Search Shelby County, TN Property Records

In Shelby County, Tennessee, property records are available to the public at the county and municipal levels. While county offices handle deeds, tax assessments, and ownership histories for all county parcels, some cities may maintain additional records for zoning, planning, or permits.

Based on the consolidated county and municipal records, Shelby County shows a median home value of $179,100.00 and an average monthly rent of $1,095.50. The median household income is $56,969.50, and the typical property tax rate is 1.2%.

Property instruments recorded in Shelby County, TN, are accessible online and offline.

The county’s Property Search Service, provided by the Register of Deeds, is a powerful tool for locating deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Users can also access real estate details through the Real Property Search. Managed by the Shelby County Assessor of Property, this portal allows for searches by owner name, property address, or parcel ID.

PropertyChecker complements these official sources by organizing recorded instruments into clear, categorized reports. It often separates active liens from satisfied mortgages, highlights judgment attachments, and tracks lien priority. This makes encumbrance analysis faster and more efficient for title researchers and due diligence teams.

For documents unavailable online, such as older records or files not yet digitized, individuals may visit the Register of Deeds office, submit requests by mail, or contact staff by email.

Access typically requires the property address, owner name, or parcel number. Some records may have access restrictions, including unavailable historical documents, fee-based copies, or confidential material protected under state law.

The following sections provide information on the types of property records available and their respective access points.

Property Ownership and Title Information

The Shelby County Register of Deeds is the authoritative source for documents that verify property ownership and title research.

To access these records, users can use the Property Search Service, a comprehensive online portal for viewing property titles, mortgages, and tax liens. This tool provides direct access to the county’s online grantor–grantee indexes, so that users can track the transfer of property between parties over time.

For those performing a detailed title search, the index can identify all recorded instruments, such as warranty, quitclaim, and trust deeds, that affect a specific parcel.

Property Sales and Transaction History

Direct access to transaction history and market data is available through the Shelby County Assessor of Property. The Search Neighborhood Sales tool documents recent transfers within specific geographic areas or searches by parcel to see the individual sales history of a single lot.

Meanwhile, the Real Property Search allows individuals to view the last several years of assessment changes and sale amounts. This data is useful for property appraisers and real estate professionals who need to compare recent sale prices to determine a home’s current fair market value. The records typically include the sale date, the recorded price, and the instrument number, which can then be used to pull the full deed from the Register’s office.

Property Tax Assessment and Payment Records

The Shelby County Trustee manages tax billing and collections, while property tax assessors at the Assessor of Property determine valuations. To view current tax bills, payment history, or a Delinquent Realty Lawsuit List, users should access the Trustee’s Tax Look-up tool.

If an owner disagrees with an assessment, they may initiate an appraisal review with the Assessor or file a formal appeal with the Shelby County Board of Equalization by June 30th. Municipal taxes for cities are often searchable through these same county-wide portals.

Property Characteristics and Parcel Details

For site information, the Shelby County ReGIS (Regional Geographic Information System) provides the primary property parcel search. This interactive map allows users to locate land by address or Parcel ID to view specific dimensions, total acreage, and land-use classifications. Additionally, the Assessor of Property maintains a GIS portal that features building characteristics, such as square footage, year built, and construction materials.

Zoning, Land Use, and Planning Records

Zoning and land use records for Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County are centrally managed through the Develop901 Citizen Portal, which serves as the primary hub for planning applications and construction permits.

Users can also research specific parcel designations by using the Shelby County Zoning Atlas, an interactive map that details residential, commercial, and industrial zones. This tool can help verify land-use restrictions, overlay districts, and pending development cases.

Beyond mapping, the Land Use and Development Services provide access to the Unified Development Code (UDC), which outlines the legal standards for property improvements and subdivisions.

Legal Documents Affecting Property

The Register of Deeds is the primary repository for legal instruments affecting real estate title in Shelby County.

For property matters involved in litigation, the Shelby County Chancery Court and Circuit Court provide access to civil case filings, including foreclosure proceedings, partition suits, and boundary disputes. Users can search for judgments and “lis pendens” notices through the CourtConnect portal.

Furthermore, the Probate Court maintains records of wills and estate settlements that may impact property succession, accessible via the Remote Case Access System.

Building Permits, Inspections, and Construction Records

Construction and renovation records for Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County are accessed through the Develop901 Citizen Portal. For a visual overview of active development, the Develop901 Project Locator provides an interactive map where users can click on specific sites to view construction status and record details for up to six months after a project is closed.

Inspection schedules and results are also managed within this portal. Property owners and contractors can verify whether an inspection has passed by locating the specific permit record and viewing the processing status.

For pre-purchase research, PropertyChecker offers an additional layer of insight. Users can confirm that renovations were properly permitted, verify that all inspections passed, and identify any open permits that could impact insurance coverage or financing approval.

Maps and Visual Property Data

Visual property research in Shelby County can be conducted through the Shelby County Register of Deeds GIS Portal. By clicking on a property, researchers can instantly access the total acres and land area, which are pulled from the county’s official geographic database. The portal also features layers for historical aerial photography and FEMA flood maps. For a broader spatial analysis, the Shelby County ReGIS (Regional Geographic Information System) offers a specialized property parcel search that integrates various data layers from local government agencies.

Displayed here are charts summarizing the county's tax rates, accompanied by insights into median home values, income figures, and rent rates.

Median Rent

$1,095.50

Tennessee	$763.00
National	$840.25

• +43.6 %
  vs Tennessee
• +30.4 %
  vs National

Median Home Value

$179,100.00

Tennessee	$161,600.00
National	$173,750.00

• +10.8 %
  vs Tennessee
• +3.1 %
  vs National

Median Household Income

$56,969.50

Tennessee	$55,242.00
National	$65,108.00

• +3.1 %
  vs Tennessee
• --12.5 %
  vs National

Median Property Tax Rate

1.2%

Tennessee	0.52%
National	0.74%

• +130.8%
  vs Tennessee
• +62.2 %
  vs National

Unemployment Rate

4.07%

Tennessee	2.75%
National	2.87%

• +48.0 %
  vs Tennessee
• +41.8 %
  vs National

Renter Occupied Housing

46.53%

Tennessee	21.85%
National	21.81%

• +113.0 %
  vs Tennessee
• +113.3 %
  vs National

In Shelby County, the central custodian for all legal documents related to real property is the Register of Deeds. The office manages an archive of records, including deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases, liens, and plat maps that date back to the county’s establishment.

While digital indexes provide streamlined access to modern filings, the office’s Archives maintains historical deed books, which are preserved on microfilm and in physical ledgers for genealogical and legal research.

The records maintained by the Register of Deeds are the foundational data points that drive the functions of other county offices. Once a deed is recorded, the information is transmitted to the Assessor of Property to trigger updates in ownership and valuation for tax purposes. Similarly, the recording of new subdivisions directly informs zoning and land use designations.

Because the Register’s records establish the legal “chain of title,” they are the ultimate authority used by title companies and surveyors to verify property boundaries and legal encumbrances.

Online searches may be the most common method of inquiry, but the register also accepts in-person and mail inquiries. Regarding costs, the Register of Deeds operates as a fee-funded office. The official fee schedule for its services is available through its website.

Shelby County is composed of seven distinct municipalities, each maintaining its own administrative structure for local property-related matters. While the county-wide offices handle the primary recording and appraisal of land, these individual cities and towns manage local tax collection, zoning enforcement, and municipal services:

Memphis (County Seat)

Within these municipalities, property records are primarily maintained by the City Tax Department or Finance Division. These offices are responsible for issuing and collecting municipal property taxes, which are separate from and in addition to the taxes collected by the Shelby County Trustee.

• Bartlett
• Collierville
• Germantown
• Arlington
• Lakeland
• Millington