And particular instructions if I am officiating your wedding
You must get the license before the ceremony and bring it to your wedding. Please have someone (director, family member, etc) ready to hand it to me when I arrive.
I have found it’s better to take care of the license before the ceremony rather than afterwards to avoid interrupting after-ceremony activities chasing down the license.
You must have a Tennessee license to get married in TN. You can get it in any county and use it anywhere in TN. The license expires in 30 days, so you can’t get it too early. You can check the Davidson County site to get more specifics: http://www.nashvilleclerk.com/living/marriage-license/ or any county you choose.
Some counties have a keepsake copy which I sign and leave with the couple the day of the wedding. Other counties do not, but there are 2 parts that are standard in every county. I will take those, sign and mail them in for you.
If you prefer to take the license yourself and return it, let me know. It must be returned to the clerk within 3 business days however.
There’s no place for you to sign the license the day of the wedding. You sign it at the clerk’s office since they are the notaries that check your ID’s.
A witness signature is not required on the license the day of the wedding, only the legal officiant’s name and signature.
The clerk will record your marriage, & then some counties automatically mail you the certified copy. Other counties do not auto-mail it. You have to request it.
In whichever county you get your license, ask the clerk how you get your certified copy and what the turnaround time is.