The Pre-Marriage Course

The Tennessee General Assembly enacted Chapter No. 854 of the Public Acts of 2002. Included in this Act is an additional $62.50 fee for Tennessee residents when applying for a marriage license. Couples who complete a pre-marriage course may receive an exemption from the increased fee. (Out-of-state couples who are marrying in Tennessee are not subject to the increased fee.)

Premarital Course Completion--To qualify for the exemption by attending a premarital preparation course, both applicants must submit a notarized Certification of Completion completed by the course provider, showing that they have attended the course together, or separately, within one year of the date of application to the County Clerk for the license.

The Certification of Completion form defines the law as to qualifications of persons who are eligible to conduct the four (4) hours of premarital preparation training required by Chapter No. 854. The new law gives minimal guidance as to the content of the course.

It states that the course may include :

(1) Conflict management

(2) Communication skills.

(3) Financial responsibilities.

(4) Children and parenting responsibilities.

(5) Data compiled from available information relating to problems reported by married couples that seek marital or individual counseling.

This course is complimentary for my wedding couples. There is a $22.50 registration fee for couples who are not using my wedding services.

Both of you will receive individual links to complete a couple's survey prior to starting the course. I am the only person who will see the results of that survey. If I see any significant issues, I will reach out. You shouldn't discuss your answers until both of you have completed and submitted the survey.

Once your couple survey is complete you will receive the invitation to start the course. You will also receive pdf access to the course journal to use throughout the course. It's long, so I suggest you purchase blank journals for offline use and use the pdf as a guide versus printing the pdf.

When you finish the course, you will receive a completion certificate. If you are a Tennessee resident you can to contact me for a notarized completion form to submit with your marriage license application.

To register, submit the form below.