Meet Shelandra
Shelandra Y. Ford, former Shelby County Register of Deeds, is running in 2026 to restore experienced leadership to the office responsible for protecting homeowners and property rights across Shelby County.
The Register of Deeds Office plays a critical role in maintaining official property ownership records, tracking transfers, and identifying liens or claims. These responsibilities are essential to preventing fraud and safeguarding residents’ most valuable assets. Ford remains committed to strengthening these protections through modernized systems, increased accessibility, and stronger legal safeguards
A Memphis native with more than 20 years of county government experience, Ford was elected countywide in 2018 after two competitive races, becoming the first African American woman to serve as Shelby County Register of Deeds. She entered office with a clear mission to protect citizens, modernize operations, and expand public access to vital records.
During her tenure, Ford implemented a free property fraud alert system designed to notify homeowners of suspicious filings or liens, an increasingly important safeguard as deed theft and title fraud rise nationwide. She also expanded electronic filing capabilities, allowing deeds and official documents to be submitted remotely while maintaining accuracy, transparency, and accountability.
Committed to improving access to county services, Ford worked to eliminate geographic and physical barriers by opening satellite Register of Deeds locations beyond downtown Memphis, including a second office at Southbrook Mall. These expansions made services more accessible for seniors, working families, and residents across Shelby County.
Even amid the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Register of Deeds Office remained fully operational and financially strong under Ford’s leadership. Revenues exceeded projections, generating tens of millions of dollars in fee based revenue returned to Shelby County and the State of Tennessee. This performance demonstrated responsible management and effective stewardship of public resources.
Ford has also been a leading advocate for stronger protections against property fraud. In 2020, she introduced the Fraudulent Deed Filing Legislative Change to the Tennessee House of Representatives, proposing increased penalties for deed theft and fraudulent property filings. She continues to support legislative solutions that provide clear, enforceable protections for homeowners.
In addition to her administrative leadership, Ford has served on multiple civic and governmental committees focused on public records integrity, archives preservation, information technology governance, and unified personnel policy. She remains active in state and regional organizations dedicated to ethical standards and best practices in records management.
In 2026, Shelandra Y. Ford seeks to return experienced, proven leadership to the Register of Deeds Office, focused on protecting homeowners, preventing deed theft, expanding access to services, and ensuring Shelby County residents can trust the records that safeguard their homes and financial security
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