# Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-102: Second marriage before dissolution of first prohibited - Effect of absence for five years

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-102

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-102
- **Heading:** Second marriage before dissolution of first prohibited - Effect of absence for five years
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 36 / Chapter 3 / Section 36-3-102

## Text

A second marriage cannot be contracted before the dissolution of the first. But the first shall be regarded as dissolved, for this purpose, if either party has been absent five (5) years, and is not known to the other to be living. Code 1858, § 2438 (deriv. Acts 1829, ch. 23, § 16); Shan., § 4188; Code 1932, § 8411; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-404.
A second marriage cannot be contracted before the dissolution of the first. But the first shall be regarded as dissolved, for this purpose, if either party has been absent five (5) years, and is not known to the other to be living.
Code 1858, § 2438 (deriv. Acts 1829, ch. 23, § 16); Shan., § 4188; Code 1932, § 8411; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 36-404.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-101 Prohibited degrees of relationship](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-102 Second marriage before dissolution of first prohibited - Effect of absence for five years](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-102.md)
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- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-104 Conditions precedent to issuance of license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-104.md)
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- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-113 [See Compiler's Note.] Marriage between one man and one woman only legally recognized marital contract](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-113.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-301 Persons who may solemnize marriages](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-301.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-102. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.