Whether you’re gifting a car to your child, helping a parent downsize, or dealing with a vehicle after a death in the family, the transfer of title in Tennessee follows a predictable set of steps. The key is knowing what to bring, what to fill out on the title, and when you need extra forms (like gift or inheritance paperwork).
This guide walks you through how to transfer a car title in Tennessee step-by-step, including common “messy” situations like liens, shared ownership, and signed titles that have not been processed yet.
If this title transfer is happening alongside a bigger financial situation, you do not have to figure everything out alone. Titlelo helps Tennessee drivers explore fast, online loan options using their vehicle, even when the paperwork feels complicated.
You can check your options and apply online in minutes, then review terms before you commit.
What Is a Vehicle Title?
A vehicle title is the legal document that proves who owns the car. It includes identifying details like the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and owner information.
In Tennessee, a valid title is required to legally transfer ownership, whether you’re selling, gifting, or inheriting a vehicle.1
Step 1: Check for a Clear Title
Before you fill anything out, take one minute to confirm the title is “clear,” meaning there is no active lien (loan) recorded, unless the lien will be properly handled during the transaction.
What to look for
- Lienholder listed on the title (often on the front, sometimes elsewhere)
- Any paperwork that indicates the vehicle is still financed
If there’s a lien
In most cases, liens must be discharged before ownership can be transferred.
If the loan has been paid off, the lienholder must release the lien and follow Tennessee’s lien discharge process.2
Practical tip: If your family member paid off the car years ago but never received a clean title, ask about getting the lien release documented and, if needed, applying for a duplicate title.
Without a clear title (or a correctly handled lien), the county clerk can delay or deny the transfer.
Step 2: Gather the Required Documents
Tennessee title work is typically handled through your local county clerk’s office.
What you need can vary slightly by county, but these lists cover what most people are asked for.
Standard Required Documents
Bring:
- Properly assigned certificate of title (the current title, filled out correctly)
- Proof of identification (government-issued photo ID is commonly required)
- Proof of residency (some offices require additional proof if your ID is not Tennessee-issued)
- Odometer disclosure statement, if applicable (common for many transfers, especially newer vehicles)
- Copy of the current registration if you’re transferring a plate
Additional Documents for Gifts or Inheritance
Depending on your situation, you may also need:
- Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats (Gift / Low Selling Price Affidavit) for gifts, family exemptions, or certain low-price transfers
- Death certificate and estate documents for inheritance cases (county clerk requirements vary, so call ahead for the exact list)
- Lien release documentation if the title shows a lien that has been satisfied
Step 3: Complete the Title Assignment
This is the step where people accidentally slow everything down.
On the back of the Tennessee title, you typically need to complete the first reassignment section. At a high level, it usually includes:
- Seller/transferor name(s) and signature(s) (the current owner listed on the front must sign)
- Buyer/transferee name and signature
- Sale date (or transfer date)
- Purchase price (or gift value)
- Odometer information (if required for the vehicle)
Quick checklist before you leave the kitchen table
- Names match exactly (no nicknames if possible)
- Signatures are in the correct spots
- Odometer statement is completed when required
- You did not use correction fluid or scribble over entries (if you made a mistake, ask your clerk what to do next)
Step 4: Visit Your Local DMV or County Clerk’s Office
In Tennessee, most title and registration transactions are handled at the county clerk’s office, not a stand-alone DMV building.
Here’s the clean, simple process:
- Bring all required documents.
- Submit everything at your county clerk’s office.
- Pay the required fees and any applicable taxes.
- Get confirmation of the transaction and ask about the timing for your updated title.
🧐Tip for busy counties: Some locations offer online appointment scheduling for title and registration services.
How long does it take?
Once the transaction is processed, Tennessee notes that titles are commonly batched to print quickly, with many titles going into the mail within 24 to 48 hours after processing. (Mail time is separate.)
Step 5: Pay Fees and Taxes
The total cost depends on whether you are:
- transferring a plate,
- getting a new plate,
- noting a lien, and
- paying tax (or qualifying for an exemption).
Here are common fee line items you may see, with examples from county clerk fee schedules:
| Fee type | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title fee | $11 | State title fee is commonly listed by county offices. |
| Plate and title transfer (example) | $20.50 | Example county fee for transferring plate and title, with possible add-ons. |
| Noting a lien | $11 | Common add-on if a lien is recorded at transfer. |
| Plate transfer fee | $1 | TN notes plates follow the owner and can be transferred for $1. |
What about sales tax?
Sales tax can apply when a vehicle is sold or traded, but Tennessee provides tax exemptions for certain family transfers and specific conditions, which is one reason the Non-dealer Transfer Affidavit matters.
Tennessee imposes sales tax on vehicle sales and trades at a base state rate of 7% on the net purchase price (after trade-ins), plus local taxes up to 2.75% on the first $1,600 and a single-article tax up to $44.3
Special Scenarios for Family Title Transfers
Transferring a Title From a Deceased Family Member
This is one of the most stressful scenarios because paperwork tends to be time-sensitive and emotional.
In general, expect to provide:
- The death certificate
- Documentation showing who has legal authority to transfer the vehicle (estate paperwork requirements can vary)
Call your county clerk before you go so you do not make multiple trips.
Gifting a Vehicle to a Child or Relative
If you’re gifting a car to your son, daughter, parent, or another qualifying relative, the process usually looks like this:
- Make sure the title is clear (no outstanding lien).
- Complete the title assignment (transferor and transferee signatures).
- Complete the Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats to document the gift and any tax exemption that applies.
- The recipient takes everything to the county clerk to finish titling and registration.
Transferring Ownership of a Titleless Vehicle
If the title is lost or missing:
- Start with a duplicate title application through the county clerk.
- If there was a lien, make sure the lien discharge is properly documented first.
Real-Life Examples of Family Title Transfers
Here are a few practical examples that mirror what people deal with in real life:
Example 1: Parent gifts a paid-off car to an adult child
The parent signs the title over, both complete the non-dealer transfer affidavit for a family gift, and the child visits the county clerk to finish the transfer and registration.
Example 2: Spouse inherits a vehicle after a death
The surviving spouse gathers the death certificate and required estate documentation, then completes the title transfer at the county clerk’s office. (Call ahead to confirm the exact estate documents your county requires.)
Example 3: Family realizes the title has a lien listed, but the loan was paid years ago
They obtain lien release documentation through the proper discharge process, then request a clean/duplicate title if needed before transferring ownership.
Final Thoughts
Once you break it down, how to transfer the title of a car in Tennessee is mostly about preparation: confirm the title is clear, gather the right forms, fill out the assignment correctly, and finish the process at the county clerk.
Title transfers can feel intimidating, but a prepared visit to the county clerk usually goes smoothly. If you are also trying to manage bills, a move, or other expenses, Titlelo offers an online application that helps you explore vehicle-based loan options. Apply online to see what may be available, then decide whether it fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
For standard Tennessee title transfers, notarization is generally not required. Some out-of-state titles may require notarization because Tennessee follows the originating state’s notary rules (with limited exceptions).
Common requirements include a government-issued photo ID and proof of residency. Depending on your situation, you may also need the assigned title, odometer disclosure, and current registration if transferring a plate.
Complete the title assignment and use the Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats to document the gift and any tax exemption that applies.
Costs vary by county and your exact transaction. Many counties list the state title fee (often $11), plus local processing and plate-related fees. If you are transferring a plate, some counties list a bundled plate and title transfer cost (example: $20.50), and noting a lien often adds $11.
If the title is signed over but the new owner never completes the transfer, you can be exposed to risk (tickets, tax notices, and liability confusion). Contact your county clerk as soon as possible and explain what happened so you can ask what documentation they recommend next.
In many areas, you can schedule appointments online, but most title transfers still require submitting original documents through the county clerk’s office.
Timing varies by county and whether anything is missing, but Tennessee notes that once a title transaction is processed, many titles are sent to print quickly and are commonly in the mail within 24 to 48 hours after processing (plus delivery time).
Bonus: Moving to Tennessee and Need to Transfer Registration?
If your situation is not just a family transfer, but also relocating, you may be searching for transfer car registration to Tennessee.
Tennessee generally directs new residents to apply for a certificate of title and registration through their local county clerk, and you may need your most current out-of-state registration and lienholder information if you are still making payments.
References:
- “Titling a Vehicle.” Tn.gov, 2026, www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/vehicle-titling/titling-a-vehicle.html. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
- “LIEN-2 – Lien Discharge Requirements and Location to Send Paperwork to Discharge a Lien.” Tennessee Department of Revenue, 18 Apr. 2023, revenue.support.tn.gov/hc/en-us/articles/360060495891-LIEN-2-Lien-Discharge-Requirements-and-Location-to-Send-Paperwork-to-Discharge-a-Lien. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
- Singh, Charles. “Tennessee’s Car Sales Taxes Are among Highest in the U.S. What to Know before You Buy.” The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessean, 2025, eu.tennessean.com/story/money/cars/2025/05/24/tennessee-car-sales-tax-rate-calculate-before-buying/83819031007/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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