Karen Johnson has been sworn in for a third four-year term as Davidson County Register of Deeds following her re-election in August.
Chancellor Anne C. Martin, presiding judge of the 20th Judicial District and chancellor of Davidson County Chancery Court, part II, administered the oath of office during a ceremony at the Metropolitan Courthouse. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and state Rep. Justin Jones attended and delivered remarks.
“Today, as I take the oath of office for a third term, I do so with gratitude, humility, and an even greater determination to serve,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who became the first woman and first African American elected Davidson County Register of Deeds in 2018, was re-elected without opposition in 2022.
During her remarks, Johnson highlighted changes made at the Register of Deeds office during her first eight years, including relocating the office to a more customer-friendly location and expanding services available to residents. She also pointed to the Property Alert program, which is designed to help property owners protect themselves against property fraud by notifying them when documents are filed under their names.
The office has expanded beyond its traditional role of recording and maintaining real estate documents. It became the first Register of Deeds office in Tennessee approved as a passport acceptance facility and the first to develop a mobile app, according to the office. It also offers a driver services kiosk, with a full-service Real ID counter expected to open later this year.
Johnson said housing affordability will also be an area of focus during her third term. She plans to explore ways the office can use its property records and other resources to provide information about Nashville’s changing housing market and contribute to broader efforts addressing affordability.
“My promise is simple: We will continue listening, improving, and meeting people where they are,” Johnson said. “Together, we will protect property, expand access, and use public service to make life better for every person who calls Nashville home.”
The Register of Deeds is a constitutional office responsible for maintaining legal documents involving real property in Davidson County.
Hurt takes office as Davidson County Clerk
Sharon W. Hurt has officially begun serving as Davidson County Clerk after being sworn in Aug. 28 by Judge Rachel Bell.
Hurt, who received more than 64,000 votes in the Aug. 6 election, took office Sept. 1. Her swearing-in ceremony was attended by family, community leaders, colleagues and other officials, including Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell.
Hurt brings more than 40 years of public service and executive leadership to the office, including service as a Metro Council member-at-large and nonprofit executive.
“Serving as Davidson County Clerk is the honor of a lifetime, and I accept the profound duty entrusted to me by the voters of Davidson County,” Hurt said.
She said her administration will focus on transparency, accessibility, efficiency and improving services for Davidson County residents.
