A major job of the Shelby County Clerk's Office is administration of the Motor Vehicle Division. Many different issues can arise when titling and registering a vehicle in the State of Tennessee. We provide a trained staff to assist you so that your visit to the Clerk's Office will be as pleasant as possible.

Please call our information line at (901) 222-3000 to ensure that you have all the documents needed to complete your transaction.

Acceptable Forms Of Identification
Primary Identification
Please verify ONE of the following:

• U.S. photo driver license or photo ID card or license from another country
  • May also include photo learner permits
  • Licenses not issued in English, must be translated and accompanied by a Certificate of Accurate Translation or valid International Driving Permit
  Note: The Tennessee Certificate for Driving is NOT acceptable for proof of identification or residency.
  
  
• Original or Certified Birth Certificate
  • Must be original or certified copy, have a seal and be issued by an authorized government agency such as the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health.
  • Hospital-issued certificates and baptismal certificates are NOT acceptable.
  Note: Foreign birth certificates, not issued in English, must be translated and accompanied by a Certificate of Accurate Translation.
  
  
• Military Identification
  • Active Duty, Retiree or Reservist military ID card
  • Discharge papers
  • Military Dependent ID card
  • Passport (Valid) -- Passports, not issued in English, must be translated and accompanied by a Certificate of Accurate Translation. Passports are not acceptable if expired.
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement documentation
  • Certificate of Naturalization N-550, N-570, N-578
  • Certificate of Citizenship N-560, N-561, N-645 Northern Mariana Card, American Indian Card
  • U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179, I-197) Temporary Resident Identification Card (I-688)
  • Travel Documents - Record of Arrival and Departure (I-94)
  • I-551 issued to the applicant
  • U.S. Re-entry Permit (I-327)
  • Employment Authorization card (I-688A, I-688-B, I-766)
  • Travel Documents - Record of Arrival and Departure stamped Asylee, Parolee or Parole, refugee, asylum, HP (humanitarian parolee) or PIP (public interest parolee)(I-94)
  • Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
  • Canadian documents Immigration Record and Visa or Record of Landing (IMM 100)
  • Canadian Department of Indian Affairs issued ID card
• Marriage Certificate -- Must include the applicant's full name and date of birth. The certificate must be the copy that is registered AFTER the marriage--NOT just the "license" authorizing the union.
• Adoptive Decree -- Must include the applicant's full name and date of birth.
• Legal Change of Name (Divorce, etc.) -- As recorded in court decree with judge's original signature and/or official court seal.
• Any other documentary evidence which confirms to the satisfaction of the Division the true identity of the applicant.

Secondary Identification
Please verify TWO of the following:

• Computerized Check Stubs --Must include the applicant's full name pre-printed on the stub.
• Union Membership Cards -- Must include the applicant's full name
• Work IDs -- Preferably with photo
• Financial Institution Documents -- Computer printouts of bank statements, savings account statements, loan documents, etc.
• Social Security Documents --SS Card (original only not metal or plastic replicas), printout, benefits statements, etc.
• Health Insurance Card -- TennCare, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.
• IRS/state tax form -- W2 Forms, Property tax receipts, etc.
• Military Records -- Assignment orders, selective service cards, Leave & Earnings Statement, etc

Department Resources 
The forms referenced on the pages below may also be found on the State of Tennessee's website:

• Obtaining a Title 
  • Boats 
  • Commercial Vehicles 
  • License Plates 
  • Motorcycles 
  • Privately Owned Vehicles  
  • Trailers 
• Vehicle Inspections