State Representative Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) on Wednesday told NewsChannel 3 that he wants to implement a pilot program that would allow county Registers of Deeds to require photo identification in order to transfer the ownership or file liens against a property.
The outlet additionally reported that Shelby County Register of Deeds Willie Brooks said the number of fraud cases involving property fraud increased by 33 percent in 2025, just one year after scammers attempted to foreclose on Graceland, the former home and final resting place of Elvis Presley, which now operates as a successful museum.
“You know, you get a piece of paper, you say it’s notarized, and you walk in there, and you know, the law does not require an ID when you’re, you know, doing a property transfer,” Parkinson told NewsChannel 3.
Highlighting the disparity between how Tennessee handles transferring vehicles versus real estate, he reportedly stated, “Even doing a transfer of a junk car for $300, you still have to show your ID if you want to get that junk car registered.”
The Tennessee General Assembly has acted to prevent property fraud before, including in 2025, when Governor Bill Lee signed a law making filing vendors liable for any fraud committed through their filings.
“Unfortunately, fraudsters and scammers are attempting to undermine law-abiding residents through identity theft and title fraud, shattering families and upending lives,” said State Representative Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) when Lee signed his bill into law last May. “This new law seeks to protect Tennessee homeowners from this disturbing crime by ensuring accountability and transparency in the property transfer process.”
The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations was additionally commissioned by lawmakers to study real estate fraud in the Volunteer State, and on December 18 recommended photo ID requirements as one of several proposed changes.
While Garrett favors photo ID requirements for property transfers, and seemingly suggested to NewsChannel 3 that the Tennessee Registers Association is blocking such changes, in 2021 he supported a federal effort that would have restricted the ability of states to require voters to provide photo ID during elections.
– – –
Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “State Rep. Antonio Parkinson” by Antonio Parkinson and “Graceland” is by Elvis Presley Graceland.
Since 1986 I’ve owned five homes in four states (military moves). My wife and I had to present our drivers licenses each and every time to sign the papers. TN doesn’t? While you’re at it, do the same for voting.
Perhaps educate the ones who failed to properly verify ownership before transfers; educate and punish the ones responsible for not properly training their employees; and – should such lackadaisical work continue – fire and jail the ones who enable the fraud.
Yet another law will serve no purpose other than to let this politician-by-any-other-name continue to fool the public.
Sounds like a reasonable requirement. Why is no such requirement already in place.