Bonded Title in Tennessee
A bonded title lets you register and own a vehicle when you cannot provide complete ownership documentation. In Tennessee, the required bond is 1.5× Fair Market Value and the title is branded "BONDED" for 3 Years.
What Is a Bonded Title?
A bonded title (also called a surety bond title or certificate of title with bond) is issued when you possess a vehicle but cannot prove complete, unbroken ownership history through traditional documentation such as a signed title, bill of sale, or inheritance records.
The surety bond protects any previous owner who might later make a valid claim to the vehicle. If a prior owner appears and can prove their ownership during the 3 Years bond period, the bond pays their claim. After the bond period expires with no claims, Tennessee will issue you a clean, unbranded title.
Who Issues the Bond in Tennessee?
A licensed commercial bonding company is the more common, lower-friction option. Personal sureties must be two unrelated individuals who own Tennessee real property and are not related to the applicant; the Department of Revenue requires General Tax Certification documentation for personal sureties.
Search for "Personal surety (two unrelated Tennessee real-property owners) or licensed commercial surety company" in Tennessee to find authorized insurers. National companies like Western Surety, Lexon Insurance, and IndemniCo are commonly used. Premiums are typically 1–3% of the bond amount annually.
Required Documents in Tennessee
This is a two-step process: (1) submit Form F-1313201 to the Department of Revenue's Special Investigations Section (suretybond.title@tn.gov or by mail); after review and a VIN check the Department issues an approval letter; (2) bring that letter to your local county clerk's office to complete the Multi-Purpose Title Application and pay title/registration fees.
Confirmed on the Tennessee Department of Revenue's forms page. An earlier internal reference to 'Form SF-1091' does not correspond to any form found on that page and should not be used. PDF: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/forms/titlereg/f1313201Fill-in.pdf
When Does the Bond Release?
No active release filing is required — the bond simply expires by its own terms after 3 years. Any third-party ownership claim against the bond must be made within that 3-year window.
The controlling statute is most likely Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-3-103(b) — consistent across multiple secondary sources, though direct statutory text could not be fetched this pass to independently confirm it (a licensed Tennessee attorney or the Dept. of Revenue should confirm before this cite is published as definitive). An internal plan reference to § 55-3-111 does not appear in any bonded-title source found and should not be used — that section concerns motor vehicle dealer bonds, an unrelated requirement. Key eligibility limits: vehicles under $3,000 fair market value or over 30 years old are NOT eligible for a bonded title at all.
Bonded Title FAQ — Tennessee
A bonded title in Tennessee is a certificate of title issued when you cannot prove complete ownership history through standard documentation. You purchase a surety bond (1.5× Fair Market Value) and the state issues a title branded "BONDED." After 3 Years with no adverse claims from prior owners, the bond is released and you can get a clean title.
In Tennessee, the title fee is $14.00 + $8.50 County Fee. The surety bond premium — purchased separately from a licensed insurer — is typically 1–3% of the bond amount per year. For a $10,000 vehicle, the bond amount would be approximately $15,000 and the annual premium would be $150–$450.
Yes, you can sell a vehicle with a bonded title in Tennessee. However, buyers will see the "BONDED" brand on the title and may be unwilling to pay full market value. Full disclosure to the buyer is required. After 3 Years without adverse claims, you or the buyer can apply for a clean title.
A bonded title in Tennessee is valid for 3 Years. No active release filing is required — the bond simply expires by its own terms after 3 years. Any third-party ownership claim against the bond must be made within that 3-year window.
Tennessee Department of Revenue, Special Investigations Section (bond approval); local County Clerk (title issuance)
https://www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/forms.html