Recorded documents in Tennessee — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the Register of Deeds in each county.
What this page covers: Tennessee recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).
Where to start: Go to the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Many county register of deeds offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.
Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.
Tennessee Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)
What Changed in 2026 — Tennessee Recorded Documents
The 5-Type Tennessee Recorded Documents Map
Five Things People Get Wrong About Tennessee Recorded Documents
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- sos.tn.gov — Official Tennessee Recorded Documents — State portal for Tennessee recorded documents
- NASS UCC Filings overview — National Association of Secretaries of State
- National Archives — Military Records (DD-214) — National Personnel Records Center
- IRS Federal Tax Liens — Federal lien procedures
- HUD Recording Basics — Federal property recording basics
- USA.gov — Government Records — Federal record retrieval portal
- data.gov — Assessor datasets — Federal-cataloged county data
Related Recorded Documents Resources
- Tennessee Court Records →
- Tennessee Criminal Records →
- Tennessee Property Records →
- Tennessee Vital Records →
- Tennessee Voter Records →
- Tennessee Wants & Warrants →
- Tennessee Licenses →
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Recorded Documents Databases
9 official Tennessee recorded documents sources.
Recorded Documents
Tennessee Counties
95 Tennessee counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds and mortgages in Tennessee?▼
In Tennessee, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real-property documents are recorded at the county level by the county Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder). The Official Tennessee Recorded Documents at sos.tn.gov handles statewide filings such as UCC-1 financing statements and corporate documents.
Where do I file a UCC-1 financing statement in Tennessee?▼
UCC-1 financing statements covering personal property and business collateral are filed centrally with the Official Tennessee Recorded Documents at sos.tn.gov. Fixture filings on real estate are an exception — those go to the county where the property is located.
Are Tennessee recorded documents available online?▼
Most Tennessee countys publish a free online index of recorded documents (by name, document type, or date). Image access (the actual deed image) is often available either free or for a small per-page fee. Statewide UCC and corporate filings are searchable through the Official Tennessee Recorded Documents at sos.tn.gov.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a Tennessee recorded deed?▼
Certified copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are issued by the county Recorder where the document was originally recorded. Fees and ID requirements vary; see your specific county page below. The Official Tennessee Recorded Documents (sos.tn.gov) handles certified copies of statewide filings such as UCCs and articles of incorporation.
What's the difference between a deed and a title in Tennessee?▼
A deed is the recorded instrument that conveys ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership itself. Deeds in Tennessee are recorded with the county Recorder; title insurance and title searches are private-sector services that examine the chain of recorded deeds. The Official Tennessee Recorded Documents at sos.tn.gov publishes the statewide rules.
