How to Find Tennessee Marriage Records

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Finding Tennessee Marriage Records

 * For most counties, the county clerk began recording marriages at the time of the county's creation.
 * 20 Tennessee counties did not officially begin recording marriages in registers until a state law passed mandating the practice in 1838. Those counties include: Anderson, Benton, Campbell, Cannon, Carroll, Claiborne, Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Johnson, Lauderdale, Lincoln, Madison, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Smith, Stewart, Tipton, and Weakley. Before 1838, use other records for marriage information.

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Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

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 * Marriage Records


 * Choose a time period:


 * Before 1780
 * 1780 to Present
 * Marriage year unknown


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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1780
For most counties, marriage records were recorded when the county was created. Before that time, you may find marriage information in other records. A few early marriage records are available in the following Findmypast collection:
 * United States Marriages – Tennessee, 1625-1966 ($) index and images

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1780 to Present
To locate your ancestor's marriage record, search the following databases. Not all marriages for all counties and dates are listed here. If you cannot locate a marriage, try using the suggestions under the section Obtain the Record or search other records with marriage information.

Obtain the Record
If the image of the marriage record was not found in the above databases, use the following:

For marriages after 1865, ask for the marriage license or the marriage register not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.

PART A: You know the exact county and approximate/exact date of marriage

PART B: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage


 * For marriages that occurred within the last 50 years, you can request a search for a fee from the Tennessee Department of Health
 * You can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

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