Davidson County Property Records
What Is Davidson County Property Records
Davidson County property records constitute the official documentation of real estate ownership, transactions, and characteristics within Davidson County, Tennessee. These records are maintained by several government offices in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-24-101, which mandates the recording of instruments affecting real property. The primary custodian of these records is the Davidson County Register of Deeds.
Property records in Davidson County typically include:
- Deeds and title documents establishing ownership
- Mortgage documents and financing statements
- Property tax assessment information
- Plat maps and surveys
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Liens and encumbrances
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County maintains these records through various departments, with the Register of Deeds serving as the central repository for recorded documents. Property records serve multiple functions, including establishing legal ownership, facilitating property transfers, enabling property taxation, and providing information for land use planning.
Davidson County Register of Deeds
501 Broadway, Suite 301
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 862-6790
Davidson County Register of Deeds
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding government holidays.
Are Property Records Public Information In Davidson County?
Property records in Davidson County are public information pursuant to both the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503) and local ordinances. The public nature of these records ensures transparency in property ownership and transactions while facilitating the proper functioning of real estate markets.
Members of the public may access Davidson County property records through several means:
- In-person visits to the Register of Deeds office
- Online through the county's official property record databases
- Written requests submitted to the appropriate county office
While property records are public, certain personal information may be redacted in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-504, which provides exemptions for specific types of confidential information. Such exemptions may include:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Driver's license information
- Personal identification numbers
The Metropolitan Government maintains these records in accessible formats while balancing public access with privacy protections. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 8-13-108, the Register of Deeds is required to provide reasonable facilities for the public to inspect and copy records during regular business hours.
How To Search Property Records in Davidson County in 2025
The process for searching property records in Davidson County has been modernized for 2025, offering multiple pathways for public access. Individuals seeking property information may utilize the following methods:
For in-person searches, visitors should proceed to the Davidson County Register of Deeds office located in the Metropolitan Courthouse. Staff members are available to assist with navigating the records system. The search process typically involves:
- Providing the property address, owner name, or parcel identification number
- Utilizing the public computer terminals available on-site
- Requesting assistance from county personnel for complex searches
- Paying applicable fees for copies of documents (currently $1.00 per page for standard copies)
For assessment and tax information, the Metropolitan Trustee's office maintains separate records:
Metropolitan Trustee's Office
700 2nd Ave. South, Suite 220
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 862-6330
Office of the Metropolitan Trustee
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding government holidays.
The Davidson County Property Assessor's office provides valuation and classification information:
Davidson County Assessor of Property
700 2nd Ave. South, Suite 210
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 862-6080
When conducting searches, requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate efficient retrieval of records. Pursuant to Metropolitan Code § 2.36.030, reasonable fees may be charged for extensive searches requiring substantial staff time.
How To Find Property Records in Davidson County Online?
Davidson County offers comprehensive online access to property records through several digital platforms maintained by the Metropolitan Government. The primary online resources include:
The TN Property Viewer provides a geographic information system (GIS) interface that allows users to search property records by address, owner name, or parcel ID. This platform includes:
- Property assessment values
- Ownership information
- Property characteristics
- Tax district information
- Historical sales data
The NashvilleMaps portal offers additional mapping capabilities with property boundary overlays, zoning information, and infrastructure details. Users can access:
- Aerial photography
- Flood zone information
- Zoning classifications
- Property dimensions
- Utility information
For recorded documents such as deeds and mortgages, the Register of Deeds maintains a searchable online database accessible through their official website. This system allows searches by:
- Grantor/Grantee names
- Document type
- Recording date
- Instrument number
Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-123, these electronic records are maintained with the same legal standing as physical documents. Users should note that while basic searches are free, obtaining certified copies or extensive document downloads may incur fees as established by county ordinance.
Can You Look Up Davidson County Property Records for Free?
Davidson County provides several no-cost options for accessing basic property record information. Members of the public may utilize free services through the following channels:
- The public access terminals located at the Register of Deeds office are available without charge during regular business hours
- Basic online searches through the TN Property Viewer platform are provided at no cost
- The NashvilleMaps portal offers free access to property boundaries and basic ownership information
While basic searches are free, certain services do carry associated fees:
- Printed copies of documents at government offices: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies of recorded documents: $5.00 per certification plus copy fees
- Bulk data downloads or specialized research assistance: Fees vary based on scope
The Metropolitan Government establishes these fees pursuant to T.C.A. § 8-21-1001, which authorizes reasonable charges to recover the cost of record reproduction. Fee schedules are reviewed periodically by the Metropolitan Council and are subject to change.
For individuals conducting extensive research, the Davidson County Public Library system also offers free computer access that can be used to search public property databases.
What's Included in a Davidson County Property Record?
Davidson County property records contain comprehensive information as mandated by Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-5-103. A complete property record typically includes the following components:
The legal description section provides:
- Metes and bounds descriptions or subdivision lot and block numbers
- Reference to plat books and surveys
- Legal encumbrances such as easements and rights-of-way
- Property boundaries and dimensions
Ownership information includes:
- Current property owner's name and mailing address
- Previous ownership history and chain of title
- Date of acquisition
- Type of ownership (individual, joint tenancy, corporate, etc.)
Valuation and assessment data contains:
- Current assessed value for tax purposes
- Land value separate from improvements
- Property classification (residential, commercial, agricultural, etc.)
- Tax exemption status, if applicable
Physical characteristics documented include:
- Building size and dimensions
- Year of construction
- Number of rooms and bathrooms
- Construction materials and quality
- Outbuildings and site improvements
The Tennessee Property Assessment Glossary provides detailed definitions of terms used in property records.
How Long Does Davidson County Keep Property Records?
Davidson County maintains property records in perpetuity in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-403, which establishes retention requirements for permanent records. The preservation of these documents ensures the continuity of property rights and facilitates historical research.
The retention schedule for various property-related documents includes:
- Deeds, mortgages, and title documents: Permanently maintained
- Property tax records: Retained for a minimum of 10 years after payment or settlement
- Building permits: Kept for the life of the structure plus 3 years
- Property assessments: Maintained permanently with historical valuation data
- Plat maps and surveys: Preserved indefinitely as permanent records
The Register of Deeds employs multiple preservation methods to ensure long-term record integrity:
- Digital scanning and electronic archiving
- Climate-controlled storage for original documents
- Microfilm backup for disaster recovery purposes
- Regular condition assessment of historical records
Records dating back to the establishment of Davidson County in 1783 are available, though the format and accessibility of the oldest records may require specialized assistance from archival staff. The Metropolitan Archives division maintains historical property records that predate modern recordkeeping systems.
How To Find Liens on Property In Davidson County?
Liens on Davidson County property are matters of public record and can be researched through several official channels. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-21-101, liens must be properly recorded to provide public notice of encumbrances.
To conduct a comprehensive lien search, interested parties should check the following records:
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The Register of Deeds maintains records of:
- Mortgage liens
- Mechanics' and materialmen's liens
- Judgment liens
- Federal and state tax liens
- Homeowners association liens
-
The Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk records:
- Judgment liens from court cases
- Pending litigation affecting property
-
The Metropolitan Trustee's Office maintains:
- Property tax delinquency records
- Tax sale information
For the most thorough search results, requestors should have the following information available:
- Property owner's full legal name
- Property address
- Parcel identification number
- Legal description of the property
Professional title companies often provide lien search services for a fee, which may be advisable for complex properties or transactions requiring title insurance. These searches typically include examination of records in all relevant government offices.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Davidson County?
The Property Owner Rule in Davidson County refers to the legal principle codified in Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-5-102 that establishes the rights and responsibilities of property owners regarding assessment, taxation, and record maintenance. This rule encompasses several key provisions:
Property owners in Davidson County have the right to:
- Receive notice of property assessments
- Appeal property valuations through the Metropolitan Board of Equalization
- Request corrections to erroneous property records
- Access their own property records without restriction
Corresponding responsibilities include:
- Reporting property improvements to the Assessor's Office
- Maintaining current contact information with county offices
- Paying property taxes by the established deadlines
- Properly recording all property transfers and encumbrances
The rule also establishes that property ownership is determined by properly executed and recorded deeds rather than by tax records alone. In cases of discrepancy, the legal instruments recorded with the Register of Deeds take precedence over administrative records.
Property owners should be aware that pursuant to Metropolitan Code § 5.20.010, failure to comply with certain aspects of the Property Owner Rule may result in penalties, including interest charges on delinquent taxes or potential enforcement actions for code violations.
Lookup Property Records in Davidson County
Davidson County Register of Deeds
Tennessee Property Assessment Database
Metropolitan Trustee Tax Information