Knox County Public Records /Knox County Property Records

Knox County Property Records

What Is Knox County Property Records

Property records in Knox County are official documents maintained by county government offices that record ownership, transfers, legal encumbrances, and other interests affecting real property — including land, buildings, and improvements — located within the county's jurisdiction. These records serve as the authoritative source for establishing a legal chain of title, providing constructive public notice of property interests, protecting the rights of owners and lienholders, and facilitating real estate transactions. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-24-101, instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the county Register of Deeds to be effective against third parties. The Knox County Register of Deeds is the principal custodian of these records, which include deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, plats, easements, and other instruments conveying or encumbering real property interests.

Knox County Register of Deeds 400 Main Street, Suite 225, Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 215-2330 Knox County Register of Deeds

Are Property Records Public Information In Knox County?

Property records in Knox County are public information under Tennessee law. The Tennessee Public Records Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, establishes that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by law. Additionally, Tennessee's recording statutes require that instruments affecting real property be entered into the public record upon filing with the Register of Deeds, ensuring transparency in land ownership and the transfer of property interests. Members of the public may inspect property records without being required to demonstrate a specific interest, state a reason for the request, or obtain prior authorization. This open-access framework reflects the public interest in transparent land ownership, which supports fair taxation, informed real estate transactions, and the protection of property rights for all parties.

How To Search Property Records in Knox County in 2026

Members of the public may search Knox County property records through several official channels. The following steps outline the primary methods currently available:

Identify the record type needed. Determine whether the search involves a deed, mortgage, deed of trust, lien, plat, or other instrument, as different record types may be maintained by different offices.
Gather identifying information. Collect the property owner's full legal name, the property address, or the parcel identification number (PIN) before initiating a search.
Access the online portal. The Knox County Register of Deeds provides a searchable online database through the county's official website, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, instrument type, recording date, or book and page number.
Visit the Register of Deeds office in person. Members of the public may inspect records at the public counter during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Submit a written request. For certified copies or records not available online, written requests may be submitted directly to the Register of Deeds office.
Contact the Knox County Property Assessor. For assessment records, ownership history, and parcel data, the Property Assessor's office maintains separate searchable databases.

Knox County Property Assessor 400 Main Street, Suite 204, Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 215-2360 Knox County Property Assessor

How To Find Property Records in Knox County Online?

Knox County currently provides multiple online platforms through which members of the public may access property records without visiting a government office in person.

Knox County Register of Deeds Online Search: The Register of Deeds maintains a publicly accessible online index and image database. Users may search recorded instruments by party name, document type, recording date range, or book and page reference at the Knox County Register of Deeds official portal.
Knox County Property Assessor's Online Database: The Property Assessor's office provides an online search tool that allows users to look up parcel data, ownership information, assessed values, and property characteristics by address, owner name, or parcel identification number through the Knox County Property Assessor website.
Knox County GIS Mapping: The Knox County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) division offers an interactive mapping tool that integrates parcel boundaries, ownership data, zoning classifications, and aerial imagery, accessible through the county's official GIS portal.
Tennessee State Library and Archives: Historical property records and older deed books may be accessible through the Tennessee State Library and Archives, which maintains digitized collections of historical county records.

Knox County GIS Division 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 215-2100 Knox County GIS

How To Look Up Knox County Property Records for Free?

Members of the public may access a substantial volume of Knox County property records at no cost through the following methods:

Online Register of Deeds database: The Knox County Register of Deeds provides free online access to the index of recorded instruments. Viewing document images online is currently available at no charge for many record types.
Property Assessor's online portal: The Knox County Property Assessor's database is freely accessible to the public and provides ownership information, parcel data, and assessment history without any fee.
In-person inspection at no charge: Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-506, citizens have the right to inspect public records at no cost. Members of the public may visit the Register of Deeds or Property Assessor's office during business hours to inspect records free of charge. Fees apply only when certified copies or printed reproductions are requested.
Knox County Public Library: The Knox County Public Library system provides free public computer access, enabling residents to use online government databases at no personal cost.

Knox County Public Library — Main Branch 500 W. Church Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 215-8750 Knox County Public Library

What's Included in a Knox County Property Record?

Knox County property records encompass a broad range of documents and data fields that collectively describe the legal status, ownership history, and physical characteristics of real property. These records are maintained across multiple county offices, including the Register of Deeds, the Property Assessor, and the Trustee's office.

Typical property records in Knox County include the following information and document types:

Deeds: Grantor and grantee names, legal description of the property, consideration amount, date of conveyance, notarization, and recording information (book, page, instrument number).
Deeds of Trust and Mortgages: Lender and borrower identification, loan amount, property description, and terms of the security instrument.
Plats and Surveys: Subdivision maps, lot dimensions, easements, and boundary descriptions recorded with the Register of Deeds.
Assessment Records: Parcel identification number, owner of record, property address, land and improvement values, acreage, and property classification maintained by the Property Assessor.
Tax Records: Current and historical tax assessments, payment status, and delinquency information maintained by the Knox County Trustee.
Liens and Encumbrances: Mechanic's liens, federal and state tax liens, judgment liens, and releases thereof.
Easements and Restrictions: Recorded easements, covenants, and deed restrictions affecting property use.

Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-26-103, recorded instruments provide constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers of the property's legal status.

Knox County Trustee 400 Main Street, Suite 95, Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 215-2305 Knox County Trustee

How Long Does Knox County Keep Property Records?

Knox County retains property records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Tennessee State Library and Archives and applicable state law. Property records are among the most permanently retained categories of government documents due to their legal significance in establishing chain of title and resolving property disputes.

Current retention periods for principal record types are as follows:

Deeds and conveyance instruments: Permanent retention; these records are never destroyed.
Deeds of trust and mortgages: Permanent retention.
Plats and subdivision maps: Permanent retention.
Assessment records: The Property Assessor retains current assessment records permanently; historical assessment data is retained for a minimum of ten years.
Tax payment records: The Knox County Trustee retains tax records for a minimum of seven years, with permanent retention for records related to tax sales and redemptions.
Liens: Retained for the duration of the lien plus a minimum of seven years following release or expiration.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives publishes the official Public Records Commission Retention Schedules governing county government records, which serve as the authoritative reference for all retention requirements applicable to Knox County offices.

How To Find Liens on Property In Knox County?

Lien searches in Knox County require examination of records maintained by multiple offices, as different categories of liens are filed with different government agencies.

Register of Deeds — Judgment and Mechanic's Liens: The Knox County Register of Deeds maintains records of mechanic's liens, materialman's liens, judgment liens, and lis pendens filings. Members of the public may search these records online through the Register of Deeds database or in person at the public counter.
Knox County Trustee — Tax Liens: Delinquent property tax information and tax sale records are maintained by the Knox County Trustee. The Trustee's office can confirm whether outstanding property tax obligations exist against a parcel.
Tennessee Secretary of State — UCC and State Tax Liens: Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings and state tax liens are recorded with the Tennessee Secretary of State, which maintains a searchable online database.
Federal Tax Liens: Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the Knox County Register of Deeds and are searchable through the Register's online index.
In-person search: Members of the public may conduct a comprehensive lien search by visiting the Register of Deeds office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What Is Property Owner Rule In Knox County?

The property owner rule in Knox County refers to the body of regulations and legal principles governing who may hold title to real property, the rights and obligations of property owners, and the procedures by which ownership is transferred or encumbered within the county. Under Tennessee law, any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, or other legal entity may hold title to real property in Knox County, subject to applicable state and federal law.

Property owners in Knox County are subject to the following principal obligations and rights:

Ad valorem taxation: All real property in Knox County is subject to annual property tax assessment by the Knox County Property Assessor and tax collection by the Knox County Trustee, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Chapter 5.
Recording requirements: Instruments conveying or encumbering real property must be recorded with the Register of Deeds to provide constructive notice and protect the owner's interest against subsequent purchasers and creditors, as required under Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-26-103.
Zoning and land use compliance: Property owners must comply with Knox County zoning ordinances and land use regulations administered by the Knox County Department of Law and the Metropolitan Planning Commission.
Right of inspection: Property owners, like all members of the public, retain the right to inspect records pertaining to their property held by any Knox County government office.
Homestead exemption: Tennessee law provides a homestead exemption protecting a portion of a primary residence's value from certain creditor claims, as established under Tennessee Code Annotated § 26-2-301.

Knox County Department of Law 400 Main Street, Suite 612, Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 215-2327 Knox County Department of Law

Metropolitan Planning Commission 400 Main Street, Suite 403, Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 215-2500 Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission