How to Find Marriage Records From Nashville, Tennessee

Obtain a copy of a marriage certificate at the Department of Health in Nashville.

Once a marriage license is delivered to the clerk of courts in the county where the wedding occurred, it is then recorded with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. After the license is filed, newlyweds receive a certified copy of the marriage certificate through the mail. If you, your spouse, an immediate family member or your legal representative need an additional copy of your marriage license, you must request a copy from the Tennessee Department of Health. If you are not listed on a marriage record and you are not an immediate family member or legal representative of either person listed on the certificate, you cannot obtain a copy of the marriage record but you can verify the information on the record with the Tennessee Department of Health.

Instructions

Obtaining a Certified Copy of a Marriage Record

1. Download the application for a marriage certificate from the Tennessee Department of Health website or pick up a copy from the office location in Nashville (see Resources).

2. Complete the application by noting the date, the number of copies of the marriage certificate you want to order, the names of the bride and groom, the place the license was issued, the date of the marriage and the place where the marriage occurred.

3. Include your relationship to the people listed on the marriage certificate and sign the application. If you sign the application in the presence of a notary public you are not required to present photo identification with your application; otherwise you must make a copy of your photo identification.

4. Write a check for the applicable fee ($15 as of April 2001) payable to "Tennessee Vital Records." Mail or deliver your application, photo identification and check to:

   Tennessee Vital Records

   412 5th Ave. N.

   1st Floor, Central Services Building

   Nashville, TN 37243

   Copies of your marriage certificate are mailed to you once your application is processed. If you visit the vital records office in person you will take home a copy of your marriage certificate the same day. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Verifying Information on a Marriage Record

1. Call the Tennessee Department of Health at 615-741-1763 to request verification of the information listed on a marriage record.

2. Tell the Department of Health employee that you want to verify the information on a marriage record. Answer any questions he has for you.

3. Provide the Department of Health employee with the names of the bride and groom and the date of the marriage you are looking for. The Department of Health employee will confirm whether or not the information on the marriage record is true or if the record does not exist. If you are not sure of the exact date of the marriage, the Department of Health can search a period of several years to try and locate the information for you.

References

• Tennessee Department of Health: Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate
• Tennessee Department of Health: Vital Records

Resources

• Tennessee Department of Health