--- title: "Does a Small Estate Affidavit Need a Notary in Tennessee?" description: "Tennessee small estate affidavit: yes, a notary is required. Sworn before a notary public or a deputy clerk. With the official source and the next step." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-tennessee" --- Does it need a notary? · Tennessee # Does a small estate affidavit need a notary in Tennessee? The answer from the state's own pages, what else a small estate affidavit needs to be signed properly here, and how to get it done. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) Yes, a notary is required. Sworn before a notary public or a deputy clerk. ## In the official wording "SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME" From [Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk (Probate): Small estate petition for limited letters of authority, estates without a will (PDF)](https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/wp-content/uploads/PC-Small-Estate-Petition-Without-Will_10.27.23_without-Order-and-Ltrs-1-1.pdf), checked November 2026. ## What else the signing needs Value limit Personal property worth $50,000 or less at death; real estate isn't personal property and isn't counted. "Total value of all personal property owned by the deceased at death must be $50,000 or less." Waiting period Forty-five days after the death. "Forty-five (45) days must have passed since deceased's death." Where it goes Filed with the probate court clerk; in Davidson County, the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Official form Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority (no will). Davidson County's version; other counties publish their own. [Open the official form](https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/wp-content/uploads/PC-Small-Estate-Petition-Without-Will_10.27.23_without-Order-and-Ltrs-1-1.pdf) Other simplified route Small estate limited letters of authority. A short court process that gives limited letters for an estate within the limit. ## Next step Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in Tennessee, 7 AM to 9 PM Eastern, seven days a week, by appointment. New Jersey law lets a New Jersey notary notarize for a signer located in another state ([N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10](https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2020/PL21/179_.HTM)). Handling an estate from far away? [Estate paperwork help near where the estate is](/notary/estate-paperwork-help-out-of-state). Ask the bank, holder or court that will receive the affidavit whether it accepts an electronically notarized one. [Notarize it online ($50 per session)](/notary/#order) [Request a mobile notary in Tennessee](/notary/mobile-notary-outside-new-jersey?state=Tennessee#request) Booking sends a request; we confirm the time and the price before you pay. In person, we look for a notary commissioned in Tennessee near you; you approve the price first. If a local notary in Tennessee does it: A reasonable fee; no dollar maximum in the statute (T.C.A. 8-21-1201), under the state's fee rules ([Tennessee notary fees](/notary/fees-by-state/tennessee)). ## Get it notarized online today Online notary: open now until 9 PM ET · sessions by appointment · times confirmed by email A New Jersey notary can notarize this with you on a video call, wherever you are in the U.S. $50 for the session, $10 for each extra signer. Any other fee shows in the booking form before you confirm. Open 7 am to 9 pm ET, every day, by appointment. **What you need** - A valid government photo ID - A computer or phone with a camera - The unsigned document [Book an online session](/notary/?service=ron#order) Our certificate states the act was performed using communication technology, as New Jersey law requires. [What it must say](/notary/remote-online-notarization-certificate-wording) Most U.S. recipients accept a remotely notarized document; check with whoever will receive it. [What to ask them](/notary/will-my-online-notarization-be-accepted) · [Several signers](/notary/online-notarization-multiple-signers) ## Official sources - [Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk (Probate): Small estate petition for limited letters of authority, estates without a will (PDF)](https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/wp-content/uploads/PC-Small-Estate-Petition-Without-Will_10.27.23_without-Order-and-Ltrs-1-1.pdf) (checked November 2026) We are not lawyers, and this is general information, not legal advice. Checked November 2026. Rules change, and whoever receives the document decides what it accepts; we can't guarantee acceptance. ## Common questions **Is a notary required for a Tennessee small estate affidavit?** Yes, a notary is required. Sworn before a notary public or a deputy clerk. **What is the small estate limit in Tennessee?** Personal property worth $50,000 or less at death; real estate isn't personal property and isn't counted. **How long after a death can the Tennessee affidavit be used?** Forty-five days after the death. **Is the Tennessee affidavit filed with a court?** Filed with the probate court clerk; in Davidson County, the Circuit Court Clerk's office. **Can I sign the Tennessee affidavit with an online notary?** Our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in Tennessee. Ask the bank, holder or court that will receive it whether it accepts an electronically notarized affidavit. **What does a notary charge in Tennessee?** A reasonable fee; no dollar maximum in the statute (T.C.A. 8-21-1201), under the state's fee rules. A mobile notary may add a travel fee; ask for the total first. ## Keep going - [Tennessee small estate affidavit](/notary/small-estate-affidavit-tennessee) - [Eligibility checker](/notary/small-estate-eligibility-checker?state=tn) - [Small estate rules in every state](/notary/small-estate-affidavit-by-state) - [A will in Tennessee](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-tennessee) A small estate affidavit in another state: [South Dakota](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-south-dakota) · [Texas](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-texas) · [every state](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary?doc=small-estate-affidavit) ## Ready to sign? Book a video session. [Book an online notarization](/notary/#order)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)