Process, Service of

Plain English Breakdown

The bill was withdrawn, so it is uncertain if the changes will be implemented.

Changing Rules for Deeds and Tax Notices

This bill changes Tennessee's law to allow the use of names and addresses on property deeds as a way to serve legal notices about unpaid taxes.

What This Bill Does

• Allows the name and address required on a deed of conveyance of real property to be used for serving legal papers when someone doesn't pay their property taxes.

Who It Names or Affects

• Property owners who need to include their name and address on deeds.
• People responsible for paying real property taxes.
• Registers of deeds who receive these documents.

Terms To Know

service of process

The act of bringing or sending notice of the filing of a motion or petition to the attention of the opposing party by delivery of a copy of the motion or pleading to the opposing party.

Limits and Unknowns

• This bill was withdrawn on January 22, 2026.
• It is not clear if this change will be implemented as it has been withdrawn.

Official Summary Text

Present law prohibits a
deed of conveyance of real property, except for a deed of trust or mortgage,
from being
received for recording by a register of deeds unless there
is
included thereon the name and address of a property owner and the name and address of the person or entity responsible for the payment of the real property taxes.

This bill authorizes the
name and address required pursuant to the receipt of a deed of conveyance of real property
to
be used as the basis for obtaining service of process upon either party as an agent thereof, for failure to pay real property taxes.

Current Bill Text

<BillNo> <Sponsor>

SENATE BILL 1485
By Taylor

SB1485
009840
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 66,
Chapter 24, relative to deeds.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 66-24-114, is amended by deleting
the section and substituting:
(a) No deed of conveyance of real property, except for a deed of trust or
mortgage, shall be received for recording by any register of deeds unless there shall be
included thereon the name and address of a property owner and the name and address
of the person or entity responsible for the payment of the real property taxes.
(b)
(1) The name and address required pursuant to the receipt of a deed of
conveyance of real property under subsection (a) may be used as the basis for
obtaining service of process upon either party as an agent thereof, for failure to
pay real property taxes.
(2) As used in this subsection (b), "service of process" means the act of
bringing or sending notice of the filing of a motion or petition to the attention of
the opposing party by delivery of a copy of the motion or pleading to the
opposing party.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.