charged a duplicate fee ranging from 8 dollars to 16 dollars. The fee will depend on the number of duplicates you’ve had and the type of license you have. All Certificate for Driving, Temporary Driver License and Temporary ID duplicates cost $19.50.

Remember all documents must be originals or certified. Faxes or photocopies cannot be accepted

Marriage License/ Certificate

Must include the applicant's full name and date of birth. The certificate must be the original or certified copy that is registered AFTER the marriage; NOT just the “license” authorizing the union.

How long does it take to change your last name after marriage in Tennessee?

Close to 2 weeks after you file the SS-5 form, your new Social Security card with your new married name will arrive in the mail. After receiving your new social security card in the mail, you will need to obtain a new drivier’s license with your NEW last name at the DMV.

Are you changing your name?

If so, let Social Security know so we can update your information, send you a corrected card.

To change your name on your card, you must show us documents proving your legal name change and identity. If you are a U.S. citizen, you also must show us a document proving your U.S. citizenship, if it is not already in our records. You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. Photocopies or notarized copies are not accepted.

To prove your legal name change, you must show the following documents:

Marriage certificate.

How long are marriage licenses valid in tennessee?

The marriage license is valid for 30 days, including the day it is issued.

How long do you have to return the marriage licenses to the county clerk's office after your ceremony?

You have 3 business days to return. As your wedding officiant I will take care of that for you.