Davidson County, TN Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps

Davidson County's rising property demand has been fueled by the presence of major corporations, the iconic “music city,” and urban greenways like Radnor Lake. These factors have attracted new residents and businesses, strengthening the local housing market. Single‑family detached homes make up the majority of housing units, and active inventory has increased by about 8% to 9% year‑over‑year. This growth has created a healthy six‑month supply of homes, which means buyers and renters have more options than before.

Anyone seeking property records in the county may find such records at one of three county offices. The Davidson County Register of Deeds maintains deeds, deeds of trust, and plats. The office of the Assessor of Property values every parcel, and the Office of the Metropolitan Trustee holds property tax records.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $339,650 and median rent of $1,359, alongside a median household income of $71,976 and a median real estate tax rate of 0.63 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Davidson County Property Records

Davidson County maintains several online databases that help the public inspect and copy property records.

Who Keeps Davidson County Property Records

Davidson County property records are public information available for inspection and copying under the Tennessee Public Records Act. You can contact the following Davidson County offices for access to property records:

• The Davidson County Register of Deeds maintains recorded real estate documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and releases.

• The Davidson County Assessor of Property maintains property record cards for every parcel in the county. It also appraises every parcel, assigns the Map-Group-Parcel number, and sets the property class.

• The Office of the Metropolitan Trustee maintains property tax records in the county. It is also responsible for collecting county property taxes across Nashville and Davidson County.

How to Search Davidson County Property Records Online

Davidson County’s property records are spread across several online databases. Therefore, individuals conducting a property search are advised to consult two to three official county databases in order to obtain complete and accurate information. Follow the steps below to conduct a thorough property record search in Davidson County:

1. Start at the Assessor's property search portal. This portal allows you to view official property assessments, market values, owner names, physical characteristics, sales histories, and parcel maps. You can search by address or owner name.
2. After that, use the Register's online records portal to view deeds linked to the property owner's name. This is a subscription-based portal, and searches are allowed after you pay the subscription fee.
3. Confirm the current owner on the most recent deed. Then work backward through earlier deeds, checking that each grantor matches the grantee on the deed before it.
4. Run the same index for deeds of trust, liens, and releases. The sworn value stated on a deed also tells you what the property last sold for.
5. Finally, visit Davidson County's tax payment portal to confirm the property's tax status.

Register of Deeds: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Plats

The Davidson County Register of Deeds is responsible for indexing and recording all legal documents that affect real estate ownership and transfer in the county. These include deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and easements. Under state law, these documents are permanent public records. Anyone can inspect and copy these records from the Register of Deeds online records portal. Searches can be completed by name, book and page, instrument number, subdivision and lot, or legal description.

Assessor of Property: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The County's Assessor Office appraises every parcel in the county. It is also responsible for determining the value and classification of all taxable properties in the county, except public utility properties. Under state law, the Assessor's Office must conduct reappraisals every four years. This process allows the office to adjust property values so that all parcels in Davidson County are appraised at market value.

County Trustee: Tax Bills and Payments

The Office of the Metropolitan Trustee is responsible for the collection of property taxes in Nashville and Davidson County. By state law, property taxes must be paid in full by the end of February. If they are not, interest is added each month to the unpaid balance. The Trustee runs the state’s Tax Relief program, which helps qualified homeowners cover part of their tax bill. The Trustee’s office also manages and distributes county funds.

Property Tax in Davidson County: Classification, Exemptions, and Appeals

Tennessee’s property tax system does not include a state tax. All property tax dollars are collected locally by counties and cities.

How the bill is figured

In Tennessee, property taxes are based on assessed value. Homes and farms are taxed on 25% of their appraised value, while businesses are taxed on 40%. Davidson County calculates property tax by multiplying the assessed value of your property by the tax rate and then dividing the result by 100.

Exemptions and relief

Appealing your value

Property owners in Davidson County can challenge their property's value. The first step is to request an informal review from the Assessor, which can usually be done by phone. During this review, the Assessor checks the property records and decides if the value should be adjusted. If the owner does not agree with the outcome, they can move forward with a formal appeal. This appeal is filed with the county or state Board of Equalization.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

Davidson County's GIS mapping system helps researchers view property parcel data, local school districts, voting polling places, and zoning and planning requirements. If the data you seek extend beyond county boundaries, you may use the TNMap assessment portal. The Tennessee Comptroller's Division of Property Assessments also publishes statewide assessment data.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

Tennessee allows two kinds of foreclosure sales, and understanding both is important for property research.

Deed-of-trust foreclosure

This process is initiated when a borrower defaults on mortgage payment. It gives the trustee named in the deed of trust the right to sell the property at a public auction without court involvement. This nonjudicial process is generally faster than a court foreclosure.

Delinquent-tax sale

If a property owner falls behind on taxes, the County Trustee can take the case to the Chancery Court to get approval to foreclose. Once the court gives judgment, the Clerk & Master carries out a sale under T.C.A. 67-5-2501. Tennessee does not sell tax‑lien certificates to investors.

Costs to Access Property Records

Searching the online index is free. Fees apply when you need a copy or are recording a new document.

The recordation taxes are set by T.C.A. 67-4-409 and collected by the Register at recording. Confirm the current fee schedule with the Register of Deeds before filing.

How to Record a Document

Tennessee law governs the form of any instrument that conveys an interest in real property. There is a four-step process:

1. Confirm the document meets Tennessee format rules: original signatures, a notary acknowledgment, a proper legal description, a preparer statement, and the required margins for recording.
2. State the value under oath on the face of the deed, as Tennessee requires. The Register uses that sworn value to calculate the realty transfer tax.
3. Submit to the Register of Deeds in-person, by mail, or through an approved e-recording vendor. Pay the recording fee and the recordation taxes due.
4. Once recorded, the original is returned to the filer, and the document image posts to the online index within a short processing window.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Davidson County Property Records Checklist

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Key Contacts and Official Portals