I see you live in TN. I'm pretty sure if you go to a county clerk's office and talk really nice, they can trace the title from the VIN. Not sure what you mean by "tag offices"--in TN that is handled by the county clerk. Maybe there is more than one office in your county.
But it may be that the owner has to apply for the duplicate. Surely the seller knows who owned it before. If the previous owner was deceased, there is a way for the seller to get a title.
If you wrote a check, put a hold on it ASAP. If you have a bill of sale, and the seller cannot provide you with a title, you can take the seller to court and get your money back.
Although.... you really should have checked on this with the county clerk's office beforehand.
Single empty-nester in Middle TN, sometimes with a friend or grandchild on board