Getting a Marriage License in Knox County
Marriage licenses in Knox County are issued by the County Clerk, Sherry Witt, not by the courts. Both parties must appear together to apply, and there is no waiting period in Tennessee. Once issued, the license is valid for 30 days, including the day it is issued, and it can be used for a ceremony performed anywhere in Tennessee. The clerk runs a main office and several satellite offices around the county.
To apply, each person needs proof of date of birth, which can be a certified birth certificate or a government-issued photo ID, plus a Social Security number for anyone who has been issued one. Applicants under 18 should contact the office for extra requirements. A person who is incarcerated or has a disability that prevents an in-person visit may apply through a notarized statement on official forms.
The Knox County Clerk marriage license page sets out the fees, requirements, and ceremony rules.
The page also explains who may legally solemnize a marriage under Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-3-301.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Applying goes faster when you prepare first. The County Clerk offers an online pre-application that forwards your general information to the office and saves time at the counter, though it does not issue the license by itself.
- Complete the online pre-application or plan to fill out the form in person.
- Bring proof of date of birth and a Social Security number for each applicant.
- Appear together at a Knox County Clerk office.
- Pay the license fee, or the reduced fee with a qualifying course certificate.
- Receive the license, valid for 30 days anywhere in Tennessee.
The clerk may stop accepting applications for a service before closing if demand is high, so arriving earlier in the day is the safer plan.
Marriage License Application Fields
The online pre-application collects more than just names. Beyond identity, it asks for address, birthplace, and family details for each applicant, and it asks about prior marriages. The table covers the main fields you will provide.
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Legal Name | Yes | First, middle, last, and any original surname. |
| Date and Place of Birth | Yes | Birth state or country, with an international list. |
| Address and Contact | Yes | Street, city, state, county, phone, and email. |
| Social Security Number | If issued | Required for those who have one. |
| Marital History | Yes | Prior marriages and how they ended. |
| Parents' Names | Yes | Parent names and birthplaces for each applicant. |
Note: the online form asks for far more than ID, so set aside time to gather birthplace and parent details before you start.
Knox County Marriage and Divorce Fees
The marriage license fee drops sharply if a couple completes a premarital preparation course and brings a notarized certificate of completion, taken within one year before applying. Certified copies of a Knox County marriage license carry a set fee, with a higher amount online to cover mail and processing. Divorce filing fees changed on January 1, 2026 under Tenn. Code Ann. section 8-21-401, so check the court's PDF schedule for the current civil filing amount.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $97.50 |
| Marriage license with premarital course | $37.50 |
| Certified marriage copy (in person) | $5.50 |
| Certified marriage copy (online) | $9.02 |
| Divorce filing (Fourth Circuit) | See Jan. 2026 schedule |
How to Look Up Knox County Marriage Records
Marriage records for Knox County are searched through the Tennessee County Clerk marriage lookup tool. You enter names for both applicants and can choose to search both applicants together or require an exact match. A certified copy can be ordered from the lookup once the record is found. The County Clerk only holds records for couples who applied for a license in Knox County.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant 1 Name | Text | No | First and last name. |
| Applicant 2 Name | Text | No | First and last name. |
| Search Both Applicants | Checkbox | No | Cross-searches both names. |
| Perform Exact Match | Checkbox | No | Limits to exact matches. |
For older marriages or family-history research, the office may direct you to Tennessee Vital Records.
How to Find Knox County Divorce Records
Divorces are not held by the County Clerk. Fourth Circuit Court hears divorces, orders of protection, and child custody, and its records run through the Criminal Court Clerk's office. Some divorce-related matters may also appear in Chancery Court. The Register of Deeds, which records real-property documents, directs divorce-record seekers to Fourth Circuit and Chancery rather than to its own office.
A divorce file can include the petition, the final decree, property division, and custody and support terms. Parts of a domestic file can be sensitive, and some material may be restricted by the court. To find a Fourth Circuit divorce, use the court record tools or request a copy from the clerk. See the Knox County court records page for the search portals.
One detail surprises many people. Fourth Circuit handles divorces, yet its records sit with the Criminal Court Clerk's office, the same office that handles criminal and General Sessions matters. That is a quirk of how Knox County splits its clerks, not a sign that divorce is a criminal case. When you call about a divorce record, ask for the Fourth Circuit, which has its own clerk line and sits on the main floor of the City-County Building.
Getting Certified Copies
A certified copy is the official version that agencies accept for a name change, a benefits claim, or a legal matter. A marriage certified copy comes from the County Clerk, in person or online. A certified divorce decree comes from the court clerk that holds the case. An uncertified print from a search tool is for reference and is usually not accepted as proof. Order the certified version when the record has to stand up officially.
Timing and cost differ by route. An in-person certified marriage copy is the cheaper option, while the online order adds mail and processing to the fee. For a divorce decree, the wait depends on the court clerk and whether the file is recent or older. Plan ahead when a record is tied to a deadline, such as a passport, a remarriage, or a benefits filing, so a copy delay does not hold up the larger task.
Tennessee Vital Records and the County Clerk
The Knox County Clerk handles marriage licenses and copies for licenses issued in the county. For records the clerk does not hold, such as older marriages or out-of-county events, Tennessee Vital Records through tn.gov is the state-level source. Wedding ceremonies are also offered by appointment at the Old Courthouse for Knox County residents, limited to the couple plus six guests.
Knox County Clerk Main Office
Clerk: Sherry Witt
Old Courthouse, 300 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-215-2385
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.