Frequently Asked Questions
Does your office prepare documents for customers?
No, all documents must be prepared with the requirements (see filing requirements) for recording before being brought to the office. As we are not attorneys, we make no legal claim as to the validity of the document. It only has to meet filing requirements for recording.
Does your office furnish me with the title to my home after I have paid the mortgage in full?
The document that shows you own your property is called a deed. This document should have been given to you at the time of purchase. If for some reason you cannot find it, we can make you a copy from our records. We do not retain any originals. They are returned to the person or firm who brings or mails them to our office. A release of lien is filed upon payment in full to your mortgage company. These releases are filed by your mortgage company and a copy is available to you upon recordation. You may receive this original document in the mail from your mortgage company.
Will your office record a copy of a document if I don't have an original?
The only type of copy that can be recorded in our office is a Certified Copy of a document that has been recorded in another government office. Otherwise, we must have original, signed, and notarized documents to record them in our office.
Where are Notary Seals placed on documents?
One of the requirements for recording is a signature with a notary acknowledgment. The seal should be placed near the notary's name. As many times as you are required to sign, it should be followed with an acknowledgment and a seal.
Is the name and address of the preparer required for recording purposes?
Yes, this is one of the requirements and it will be rejected for recording without being placed on the document. Senate Bill 2961/House Bill 3254 passed and effective April 11, 2012, gives the preparer the permission to place the name and address of the preparer anywhere within the document.
Can you inform me of any liens, mortgages, or encumbrances on a specific property?
No, this requires a title search to be performed, therefore, we have no legal authority to provide you with this information. If you are looking for the status of a specific encumbrance (release, assignment, etc.) we will gladly look at this for you.
Who owns a certain property?
Our records are indexed by a grantor/grantee system under the laws of the State of Tennessee. We can find a deed by name only in our office. If you have only an address, you may call the Assessor of Property and request the taxpayer for a certain property. Their phone number is 931-648-5709.
Can you provide me with recording information for a specific document?
Yes, as long as you can provide us with the needed information to locate the document, we can inform you of the date, time, volume, and page number.
Can you check to see if a deed of trust has been released?
Yes, we can inform you of the attempt to release a deed of trust, but we will make no legal claim as to the accuracy of the document.
What was the selling price for a property?
If the property was conveyed by a warranty deed, it requires either an oath of consideration or a statute as to why it might be an exempt document (divorce, creating tenants, etc.). We can give you the amount placed on the oath and sworn to as the actual consideration or value, at the time of recording.
For recording purposes, which documents require the statement "Maximum Principal Indebtedness for Tennessee Recording Tax Purposes Is $________"?
All documents which evidence indebtedness.
What are your hours of operation?
Our office is open Monday-Friday, from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Which documents require the Oath of Consideration?
Our office requires an oath on all transfers unless there is a Tennessee statute cited as to why it is an exempt document.
What method of payment does the Register of Deeds Office accept?
We will accept cash, Check (personal or business) with required ID, or money order. We are also now excepting Credit Cards with a small convenance fee.
Can the Register's office provide me with a survey of my property?
No, surveys are not a recorded document. If your land is in a subdivision, we can show you the recorded plat of the entire area. This will provide you with lot size and any set back or easements at the time of recording. The Assessor of Property can provide tax and aerial maps of acreage property. These maps are not official surveys, only drawn by the description cited on your deed.
Can the Register of Deeds speak to my civic or church organization?
Yes. Please contact our office at 931-648-5713 to schedule a time and date.
Are wills recorded in the Register of Deeds office?
No, non-probated wills are kept in a safe place until death, because they can be changed at any time. Until death occurs a will is only the wishes of the decedent and does nothing in regard to the real estae in our office. Probated wills, especially from another county or state are sometimes recorded here if the decedent owns property in Montgomery County.