Claiborne County Court Records

According to the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules, Claiborne County court records comprise official documents generated during a legal proceeding. The county's courts maintain these records concerning cases they have adjudicated.

Claiborne County court records include case files, dockets, court orders, judgments, schedules, and exhibits. These records provide case-specific details, such as case numbers, party names, case statuses, and outcomes.

Are Court Records Public in Claiborne County?

Yes. Most Claiborne County court records are considered public under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA) and Supreme Court Rule 34. This ensures that interested individuals have statutory rights to access these records through appropriate channels. However, the TPRA and Rule 34 also outlines exemptions that restrict access to specific types of records, including:

• Records pertaining to the prosecution of a juvenile
• Adoption and child custody documents
• Medical records and mental health records
• Sealed or expunged records
• Personal identifying information of victims, witnesses, and jurors
• Financial information that may jeopardize an individual's security
• Information that may jeopardize an individual's safety.

Claiborne County Court Records Search

Claiborne County residents and other interested parties may conduct county court records searches through:

• Local Courthouses: Claiborne County court records are available at local courthouses, such as the Circuit, General Sessions, and Juvenile Courts through their Clerk's offices
• Official Online Portals: Tennessee's Public Court Records System offers access to many court records statewide, including those in Claiborne County
• Third-party repositories.

Claiborne County Courts

The addresses and contact information of courthouses in Claiborne County are as follows:

Claiborne County Circuit Court
415 Straight Creek Road,
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334

Claiborne County Chancery Court
1740 Main Street,
P.O. Box 180,
Tazewell, TN 37879
Phone: (423) 626-3284

Claiborne County Criminal Court
415 Straight Creek Road,
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334

Claiborne County General Sessions Court
415 Straight Creek Road,
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334

Claiborne County Juvenile Court
415 Straight Creek Road,
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334

Cumberland Gap Municipal Court
380 Colwyn Avenue,
P.O. Box 78,
Cumberland Gap, TN 37724
Phone: (423) 869-3860

New Tazewell City Court
413 1st Avenue,
P.O. Box 609,
New Tazewell, TN 37824
Phone: (423) 626-5242
Fax: (423) 626-2050

Tazewell City Court
1830 Main Street,
P.O. Box 206,
Tazewell, TN 37879
Phone: (423) 626-5104
Fax: (423) 626-0075

Claiborne County Criminal and Civil Records

Claiborne County criminal records encompass documents detailing an individual's Claiborne county arrests, charges, and convictions within the county. Law enforcement agencies such as the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments create and maintain these records under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503 et seq.,. In Claiborne County, criminal records form part of the county's public records.

Individuals seeking criminal records maintained by local law enforcement must typically provide identifiable information about the subject of the record. This may include the individual's full name, date of birth, case or incident number, and the approximate date and location of the incident. Many agencies have dedicated record divisions where requesters can submit their inquiries in person, by mail, or occasionally by phone or fax at:

Claiborne County Sheriff's Office
415 Straight Creek Road
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3385
Fax: (423) 626-7144

State-Level Criminal Records:

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) serves as the state's central repository for criminal history information. Local agencies in Claiborne County report misdemeanor and felony arrests to TBI, enabling the public to access statewide criminal records through a TBI background check. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 38-6-109, TBI administers name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history checks. Requests submitted to TBI currently require a $29 fee.

To request a criminal background check, individuals may submit the Tennessee Criminal History Information Request Form or use the TBI's Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) portal online. Mailed requests can be sent to:

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation – TORIS Unit
901 R.S. Gass Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4057

Criminal and civil cases in Claiborne County may be heard in the Circuit, Chancery, or General Sessions Courts, depending on the nature and complexity of the case. Because different courts maintain their records, persons seeking Claiborne county court records should begin at the appropriate Clerk's office.

To request a record, inquirers may prepare an application containing details of the record of interest. This may include the case number, the names of the parties involved, the filing and judgment and related inquiries. Court record requests may then be addressed to:
Claiborne County Circuit Court and Sessions Court

415 Straight Creek Rd.,
Suite 5
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334
Email: circuitcourtclerk@claibornecountytn.gov

Additionally, the Tennessee State Courts offer the Tennessee Public Court Records System, an online resource where users can search for certain court records by party name, case year, or case number, facilitating easier access to Claiborne County civil court information.

Claiborne County Marriage Records

The Claiborne County Clerk is responsible for issuing and maintaining marriage licenses and records within county limits. Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-103, intending couples will be required to obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office. Consequently, records relating to the resulting marriages are maintained by the clerk’s office. Claiborne county marriage records may be addressed to:

Claiborne County Clerk
1740 Main Street, Suite 2
Tazewell, TN 37879
Phone: (423) 626-3283

Marriage record requests may be made in person or by mail. Requesters will need to provide full names of both spouses (including the bride's maiden name), the date of marriage, and a valid form of payment.

Claiborne County Divorce Records

Divorce proceedings in Claiborne county fall under the jurisdiction of the Claiborne County Chancery Court. The Clerk and Master's Office retains the official divorce case files and issues them to interested members of the public. Eligible individuals—such as the divorced parties or their legal representatives—may request copies of divorce decrees or related documents by contacting the Clerk and Master's Office st:

Claiborne County Clerk and Master
1740 Main Street, Suite 201
P.O. Box 180
Tazewell, TN 37879
Phone: (423) 626-3283

Claiborne County Birth and Death Records

The Tennessee Department of Health's Office of Vital Records maintains the state's birth and death records, including those relating to Claiborne County. Generally, birth records older than 100 years and death records older than 50 years become public records accessible through the Tennessee State Library and Archives. More recent vital records are restricted, and certified copies are only available to authorized individuals, such as the subject of the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives, as per Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-3-205. The state vital record office is located at:

Tennessee Office of Vital Records
Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-1763

In-person, mail-in, and online requests may be made to the office by

• Completing the appropriate application form (PH-1663 for birth certificates or PH-1654 for death certificates)
• Providing acceptable identification
• Paying the fee of $15 per copy

Claiborne County Probate Court Records

Probate matters, including estates, guardianships, and conservatorships, are generally under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court in Claiborne County. As the Clerk of the Chancery Court, the Clerk and Master's Office manages probate filings and maintains all related records. Record seekers may visit or contact the Clerk and Master's Office to locate the desired probate case file and provide necessary details, such as the deceased's name or the case number.

Claiborne County Property Records

The Claiborne County Register of Deeds files and manages property records, including deeds, mortgages, and plats. On the other hand, the Assessor of Property is responsible for maintaining records related to property values and assessments. Under the TPRA, many property records are open to public inspection. Either office may be contacted at:

Claiborne County Register of Deeds
1740 Main Street, Suite 2
Tazewell, TN 37879

Claiborne County Property Assessor
415 Straight Creek Road, Suite 2
Tazewell, TN 37879

Interested persons may also utilize the Tennessee Property Assessment Data and Tennessee Property Viewer portals. Users may search these portals by owner name, address, or parcel ID. Additional subscription-based resources may be available for more in-depth searches.

Claiborne County Court Records Online

Besides official government websites, some third-party platforms like Tennessseecourtrecords.us provide access to court records from Claiborne County and other parts of Tennessee. These services may allow searches by party name or case number and can be helpful if government websites do not yield the needed documents. However, third-party resources are operated independently of county or state government entities. As a result, their data may be incomplete, outdated, or otherwise inconsistent with official records. Requesters are encouraged to use official county and state portals whenever possible for the most accurate and reliable information.