How to Find Tennessee Marriage Records: Difference between revisions

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How To Find U.S. Marriage Records How To Find Tennessee Marriage Records

Finding Tennessee Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

1 April 1867, the county clerk began to forward marriage records to the secretary of state
An additional 1905 law resulted in greater statewide compliance
In 1911 Michigan law required statewide registration of marriages
Michigan marriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone during any time period

Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit \| edit source]		Marriage Records Choose a time period: Before 1780 1780 to 2002 After 2002 to Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1780[edit | edit source]

Marriage records were recorded when the county was created
Before that time, you may find marriage information in other records.

1. Look first in	2. Then search
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1780 to Present[edit | edit source]

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image	Link or links to access database		# of records
Ancestry, Marriages, 1780-2002	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	6,844,294
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1790-1950	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		1,566,937

If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriage Index, 1780-2002	On FamilySearch; free;		3,331,399
FamilySearch, Marriage Index, 1796-1950	On FamilySearch; free;		1,674,368
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	292,425

Can't access Ancestry?	Visit your local Family History Center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?	Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Search other records with marriage information.

Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]

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

With exact place and approximate/exact date of marriage, order a copy from one of the following:
Option A:	Marriage Records on Microfilm	Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the county and approximate date where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available. Search the FHLC by county. Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk. For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Option B:	Order from the County or City	Order the marriage record for a fee from the county clerk's offices in the county the marriage took place.

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.