Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Car Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a car in Memphis, Tennessee. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Memphis, TennesseeCarPopulation rank #25

A Memphis, Tennessee car bill of sale is a legal document that records the transfer of ownership between a private buyer and seller in Memphis. As of 2026, Tennessee requires both parties to sign the bill of sale, and the buyer must present it at the TN DMV to complete title transfer.

How to Complete a Car Bill of Sale in Memphis

Verify the car VIN and run a history check
Complete all fields on the bill of sale — buyer name, seller name, sale price, date, and vehicle description
Both parties sign the bill of sale and retain a copy
Seller signs the back of the title, transferring ownership to the buyer
Buyer brings the signed title and bill of sale to the Shelby County Clerk – Title & Registration to complete title transfer

What to include

Buyer and seller names and addresses
Car VIN and vehicle details
Sale price and date
Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Shelby County

DMV / Title Office

Shelby County Clerk – Title & Registration

Address

150 Washington Ave, Memphis, TN 38103

Phone

(901) 222-3000

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$13.50

Sales Tax Rate

9.75%

Base Registration Fee

$26.50

Tennessee state rate 7% + Shelby County 2.75%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Tennessee does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

Memphis Transfer Checklist

Title transfer at the Shelby County Clerk within 30 days
Tennessee sales tax collected at title transfer
Odometer disclosure required for vehicles under 10 years old
Emissions testing required in Shelby County

County Information — Shelby County

County Clerk / Recorder

Shelby County Clerk

Phone

(901) 222-3000

Website

https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/clerk

Car market data and safety information

The most common car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party car prices range from $5,000–$25,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent car models is 4.2 out of 5 stars. Cars average 3.1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used car

Before completing a car bill of sale in Tennessee, verify these safety items:

Verify airbag recall status (Takata recall affected 67M+ vehicles)
Check tire age — tires over 6 years old degrade regardless of tread depth
Confirm brake pad thickness and rotor condition
Test all seatbelts for proper retraction and latching
Verify ABS warning light cycles off after ignition self-test
Confirm child-seat LATCH anchor accessibility and integrity
Test headlight aim and high-beam function on both low and high settings
Inspect windshield for cracks in the driver sight line that could fail state inspection

Car insurance and depreciation in Tennessee

Liability insurance required in 49 states (New Hampshire is the exception). Average annual premium: $1,600–$2,200. Cars lose approximately 20% of value in the first year and 60% over five years. Japanese brands retain value best. Peak season for private car sales is spring (march–may) when tax refunds boost demand, with an average of 21 days on market.

Car registration and titling

Cars are classified as "Passenger vehicle" for registration purposes. Standard passenger cars weigh 2,500–4,500 lbs; no special weight-class registration required. Federal odometer disclosure is required for cars under 20 years old.

Tennessee bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,712 bill of sale documents for Tennessee transactions, with 46 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

5 Things to Check Before Buying a Car in Memphis

Run a VIN history report — accidents, odometer rollback, salvage title
Confirm the title is in the seller's name and matches the VIN on the vehicle
Check for any active liens — call the lender or run a lien search with the Tennessee DMV
Meet at a safe, public location and bring a friend or mechanic
Never hand over cash until the title is properly signed and the bill of sale is complete

Frequently asked questions

What county is Memphis in, and which office handles title transfers?

Memphis is in Shelby County. Title transfers are handled by the Shelby County Clerk – Title & Registration at 150 Washington Ave, Memphis, TN 38103. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (901) 222-3000.

What is the sales tax rate on a car sale in Memphis?

The combined rate is 9.75%. Tennessee state rate 7% + Shelby County 2.75%.

Is notarization required for a car bill of sale in Memphis?

No. Tennessee does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

What fees should I expect when transferring a car title in Memphis?

Title transfer fee: $13.50. Base registration fee: $26.50. Sales tax at 9.75% is collected at the time of title transfer.

How long do I have to transfer a car title in Memphis?

Tennessee requires the buyer to transfer the title within 30 days of the sale date. Late transfers may incur penalty fees at the DMV. Bring your signed bill of sale and the assigned title to the Shelby County Clerk – Title & Registration.

Can I sell a car without a title in Memphis?

In most cases, no. Tennessee requires a clean title to complete a private vehicle sale. If the title is lost, the seller must apply for a duplicate title before selling. The bill of sale alone does not transfer legal ownership.

What documents do I need to buy a car in Memphis?

You will need: (1) the signed title from the seller, (2) a completed bill of sale, (3) a valid government ID, and (4) payment for the title transfer fee ($13.50) and sales tax (9.75%). Bring all documents to the Shelby County Clerk – Title & Registration.

Is a bill of sale legally binding in Memphis?

Yes. A properly signed bill of sale is a legally binding document that protects both the buyer and seller. It records the agreed-upon sale price, date, and vehicle details. Sellers should keep a copy to prove they are no longer liable for the vehicle after the sale date.