Mobile Home Title Transfer in Tennessee | Complete Guide

How Tennessee Mobile Home Titles Work

A mobile home in Tennessee is generally treated as either personal property (for example, on rented land or land you don’t own) or real property (permanently affixed to land you own, with the title retired). This classification affects how a transfer works, what forms you need, how it’s taxed, and what financing options are available.

How to Transfer a Tennessee Mobile Home Title — Step by Step

For a standard personal property title transfer between a private seller and buyer:

• 1

  Get a Bill of Sale

  The seller and buyer should complete a written bill of sale that includes both parties’ names and addresses, the purchase price, date of sale, and a description of the home including make, model, year, and serial number/VIN. Keep copies — both parties need one.

• 2

  Seller Signs the Back of the Title

  The seller signs the existing title certificate in the transfer section on the back. If a lienholder is listed on the title, the lien has to be released before the title can be transferred. Get the lien release in writing from the lienholder before closing.

• 3

  Complete Form RV-F1301201 (If Applicable)

  If the transfer is between family members, is a gift, or the price is well below market value, the county clerk will typically ask for Form RV-F1301201, the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats. It documents the actual price or the reason for the transfer for tax purposes. It’s available from the county clerk or on the Tennessee Department of Revenue forms page.

• 4

  Gather All Supporting Documents

  Bring to the county clerk: the original signed title, the bill of sale, valid photo ID, and Form RV-F1301201 if it applies. If the home was titled in another state or never titled at all, call the clerk first — they’ll tell you what proof of ownership and any inspection they need.

• 5

  Visit Your County Clerk’s Office

  Title applications are handled at the county clerk’s office — not at a state office counter. Bring all documents and be prepared to pay title fees and any tax due. Amounts can differ, so call your county clerk ahead of time to confirm what you’ll owe.

• 6

  Receive the New Title

  Once the transfer is processed, a new title is issued in the buyer’s name. Processing times vary — often a few days to a few weeks. The new title is mailed to the new owner and serves as proof of ownership.

De-Titling a Mobile Home in Tennessee

De-titling means surrendering the mobile home title so the home is treated as real property along with the land. It’s a separate process from a standard title transfer and is done when the same person or people own both the home and the land it sits on.

• Affidavit of Affixation — the key document (Tennessee Form F-1322101). It states the home is permanently affixed to the real property. It’s recorded with the county register of deeds, and a copy goes to the county assessor of property.
• Same owner(s) for home and land — everyone with an ownership interest in both the home and the land signs the affidavit. Homes on rented land or in parks can’t be de-titled this way.
• Liens must be released — any lienholder shown on the title has to be released (or otherwise dealt with) before the title can be cancelled. Talk to your lender before you start.
• Title is surrendered — the certificate of title (or the manufacturer’s certificate of origin for a new home) is surrendered to the state for cancellation, along with a certified copy of the deed and the recorded affidavit. Tennessee county clerks note a title can later be reinstated if needed, so ask your clerk if you ever need to separate the home from the land.
• Future sales go by deed — once the affidavit is recorded and the title cancelled, the home transfers with the real estate in a future sale.

Lost Title or Missing Documentation

Lost your Tennessee mobile home title? It happens a lot — especially with older homes or inherited properties. Here’s how to handle it:

• Apply for a duplicate title — visit your county clerk’s office and apply for a duplicate certificate of title. You’ll typically need the home’s serial number/VIN, proof of identity, and the duplicate title fee.
• Inherited home with no title — depending on whether there’s an estate, the clerk may ask for probate paperwork or an Affidavit of Inheritance (Form F-1310501 from the Tennessee Department of Revenue) to show the home passed to you.
• Home was never titled in Tennessee — if the home came from another state or was never properly titled, ask the county clerk what’s needed before a Tennessee title can be issued; some situations call for extra verification of the home’s serial number.
• Call your county clerk — every county handles this a little differently. Your local clerk’s office is your best first call — they deal with these situations regularly and can tell you exactly what’s needed.

Selling Your Tennessee Mobile Home — What to Know

• Verify you are listed as current owner — before selling, confirm the title is in your name with no outstanding liens. If a lien is still listed after payoff, get a written lien release from the lender and bring it to the county clerk.
• Fees can vary — expect a title fee, a clerk’s fee, and possibly tax. Call your county clerk for exact amounts.
• Ask about sales tax — the buyer may owe sales tax when the title is transferred. If it’s a family transfer, gift, or below-market sale, Form RV-F1301201 documents the price or reason for the transfer. Your county clerk can tell you what applies.
• Title problems can slow a sale — a missing title, an unreleased lien, or a deceased owner still on the paperwork can stall a traditional sale until it’s sorted out, so start on those early.