Title Searching in TN? Here’s What You Need to Know
Were you a whiz at geometry? Title searching might be right up your alley.
A property title search examines public records to confirm the rightful, legal owner of a property. A title search also shows any claims or liens against that property that may affect selling or purchasing it.
Title Searching Tips
If you’re a real estate agent. an investor, or anyone looking to buy property in Tennessee, title searches are required to secure title insurance. It’s a combination of sleuthing and geometry: it shows you not just current ownership, but the proof for how it got there, legally and financially.
A successful title search starts at the Tax Assessor’s office. That’s where you find out who the most recent owner is, as of January 1.
After that, head to the Trustee’s Office so you can obtain the property tax amount and check to see if the taxes have been paid to date. Don’t forget to check for any applicable city taxes.
Then it’s time to head to the County Register’s office or use the County’s website to search in the following order:
Search the ownership through the Grantor/Grantee index which is listed alphabetically.
The mortgages will be listed alongside with the deeds. Check to confirm to see if they have been released or are still liens against the property.
Next, it’s time to check to see if any creditors have legal claims on the property. These will also be listed under their names.
Don’t forget to check for plats and restrictions on the property, so that you’re clear on any boundaries and divisions. This is done by searching the name of the subdivision.
If you have any questions while you’re at the County’s Register’s office, just ask the Deputy Registers. Note, each county has a different date that they have the historical records scanned and indexed back.
You need to check with each county to see how far they go back. If you need to know anything about the title before the starting date of each county's historical date, you’ll have to check the physical indices.
Can You DIY a Title Search?
Short answer: Yes, but you probably won’t want to as it can be a difficult and tedious process. Parts of a title search can be done online, but the process often requires an in-person search at the courthouse since most digital records don’t go back more than about 40 years. If you were good at geometry proofs in school, you may want to give it a shot.
But the DIY approach also risks missing important components, steps, and bits of information that a title attorney would know to look for. To put it another way, title searching is something you can do yourself. But you can also represent yourself in court… both are possible, but both are precarious.
Clear Title, No Tangent: Triangulate Your Success
If the geometry of real estate title searches feels overwhelming and confusing, we’ll help you get to the top of the class. Blue Note Title has the expertise to plot their course through uncharted title territory, giving you clear, actionable next steps. We survey public records with precision to locate liens, encumbrances, and ownership. With hands-on tools, sharp legal angles, and real-world experience, our rock-solid framework helps you navigate and understand title searches to keep your (or your clients’) real estate transactions perfectly congruent. Ready to get started? Contact us to set up a consultation.
