How to get a marriage license in Memphis and the rest of Shelby County — where to apply, the fee, the waiting period and how long it stays valid — plus the public record. 0 licenses were filed here in the last 30 days; the newest filing we hold is dated Sep 25, 2026.
We now focus on Texas. Shelby County records stay here, searchable and free, but are no longer updated daily — see Texas coverage →
Memphis is the county seat of Shelby County. There is no separate city license. In Tennessee, marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk. These are the state rules that apply in Shelby County; the office itself sets its hours, accepted ID and payment methods, so check with it before you go.
Checked September 2026 against University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service. Rules and fees change — the issuing office has the final word. This is general information, not legal advice.
Counted from the filings we hold, by application date. The busiest full month in the past year was May 2026, with 391 filings.
| Month | Licenses filed |
|---|---|
| September 2026 | 151 |
| August 2026 | 272 |
| July 2026 | 276 |
| June 2026 | 376 |
| May 2026 | 391 |
| April 2026 | 340 |
| March 2026 | 317 |
| February 2026 | 226 |
| January 2026 | 177 |
| December 2025 | 75 |
| November 2025 | 94 |
| October 2025 | 127 |
| September 2025 | 95 |
A marriage license application filed with the county clerk becomes part of the public record. The records we hold for Shelby County run from September 1954 to September 2026.
A filing means a wedding is happening now, not being planned: in our own data most couples marry within days of applying. Wedding professionals — photographers, florists, officiants, venues, DJs and planners — use the filings to see how many couples marry in Shelby County each month and when the busy season starts.
Memphis is the county seat of Shelby County. In Tennessee a marriage license is issued at the county level by the county clerk, not by the city. Any county clerk in Tennessee — the license can be used anywhere in the state. Both applicants appear in person.
Set by each county — typically about $95 to $110. Completing a state-approved four-hour premarital preparation course takes $60 off in every county. Confirm the current amount and accepted payment methods with the county clerk before you go.
None — you can marry the same day.
30 days from the date it is issued.
Any county clerk in Tennessee — the license can be used anywhere in the state. Both applicants appear in person.
Yes. Marriage license filings are public records kept by the county clerk. MarriageSignals holds 4,499 filings for Shelby County, including 0 from the last 30 days; the newest is dated Sep 25, 2026.
Getting married in Memphis (Shelby County)? These tools help couples plan.
The all-in-one wedding registry. Register for gifts, experiences, and cash funds. Free website, guest list manager, and checklist included.
Start Your Zola Registry — FreeRegister for anything on Amazon with free shipping and easy returns. Add items from any store with the universal registry button. Completion discount included.
Create Your Amazon RegistrySearch every filing, filter to your service area, and get new ones as they arrive. Seven days free.
Get access — first quarter 50% offCouples land here while they are getting their marriage license. A featured slot puts one business per category on Memphis (Shelby County)'s pages — venue, photographer, officiant, planner, florist, DJ. Tell us who you are and we will reach out with pricing and what the slot includes. No commitment.