Car title · Tennessee
Transfer a car title after death in Tennessee
How to retitle a vehicle when the registered owner has died, with the right forms and the typical fee in Tennessee.
In Tennessee, a vehicle title transfer after death is handled by the Tennessee DOR using Application for Certificate of Title + Affidavit of Heirship. Bring the original title, a certified death certificate, and either letters from probate or a small estate affidavit (estates under $50,000). The typical fee is about $16, and family transfers are usually exempt from sales tax.
Quick facts
| Agency | Tennessee DOR |
|---|---|
| Typical form | Application for Certificate of Title + Affidavit of Heirship |
| Typical fee | $16 |
| TOD registration | No — use joint title, small estate, or probate |
| Probate often required above | $50,000 |
| Average turnaround | 2 to 4 weeks |
Fees and forms change. Verify with the Tennessee DOR before filing.
How to transfer without probate in Tennessee
Most families in Tennessee never file a probate case for the car. Three shortcuts skip the courthouse entirely:
- Joint title with survivorship. If the deceased co-owned the vehicle, the survivor shows a certified death certificate at the Tennessee DOR and the title is retitled in a single visit.
- Transfer-on-death is not available. Tennessee does not offer a TOD vehicle registration, so a beneficiary path only exists through the will and probate or a small estate affidavit.
- Small estate affidavit. If the entire estate (not just the car) is under $50,000, the heir signs an affidavit and files it with Application for Certificate of Title + Affidavit of Heirship at the Tennessee DOR.
When none of these fit — the car is titled solely in the decedent's name and the estate is above the threshold — you'll need letters testamentary from the probate court before the Tennessee DOR will retitle the vehicle.
Step by step
Gather documents
Original title, certified death certificate, photo ID, and either letters testamentary from the probate court or a small estate affidavit if the estate qualifies in Tennessee.
Decide the transfer path
Tennessee allows three paths: surviving joint owner, small estate affidavit if the estate is under $50,000, or letters testamentary from probate. Pick the one that matches the title.
Complete the Tennessee DOR paperwork
In Tennessee the typical filing is Application for Certificate of Title + Affidavit of Heirship. Forms are free from the Tennessee DOR website; most can be signed at home and notarized where required.
Pay the fee
Title transfer in Tennessee costs roughly $16. Sales tax is typically waived for transfers to immediate family.
Submit and receive the new title
Submit in person or by mail. New titles usually arrive within a few weeks.
Document checklist for Tennessee
Gather these before you visit the Tennessee DOR. Missing one item is the most common reason a title transfer gets rejected at the counter.
- Original vehicle title. Signed on the back by the executor or heir. If lost, apply for a duplicate at the Tennessee DOR first.
- Certified death certificate. One certified copy with the raised seal. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Application for Certificate of Title + Affidavit of Heirship. The core Tennessee transfer form. Free from the Tennessee DOR website; notarize where the form requires it.
- Photo ID of the new owner. Driver license or state ID. Must match the name that will appear on the new title.
- Proof of authority. Either letters testamentary from the probate court or a small estate affidavit (for estates under $50,000 in Tennessee).
- Current registration and odometer reading. Bring the last registration card; some counties record the odometer at transfer.
- Payment for the $16 title fee. Family transfers are usually exempt from sales tax; bring proof of relationship if asked.
In short
In Tennessee, bring the original title, a certified death certificate, Application for Certificate of Title + Affidavit of Heirship, photo ID, and either letters testamentary or a small estate affidavit. Budget about $16 for the Tennessee DOR fee — family transfers are typically exempt from sales tax.
Common questions
Do I need probate to transfer a car in Tennessee?
Not always. Tennessee accepts a small estate affidavit for estates under $50,000, joint titles transfer automatically to the surviving owner, and Tennessee does not currently offer a transfer-on-death vehicle registration.
Which form does the Tennessee DOR use?
The typical filing in Tennessee is Application for Certificate of Title + Affidavit of Heirship. Combine it with the original title, a certified death certificate, and photo ID.
What does it cost?
Title transfer at the Tennessee DOR costs roughly $16. Family transfers are usually exempt from sales tax.
What if the title is lost?
Apply for a duplicate title at the Tennessee DOR before transferring. Most agencies issue duplicates within a few weeks.
Can I sell the car before transferring?
Not directly. Title must be transferred to the estate or heir first; the new title-holder can then sell.