How to Find Owners of Properties
in Tennessee

Property ownership in Tennessee is governed by the laws in Title 66. In Section 67-5-804, assessors in each county are tasked with maintaining records of every taxable real property. These records must contain everything from a description of the property to the name of the owner. The public has the right to request these records online or in person.

Tennessee officially recognizes four types of ownership, which include sole ownership, joint tenants, tenancy by the entirety, and tenants in common. If you're thinking of buying real estate in Tennessee with one of these ownership types, consider accessing property records to learn more about the home that interests you. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to identify property ownership in Tennessee if it's controlled by a corporation or trust.

There are several routes you can take to find property ownership in Tennessee, which include searching public records online or in person. You can also access third-party online resources, which should include most of the information that's available in official state or county records. Use the following steps to find the records for the property you wish to buy.

Registry of Deeds

A Register of Deeds is an extensive database that includes all real estate documents that have been recorded in the jurisdiction. Every county has a Register of Deeds. When you visit this location, you can gain access to all types of information about a property, which include encumbrances, real estate contracts, mortgages, liens, and taxes.

To search these records, you'll need the owner's name, address, or parcel ID. While you can directly visit the county recorder's office to access this information, most counties also make it available in online databases. Some of the counties that offer these databases include the following:

• Shelby County
• Davidson County
• Knox County
• Hamilton County
• Rutherford County
• Williamson County
• Montgomery County

Land Records Website

Land records are some of the most comprehensive property ownership documents in the country. They've been made for hundreds of years to record parcels of land. The purpose of this type of document is to show where someone lived and when they resided there.

Land records can also show where an owner lived before moving to the property. These records are closely tied to marriage records and probate documents. The initial sale of land from the government to a single owner is referred to as a grant. Any future sale is recorded in the deed. You should be able to access land records through the Tennessee Property Viewer website.

City or Town Assessor's Office

Every assessor's office in Tennessee is tasked with maintaining public records about real estate. While some information can be kept confidential in these documents, everything from the owner's most recent tax bill to the full property records is available at your county assessor's office. You can visit this location to request these records. Here's a list of 10 of the most populous counties in Tennessee. Click the name of your county to navigate to the assessor's website.

• Shelby County
• Davidson County
• Knox County
• Hamilton County
• Rutherford County
• Williamson County
• Montgomery County
• Sumner County
• Wilson County
• Sullivan County

Tax Records

The local assessor's office must keep copious property tax records in Tennessee. Since homeowners are allowed to appeal new tax assessments, the assessor must be able to access these documents at a moment's notice. The information that's typically listed in tax records in Tennessee includes the following details:

• Assessed values
• Renovation history
• Tax history
• Current ownership names
• Property address
• Square footage
• Year built

You can request a property tax record by visiting the local assessor's office or by accessing the online database that's available on the assessor's website. The state also provides a massive online database that includes tax records for 86 of Tennessee's 95 counties.

Title Company/Agency

Title companies can work for the buyer and lender to research the title of a home. If you're buying a home, you need to know if someone else has an ownership claim to the property. Most lenders require a title search during the loan underwriting process. Title companies have access to comprehensive databases of Tennessee property records, which allows them to identify ownership claims.

Hiring a title company in Tennessee to perform a search will cost you around $90-$200. If you want to save some money, you can also find the owner of a property by speaking with knowledgeable real estate lawyers or agents. Consider asking the neighbors if they have this information. Some real estate websites provide property ownership info in listings.

Ownership of a property occurs when at least one person, company, or entity purchases a piece of real estate. Any real estate that can be owned by an entity or person falls under this category. Property can be divided into tangible and intangible types. All real estate properties are tangible. When you purchase a home by yourself or with a spouse, you'll have ownership over it.

Understanding the many types of property ownership should help you decide which structure is ideal for your situation. Selecting the right ownership structure for your home or investment property can influence everything from the types of finance you qualify for to the level of risk you take on.

There are numerous types of property ownership available in Tennessee, the most common of which include sole ownership, tenants in common, and joint tenancy. Below is a more detailed look at the different types of ownership and the benefits they provide.

Along with the traditional form of ownership that occurs when one person buys a property, it's also possible for an S or C corporation to own real estate. The other entities that can claim ownership of a property include a trust, a limited liability company, and a partnership.

When you're looking for the owner of a corporation or trust, consider hiring a title company in Tennessee or a real estate attorney to assist you with this search. Identifying the owner of an LLC or partnership might require more complicated steps like searching business databases, accessing local business directories, or cross-referencing public records.

The public records available to you include tax records, deeds, and mortgages. When searching business databases, consider tools like LexisNexis and Westlaw. Local business directories can usually be accessed at the local chamber of commerce.

Finding the Owner of a Trust in Tennessee

While a trust is a complex vehicle for real estate investments, you can identify the owner of this account in Tennessee by calling the Register of Deeds. If the trust in question owns any kind of real estate, the Register of Deeds will include the documentation you're searching for.

Finding the Owner of an LLC in Tennessee

If the property that interests you is owned by an LLC, you can find the owner by accessing the Secretary of State's website. You must have the SoS control number or the business name to learn more about a specific LLC.

Finding the Owner of a Corporation in Tennessee

To find the owner of a corporation in Tennessee, use the Secretary of State's "Business Entity Search". If you know part or all of the company's name, input it into the search bar. You'll receive a list of relevant companies, which should contain the one you're looking for. Once you select the name of the company, you'll see a lot of information about it, which includes everything from the name of the owner to the shares of stock.

Property deeds are documents that allow ownership of a property to be transferred between a buyer and seller. The seller will be shown as the grantor on the deed, while the buyer is the grantee. The property's sale price should also be displayed on the document.

These documents show the ownership history of the property. The many different types of deeds that are available in the country include everything from mortgage deeds to bargain and sales deeds. The three most common types of deeds in Tennessee are general warranty, special warranty, and quitclaim deeds.

Before engaging in a property transfer, you should understand the administrative and legal processes that must occur during the conveyance of a property title. In Tennessee, the real estate transfer tax rate is $0.37 per $100 of the home's final sale price.

Once you decide to transfer a piece of real estate, the first step that must take place is a title search. This search is necessary to identify if there are any liens or encumbrances on the property that must be resolved before the transaction can close. Title insurance must also be purchased to protect against losses if a defect is found on the title.

The deed will then be prepared. This document will include a legal description of the property as well as the names and addresses of the buyer and seller. Before the transaction can close, you must pay the transfer taxes. Once the necessary payments have been made, the deed will be reviewed and recorded at your county's Register of Deeds. After recording the deed, you'll get a receipt, which gives you proof that the transaction has occurred.

Keep in mind that you may need to pay additional fees for the preparation and recording of the deed. It's a good idea to update property records with your local assessor's office to make sure you no longer receive the annual tax bills.