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Vehicle Title & Registration
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- Where is your office located and what are your office hours?
- Do you have a toll-free telephone number for the general public?
- How do I title and register my vehicle in the state of Tennessee?
- What do I do to register my vehicle in Tennessee? I've moved here from another state.
- How can I get a duplicate title?
- How may I obtain a duplicate copy of my registration?
- How do I notify Titling and Registration if my address changes?
- How do I apply for a personalized license plate?
- How can I get a disabled parking placard?
- How do I request a printout, current record or complete history of my motor vehicle record by mail or in person?
- I'm in the military and want to title and register my vehicle in Tennessee.
- Does your state mail registration renewal notices?
- Can I get a second Temporary Operation Permit?
- Are students allowed to use home license plates?
- Does the State of Tennessee title and register boat trailers?
- How may I obtain a corrected Certificate of Title?
- When selling my vehicle, I made a mistake on the assignment of title. What can I do?
- A vehicle was awarded to me through a divorce. How can I obtain a title in my name?
- My title is signed over to a buyer who did not actually take ownership of the vehicle. What can I do?
- My spouse passed away. How do I change my vehicle's title into my name?
- How do I title and register a vehicle that I inherited?
- Where is your office located and what are your office hours?
Our office address is as follows:
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division
44 Vantage Way, Suite 160
Nashville, TN 37243 - 8050
Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Do you have a toll-free telephone number for the general public?
Our toll free telephone number is (888) 871-3171. The number for local residents is (615) 741-3101. - How do I title and register my vehicle in the state of Tennessee?
To title and register your new vehicle, you will need to submit to your resident county clerk the following: Manufacturer's Statement of Origin, the New Vehicle Invoice and a copy of your current registration if transferring your license plate.
To title and register a used vehicle, submit to your resident county clerk the following: a valid certificate of title properly assigned along with an Odometer Disclosure Statement, if applicable, and a copy of the current registration if transferring your license plate.
Please note: You will need to provide proof of identification and proof of residency when titling and registering your vehicle. You can find acceptable documents using the charts below (available in English and Spanish).
- Acceptable Proof of Identification Chart
- Acceptable Proof of Residency Chart
- Pruebas Aceptables de Identificación para Obtener Títulos y Registros
- Pruebas Aceptables de Residencia del Estado de Tennessee
- What do I do to register my vehicle in Tennessee? I've moved here from another state.
An application for Certificate of Title and Registration must be filed through the office of your resident county clerk. If your county of residence requires emission testing, the vehicle will need to be tested for emissions first and then you will need go to the office of your county clerk and pay the required fees.
You will need to take with you the passed emissions certificate, the most current out-of-state registration and the name and address of the lien holder to whom you are making payments. If you do not have a lien holder, you must furnish your out of state title. Click here for locations and hours of operation of emissions testing facilities.
Please note: You will need to provide proof of identification and proof of residency when titling and registering your vehicle. You can find acceptable documents using the charts below (available in English and Spanish).
- Acceptable Proof of Identification Chart
- Acceptable Proof of Residency Chart
- Pruebas Aceptables de Identificación para Obtener Títulos y Registros
- Pruebas Aceptables de Residencia del Estado de Tennessee
- How can I get a duplicate title?
An application for a duplicate certificate of title may be filed through the Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division either in person or by mail. Office hours for this service are 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. When filing in person, you must furnish proof of identity, such as a driver license or photo identification card. If someone other than the owner of the vehicle files, they must show proof of identification and have a notarized power of attorney from the owner.
If filing by mail, complete the Certification for Duplicate Certificate of Title (PDF) form and return it with the fee of $5.50 and any discharge of lien if applicable. This form is also available at county clerk offices or a written request for the form can be sent to:
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division
44 Vantage Way, Suite 160
Nashville, TN 37243-8050. - How may I obtain a duplicate copy of my registration?
To obtain a duplicate certificate of registration by mail, submit a notarized request identifying your license plate number and vehicle identification number, along with the required fee of $3.00, to:
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division
44 Vantage Way, Suite 160
Nashville, TN 37243-8050.
If your request requires certification, enclose an additional fee of $.50 for this service making it a total of $3.50. - How do I notify Titling and Registration if my address changes?
To change your address, furnish the Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division with the new address along with a complete description of the vehicle (make, year, vehicle identification number and license plate number); contact us by fax at (615) 253-4259; or notify us by email. Click here for instructions on how to notify the Department of Revenue by email about a change of address. You may also obtain an address change form from your local post office or your local county clerk.
* Note that you must list all of your vehicles and that only the address associated with your vehicle(s) will be changed, not the address associated with a driver license or other records. - How do I apply for a personalized license plate?
You will need to complete a personalized application form, provided by your local county clerk's office or the Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division, or you can download the Application for Tennessee Personalized License Plate (PDF) and mail with the appropriate fees indicated on the form to:
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division
44 Vantage Way, Suite 160
Nashville, TN 37243-8050 - How can I get a disabled parking placard?
Your physician or Christian Science Practitioner will need to complete a Tennessee disabled persons placard application. The application is available at the Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division or the county clerk offices. You may also download the " Disabled Persons Placard Application " form.
You will need to send the application and the appropriate fees indicated on the application to:
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division
44 Vantage Way, Suite 160
Nashville, TN 37243-8050.
Disabled placards expire after two years. A month before your placard is due to expire, you should receive a renewal notice that allows you to renew through the mail through most county clerk offices or at our office listed above.
Please note: There have been changes made to issuance of disabled parking placards. Click here for more information. - How do I request a printout, current record or complete history of my motor vehicle record by mail or in person?
Complete the Vehicle Information Request (PDF) form and remit the required fees to:
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division
44 Vantage Way, Suite 160
Nashville, TN 37243-8050
Please note: Do not send or present cash for payment of these fees - checks or money orders are acceptable.
When filing in person, you must present a copy of your driver license or photo identification. All photocopies of motor vehicle records are certified by this division. - I'm in the military and want to title and register my vehicle in Tennessee.
If you are based in Tennessee, you may go through your county in which you are based or your home of record on your LES. If your home of record is Tennessee you may go through the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division at 44 Vantage Way, Suite 160, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-8050. For further written instructions click here or you can contact us at (615) 741-3101. - Does your state mail registration renewal notices?
Renewal notices are mailed each month approximately six weeks in advance of expiration dates, allowing Tennessee residents adequate time to renew their license plate. If a vehicle is registered in a county that requires emissions testing, it must be completed before renewing registration. Renewal notices are not required to renew registration; any document that includes the license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) including previous renewal notices can be used to obtain renewal. - Can I get a second Temporary Operation Permit?
You could possibly get one if:
- Original emission testing was taken prior to registration expiration and receipts for repairs or a repair bill can be provided (related to emissions repairs) dated after the issuance of the first T.O.P.
- Original failure papers
- Current failure papers
- Repair bill or receipts for items purchased to repair emissions problem
- Ownership papers
- Driver license
- $10.00 fee
Items to bring are:
- Have title problems.
- Ownership papers
- Proof that something is being done to clear up problem
- Driver license
- $10.00 fee
Items to bring are:
Bring all paperwork to:
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division
44 Vantage Way, Suite 160
Nashville, TN 37243-8050
A check will be done to determine if the law allows an additional temporary tag. If you need further information or do not fall under the two above categories, contact our office at (615) 741-3101). - Are students allowed to use home license plates?
According to Chapter 1340-14.01 of the rules set out for the Motor Vehicle Division, students enrolled in any school in the state of Tennessee may operate passenger motor vehicles owned and licensed in the student's name in another state during the period which the student is enrolled in school in Tennessee without being required to have the motor vehicle licensed in Tennessee, provided the state in which the motor vehicle is registered grants similar privileges to Tennessee residents who are students in that state.
As evidence of the above, the student must have available for inspection by proper officials a certificate of registration and documentation showing the period in which the student is enrolled in the school. - Does the State of Tennessee title and register boat trailers?
No. Trailers used for the transportation of boats are exempt from both title and registration. You must, however, contact the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Division at (615) 781-6522, relative to the registration of your boat. - How may I obtain a corrected Certificate of Title?
If after receiving a Tennessee Certificate of Title, the owner or lien holder discovers an error on the title, circle the incorrect information in red and write the correct information in red near the incorrect information. If the error was ours, we will issue a new corrected title at no charge. To verify our records, contact our Division at (615) 741-3101. - When selling my vehicle, I made a mistake on the assignment of title. What can I do?
When transferring ownership, never use white out or make an erasure on a certificate of title. This automatically voids the certificate. A duplicate title must be obtained by the current owner when this occurs. Always enclose the incorrect title with your request.
To properly title and register the vehicle, any corrections due to the misspelling of information may be corrected by drawing a line through the incorrect information and inserting the correct information. A notarized statement from the party making the mistake that was lined through, must support the application for title and registration. - A vehicle was awarded to me through a divorce. How can I obtain a title in my name?
An application for certificate of title and registration must be filed in your name through the office of your resident county clerk. Documentation listed below must accompany your application:
- Original copy of the final divorce decree, signed by the judge. The decree should indicate a description of the vehicle by vehicle identification number
- Certificate of title, if available.
- Copy of lien instrument, if applicable. This Division will request the surrender of title from your lien holder.
- Odometer reading, when applicable.
- My title is signed over to a buyer who did not actually take ownership of the vehicle. What can I do?
When a purchase is not completed, e.g. financing did not transpire or the person changed their mind before taking possession of the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle may draw a line through the buyer's name assignment of title. However, before the next titling activity can occur, the owner must submit a notarized affidavit stating the buyer did not actually take possession of the vehicle. - My spouse passed away. How do I change my vehicle's title into my name?
To change the vehicle record to reflect the surviving spouse's name, an application must be filed through the office of your resident county clerk. The application must be accompanied by the existing title and a copy of the death certificate. If the application is filed within one (1) year of the spouse's death, there is no charge for this. - How do I title and register a vehicle that I inherited?
If the deceased left a will designating an executor/executrix, or if an administrator has been appointed by the court, the existing certificate of title MUST be signed by this person in order to change the vehicle ownership record to reflect the new owner.
Documentation needed when filing an application through the resident county clerk office includes:
- The probated will or certified letters of testamentary verifying the executor/executrix or letter of testamentary verifying the person that has been appointed,
- The properly signed certificate of title, and
- If the deceased left no will, an Affidavit of Inheritance form must be completed by all heirs and accompanied by a copy of the death certificate.
