Legal Question in Family Law in Tennessee

Re: marriage

from my website at jesbeard.com

Under Tennessee law, a person must be at least 16 years old before they can get a marriage license, and a

marriage license is required for anyone to get married. TCA 36-3-105. For anyone less than 18, both parents or

the guardian or next of kin must join in the application for a marriage license. TCA 36-3-106. If either party is

less than 18, even if both parents sign the application, there will be a three day waiting period before the marriage

license is issued. TCA 36-3-104.

If the parents or guardian or next of kin won't join in applying for a marriage license, the couple can still get a

marriage license in Tennessee if the judge of the probate, juvenile, circuit or chancery court, or county executive

approves it. TCA 36-3-107. The judge of the probate, juvenile, circuit or chancery court, or county executive

can also waive the three day waiting period required for anyone under 18 to get a marriage license.

And even if there was some defect in the way the license was issued, or either party was less than 18 and

failed to get the required approval and the license was issued anyway, the marriage is still considered legal,

although it can be annulled.