How To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member in Tennessee in 2026

In Tennessee, family vehicle title transfers are handled through the Title and Registration program within the Tennessee Department of Revenue, and the paperwork is processed at the local county clerk's office. For current Tennessee residents, the county clerk receives the ownership documents, tax affidavit, and registration materials and submits the transaction through the state title system.

A transfer between family members may be documented as a gift or as a sale. Under the state's taxation guidance for cars and boats, the tax result depends on both the relationship between the parties and the presence or absence of consideration.

What Does Transferring a Car Title to a Family Member in Tennessee Mean?

A title transfer changes the legal owner of record for the vehicle through Tennessee's official titling process. The Department of Revenue identifies the certificate of title as the key ownership document that must be properly assigned before a used vehicle can be titled in another person's name.

Until the assigned title and supporting paperwork are accepted by the county clerk for processing, ownership remains with the current titled owner as recorded by the state. Tennessee processes ordinary resident title transfers through local county clerks rather than through a fully self-service online title reassignment system.

Eligible Family Members for Title Transfers in Tennessee

Tennessee offers special tax treatment for certain family transfers. Under the Department of Revenue's relative-transfer guidance, sales between spouses, siblings, lineal relatives, and spouses of lineal relatives are not subject to Tennessee sales or use tax when properly documented.

For motor vehicle purposes, the qualifying relationships listed by the Department include:

• spouses
• brothers and sisters
• parents and children
• grandparents and grandchildren
• great-grandparents and great-grandchildren

Tennessee also exempts a bona fide gift from one individual to another individual when no consideration is exchanged. A family transfer outside the listed exempt relationships may still be completed, but the county clerk applies the ordinary gift or taxable-transfer rules based on the facts of the transaction.

How To Transfer a Car Title as a Gift to a Family Member in Tennessee

Step 1 — Confirm That the Transaction Is a True Gift
Tennessee states that sales tax is not due when a vehicle is gifted from one individual to another individual. If money, services, debt forgiveness, trade value, or any other consideration is involved, the transfer is not treated as a pure gift.

Step 2 — Assign the Current Certificate of Title to the Recipient
The present owner must sign the title over to the receiving family member. For a used vehicle, Tennessee requires a valid certificate of title properly assigned, and the state lists that document as part of the required submission.

Step 3 — Complete the Odometer Disclosure if the Vehicle Is Subject to the Rule
Under the official Odometer Disclosure Statement, Tennessee requires mileage disclosure for used motor vehicles with a manufacture year of 2011 or newer. The form also lists the main exemptions, including vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating above 16,000 pounds, vehicles that are not self-propelled, and model year 2010 or older vehicles.

Step 4 — Complete the Gift Affidavit Used for Non-Dealer Transfers
Tennessee uses the Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats (Form F-1301201) to report gift transfers, lineal-relative transfers, and low-price non-dealer transactions. For a gift, the form records the relationship, fair market value, and the amount of consideration, including a zero-dollar transfer when no consideration is given.

Step 5 — Handle the License Plate Under Tennessee’s Plate-With-Owner Rule
Because Tennessee license plates follow the owner rather than the vehicle, the plate ordinarily does not pass automatically with the car. The plate may be transferred to another vehicle for a $1 fee, and the county clerk requires a copy of the current registration when a plate transfer is requested.

Step 6 — Submit the Title and Registration Paperwork to the County Clerk
The recipient must file the assigned title, proof of identification, proof of Tennessee residency, the odometer disclosure if applicable, and the non-dealer transfer affidavit through the local county clerk.

How To Transfer a Car Title as a Sale to a Family Member in Tennessee

Step 1 — Determine Whether the Family Sale Qualifies for Tennessee’s Tax Exemption
In Tennessee, sales between spouses, siblings, lineal relatives, and spouses of lineal relatives are not subject to sales or use tax. If the parties do not fall within one of those relationships, the transaction is generally taxed under the ordinary motor vehicle rules.

Step 2 — Assign the Title to the Purchaser
The seller must provide a valid title properly assigned to the purchasing family member. Tennessee's vehicle registration guidance for current residents and its used vehicle title checklist both require the assigned title for a used vehicle transaction.

Step 3 — Complete the Odometer Disclosure When Required
If the vehicle falls within the federal and state mileage-disclosure rule, the parties must complete the Odometer Disclosure Statement. A separate disclosure is especially important when the title itself does not fully satisfy the mileage reporting requirement.

Step 4 — Complete the Non-Dealer Transfer Affidavit for the Sale
For a relative transfer, low-selling-price transfer, or gift, Tennessee requires the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats. The form records the fair market value, the actual sales price, any trade-in, any lien payoff or loan assumption, and the relationship between the parties.

Step 5 — Resolve Any Lien Issues Before Reissuance of Title
If a lien remains on the vehicle, the title transaction must reflect the lien correctly and include the required lien documents. Tennessee's lien notation information explains that lien-related title work carries separate fees and county processing charges.

Step 6 — Transfer or Retain the License Plate As Appropriate
Because plates remain with the owner in Tennessee, they do not transfer automatically with the vehicle. If the buyer is moving an existing Tennessee plate to the newly acquired vehicle, a copy of the current registration is required.

Step 7 — File the Paperwork Through the County Clerk and Pay the Required Fees and Taxes
The buyer must submit the assigned title, proof of identity and residency, the odometer disclosure if applicable, and the non-dealer affidavit to the county clerk. For a taxable family sale that does not qualify for exemption, Tennessee applies the state's motor vehicle tax structure described in the county clerk sales tax guide.

What Documents Are Needed To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member in Tennessee

Required for All Transfers

• Assigned certificate of title — The current title must be properly assigned to the new owner.
• Proof of identification and proof of Tennessee residency — The county clerk requires both items for current-resident title work.
• Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form RV-F1317001) — Required for used motor vehicles with model year 2011 or newer unless one of the listed exemptions applies, such as model year 2010 or older or GVWR over 16,000 pounds.
• County clerk title and registration application materials — Tennessee processes ordinary title transactions through the local county clerk under the state's vehicle titling procedures.

Additional Documents for Sale Transfers

• Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats (Form F-1301201) — Required for gift, low-selling-price, and lineal-relative transfers. The form also serves as the state's reporting document for exempt relative sales.
• Purchase price and consideration details on Form F-1301201 — Tennessee uses the affidavit itself to document the actual sales price, trade-in value, loan payoff, service value, and any other consideration involved in the transfer.

Documents Required in Specific Circumstances

• Copy of current registration — Required if the new owner is transferring an existing plate to the acquired vehicle under the state's registration rules.
• Power of Attorney for Vehicle Transactions (Form RV-F1311401) — Used when an authorized representative signs title or registration documents for an owner.
• Lien documents — Required if a lien is being noted or remains active on the title record, as described in the state's lien notation procedures.
• Multi-purpose, Noting of Lien and Duplicate Title Application, Form F-1315201 — Needed if the original title is unavailable and a duplicate title must be obtained before transfer.
• Affidavit of Inheritance (Form F-1310501) — Required when the family transfer results from the death of the former owner and inheritance documentation is necessary.

How To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member Online in Tennessee

Tennessee offers limited online services for motor vehicle matters. A standard family title transfer cannot be completed entirely online through the public portal. Instead, the state directs title and registration transactions to the local county clerk.

What's the Cost To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member in Tennessee?

Tennessee's costs depend on the type of transfer, the county, and the tax status of the transaction. The Department's published guidance identifies the standard title and registration charges and explains that county fees and wheel taxes may vary by county.

For a taxable vehicle sale, Tennessee generally applies:

• 7% state sales tax
• local option tax on the first $1,600 of the purchase price, with the local rate varying by locality and capped at 2.75%
• 2.75% state single-article tax on the portion from $1,600.01 through $3,200

That tax structure is described in the state's county clerk sales tax guide. Tennessee does not impose sales or use tax on a qualifying sale between spouses, siblings, lineal relatives, or spouses of lineal relatives when the required affidavit is filed. Tennessee also does not impose sales tax on a bona fide gift from one individual to another when no consideration is exchanged, and the transaction is documented with the required affidavit.

Contact Information

Tennessee Department of Revenue
500 Deaderick Street, Nashville, TN 37242
Phone: (888) 871-3171
Official Website: Tennessee Department of Revenue