Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn in my damaged car title?

Residents of Tennessee with damaged car titles are not required to submit the damaged copy when applying for a duplicate car title. The only documents drivers are required to provide are the completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title , the $11 duplicate car title fee (fees may vary) and proof that there are no liens on the vehicle. When filing in person, drivers must present proof of identity.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Tennessee

How do I file a police report if my car title was stolen?

Tennessee residents dealing with a stolen car title must get it replaced as soon as possible. In the event of a stolen car title, residents should report the theft to local law enforcement and receive a police report. A copy of this police report should be submitted along with duplicate car title application materials to a local county clerk office.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Tennessee

How do I obtain a duplicate car title?

Tennessee residents dealing with a lost or stolen car title must apply for a replacement as soon as they notice the loss/theft. To apply, residents should submit a completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title to their local county clerk office. Fees for duplicate car titles are $11 (fees may vary).

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Tennessee

How do I obtain a salvaged car title?

Tennessee resident with a salvaged vehicle must apply for a salvage certificate by mailing an Application for Tennessee Salvage Certificate to the Tennessee Department of Revenue s (DOR s) Special Investigations Unit. When mailing the application, the vehicle s original title should be attached. Vehicles with salvage certificates are not legally allowed to be operated on Tennessee roadways.

However, residents of Tennessee who have obtained and rebuilt a salvaged vehicle may convert their Salvage Certificate to a Tennessee car title. To do so, fill out an Application for Motor Vehicle Identification Certification and mail it in to the Tennessee Department of Revenue s (DOR s) Special Investigations Unit along with the following:

Salvage Certificate
Receipts for all installed parts
Photos of vehicle in wrecked condition
Conversion fee of $75 (fees may vary)

Many vehicles will require further inspection before a new title will be issued. Once the vehicle has passed inspection, the Salvage Certificate will be stamped. At that point, the applicant can take the returned materials to a local county clerk office and receive their new title and registration.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Tennessee

How do I transfer my car title between states?

New Tennessee residents bringing their vehicle from their past state of residence to Tennessee must submit an application for car title transfers in the county they currently reside in. To do so, visit a local county clerk office and fill out an Application for Certificate Title and Registration. If the county the resident has moved to requires emissions testing, the applicant will have to have their vehicle tested before they can apply and pay the car title transfer fee. When applying to transfer car titles, residents must provide the following items to the county clerk s office:

Application for car title transfer
Passed emissions certificate (if applicable)
Most current out-of-state registration
Most current title (if no liens on the vehicle)
Name and address of lien holder (if applicable)
Proof of identification
Proof of residency

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Tennessee

How do I transfer my car title if I lost the original?

Tennessee residents who have lost a car title and would like to initiate a car title transfer must visit a local county clerk office and first fill out an Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Title. After completing all the forms and paying the $11 duplicate car title fee (fees may vary), residents should take their duplicate car title and continue the car title transfer process at the local county clerk. To do so, residents should fill out a Certificate of Title and Registration application and submit it along with other required documents. Required items include current vehicle registration, proof of identity, proof of Tennessee residency and the car title transfer fee.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Tennessee

How do I transfer my car title?

Tennessee residents looking to transfer car titles within the state must start the process by filling out a Certificate of Title and Registration application. The car title transfer application must be filed through the local county clerk office in the county the car resides in. If county regulations require emissions testing on newly-registered vehicles, the resident will need to have the car tested prior to visiting the county clerk s office and paying the car title transfer fee.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Tennessee

How do I transfer the title of my RV?

Residents of Tennessee owning recreational vehicles (RVs) who would like to transfer car titles must go through the same process as other vehicles in the state. To initiate a car title transfer for an RV, residents should visit a local county clerk office and fill out a Certificate of Title and Registration application in the county the vehicle resides in. Depending on the county, applicants may need to have the vehicle emission inspected before visiting the county clerk and paying the car title transfer fee. Drivers will also need to provide proof of identity and proof of Tennessee residency.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Tennessee

How long does it take to receive my replacement car title after ordering online?

Residents of Tennessee who have lost or stolen car titles do not have the option of applying for a car title replacement online. Residents must submit a completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title to a local county clerk office. Applicants submitting in person will receive their car title immediately. Applicants submitting by mail can check the status of their application by contacting the Department of Revenue at 615-253-0600.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Tennessee

If a family member dies and leaves his or her car to me, how do I switch over the title?

Inherited vehicles must go through the car title transfer process to switch the car title from the previous owner s name to the new owner s. To do so, residents should visit a local county clerk office and fill out an application for car title transfer. Along with the application, residents must also provide the existing title and a copy of the previous owner s death certificate. Applications filed within a year of the deceased passing do not have to pay a fee. Residents may also have to fill out and submit an Affidavit of Inheritance.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Tennessee

What are some reasons that may require me to transfer my car title?

Tennessee residents can have a variety of reasons to transfer car titles. Car title transfers take place at local county clerk offices and require residents to pay a small fee and possibly have their vehicle checked for proper emissions. Reasons why residents in Tennessee need to transfer car titles include:

Purchasing a used vehicle
Selling a used vehicle
Moving a vehicle from another state to Tennessee
Moving a vehicle from Tennessee to another state
Death of a family member/vehicle inheritance
Vehicle awarded in divorce

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Tennessee

What are the required fees to get a replacement car title?

Tennessee residents dealing with a lost or stolen car title should submit a completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title to a local county clerk office. As part of the submission, residents will be required to pay an $11 car title replacement fee. Additional fees may apply depending on the county the driver resides in.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Tennessee

What documents do I need to present for a replacement car title?

Depending on the method a Tennessee driver uses to submit the Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title (mail or in person), there are a few documents drivers will have to submit along with the application. For mailed submissions, the following documents are required:

Completed Duplicate Car Title Application
$11 duplicate car title fee (fees may vary)
Proof of discharged liens (if applicable; if liens present, lien holder must submit duplicate car title request)

For residents applying for a duplicate car titles in person, the following documents are required:

Proof of identification
If somebody other than the owner applying, proof of identity as well as a notarized power of attorney from owner

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Tennessee

What documents do I need to transfer my car title?

Residents of Tennessee who need to transfer car titles within the state must bring a few documents with them when visiting a local county clerk office to apply. Required documents for car title transfers include:

Application for Certificate of Title and Registration
Passed emissions certificate (if applicable)
Current registration
Current title (if applicable)
Name and address of car s lien holder (if applicable)
Proof of identification
Proof of Tennessee residency

Car title transfer fees vary by county.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Tennessee

What forms must I fill out for a duplicate car title?

Residents of Tennessee dealing with a lost or stolen car title must apply for a duplicate car title the moment they have the chance. To do so, submit a completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title and submit it along with supporting documents and applicable fees to a local county clerk office. Additional fees and requirements may apply depending on the county.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Tennessee

What if the original is located after my car title replacement has been issued?

In the event that a Tennessee driver has applied for a car title replacement and subsequently found the original, residents must notify the Tennessee Department of Revenue at 615-253-0600. Residents who have already received their car title replacement should hold on to both the original car title and the car title copy. Residents can also make inquiries about dual car title copies by visiting a local county clerk office.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Tennessee

What is the process to get a title for a scooter or motorcycle?

Tennessee law states that vehicles registered in Tennessee that are considered low-speed (20 to 35 mph maximum) or medium-speed (35 to 40 mph max) can be titled within the state. Residents can title low-speed and medium-speed vehicles in the state by visiting a local county clerk office and submitting a copy of the vehicle s Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO) stating that the vehicle meets all the minimum safety requirements. Residents who do not have an MSO can fill out either a Low-Speed Vehicle Affidavit or a Medium-Speed Affidavit certifying that the vehicle meets safety standards. The affidavit should be submitted with the application for car title registration at the local county clerk office.

For motorcycle, the standard vehicle title application is required.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Tennessee

When should I complete a Bill of Sale?

Tennessee residents are required to provide a notarized bill of sale in the event that they are submitting a Certification of Ownership application to a local county clerk office. Certificate of Ownership applications are submitted for vehicles that don t have a title and are either 30 years old or have a fair market value below $3,000. Other required documents for a Certificate of Ownership include:

Certified notification from previous owner.
Verification by law enforcement officer of the vehicle s VIN.
A licensed dealer vehicle appraisal (if there is no bill of sale).
Photos of vehicle in pre-repaired state (if applicable).
Manufacturer s Statement of Origin (MSO) or certified copy of MSO.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in Tennessee

Where can I mail my request for a replacement title?

Tennessee residents applying for a duplicate car title must fill out an Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title and submit it along with the required documentation and fees to the Department of Revenue. To do so, residents may either go in person or mail the documents to a local county clerk office. Mailing addresses vary based on county, so refer to the list of county clerk offices for mailing information.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Tennessee

Will I need to present proof of insurance to get a car title replacement?

Residents of Tennessee applying for a duplicate car title do not have to present proof of insurance during the process. However, residents will have to provide proof of identity and proof that all liens on the car have been discharged.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Tennessee