The primary function of the register is to make and preserve a record of instruments required or allowed by law to be filed or recorded, including but not limited to deeds, powers of attorney, mortgages, liens, contracts, plats, leases, judgments, wills, court orders, military discharges, papers under the Uniform Commercial Code, and other types of instruments. The records provide public notice of property ownership, liens, contracts, and other transactions that affect the public interest. The register's office is located in the county seat and the records and papers must remain in the office at all times.

The register is responsible for collecting "transfer" and "mortgage" taxes. With some statutory exceptions, the register must collect a tax on the transfer of all interests in real estate, and the "mortgage" tax on recording instruments which evidence an indebtedness. Currently, the State of Tennessee realty transfer tax is $3.70 per $1,000.00 of value or consideration, while the mortgage tax is $1.15 per $1,000.00 or major fraction thereof over $2,000.00 of indebtedness. Other than the state taxes, the register is required to collect a register's fee for recording the documents. This fee varies according to the type and length of the instrument.

The duties of the register can be found in Tennessee Annotated Code 8-21-1001.

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Denise Ingle Marshall
Register of Deeds