Debbie Stamson, County Clerk
150 Washington Avenue
Memphis TN, 38103
(901)545-4244
 debbie.stamson@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 convience. Click on the "Banch Offices and Important Numbers" link above to get addresses, operating times and services.

County Beer Permit
All businesses engaged in the sale, distribution, manufacture and storage of beer are required to obtain a permit from the Shelby County Clerk's Office. The fee for the permit is $250.00. New rules for issuance of a beer permit and regulations of the Shelby County Beer Board have been issued as of March 26, 2007. Click HERE for the new Rules and Regulations.

All employees who serve, sell or handle beer in these establishments must also register with the County Clerk's Office.

Application forms for beer permits are located on the Business Tax page along with rules and regulations and other forms needed for your business.

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.

Notary At Large
(Notary Public) 545-4254

Downloadable Notary Application (PDF format)
Information and Application for Notary Public (Including Reappointments)

First Time Appointments
Applications may be obtained from the Shelby County Clerk's Office. You must complete all information on the application, sign the application before a Notary at Large or bring to our office and sign before a Deputy Clerk.

You must pay a $16.00 application fee upon filing. This must be in the form of cash or check payable to Debbie Stamson, Shelby County Clerk.

When the Board of Commissioners has met and approved your application, your notary commission will be ordered from the State of Tennessee. When we receive your commission from the State (approximately three (3) weeks) we will advise you of the expiration date of the commission. You must then secure a $10,000.00 Notary Bond from any insurance company and bring the bond to our office. You must sign the bond before the Deputy Clerk who will administer the Oath of Office and have you sign the Notary Register. The Clerk will deliver your Notary Commission to you at this time.

Your Notary Seal and Expiration Date Stamp may be secured from any office supply store.

Re-Appointments
The Notary's term of office is four (4) years. This term begins on the date of the issuance of the Commission by the Governor. Each Notary at Large is responsible for obtaining a renewal application from this office. Application should be completed approximately sixty (60) days prior to expiration date of the commission. Complete the application by signing before a Notary
at Large and returning it to our office along with a $16.00 fee for approval.

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

Private Process Server
Persons wishing to serve process for the Shelby County Court of General Sessions may file a petition and the affidavits of five (5) attorneys. Only persons of legal age may be appointed as private process servers and only those persons appointed by the County Clerk may serve process. Upon filing of a petition, the County Clerk will require a background investigation from the Shelby County Sheriff and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Proof of a valid local business license must be shown. Upon completion of the background checks the petitioner must bring to the County Clerk's Office a $15,000.00 bond (conditioned for the faithful performance and execution by such person for his duties and for the payment of all monies that may come into his hands by virtue of such appointment) in order to receive an oath and a Private Process Server ID.

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.