# Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-108: Forced marriage prohibited - Civil action

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-108

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-108
- **Heading:** Forced marriage prohibited - Civil action
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 36 / Chapter 3 / Section 36-3-108

## Text

(a) Marriage, at any age, that is entered into without valid, freely-given consent from both parties is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in this state. (b) A person who is forced, whether by violence, threats, or coercion, to marry another shall have a cause of action against any party who forced the person to marry. A claim under this section shall not be based on parental or familial guidance motivated by the person's best interest, which is expressed in a reasonable manner. (c) Damages for a claim under this section shall include: (1) Liquidated damages of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000); (2) Reasonable attorneys' fees; and (3) Court costs. (d) Upon a finding of forced marriage, the court shall order the marriage in question void. (e) Notwithstanding § 28-3-104 , an action under this section must be commenced within ten (10) years after the cause of action accrues by solemnization of marriage. Acts 2018, ch. 1049, § 8.
(a) Marriage, at any age, that is entered into without valid, freely-given consent from both parties is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in this state.
(b) A person who is forced, whether by violence, threats, or coercion, to marry another shall have a cause of action against any party who forced the person to marry. A claim under this section shall not be based on parental or familial guidance motivated by the person's best interest, which is expressed in a reasonable manner.
(c) Damages for a claim under this section shall include: (1) Liquidated damages of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000); (2) Reasonable attorneys' fees; and (3) Court costs.
(1) Liquidated damages of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000);
(2) Reasonable attorneys' fees; and
(3) Court costs.
(d) Upon a finding of forced marriage, the court shall order the marriage in question void.
(e) Notwithstanding § 28-3-104 , an action under this section must be commenced within ten (10) years after the cause of action accrues by solemnization of marriage.
Acts 2018, ch. 1049, § 8.

## 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)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-103 License required - County of issuance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-103.md)
- [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)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-105 Minimum age of applicant for license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-106 Consent of parent, guardian, next of kin, agency or custodian - "Parent" defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-107 Reserved](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-108 Forced marriage prohibited - Civil action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-109 Issuance of license to drunks, insane persons or imbeciles forbidden](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-110 Contest of issuance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-111 County clerk violating law - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-112 Fraudulently signing or using false documents - Misdemeanor](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T36_C3_S36-3-112.md)
- [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_S36-3-108. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.