How to Search Tennessee Court Records (Start Here)

Tennessee court records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk / Criminal Court Clerk in each county. The Circuit Court / Criminal Court / Chancery Court handles trial-level cases. Tennessee does not have a single statewide court search portal — you must go to the county where the case was filed.

What this page covers: Tennessee state court case records. What it does not cover: Federal court cases (PACER) or sealed/juvenile records.

Where to start: Identify the county where the case was filed, then contact the Circuit Court Clerk / Criminal Court Clerk in that county. Some counties courts offer online case search on their individual websites.

Common mistake: Without a statewide portal, many people search the wrong county. If you are unsure where a case was filed, start with the county where the defendant lived or where the incident occurred.

Tennessee note: Tennessee has two separate trial courts — Circuit Court (criminal, civil) and Chancery Court (divorces, estates, property). These are different offices with different case systems.

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SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Tennessee court URLs verified against the official .gov / state-judiciary publisher on the review date. 6 primary .gov / .uscourts.gov sources cited below.

Tennessee Court Records — Key Numbers (FY2024-25)

TN's 2024-2025 Annual Statistical Report covers all court levels statewide.
Tennessee Courts
Court system
Statewide
FY2024-25
Latest fiscal year
Official .gov data
.gov
Primary source
Never data brokers
Free
Public access
Most case records
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems editorial
How to access court records — typical costs
Search online
$0
View docket entry
$0
Download document
$1
Certified copy
$5
Expungement filing
$50
Unit: USD typical fee. Fees and access policies vary by court; see Primary Sources below.

What Changed in 2026 — Tennessee Court Records

2026
Tennessee FY2024-25 caseload report active
The Tennessee Courts publishes its current FY2024-25 case filings, dispositions, and trends on the official statistics portal.
2026
Tennessee statewide case-access portal live
Tennessee Courts's public case-access portal continues to operate at www.tncourts.gov with statewide coverage.
2026
Latest Tennessee judiciary annual report
The most recent annual report from the Tennessee Courts is publicly available with full statistical addenda.
2026
Tennessee courts main directory
Tennessee's primary judicial-branch directory at tncourts.gov continues to be the canonical entry point for all state court matters.

The 4-Step Tennessee Court Records Pathway

1
Step 1 — Identify the court level
In Tennessee, civil and criminal trial cases sit in Tennessee Courts trial courts. Appellate matters go to the state's appellate courts.
2
Step 2 — Use the state case-access portal
Start at https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/find-a-court — the official public case-access for Tennessee.
3
Step 3 — Federal cases are separate
Federal cases involving Tennessee parties live on PACER (pacer.uscourts.gov), not the state system.
4
Step 4 — Sealed / expunged records
Records sealed or expunged under Tennessee law are NOT searchable on public portals. To verify, contact the originating court clerk directly.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Tennessee Court Records

❌ Myth: "Tennessee court records are on PACER."
✓ Truth: False. PACER only has federal cases. Tennessee state court records live on tncourts.gov.
❌ Myth: "All Tennessee case files are free."
✓ Truth: Partly true. Searching and viewing dockets is usually free. Downloading full documents or certified copies often costs $1-$5 per item.
❌ Myth: "Sealed = deleted in Tennessee."
✓ Truth: False. Sealed records still exist — they're just hidden from public search. The court clerk and law enforcement can still access them.
❌ Myth: "Third-party search sites are official."
✓ Truth: False. Only tncourts.gov and the linked official portals are authoritative for Tennessee.
❌ Myth: "Same-day filings show online immediately."
✓ Truth: False. Most Tennessee courts have a 24-48 hour processing lag before new filings appear in public search.

Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)

Related Court Records Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Court records
Sample Tennessee counties: Anderson · Bedford · Benton · Bledsoe · Blount

Court Records Databases

24 official Tennessee court records sources.

Court Records

Court of Criminal Appeals | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts
Official Free
The Court of Criminal Appeals was created by the legislature in 1967 to hear trial court appeals in felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as post-conviction petitions. The Tennessee General Assembly increased the membership of the court from nine to 12 on Sept.
Tennessee Eastern District Court | PACER: Federal Court Records
Official Paid
Official websites use .gov A .gov ... to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. ... Multi-court Voice Case Information System: 866-222-8029 ext. ...
Interactive Moving Violation Records
Official Free
Search for moving violation records of Tennessee drivers · Print search results · Access to Interactive Moving Violation Recordsis governed by the Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 2000 (DPPA). In order to use this online service, you must meet two requirements: Be authorized by one of the provisions of the DPPA ·
Public Case Search - Criminal Court Clerk of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County
Official Free
It is important to note the Tennessee General Assembly has made it a criminal offense for information to be made public once it has been expunged pursuant to T.C.A. 40-32-101. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that you update any search before using the information for official purposes. In no event shall the Criminal Court Clerk of Davidson County...
Chancery Court Dockets, Hamilton County Government
Official Free
The Clerk & Master serves in the ... in Chancery for the Eleventh Judicial District of Tennessee. As the Clerk, the officer serves a clerical role managing the dockets and other court documents. As Master, the officer serves a judicial role similar to a Chancellor. The Master may make crucial decisions regarding the law, equity or disputed facts. Note: The following links will open to another government website or government-affiliated page in a new tab. County Mayor Weston ...
Court System, Hamilton County Government
Official Free
Circuit Court Dockets · Juvenile Court Dockets · Parents in the process of a divorce are required to form a parenting plan and engage in some form of divorce and mediation training. The District Attorney's Office for the 11th Judicial District of Tennessee prosecutes felony and misdemeanor crimes throughout Hamilton County.
Hamilton County - Case Search
Official Free
Online Court Records System · Copyright © 2025 Hamilton County. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use
Criminal Court Dockets
Official Free
Court's Trial Docket (PDF Format) Weekly Docket Schedule (PDF Format) Scheduling Dockets (PDF Format) Arraignment Docket (PDF Format) Drug Court Docket (PDF Format) Weekly Master Docket by Bondsman (PDF Format) Criminal Court Dispositions and Court Dates Criminal Court Grand Jury True Bills (PDF Format) Criminal Court Grand Jury No Bills (PDF Format) Criminal Court Grand Jury Dismissed (PDF Format)
Criminal Court Dockets
Official Free
Criminal Court (Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Except for these holidays) Address: 102 Courts Building, 600 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402. Phone Number: 423-209-7500 and FAX number: 423-209-7501 Email Me · Note: The following links will open to another government website or ...
Sessions Civil Court Dockets, Hamilton County Government
Official Free
Changes are made on the original dockets, but not on these online records. To search for a specific case or attorney, use the find feature (example: Ctrl + f or Cmd + f). TEMPORARY DOCKET CHANGES DUE TO COVID VIEW CURRENT DOCKETS FOR THE SCHEDULE BELOW Sessions Civil Docket Schedule · Sessions Civil Court (Hours: 8:00 A.M.
Sessions Criminal Court Dockets
Official Free
Sessions Criminal 7 Day Docket (PDF Format) Sessions Criminal 7 Day Docket (by Arresting Agency/Arresting Officer) (PDF Format) Master Docket by Bondsman (PDF Format) Sessions Criminal Court Dispositions and Court Dates ... Criminal Court (Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Except for these holidays) Address: 102 Courts Building, 600 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 · Phone Number: 423-209-7500 and FAX number: 423-209-7501 Email Me · Note: The following links will open to another government website or government-affiliated page in a new tab. County Mayor Weston Wamp Assessor of Property…
Honorable Judge Sandra Donaghy, Presiding
Official Free
Home Case Search Pay Online Other Locations Court Dockets Monroe County ... Dewayna Martin 4500 New Hwy 68 Suite 4 Madisonville, TN 37354 Other Locations Phone: 423.442.2396 Fax: 423-442-4897 · Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk Welcome to the online home of Monroe County Tennessee Circuit Court ...
Monroecircuitcourt
Official Free
Home Case Search Pay Online Other Locations Court Dockets Monroe County ... Dewayna Martin 4500 New Hwy 68 Suite 4 Madisonville, TN 37354 Other Locations Phone: 423.442.2396 Fax: 423-442-4897 · Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk Welcome to the online home of Monroe County Tennessee Circuit Court ...
04/08/2024 - 9AM ARRAIGNMENT DOCKET
Official Free
Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk Welcome to the online home of Monroe County Tennessee Circuit Court Clerk.
montgomerytn.gov
Official Free
Find public records in Montgomery County. Learn more about how to lookup and obtain Montgomery County inmate records, criminal records, arrest records, court records, bankruptcy records, sex offender information, vital records and more. Navigate the complexities of public records laws in Montgomery County.
Docket Entries - Chancery Court - Shelby County Government
Official Free
Report Selection Criteria · Case Description · Related Cases No related cases were found. Case Event Schedule No case events were found. Case Parties · Docket Entries
Probate Court | Shelby County, TN - Official Website
Official Free
Skip to Main Content · Search · Government · Courts · Probate Court · NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: · New Filing Fees- Effective January 1, 2026 · The Probate Court Clerk's Office is now accepting new Passport applications. Appointment only · Please call 901-222-3750, select option 4 for more ...
- Not an Official Document
Official Free
Report Selection Criteria · Case Description · Related Cases No related cases were found. Case Event Schedule · Case Parties · Docket Entries
Big - Shelby County
Official Free
ACS, a Xerox company and the ACS, a Xerox company logo are registered trademarks. This material contains trade secrets and other confidential information and is subject to a confidentiality agreement. The unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, display, or disclosure of this material ...
Probate Court | Shelby County, TN - Official Website
Official Free
Government · Courts · Probate Court · NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Probate Court Clerk · Physical Address View Map 140 Adams Avenue Room 124 Memphis, TN 38103 · 140 Adams Avenue Room 124 Memphis TN 38103 Directions · Phone: (901) 222-3750 · Fax: (901) 222-3756 ·
Docket Entries - Chancery Court - Shelby County
Official Free
Report Selection Criteria · Case Description · Related Cases No related cases were found. Case Event Schedule No case events were found. Case Parties · Docket Entries
Shelby County Records | Shelby County Register of Deeds
Official Free
Birth Records 1874-1917 Chancery Court Divorce Index 1945-1997 Circuit Court Indexes 1893-2000 Death Records 1848-1967 Marriage Indexes/Images 1920-1989 Marriage Records 1820-2015 Memphis Census 1865 Memphis City Directories 1849-1943 Memphis Police Blotter 1858-1860 Memphis Police Blotter 1858-1860 Index Memphis Police Blotter 1858-1860 Book Memphis Provost Marshal 1863-1865 Naturalization Records 1856-1906 Occupant, Entry, and Survey Books 1819-1962 Probate Court Loose Paper Index 1820-1900 Probate Court Will Book Indexes/Images 1830-2000 Quarterly Court Loose Papers Index 1820-1865
- Not an Official Document - Shelby County
Official Free
- Not an Official Document · Report Selection Criteria · Case ID: · 1846881 · Docket Start Date: · Docket Ending Date: · Case Description · 1846881 - TENNESSEE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION V AMBER LEWIS · Filing Date:
Logged Off - Shelby County Criminal Justice System Portal
Official Free
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Tennessee Counties

95 Tennessee counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tennessee's trial courts publish case lookups through the Tennessee Courts. Start at tncourts.gov — most case dockets, filings, and hearing calendars are searchable by name, case number, or filing date. County-level clerks publish additional searches; see the cards below for direct county court links.

The Tennessee Courts operates Tennessee's official statewide judicial portal at tncourts.gov. Basic case lookups are typically free of charge; certified copies and bulk-data exports may incur a per-document or per-search fee. Federal cases for Tennessee residents are searched separately through PACER.

Trial courts in Tennessee handle the original filing of civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Appellate courts review questions of law from trial-court decisions. The Tennessee Courts publishes the full court structure, judge rosters, and jurisdiction maps at tncourts.gov.

Online coverage varies by court and case type. Most Tennessee county courts have digitized records from approximately the late 1990s or early 2000s forward; older case files may require an in-person clerk visit or a written record request. Check the Tennessee Courts portal at tncourts.gov for each court's coverage window.

No. Tennessee courts redact or remove sealed, expunged, juvenile, and certain confidential records from public-facing searches as required by state statute and court rule. If a record was previously visible and has since been sealed, it will no longer appear in the Tennessee Courts portal. For verification you can contact the county clerk where the case was filed.