Tennessee Code Annotated

Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-108 (2026)

Forced marriage prohibited - Civil action

✓ current as of May 2026

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(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.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 2 cases, 2012–2018 · leading case: In Re Blake A. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018).

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In Re Blake A. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “7 does not contest this holding; rather, she contends that the court should have applied section 36-3-108(d). The determination of the best interest of a child is a factual question, and this Court will presume a trial court’s factual findings in this regard to be correct,…”

In Re: Haven T. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “Mother argues that the trial court incorrectly applied, or simply failed to apply, Tenn. Code Ann. §36-3-108 ,2 which controls relocation of a child.”

— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-108(d) — 1 case

In Re Blake A. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018). “7 does not contest this holding; rather, she contends that the court should have applied section 36-3-108(d). The determination of the best interest of a child is a factual question, and this Court will presume a trial court’s factual findings in this regard to be correct,…”

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