How to officiate a wedding in Montgomery County, Tennessee

Montgomery County Clerk & Register of Deeds — Marriage License Division — local office & state rules

IMPORTANT TENNESSEE STATUTORY WARNING: Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-301(a)(2) (2019 statutory amendment & subsequent federal court history), Tennessee statute states that persons receiving online ordinations may NOT solemnize the rite of matrimony on that basis alone, requiring spiritual leaders (age 18+) to have the care of souls via a considered, deliberate, and responsible ordination act. First-time friend officiants should review local Tennessee requirements carefully and note that commissioned Tennessee Notaries Public, County Clerks, mayors, and judges ARE statutorily authorized to solemnize civil marriages under § 36-3-301(a)(1)—so many couples have a Tennessee Notary Public or County Clerk execute the civil license while a friend leads the spoken ceremony. Licenses are valid 30 days and must be returned within 3 days of the ceremony (§ 36-3-303); verify local fee schedules with the County Clerk.

Directory Verification Note: Local clerk fees, office suites, and counter hours can change by county ordinance. Always confirm current filing hours and exact payment methods directly with Montgomery County Clerk & Register of Deeds — Marriage License Division (Official Montgomery County Courthouse Directory (TN)) prior to the wedding.

Nearby local guides around Montgomery County

Important: Officiant authorization and license return rules follow the state where the ceremony physically takes place and the specific office that issued or records the couple’s marriage document.