Wayne Mashburn, County Clerk
150 Washington Avenue
Memphis TN, 38103
(901)545-4244
 ShelbyCountyClerk@shelbycountytn.gov

The Shelby County Clerk's Office is one with which nearly everyone in Shelby County has done business.  Selling more than 650,000 vehicle license plates annually is the clerk's biggest job. Fortunately, most of it is done quickly and simply by mail. In addition to vehicle licenses, the clerk sells business licenses, swears in deputy sheriffs, issues notary public commissions and collects liquor-by-the-drink taxes.

There is one other well-known job performed by the clerk's office--about 9,200 couples a year go to the Clerk's office before they walk down the aisle. That's because the County Clerk issues marriage licenses.

The Clerk's office has eight branch offices throughout the county. Because some branches only perform special functions, call the main office number to check before visiting a branch.  The Clerk is elected to a four-year term.

Branch Office Locations
There are eight (8) Branch Offices located in various parts of Shelby County for your convienience. Click on the "Branch Offices and Important Numbers" link above to get addresses, operating times and services.

Marriage Licenses
To obtain a marriage license in Shelby County, both parties must appear for the issuance of the license. Proof of your Social Security number is required for both parties. The age requirement for marriage in the State of Tennessee is as follows:

• Over 21- picture ID
  
• From 18 to 21, a birth certificate
  
• From 16 to 18, you must have both parents accompany
  you, and sign the approval affidavit and you must bring
  your birth certificate. There is a 3-day waiting period.
  
• If either party is under the age of 16,a waiver must be
  issued from Juvenile Court.

Effective July 1, 1985 a blood test is no longer required.

The marriage license is good for 30 days and costs $97.50.  This cost is reduced significantly, to $37.50, for all persons who have attended four (4) hours of premarital preparation by a qualified instructor.  A form must be submitted to verify the completion of an approved Premarital Preparation Course. To download the form, click here, (requires Acrobat Reader) or you may obtain a form at the Shelby County Clerk's office.

After the ceremony has been performed, the signed vital record application must be sent back to the County Clerk's Office to be recorded. The marriage license is given to the bride and groom. If the license is not used within 30 days, it is voided and you must purchase a new license.

A marriage license may be obtained at:

•  Downtown at 150 Washington Avenue
       (8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.)
• 1075 Mullins Station Road
       (9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.)
•  4836 Navy Road
       (8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.)

If you desire a certified copy of your marriage license, come by or mail a $10.00 check or money order, along with the exact date of the marriage and the full names of both parties, to:

Shelby County Clerk,
150 Washington Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103

Remember, we need the exact date of the marriage and the full names of both parties. All checks must be drawn on a local bank.

Disabled Placards
The Shelby County Clerk is now issuing Disabled Person's Placards at all locations.  Tennessee resident drivers and passengers confined to a wheelchair; or those able to walk only with difficulty or uncertainty; or those with vision of not more than 20/200 with corrective lenses may apply for disability placards.

Temporary disabled person placards are also available for those with a temporary disabling condition.  Temporary placards are issued for a six month period and may be renewed one time.

To receive a disabled placard for the first time, the customer must have a completed Application for Disabled Persons License Plate and/or Placard.  The applicant must complete the top portion, sign and date the form.  The lower portion must be completed by a medical physician or Christian Science Practitioner.  Present the completed application at any Shelby County Clerk's Office location to receive your handicapped placard.  Renewals require recertification by your doctor.  The renewal notice has a section for your doctor to complete. We provide a fillable form. You can fill it out in your browser, then print it and take it to a Shelby County Clerk's Office. 

Placards are personal to the disabled driver or passenger and may be used in any vehicle in which the disabled person is riding or driving. Cost are:

$21.50	- Permanent disabled placard    - expires every two years
$10.00	- Temporary disabled placard
$ 3.00	- Renewal of permanent disabled placard
$10.00	- Renewal of temporary disabled placard
$2.00	- Replacement for lost placard
Free	- Permanent disabled placard (confined to a wheelchair)    - expires every two years

Organ Donor Awareness Fund
The Tennessee County Clerks give you the option to donate to the Tennessee Organ Donor Awareness Fund when you title, register or renew your automobile. Your $1.00 donation helps the Foundation better educate the public of donor options.

Payment Methods & Check Acceptance Policy

FORMS OF PAYMENT

CASH, CHECK OR CREDIT CARD
(MASTER CARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS OR DISCOVER)

CHECK ACCEPTANCE POLICY

1. Make checks payable to the Shelby County Clerk.
2. No Counter Checks.  Name, address and phone number must be printed on the check.
3.  No two party checks.
4. Checks must have a local address.
5. No out-of-state or out-of-county personal checks accepted.
6. The name on the check must be the same as the name on the license plate or vehicle title that the check is being used for.
7. A $29.00 service fee is charged on all checks returned by your bank for any reason.
8. Checks will be accepted for the amount of purchase only.
9. A valid unexpired driver's license is required for all check transactions.  The driver's license number will be written on your check.
10. We reserve the right to refuse your check if we have received a returned check from you in the past or if your check does not meet the requirements of our check acceptance policy.
11. In the event that we cannot accept your check, we will be happy to accept your  American Express, Master Card or Discover Card.  There is a 2% convenience fee on all credit card purchases.