Page Summary
- Tennessee law (T.C.A. 36-3-301) authorizes notaries public to solemnize marriages, so Karen McCormick can officiate a legal civil ceremony in Tennessee on request.
- Couples first get a marriage license from a Tennessee county clerk (in Hamilton County, the County Clerk’s office); it is valid for 30 days.
- After the ceremony the officiant signs the license and returns it with the Certificate of Marriage to the clerk within three days, as T.C.A. 36-3-303 requires.
- Ceremonies can be held at a home, venue, hospital or assisted living facility in Hixson, Chattanooga and nearby Hamilton County communities.
- Call (423) 401-8316 or use the contact form with your date, location and license status to check availability.
Not every couple wants a church wedding or a courthouse line. Some want a ten-minute ceremony in the living room, a small gathering by the lake, or vows at a parent’s bedside so they can be there. As a Tennessee notary public, Karen McCormick can officiate a legal civil ceremony at a location that works for you, on request.
Yes, Tennessee notaries can solemnize marriages
Tennessee is one of a handful of states that lets notaries perform weddings. Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-3-301 lists the people who may solemnize a marriage, and notaries public are on that list alongside ministers, judges, county mayors and certain other officials. The authority belongs to her Tennessee commission, so it covers ceremonies performed in Tennessee.
A notary-officiated wedding is a civil ceremony. It is just as legally valid as a religious one; the difference is simply that it is not conducted on behalf of a church or faith community. Couples who want a religious service usually ask their own clergy.
Who a notary-officiated wedding suits
- Couples who want it small. Just the two of you and the required paperwork, or a handful of family members at home.
- Families facing illness. A bedside ceremony at a hospital or assisted living facility so a parent or grandparent can take part. The hospital and bedside guide explains what to check with the facility first.
- Second marriages and vow renewals with a legal step. Couples who already have the party planned and just need a legally recognised officiant.
- People on a timeline. A move, a deployment or an insurance change can make an earlier date important. Same-day appointments may sometimes be possible, but never count on it; book as early as you can.
Step by step: from license to recorded marriage
- Apply for a marriage license. In Hamilton County this is done through the Hamilton County Clerk’s marriage license office, which accepts applications online or in person. Both applicants generally need to be present with valid photo identification.
- Watch the 30-day window. A Tennessee marriage license is valid for 30 days, counting the day it is issued. A ceremony after it expires is not valid on that license.
- Book the ceremony. Call with the date, location, number of guests and whether you want a short standard ceremony or something more personal.
- Hold the ceremony. Both of you declare that you take each other in marriage, and the officiant pronounces you married. Rings, readings and personal vows are welcome but optional.
- Sign and return. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-303, the officiant endorses the license with the fact and time of the marriage, signs it, and returns it together with the Certificate of Marriage to the county clerk within three days. Karen takes care of that return.
- Order certified copies later. Once recorded, certified copies of the marriage record come from the county clerk or state vital records, not from the officiant. You will usually need one to update a name with Social Security, a driver’s license or a bank.
Things to sort out before the day
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the license issued and in date? | No valid license, no legal marriage. Bring it to the ceremony. |
| Where exactly is the venue? | Gate codes, parking and room numbers save time, especially at hospitals and apartment complexes. |
| Do you want wording changed? | Share any readings, names to mention or words to avoid in advance. |
| Are both of you able to consent clearly? | Each person must freely and knowingly agree to marry. An officiant will not proceed if that is in doubt. |
| Any other paperwork? | If you also need a prenuptial agreement, a power of attorney or a name-change affidavit signed, mention it so it can be notarized at the same visit (drafting is up to you or your attorney). |
What Karen does not do
She is not clergy, a wedding planner or an attorney. She cannot issue the marriage license, advise on prenuptial terms, or perform a legally binding ceremony outside Tennessee as a Tennessee notary. If you need help understanding a prenuptial agreement or property questions, speak with a family-law attorney. The article on what a notary can and cannot do explains those limits.
Areas served
Ceremonies are available at homes, parks, venues and care facilities in Hamilton County and nearby Tennessee communities, including:
Karen’s other notary work, from deeds to loan signings, is listed on the full services page.
Frequently asked questions
Can a notary really marry us in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee Code § 36-3-301 lists notaries public among the officials who may solemnize a marriage. That authority applies to ceremonies performed in Tennessee; for a wedding in another state, check that state’s rules.
Where do we get the marriage license?
From a Tennessee county clerk. In Hamilton County that is the County Clerk’s office, which also offers an online application. Both of you generally need to be present with valid photo ID. The license is valid for 30 days, so plan the ceremony inside that window.
Who returns the license after the wedding?
The officiant does. Tennessee law requires the officiant to endorse the license with the fact and time of the marriage, sign it, and return it with the Certificate of Marriage to the issuing county clerk within three days of the ceremony.
Can the ceremony be held at a hospital or a relative’s home?
It can be held at any agreed location in the area Karen serves, including a home, a backyard or a care facility, subject to the facility’s own rules. Tell her about the setting when you call so she can plan around it.
Can we write our own vows?
Yes. Many couples keep the ceremony simple, and others add personal vows, a reading or a ring exchange. The legally essential part is that both of you declare your consent to marry in front of the officiant.
Planning a small wedding? Call Karen at (423) 401-8316 or request an appointment online and share your date, location and license status.
Priority Mobile Notary Services
Karen McCormick is a Tennessee Notary Public, bonded and insured through the National Notary Association, serving Hixson, Chattanooga and the surrounding communities. This page is general information, not legal advice. Call (423) 401-8316 or email prioritymobilenotaryservices@gmail.com.
