County Clerk

County Offical Info

Wayne Nabors

County Clerk

121 South Dixie Ave

Cookeville, TN 38501

931-526-7106

931-372-8201

wayne.nabors@tn.gov

8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Monday - Friday

The County Clerk's Office is responsible for:

Motor Vehicle Titling, Registration, and Noting of Liens
Boat Registrations (when there is a change of ownership)
Marriage Records and Issuance of Marriage Licenses
Issuance of County Business Licenses & Collection of Business Taxes
Notary Public Applications and Processing
Putnam County Board of Commissioners' Records/Minutes
Putnam County Beer Board Records/Minutes

What are the procedures to obtain a marriage license and what is the cost?

The Cost Varies as follows:

If both parties are 18 years of age or older with no pre-marital counseling: $99.00

If both parties are 18 or older with presentation of a 4 hour pre-marital counseling course form signed by the minister or licensed counseling professional who administered the course and notarized by a Notary Public: $41.00

Individuals under the age of 18, or situations with special circumstances, should call the County Clerk's office for additional information and requirements.

Marriage license should not be obtained greater than 30 days prior to the marraige date as license are only valid for 30 days at issuance.

Marriage license must be paid in cash or VISA/MasterCard - Debit/Credit Card.

What is the sales tax rate on vehicles?

For any vehicle less than $1600, the tax rate is 9.75%. For those over $1600, the rate is 7% of the total plus $44.00 for the county, and an additional "single article" state tax of 2.75% of the amount over $1600.00 up to a maximum of $44.00 (anything over $3200.00 will be charged the maximum single article tax of $44.00)

How much does a County Business License cost?

The initial cost of a County Business License is $22.00.

What do I have to do to become a Notary Public?

An application must be completed, and an oath signed in person at the County Clerk's Office. The applicant must also arrange to be bonded, either through an insurance company, or by having two (2) Putnam County property owners come to the Clerk's Office to sign a bond and Property Owner's Statement. The initial fee is $49.00.

How do I get a Disabled Driver plate or placard? 

Fill out the top of the application (see the forms section), sign where indicated in the center of the page, and have your doctor fill in and sign the bottom section. Bring it to the County Clerk's Office and pay the appropriate fees. If purchasing a disabled driver plate and it is not time for the current plate to be renewed, you can surrender the current plate for a credit toward the purchase of your new plate.

How do I go about giving a car to my son, daughter, mother, father, brother, or sister?

Complete an "Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfer" (see the forms section), indicating the relationship and zero money involved. Sign the back of the title as "seller". If the title is in two names with the conjunction "and", both parties must sign as sellers. Have the recipient bring the title and the affidavit to the Clerk's Office. The cost will be $38.00 (if purchasing a regular plate).

Do utility trailers have to be registered? What about camping trailers?

Utility trailers under 16 feet in length and used for personal use only do not have to be licensed and titled in Tennessee. Any utility trailer 16 feet in length and over for personal use must be licensed and titled. Any size utility trailer used for commercial use must be licensed and titled. The following are also exempt from license and title: a) Livestock trailers owned by farmers and used for agriculture or hauling livestock between farm and market, b) boat trailers c) a one car pull behind car hauler dolly, d) pop-up or fold up camping trailers. All one-piece structure pull behind camping trailers must be licensed and titled.

How do I get a title for a homemade trailer?

Fill out an "Application for Certificate of Trailer Inspection" (see forms section) and follow the directions.

Do mobile homes have to be titled?

New laws governing the titling of mobile homes took effect on May 14, 2003. According to these laws, new or used mobile homes, modular homes, double or triple-wide's, etc., that are being permanently affixed to real property (being set on a foundation) do not have to be titled through this office. Instead, a description of the residence should be included on the deed and the deed should be recorded in the Register of Deeds' Office in the Courthouse.

Do I have to put a plate on a vehicle just to put it in my name?

Yes, unless a parent is taking ownership for the sole purpose of turning the vehicle over to his or her minor child.

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