Title and Registration Requirements
To register a vehicle in the state of Tennessee, you will need to present a government issued photo identification (ID). If your ID was not issued by the state of Tennessee (i.e. a Tennessee Driver's License, Learner's Permit, State ID, or Handgun Carry Permit), you will also need to provide two acceptable proofs of residency.
New to Tennessee
- If you are not currently financing your vehicle, you will need the original certificate of title from the state from which you are moving. If you are moving from an electronic titling state, you may need to request the physical certificate from your prior state.
- If you are financing your vehicle, and your lienholder is in possession of the title, you will need to provide a current registration as well as the name and mailing address for your lienholder.
- If you registration has been expired for more than six months, you will need to obtain a copy of the title or Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) from your lienholder.
New to state registrations can be completed as walk-ins or by appointment. Book an appointment to complete your new to state registration.
Recent Purchase
- For all new purchases, a certificate of title is required, and must be properly reassigned to you. If your dealership did not provide you with the title, they may be submitting it on your behalf – you will need to contact your dealership's title clerk to verify if you are unsure.
- For vehicles purchased from out of state dealerships, an itemized bill of sale on the dealership's letterhead is required.
- For purchases from dealerships, please be sure to bring all documentation given to you by the dealership, including power of attorney forms, affidavits, odometer disclosure statements, etc.
- For vehicles purchased from dealerships located in Tennessee, sales taxes should have already been paid through the dealership when you purchased the vehicle. For vehicles purchased from out of state dealerships, sales taxes will be owed at the time that the vehicle is registered.
- If your vehicle was purchased as a Sales Under Special Conditions (Abandoned Vehicle or Garage Keeper's Lien), please see below for further details and requirements specific to these kinds of sales.
Registration for newly purchased vehicles can be completed as walk-ins or by appointment. Book an appointment to complete your registration.
Leased Vehicles
- For new to state vehicles that are being leased, you will need to provide your current vehicle registration.
- If your registration is more than six months expired, you will need a copy of the title or ELT from your leasing company, as well as a copy of your lease agreement.
- A notarized power of attorney from your leasing company will be required.
- Your leasing company's Tennessee Sales Tax ID number will be needed – this number should begin with 10.
- A completed Owner's Authorization to Lessee form.
Registrations for new to state leased vehicles can be completed as walk-ins or by appointment. Book an appointment to complete your new to state registration.
Rebuilt Vehicles
- If your vehicle was recently approved through the Tennessee Department of Revenue's certification process for rebuilt vehicles, you will need to bring your approval slip with the decal attached.
- If the vehicle was purchased from an auction, dealership, or insurance company, you will need to provide a bill of sale or invoice from the seller on their letterhead.
Registration for recently approved rebuilt vehicles can be completed as walk-ins or by appointment. Book an appointment to complete your registration.
Abandoned Vehicles and Garage Keeper's Liens
- Requirements for these applications can be found on the appointment booking page. It is recommended that you review the documents provided to you prior to your appointment to verify that you have everything that is required.
- Sales Under Special Conditions appointments are limited to one appointment per week per customer.
- The name used to book your Sales Under Special Conditions appointment must be the name of the buyer/owner of the vehicle being registered.
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) entered in your appointment booking must be the complete and correct VIN for the vehicle that is to be registered. Please review the information you enter before submitting to ensure that it is accurate.
Applications for Abandoned Vehicles and Garage Keeper's Liens are processed by appointment only. Book an appointment for your Abandoned Vehicle or Garage Keeper's Lien application. Appointments that do not comply with the above policies will be cancelled and/or will not be honored.
