Does Tennessee Require Notarization for Vehicle Title Transfers?
TN Vehicle Title Transfers from Another State Require Notarization (except for Kentucky)
The State of Tennessee doesn’t require a notary for standard, in-state vehicle title transfers between private parties. If the title is from another state that requires notarization (except for Kentucky), it must be notarized to be accepted in Tennessee. The seller's signature must be on the title, and the transfer should be completed within 30 days.
Some key details regarding Tennessee vehicle title transfers:
In-State Transfers: No notary is required for a Tennessee title.
Out-of-State Transfers: If the vehicle is titled in a state that requires notarization, the seller's signature must be notarized before the title can be transferred in TN.
Exceptions: Tennessee complies with the notary requirements for out-of-state titles. Currently, the only state that does not require the notary is Kentucky. For example, a title being transferred from PA to TN would need to be notarized to title in TN because the PA title requires it to be notarized.
Documentation: Ensure all required sections of the title are filled out, including the buyer's name, address, odometer reading, and sale price.
Where to File: Submit the signed title, a bill of sale (recommended), and payment for fees to your local County Clerk’s office.
Note: In Tennessee, a vehicle title transfer requires the seller’s signature to be notarized, while the buyer does not need to be present. The seller must complete the odometer, price, & buyer info before appearing before a notary, who then verifies identity and signs/seals the title.
It is highly recommended to use a bill of sale to document the transaction and protect both parties.
For some educational videos on how to notarize a car title (regardless of state), see below:
For a sample title transfer notary signing area, see image below: