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  • 400 Main Street , Suite 225, Knoxville, 37902
  • 865-215-2330
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Knox County Register of Deeds

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Register of Deeds office located?

Our office is in Suite 225 of the City County Building, which is located at 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902.

What is a deed?

A deed is an instrument through which a buyer obtains title to the property being sold.

Does the document need to be an original?

All documents recorded must have original signatures except in the case of certified copies from certain courts. 

Must signatures be notarized?

Yes, or witnessed by two people.  Notary is the preferred method of authentication. 

What happens when a document is brought to the Register of Deeds Office for recording?

There are several steps that each document goes through before it is returned to the filer.  It must first be determined whether the document is recordable and if correct fees are enclosed.  The document is given an instrument number, scanned into the computer system, entered into the computer, indexed, information verified, and returned to the customer.

Who keeps the documents?

Once a document is recorded, it is returned to the filer.  The document is scanned and saved in a computer system here and saved at an off-site facility.

How much does it cost to record a document?

Recording fees are set by Tennessee Statute.  (See the Recording Fees)

How far back do the records in the Register of Deeds Office go?

The earliest records in the Register of Deeds office, transcribed by hand in elaborate manuscript, date back to the late 1700’s.

What information do I need to obtain a copy of my deed?

Most documents can be located by simply giving us the owner’s name, the legal description, and approximate recording date. 

Can I find out who owns a particular piece of property?

Absolutely.  All of our records, excluding military discharges, are public records

Are there liens against my property?

The records in the Register of Deeds office will list liens such as mortgages, fixture filings, Deeds of Trust, and Construction Liens.  State and Federal tax liens are filed against an individual.  But not all liens are filed in this office; you may wish to check with the courts and Secretary of State.

How do I find information about easements on my property?

You may come to our office and attempt to locate easements on a property by searching the indexes for your property.  Our records will show any easements that have been recorded in our office.  Some easements are also recorded on deeds and may not be easily located.  Easements are often difficult to find because many of them have not been recorded in our office.  The services of a lawyer or abstract company may be required to sort through easement issues.

Does Knox County Register of Deeds offer fraud notification?

The Knox County Register of Deeds office is now offering a free Fraud Notification System to the public.  The service sends you an email notification when a document is recorded in the Knox County Register of Deeds office that matches the name(s) you entered in the system.  

https://alertme.knoxrod.org/

Can I find out how old my house is or get historical information about my house?

Not in our office.  The Assessor’s office may have some information regarding the date a house was built.

Where else can I look if I cannot find the information in your office?

You may find records in the Fourth Circuit Court and Chancery Court concerning divorce records, Probate Court concerning probate records, and County Clerk concerning marriage records.  The Tennessee Department of Vital Statistics has records concerning birth and death records.

Can the Register of Deeds office tell me if I have a good and clear title?

No.  You must enlist the services of a professional title company or abstractor who search records other than those in the Register of Deeds Office to determine if the title is clear.

Is everything handled in the Register of Deeds office public record?

Everything recorded in the Register of Deeds Office, excluding military discharge, is a public record.

Can I get a copy of a birth or death certificate through the Register of Deeds Office?

No.  Copies of birth and death certificates may be obtained through the Tennessee Bureau of Vital Statistics.

How do I record or get a copy of my military discharge?

When military members are discharged, the military encourages the discharged member to record the military discharge papers, also known as DD214’s, with the Register of Deeds office.  If you choose to record your DD214, you may bring it into the Knox County Register of Deeds office where it will become part of the permanent record.  There is no fee for this service.  These records are confidential.

Do I need to record my deed?

A deed should be recorded as soon as possible after the transaction takes place.  Numerous legal problems could arise regarding the property if not recorded.  However, there is no time limit on recording deeds.

May I record a document for real estate for another county?

No, each county records only the documents pertaining to the real estate in their county.

I want to take someone's name off my deed or change the names of the owners on my property. Can I change the deed?

No.  Any change in ownership generally requires that a new deed be prepared, signed, and recorded.  Exceptions to this rule may result either from court cases (i.e., divorces, foreclosures, probate, etc.) or from deaths where certain legal verbiage exists in the document and a death certificate has been recorded in our office.  In these cases, the deed itself will not change even though ownership does.  Evidence of ownership exists in the combination of the related documents.

If I sell a portion of my land, do I get a deed for the remainder?

No.  Records in the Courthouse show your original deed and the deed(s) for portions sold.

What size map/plat can I record in Knox County?

We accept maps/plats that are 24×36, as well as 18×24 for recording.  These are the only two sizes we accept.

May I make out my own deed?

Yes you may; however, we always recommend consulting an attorney regarding property transfers and changes, because minor changes in the wording of the document can completely change the legal meaning of the document.  The Register of Deeds office is a recording agency only; we cannot make out deeds or answer questions regarding legal matters.

If I want to write my own deed, do you have standard deed forms available?

No. The Register of Deeds does not provide forms for documents to be filed.  Again, we urge you to use a real estate attorney/title company.

What if I lose my deed?

No problem!  The primary evidence of ownership of land is not so much the deed itself as the recording of the deed.  If your deed is lost, a certified copy may be obtained from our office for a fee of $1.00 per page and acts as the original document. 

How long does it take to record a document?

A document is generally recorded the same day it is received.  It usually takes a day to complete the process of checking data entry, scanning, etc.  The original is then returned to the filer.

What types of documents can I file in the Register of Deeds Office?

The most common types of documents recorded are, but not limited to:

  • Deeds of Trust
  • Liens, lien releases
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Bonds
  • Property plat maps
  • Warranty Deeds
  • & other miscellaneous documents designated by state law to be recorded by the Register of Deeds. If you have a question as to whether you can record a particular document, please contact the Register of Deeds office for clarification.
How do I change and/or add a name to a deed?

A new deed must be prepared and recorded in our office. We recommend an Attorney or a Title Company.

I paid off my mortgage. Where is my deed?

The Lender will file a Release in the Register’s office and should forward to you. You can always obtain a copy from our office.

I have a question about my property line and need a copy of my deed. Who do I call?

You can call our Records Department: 865-215-2329

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Recent News

22May’25

D. R. Horton Inc. buys more lots in two neighborhoods

15May’25

Fountain City Jewelers property sells for $1.2 million

Disclaimer: Knox County Register of Deeds provides the information found on our websites as a service to the public for the convenience of the public. While every effort has been made to endeavor and confirm that this information is true and complete, it should not be relied upon for any type of legal action, and Knox County Register of Deeds does not make any warranty, either expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, timeliness, or the completeness of any information obtained through the use of this service. If you have any questions regarding the information you obtain, please contact us.

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