How to Get a Tennessee Bonded Title
What is a Tennessee bonded title?
In Tennessee, a bonded title is like a standard car title but with a bond attached. If you don’t have a title to your vehicle, you may need a bonded title. The surety bond, called a title bond, protects parties that may suffer financially if you aren’t the actual owner. It’s like a safety net for the state, lienholders, and previous owners who may have financial interests in your car.
How do bonded titles work in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Department of Revenue requires state residents to obtain a bonded title if they don’t have an original title or proper proof of ownership for their vehicle.
By obtaining a bonded title, you’re promising that you’re the true owner. If someone comes forward claiming you’re not, your surety will investigate to determine if the claim is legitimate. If the claim is valid, you will be responsible for covering any damages.
Tennessee bonded titles must remain active for three years and then they expire. You can apply for a standard certificate of title for your car after this period.
Get Your Tennessee Title Bond:
Quick Takeaways
- The Tennessee Department of Revenue requires state residents to obtain a bonded title if they don’t have an original title or proper proof of ownership.
- If you had a title in your name but lost it (or it was damaged, destroyed, or stolen), you don’t need a bonded title.
- Before applying for a bonded title, contact the TN Department of Revenue to see if you’re eligible.
- Tennessee title bonds are quickly issued, typically cost around $100, and have a 3-year bond period.
Who needs a bonded title in TN?
You may need to apply for a bonded title in Tennessee if any of the following are true:
- You never received the title for your car.
- Your title was incorrectly assigned to you.
- You had the title but lost it before you could transfer it to your name.
Note: If you had a title in your name but lost it (or it was damaged, destroyed, or stolen), you don’t need a bonded title. Simply apply for a duplicate title with your local county clerk.
Registering a Car in Tennessee Without a Title
Before applying for a bonded title, contact the TN Department of Revenue to see if you’re eligible. Keep in mind that if any of the following conditions are true, you won’t qualify.
- Your vehicle is more than 30 years old.
- It was stolen.
- It’s worth $3,000 or less.
You can fill out a Certificate of Ownership form in any of these cases. Follow the instructions on the application to apply successfully.
If you qualify for a bonded title, submit the following items with your application.
1. Bill of Sale
First, submit a bill of sale from the last registered owner. It should state why your vehicle wasn’t titled or registered in the seller’s name.
If you don’t have a bill of sale, you can submit a written appraisal that shows its current value. You can get an appraisal from a local licensed dealer, Kelley Blue Book, or Nadaguides.com.
2. Tennessee Title Bond
Once you have your appraisal, you must buy a surety bond from a direct provider like ZipBonds. Here’s what the application will look like: TN Surety Bond Application. Your bond must be written for 1.5 times the value of your vehicle.
3. Application
Finally, submit your completed application to your local county clerk’s office. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your bonded title.
How much does a Tennessee bonded title cost?
Tennessee title bonds are quickly issued, typically cost around $100, and have a 3-year bond period. After the bond expires, there is no requirement for the bond, and no one may challenge your ownership claim. You will be eligible for a standard certificate of title.
Get Your Tennessee Bonded Title
The experts at ZipBonds can help you obtain the bond you need. To connect with one of our team members, please give us a call at 888-435-4191 or email us at support@zipbonds.com. We’ll walk you through the process for title bonds to help you get bonded in a flash.
About ZipBonds.com
Founders Ryan Swalve and Zach Mefferd formed the vision for ZipBonds.com when they realized how overly complicated it was to help clients place surety. The frustration of being unable to incorporate the technology they’d used in other insurance-focused projects left them thinking “there has to be a better way.”
Fast forward a couple of years, and that better way is the impetus of everything we do at ZipBonds. We constantly look for innovative ways to improve the bonding process for our clients and agents. Our team comprises individuals who understand all angles of surety – for companies, agencies, and individuals. Incorporating everyone’s point of view to improve the process while simultaneously integrating cutting-edge technology is what sets our business apart.