Tennessee vital records — births, deaths, marriages, and divorces — are administered by the Office of Vital Records within the Department of Health under T.C.A. § 68-3-101. Certified copies can be ordered through tn.gov/health/vital-records; births are restricted for 100 years and deaths for 50 years from the date of event.
About Tennessee Vital Records
Tennessee Vital Records
Statewide Records
Births and Christenings 1828-1939
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Tennessee births and christenings recorded between 1828 and 1939.
Deaths & Burials 1874-1955
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Index of deaths and burials recorded in Tennessee between 1874 and 1955.
Deaths | Cemetery Records
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Cemetery records in Tennessee, including interment details, cemetery maps, and gravestone photographs.
Deaths | Social Security Administration
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Social Security death index, including Tennessee records.
Marriages | 1796-1950
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Search over 1.6 million marriages recorded in Tennessee between 1796 and 1950.
County Records
Davidson County - Nashville | Births, Deaths, Marriages
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Searchable databases from the Nashville Public Library of City of Nashville and Davidson County births, deaths, and marriages.
Hamilton County Cemeteries
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Browse these Hamilton County Genealogical Society databases by name for Hamilton County cemetery surveys and tombstone inscriptions.
Hamilton County Marriages | Genealogical Society
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Browse these Hamilton County Genealogical Society databases by name for marriage records. Covers 1857-1888 and other partial records.
Hamilton County | Marriages
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Hamilton County Clerk's Office marriage licenses search and list of issued licenses.
Hamilton County | Obituaries
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Chattanooga Public Library obituary record for Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
Henderson County Cemetery Records
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Browse this Tennessee GenWeb Project database by cemetery name for Henderson County cemetery records.
James County | Marriages | 1913-1919
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Tennessee GenWeb site listing of James County marriage records between 1913 and 1919.
Memphis Obituaries 1843-1889
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Browse this Univiversity of Memphis index for obituaries that appeared in local Memphis (Shelby County) newspapers between 1843 and 1889. No records are available for 1850.
Sevier County Marriages
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Use this Sevier County fee-based service to search historical marriage license information by bride or groom name, social security number, marriage license number, date, or county.
Shelby County Divorces | Chancery Court
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Chancery Court of Shelby County civil, criminal, family, workers comp., etc. court records. Includes divorce filings.
Shelby County | Divorces
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In the middle column you'll find databases for Tennessee abd Shelby County divorces filed in Chancery Court.
Shelby County | Marriages
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In the middle column you'll find databases for Tennessee statewide and Shelby County marriage records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I order a Tennessee birth certificate?
Order through the state Vital Records office linked under Statewide; expect 2–6 weeks by mail.
How long does a vital record stay confidential?
Birth records are typically restricted for 75–100 years; death records 25–50 years from event.
Who can request a certified copy?
Eligibility is generally limited to the person, immediate family, and legal representatives.
Can I order vital records online?
Most states offer expedited online orders via VitalChek; an extra processing fee applies.