Nashville City Hall Wedding

At a Glance

What Makes a Nashville Courthouse Wedding Special

Nashville is one of the few major U.S. cities where a courthouse wedding can cost under $105 total. The Davidson County Clerk’s Office charges $99.50 in cash ($101.49 by card) for a Davidson County marriage license, and General Sessions Court judges typically perform civil wedding ceremonies at no additional charge. For couples who want a legal marriage ceremony in Music City without the price tag of a traditional wedding, the cost is hard to match.

The process works differently than most cities, though. Davidson County splits the licensing and ceremony between two separate buildings. You get your marriage license at the Davidson County Clerk’s Office in the Howard Office Building on President Ronald Reagan Way. Then you have your civil ceremony performed by a General Sessions Court judge at the A.A. Birch Building on 2nd Avenue North. The Clerk’s Office does not perform wedding ceremonies. Plan for two stops.

Tennessee removes every common barrier to getting married. No waiting period after the license is issued, no blood test, and no residency requirement for either partner. A couple visiting Nashville from out of state can walk into the Davidson County Clerk’s Office in the morning, get their Tennessee marriage license, head to the A.A. Birch Building, and be legally married the same afternoon. That same-day possibility is real, though booking a General Sessions Court judge usually requires at least three weeks of advance planning.

Step by Step: How to Get Married at the Nashville Courthouse

A Nashville courthouse wedding happens in two stages at two locations. Here is the full timeline from your marriage license application through filing.

1. Complete the online marriage license application. Nashville.gov offers an online application that lets you enter your information before visiting the Davidson County Clerk’s Office. This cuts your wait time at the counter. Fill it out a few days before your planned visit.

2. Consider premarital counseling (optional, saves $60). Completing a certified premarital counseling course drops the marriage license fee from $99.50 to roughly $39.50. You will need a notarized Certificate of Completion to claim the discount at the Clerk’s Office. If you have a few weeks before your wedding date, this step pays for itself.

3. Visit the Davidson County Clerk’s Office together. Both partners must appear in person at the Howard Office Building (700 President Ronald Reagan Way, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37210). Bring your government-issued photo IDs, Social Security number proof, and any required divorce decrees or death certificates. Pay the marriage license fee in cash or by card. Your Tennessee marriage license is issued on the spot, with no waiting period.

4. Contact a General Sessions Court judge to schedule your ceremony. Judges rotate on a weekly docket at the A.A. Birch Building. Check the General Sessions Court website (gscourt.nashville.gov) for the current docket, then call the presiding judge’s chambers to book your Nashville courthouse wedding ceremony. Schedule at least three weeks in advance for the best availability.

5. Arrive at the A.A. Birch Building on your wedding day. Your civil ceremony takes place at 408 2nd Avenue North in downtown Nashville, typically in Courtroom 1A or 1B. All visitors must pass through courthouse security screening. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early, especially if you are bringing guests.

6. Exchange your vows. The courthouse wedding ceremony lasts 5 to 10 minutes. You can personalize it with your own vows, readings, poems, or a ring exchange. Discuss your preferences with the judge when you book so the ceremony reflects what you want.

7. Your officiant files the signed marriage license. After the ceremony, the judge signs your Tennessee marriage license and is responsible for filing it with the Davidson County Clerk’s Office. Confirm with the judge that they will handle filing.

8. Order certified copies of your marriage certificate. Contact the Davidson County Clerk’s Office to order certified copies after filing is complete. You will need multiple copies for name changes with the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport office, banks, and insurance companies. Order at least five to ten copies.

Davidson County Marriage License Details

Documents You Need for Your Nashville Marriage License

Both partners must bring the following to the Davidson County Clerk’s Office:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (one per person): driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID
• Proof of Social Security Number: Social Security card, W-2, or tax document showing your full SSN
• Divorce decree or death certificate if either partner was previously married, including the exact date the prior marriage ended

Nashville Marriage License Fees

The Davidson County Clerk’s Office does not accept checks. Cash or card only. The premarital counseling discount requires a notarized Certificate of Completion from a certified program.

Marriage License Eligibility Requirements

• Both partners must be at least 18 years old (special provisions exist for applicants ages 16 to 17)
• Both partners must appear in person together at the Clerk’s Office
• Neither partner can be currently married
• No Tennessee residency required
• No blood test required

Tennessee Marriage License Validity and Filing

Your Davidson County marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. If 30 days pass without a ceremony, you must reapply and pay the full fee again. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and files it with the Davidson County Clerk’s Office. This is the officiant’s legal responsibility, but confirm it directly so nothing falls through the cracks.

Your Tennessee marriage license is valid statewide. You can get your license in Davidson County and have your ceremony performed anywhere in Tennessee by any authorized officiant.

Nashville Courthouse Wedding Ceremony Details

The Two-Building Process

This is the detail that trips up most couples planning a Nashville courthouse wedding. The Davidson County Clerk’s Office at the Howard Office Building handles marriage license applications only. They do not perform wedding ceremonies. All civil ceremonies are performed by General Sessions Court judges at the A.A. Birch Building, a separate location at 408 2nd Avenue North in downtown Nashville.

How to Book a General Sessions Court Judge

General Sessions Court judges rotate on a weekly docket. To schedule your Nashville courthouse wedding ceremony:

1. Visit the General Sessions Court website (gscourt.nashville.gov) and check the current weekly docket
2. Call the presiding judge’s chambers to schedule your civil ceremony
3. Book at least three weeks before your preferred wedding date
4. Discuss any personalization you want, including custom vows, readings, or ring exchange

The ceremony typically takes place in Courtroom 1A or 1B of the A.A. Birch Building. There is usually no fee charged by the judge, but confirm this when you schedule.

What to Expect During Your Nashville Civil Ceremony

A Nashville courthouse wedding ceremony lasts 5 to 10 minutes. The General Sessions Court judge performs a civil ceremony that includes the legal pronouncement of marriage. You can add personal elements: your own vows, a poem or reading, and a ring exchange are all welcome. Let the judge know your preferences ahead of time so the ceremony reflects what matters to you as a couple.

Alternative Wedding Officiants in Tennessee

If a General Sessions Court judge is not available on your preferred date, Tennessee law authorizes several types of officiants to perform legal marriage ceremonies:

• Ordained ministers or clergy members
• Judges and magistrates (state or federal)
• Licensed officiants

You can get your Davidson County marriage license and have the ceremony performed by any authorized Tennessee officiant at any location in the state. Your Tennessee marriage license works anywhere within state lines.

Photography and Guest Tips for Your Nashville Courthouse Wedding

Bringing Guests to the A.A. Birch Building

Guests are welcome at General Sessions Court wedding ceremonies. There is no published guest limit, but all visitors must pass through courthouse security screening at the A.A. Birch Building entrance. Factor in an extra 10 to 15 minutes of arrival time for your group to clear security, especially if you are bringing more than a handful of guests.

Tennessee law does not require witnesses at a marriage ceremony. A couple-only elopement at the Nashville courthouse is completely legal. If you want a private ceremony with no guests, you do not need to bring anyone along.

Courthouse Wedding Photography

Check the A.A. Birch Building’s photography policy before your wedding day. Some courthouses restrict professional photography equipment inside the building. Many couples choose to take their Nashville courthouse wedding photos outside the building or at nearby downtown locations after the ceremony. The downtown area around 2nd Avenue has several photogenic spots within walking distance.

Best Photo Spots Near the Nashville Courthouse

The A.A. Birch Building sits in the heart of downtown Nashville, close to several locations that work well for post-ceremony wedding photos:

• Cumberland River waterfront (a short walk east from the courthouse)
• John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge connecting downtown Nashville to East Nashville, with skyline views
• Public Square Park (a few blocks north, open green space with city backdrop)
• Broadway and Lower Broadway for a distinctly Nashville, Music City feel

Practical Tips for Your Nashville Courthouse Wedding

Bring cash to the Clerk’s Office. Cash saves you about $2 on the marriage license fee ($99.50 vs. $101.49 by card). Checks are not accepted.

Complete the online application before your visit. The nashville.gov online marriage license application lets you pre-fill your personal information, reducing wait time at the Davidson County Clerk’s Office counter.

Do not forget Social Security proof. This is the most commonly forgotten document for a Nashville marriage license. Your Social Security card, a W-2, or a tax return showing your full SSN all qualify.

Book the judge early. General Sessions Court ceremony availability depends on the weekly docket rotation. Contact the court three or more weeks before your preferred date. Waiting until the last week limits your options significantly.

Plan for two locations. The Davidson County Clerk’s Office (Howard Office Building, 700 President Ronald Reagan Way) and the ceremony location (A.A. Birch Building, 408 2nd Avenue North) are separate buildings. If you plan to get your marriage license and have your Nashville courthouse wedding on the same day, map both locations and factor in travel time.

No formal dress code. There is no dress code for courthouse weddings in Nashville. Business casual to formal attire are all common. Wear whatever feels right for your wedding day.

Confirm Clerk’s Office hours before visiting. The Davidson County Clerk’s Office follows Metro Nashville government hours (typically Monday through Friday) and closes on Metro Government holidays. Call 615-862-6256 to confirm current hours before making the trip.

Take the premarital counseling discount. A certified premarital counseling course saves $60 on the marriage license fee. If you have a few weeks before your planned wedding date, the savings are worth the time.

Watch the 30-day expiration window. Your Tennessee marriage license expires 30 days after issuance. If you miss the window, you start over with a new application and full fee. Apply with enough lead time to book your ceremony, but not so far ahead that expiration becomes a risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get married the same day you get your marriage license in Nashville?

Yes. Tennessee has no waiting period for marriage. Your Davidson County marriage license is valid immediately after the Clerk’s Office issues it. If you can book a General Sessions Court judge for a ceremony the same day, you can get your license in the morning and be legally married by the afternoon. The practical challenge is judge availability: General Sessions judges rotate on a weekly docket, and same-day bookings are not guaranteed. Contact the court well in advance if a same-day Nashville courthouse wedding is your plan.

How much does a Nashville courthouse wedding cost in total?

The Davidson County marriage license costs $99.50 in cash or $101.49 by card. Completing a certified premarital counseling course drops the fee to roughly $39.50 with a notarized certificate. General Sessions Court judges typically do not charge a ceremony fee. Total cost for a Nashville courthouse wedding ranges from about $40 (with the counseling discount) to $101.49 (card payment, no discount). This makes Nashville one of the most affordable courthouse wedding options among major U.S. cities.

Do you need to be a Tennessee resident to get married in Nashville?

No. Tennessee has no residency requirement for marriage. Couples from any U.S. state or from outside the country can apply for a Davidson County marriage license and marry in Nashville. Your Tennessee marriage license is also valid statewide, so you could get your license in Nashville and have the ceremony performed anywhere else in Tennessee.

Can you have a Nashville courthouse wedding on a weekend?

General Sessions Court judges set their own schedules, and weekend availability varies by judge. Some judges may offer weekend ceremonies by special arrangement. Contact the presiding judge’s chambers directly through the General Sessions Court website (gscourt.nashville.gov) to ask about weekend options. If weekend court availability is limited, you can get your Davidson County marriage license during the week and use an ordained minister or licensed officiant for a weekend ceremony at any location in Tennessee.