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The number one question I get at my wedding venue, Honeysuckle Hills, is “How do I get my marriage license?” This article explains how to get your marriage license in Tennessee, where to get it, and how easy it is! Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world, and Tennessee makes it effortless to get married here. Getting your marriage license is an essential part of wedding planning, and I enjoy helping couples like you get married in the town where I was born and raised.
What is a Marriage License and Why do I Need One?
A marriage license is a legal document giving you permission to have a wedding ceremony. The requirements vary from state to state, and this article focuses specifically on how and where to get a license in the state of Tennessee. If you want to get married in the Smokies, you must have a Tennessee marriage license. The information given in this article is a broad overview and should not be considered legal advice. I love helping couples get married in the mountains I grew up in, but I’m certainly not an attorney or legal professional. Please reach out to a clerk’s office listed in this article if needed.
Can I Use a Marriage License from my Home State to Get Married in the Smoky Mountains, TN?
You cannot use a marriage license from a different state to get married in Tennessee. One of the reasons I’m writing this article is because I’ve had to tell more than one couple getting married at our venue that the marriage license they paid for in another state is not valid in Tennessee. It’s an easy mistake to make, because the logical assumption is that a marriage license is like a driver’s license, valid in all fifty states. It’s more like a hunting or fishing license, though. For example, if you have a license to fish on your favorite lake in Georgia, you’re still going to need a different one to go trout fishing in the Little Pigeon River in Tennessee.
Where Do I Get the Marriage License for my Smoky Mountain Wedding?
You can get a marriage license for your Smoky Mountain wedding at any courthouse in the state of Tennessee. So, if you live in or are traveling through Nashville or Chattanooga for example, you can get your license there instead of in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, or Sevierville.
Here’s a list of the three places in the Smoky Mountains to get your marriage license:
Sevierville (Pronounced Suh-veer-ville)
125 Court Avenue,Suite 202E
Sevierville, TN 37862
865-453-5502
Monday-Friday 8 am to 4pm
Gatlinburg
405 Reagan Drive
Gatlinburg, TN 37788
865-430-3404
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. – 3:45pm
Pigeon Forge
186 Old Mill Avenue
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-908-6613
Saturday ONLY 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Do Holidays Affect When I Can Get My Marriage License?
Yes, holidays affect the operating hours of each clerk’s office, so be sure to double-check the current schedule before getting married on or close to a holiday like Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s. Romantic, spontaneous elopements are still possible if you plan ahead. A marriage license is good for 30 days when you pick it up, so consider adding a few extra days to your trip. There’s plenty of things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge like hiking, shopping, dinner shows, zip-lining, mountain coasters and scenic overlooks. A few more hours in front of a fireplace or in a hot tub when you’re in love doesn’t hurt, either!
Pre-Apply for your Tennessee Marriage License to Save Time
Apply for your Tennessee marriage license from the comfort of your own home to save time and peace of mind. Both of you will still have to go to the clerk’s office in person to pick it up and show your ID, but you won’t have to spend as much time at the clerk’s window. There are questions on the application like the birthplace of your parents and the date of your last divorce, so if you don’t know this information it will give you time to find it by using the pre-app.
The clerk’s offices in the Smoky Mountains are extremely stream-lined, so even if you decide the last minute to get married, you’re not going to have to wait that long in line. The average time my couples at Honeysuckle Hills tell me they spent in line is about ten minutes.
Pre-Apply for a Tennessee Marriage License
You may apply for the license well ahead of time, but once you pick up the license it’s only good for thirty days from the day you pick it up. The information you give in the pre-application will be forwarded to all the Sevier County locations. This means you can pick it up in Sevierville, Gatlinburg, or Pigeon Forge during their business hours.
What Documents Do I Need to Bring to Get my Tennessee Marriage License?
You’re going to need ONE of the following:
- Driver’s license
- State Issued ID
- State certified birth certificate
If you’re a legal alien without a social security number you’ll need:
- Passport and American Visa with valid expiration date
- OR Resident Alien Card with valid expiration date
ID Requirements:
- Proof of Social Security Number (Social Security Card or Driver’s License Containing SSN)
You’ll need to give the following information:
- Parent’s full name, including maiden name of mother
- Parent’s state of birth and address (if living)
- Applicant’s number of prior marriages
- Date last marriage ended (if applicable)
Always keep in mind that requirements are subject to change, so refer to the links provided in this article for the most up-to-date information.
How Much Does a Tennessee Marriage License Cost
The approximate cost for a Tennessee marriage license is $100 for in-state residents and $50 for out-of-state residents. A discount is provided for in-state residents who can provide proof of pre-marital counseling. Each courthouse charges differently, so reach out to the courthouse you intend to get the license for an exact fee.
How Soon Can I Use my Tennessee Marriage License?
You may use your Tennessee marriage license immediately. There’s no waiting period at all, making a spontaneous elopement possible in the Smoky Mountains. Most couples, however, plan anywhere from a few months to a few years in advance to get married in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
How Long Does My Tennessee Marriage License Last?
Your Tennessee marriage license is good for thirty days from the date you pick it up from the clerk’s office. Consider it a thirty-day consideration process if you will. After all, marriage is forever! If you choose not to use the license it will simply expire, and you are not legally married. If you have a wedding ceremony and the officiant signs your license, you are legally married even before they return the license to the clerk’s office, even though they have three business days to get it there. In other words, what’s done is done! You can’t call the next day and ask the officiant to dispose of the signed license.
Where Can I Get Married in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?
There are literally hundreds of places to get married in the Smoky Mountains. Seriously… The only type of venue we don’t have is an Elvis Chapel. There are professional wedding companies that can help you get married at a pull-off along Foothills Parkway, several wedding chapels, high-end luxury venues, thousands of cabins, and a few all-inclusive venues like my own Honeysuckle Hills. I’ve created a variety of wedding packages at my venue for different budgets, ceremony locations, photography sites, elopement or reception needs. Some people call me the “one stop wedding shop.” When searching for your wedding venue, be sure to use specific terms with Google that include your guest count, budget, and any other idea you have in mind like western, barn, boho, glass house, gardens, or mountain view. Otherwise, you’ll be overwhelmed with the selections.
Who Can Perform My Wedding Ceremony in the Smoky Mountains?
You are not legally married until you present your marriage license to a ceremony officiant and have a wedding ceremony. Officiants can be a minister of the Gospel, a Rabbi, Christian Science practitioner, or various civil officials such as a Tennessee Notary or a judge. Again, please seek advice from your attorney when it comes to who is permitted to officiate your ceremony. Most wedding venues and chapels in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have qualified officiants either on staff or on call. Notaries like me and Abi at Honeysuckle Hills will need a copy of your driver’s license on your wedding day, and you’ll sign our notary journal. If you use any other type of officiant, no further proof of ID or signature is required.
How Do I Change My Name After the Wedding?
After the ceremony the officiant is required to return the license to the Tennessee courthouse that issued it within three business days. Once received, the courthouse records the marriage, and the next step is receiving your marriage certificate. Each Tennessee clerk’s office has different protocols. The Sevier County clerk’s office will mail your official certificate after they receive the license, usually within a few weeks. If you obtained your license from a different TN county clerk, please reach out to them to find out how you’ll get your certificate. Some require you to call and request a mailing, while others require you to come in person to get it.
Once you receive the marriage certificate, take that to the Social Security Office to change your name. Your new last name will NOT be on your certificate, so don’t be alarmed. Some choose not to change their last name, while others choose their partner’s last name outside of tradition.
What If I Change My Mind the Day After the Wedding? Is There a Grace Period?
Oops… this is where that thirty-day prequel can come in handy! Don’t rush to get married unless you are absolutely, positively, 100% certain you’re ready. After the ceremony, the wedding officiant is required by law to turn in the license. If you have a ceremony, you’re married. Case closed… no turning back.
This is How Easy it Is to Get Your Marriage License in the Smokies!
- Apply On-line
- Pick up the License at a Tennessee courthouse or clerk’s office
- Use the license within 30 days
- Find a venue with a qualified officiant
- Get married!
- Receive Your Official Marriage Certificate
- Tell the World You’re in Love and got married in the Smoky Mountains!
I hope you enjoyed this article. If you did, consider my beautiful venue called Honeysuckle Hills for your wedding. I would love to meet you!
