Marc Gravitt, the Hamilton County Register of Deeds, has announced he will run for re-election in the May primary election.

The East Ridge Republican has served as the Register of Deeds since first being elected to the office in 2018.

“Serving the citizens of Hamilton County, as your Register of Deeds is one of the most humbling experiences of my life.  I am greatly honored the voters have shown their confidence in me to serve them these past seven years,” said Mr. Gravitt.  

Gravitt, a U.S. Army veteran, was previously a small business owner involved in the real estate business for over thirty-five years, either as a real estate broker, auctioneer or in his current position, the Hamilton County Register of Deeds.  “It’s rewarding that in my elected career, I get to continue in the same type of business as I was as a small business owner”, Gravitt said. 

“Four years ago, I stated my priority would be to scan and index the county’s earliest 1,400 books which were previously only available on microfilm.  These are the oldest records dating back to 1796.  I am pleased to announce these books have been scanned and digitized into our online records search system.  A few books, including Book 1, dating 1799 to 1838, has three sections, A,B & C, and will require additional programming from our Digital Records Director and IT Department before they are available online in their entirety.  However, I am pleased to announce Books 1 through 14,128, are now available, with future books automatically accessible.  Our office continues to improve the display of the images and indexes for the citizens of Hamilton County,” concluded Gravitt.  

The Register of Deeds office is responsible for recording right at 100 different types of documents, the vast amount dealing with real estate in some way such as deeds, deeds of trust, easements and plats.  The office is also responsible for recording military discharge DD214’s, HOA restrictions, powers of attorney, Uniform Commercial Code Fixture Filings, corporate charters, etc.

In addition to recording documents and placing them on public record, the Register of Deeds Office is also responsible for collecting and accounting of all state mandated transfer fees and mortgage taxes related to the documents, then remitting those funds to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

“I am extremely pleased that during my tenure these past seven years, all audits of our office, performed by Hamilton County Auditing Department and the Tennessee Department of Revenue, we have received zero findings and zero negative comments,” Mr. Gravitt said.

Mr. Gravitt has served for five years as the legislative chair of the Tennessee Register’s Association, as well as a member of the County Officials Association of Tennessee and legislative committee.  In 2023, the County Officials Association of Tennessee named Register Gravitt as the recipient of the Outstanding Register of Deeds Award.  During the 2024 Lincoln Day Dinner, the Hamilton County Republican Chairman presented Gravitt with the Bobby Wood Public Service Award.  Additionally, in 2024 Register Gravitt was presented the Register of the Year from the East Tennessee Register of Deeds Association.

Prior to being elected to the Register of Deeds position, his previous political experience included serving as State Representative for District 30 and as a member on the East Ridge City Council.  For twenty-seven years, Gravitt was owner of Gravitt Auctions & Appraisals. 

Register of Deeds Gravitt and his wife Cleo, a high school teacher, have two adult children.

The 2026 primary election will be held May 5, with the general election August 6, 2026.