The Release of Lien, printed on the form as FULL RELEASE OF LIEN, is the document in which the holder of a paid-off debt releases a lien recorded in the Knox County, Tennessee, Register of Deeds. It is one of the instruments the Register of Deeds records under the heading "liens, lien releases". On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The original PDF is published by the Knox County Register of Deeds, and the signed, notarized original is what the office records.
Last updated
What is Release of Lien – Knox County, TN?
The Release of Lien is the Knox County Register of Deeds form in which the holder and owner of a debt declares that the debt secured by a lien of record is paid in full and discharged.
The form is titled FULL RELEASE OF LIEN. The signer states that he was the true and lawful holder and owner of the indebtedness at the time of payment, identifies the original lien instrument by the debtor's name, the lien holder or trustee, and its recording reference (Book and Page, or Instrument#) in the Register's Office for Knox County, Tennessee, and acknowledges payment in full and the satisfaction and discharge of the lien. A line states that the singular includes the plural and that any gender applies to all genders.
The page also carries two notary acknowledgment blocks: one for an individual signer and one for a person signing for a corporation. A heading at the top says the form is furnished by the Knox County Register of Deeds but that neither the Register nor any employee assumes responsibility for its preparation.
The Register of Deeds lists liens and lien releases among the documents it records, and describes itself as a recording agency only. The office says the lender files a release in its office and should forward a copy to the borrower, and that you can always obtain a copy from the office.
Who needs to file Release of Lien – Knox County, TN?
The main user is the holder and owner of an indebtedness secured by a lien recorded in the Knox County Register of Deeds, once that debt has been paid in full. The signer declares that he was the true and lawful holder and owner at the time of payment.
- Individual lien holders sign and use the first notary block.
- A corporation signs through an officer or other representative; the second notary block records the person's title, the corporation's name and the capacity in which he signed.
- Borrowers and property owners generally do not complete this form: the Register of Deeds says the lender files a release in its office and should forward it to you. If you do not receive it, you can obtain a copy from the office; call its Records Department at 865-215-2329.
The Register of Deeds records documents but cannot prepare them or answer legal questions, and it recommends an attorney or title company for document preparation. It also says that not all liens are filed in its office, so a lien recorded elsewhere, for example with the courts or the Secretary of State, is outside this form.
When to file Release of Lien – Knox County, TN
The triggering event is payment in full of the indebtedness secured by the lien: the form is signed by the person who held and owned the debt at the time of payment and acknowledges that payment and the discharge of the lien. No due date is printed on the form.
The signing date is entered on the form (the day, month and year of the line beginning "In witness whereof"), and each notary block carries its own date, so the notarization takes place when the lien holder signs. Once the Register of Deeds receives a document, it is generally recorded the same day; the process of checking data entry, scanning and indexing usually takes a day, after which the original is returned to the filer.
How to fill out Release of Lien – Knox County, TN
Complete the prepared-by block
At the top, enter the name, address, and city, state and ZIP of the person who prepared the instrument. The form notes that the Register of Deeds assumes no responsibility for its preparation.
Name the undersigned lien holder
In the first line of the release, enter the name of the undersigned, the person who held and owned the debt at the time of payment.
Identify the debtor and lien holder
Enter the debtor's name and the lien holder or trustee named in the lien instrument you are releasing.
Enter the recording reference
Write the Book and Page, or the Instrument# if the lien has one, where the lien is of record in the Register's Office for Knox County, Tennessee.
Date and sign the release
Under "In witness whereof," enter the day, month and year, then sign the printed form in ink in front of the notary.
Complete the individual acknowledgment
If an individual signs, enter the state and county and the name of the signer in the first notary block. The notary completes the date, commission expiration and signature.
Complete the corporate acknowledgment
If the lien holder is a corporation, use the second block: the signer's name, title, the corporation's name, and the capacity in which he signed. The notary completes the remainder.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, recording reference and dates, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Sign it with original signatures and take it to the Register of Deeds as described under How to submit.
How to submit Release of Lien – Knox County, TN
The Release of Lien is recorded by the Knox County Register of Deeds; the form itself names no mailing address, portal or other channel, and the office pages describe documents handled at its location.
- In person: Register of Deeds, Suite 225 of the City County Building, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
- By phone, for questions: (865) 215-2330; the Records Department is at 865-215-2329.
Documents recorded must carry original signatures, except certified copies from certain courts. The office says a notary is the preferred method of authentication, although a document may also be witnessed by two people. On receipt, the office first checks that the document is recordable and that the correct fees are enclosed; recording fees are set by Tennessee Statute, so ask the office for the current amount. The document is then given an instrument number, scanned, indexed and returned to the filer.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the Register of Deeds' channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing without a notary present, or leaving the notary block blank, when the Register of Deeds says notarization is the preferred authentication and recorded documents need original signatures.
- Leaving the Book and Page or Instrument# blank, so the release does not point to the recorded lien instrument.
- Using the individual notary block when a corporation signs, instead of completing the corporate block with the officer's title and the corporation's name.
- Submitting a photocopy for recording; the Register of Deeds requires original signatures, except certified copies from certain courts.
- Bringing the release without the recording fees; the office checks that the correct fees are enclosed before it records the document.
- Asking the Register of Deeds to prepare the release or advise on legal wording; the office is a recording agency only.
- Releasing a lien that was not recorded in the Knox County Register of Deeds; the office notes that not all liens are filed there.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Release of Lien in Knox County?
It is the Knox County Register of Deeds form, titled FULL RELEASE OF LIEN, in which the holder and owner of a debt declares the debt paid in full and the lien satisfied and discharged. It refers to the lien by its Book and Page or Instrument# in the Register's Office.
Do I have to file the release myself if I paid off my loan?
Usually not. The Register of Deeds says the lender files a release in its office and should forward it to you. If you do not have it, you can obtain a copy from the office; the Records Department can be reached at 865-215-2329.
Does the Release of Lien need to be notarized?
The form includes notary acknowledgment blocks, and the Register of Deeds says all recorded documents must have original signatures. It says a notary is the preferred method of authentication, though a document may also be witnessed by two people.
Where do I take the Release of Lien in Knox County?
The Register of Deeds is in Suite 225 of the City County Building, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902, open Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. The form names no other channel; call (865) 215-2330 to ask about mailing.
How long does it take to record a lien release?
The Register of Deeds says a document is generally recorded the same day it is received, and the process usually takes a day to finish data entry and scanning. The original is then returned to the filer.
Is a Release of Lien a Knox County property tax form?
No. It releases a lien recorded in the Register of Deeds after a debt is paid. The office says state and federal tax liens are filed against an individual, and that not all liens are filed in its office, so check the courts or Secretary of State if needed.
Can the Register of Deeds help me write the release?
No. The office is a recording agency only and cannot make out documents or answer legal questions. It recommends consulting an attorney or title company, because small changes in wording can change a document's legal meaning.
Can I fill out the Release of Lien on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not affiliated with the Register of Deeds, and does not record or file the release; you take the signed original to the office.
Ready to fill out Release of Lien – Knox County, TN?
Fill out Release of Lien – Knox County, TN now