Knox County Court Records

Per Supreme Court Rule 34 (2), a Tennessee court record includes all case administrative and judicial records. It refers to any document created, collected, received, or maintained by the courts relating to a particular case or pertaining to court administration or records that cannot be categorized as a case or administrative records. Court records are crucial because they make it possible for case parties to appeal a court case to a higher court. Legal personnel can present them as evidence in an ongoing court case. They can also review court records to help their arguments in court.

Knox County has several clerks who maintain different court records depending on the court. For example, The Clerk and Master is the record custodian of all court records in the Chancery Court. The Criminal Court Clerk maintains all Knox County Criminal, General Sessions - Criminal, and Fourth Circuit Courts records. The Clerk of the Circuit Court, Civil Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court is the official keeper of small claim, juvenile, civil, and criminal court records. These Clerks disseminate court records online, by mail, or in person. Individuals should be able to find the following information in a court record:

• Case overview (case number, case style, trial court, trial court judge, and trial court number)
• Case milestones (description and date)
• Parties (names, role, and counsel)
• Case history (date, event, filer, and document)
• Record information (volume type, volumes, and record type)

Are Court Records Public in Knox County?

The Tennessee Public Records Act and Supreme Court Rule 34 give the public the statutory right to inspect Knox County public records maintained by the courts. However, state law exempts certain court records from public disclosure. Examples of confidential court records are:

• Medical records
• Adoption records
• Juvenile records
• Unpublished drafts of judicial orders and opinions
• Conference records, notes, memoranda, or reports prepared by a judge or judicial staff.
• All internal case management information, excluding information pertaining to the composition of appellate case panels assigned to consider a particular case.
• Judge records relating to their recusal from particular cases unless the information is considered part of the case record.
• Any court record whose disclosure can undermine the inherent constitutional powers granted to the court or interfere with its judicial function.

Knox County Court Records Search

All Knox County Court provides copies of court records in person during business hours. However, the Chancery Court Circuit and Circuit Court accept mail requests. For instance, individuals can submit a mail request at the Circuit Court by completing the Request to View Public Record Form.

All Knox County court cases appealed to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals can be viewed through the Public Case History Tool. The database can be searched using a case number, case style, party name, or organization.

Knox County Court Records Search by Name

Record seekers can conduct a Knox County court records search by name online via the Public Case History Portal. The search can be conducted by the case party’s first or last name. Alternatively, interested parties can visit the courthouse where the case was handled to conduct a search. A name should be provided to the record staff so they can process the request.

Knox County Courts

The Knox County Court System comprises trial courts and courts with limited jurisdiction. Below are the addresses of all courts in the county:

Knox County Courts
City-County Building
400 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902

Chancery Court
Suite 125
Phone: (865) 215-2555
Fax: (865) 215-2920

Circuit Court
Suite M30
Phone: (865) 215-2400
Fax: (865) 215-4251

Knox County Criminal Court
Suite 149
Phone: (865) 215-2375

Fourth Circuit Court
Phone: (865) 215-2399

General Sessions Court
Phone: (865) 215-2375
Fax: (865) 215-2403

Civil Sessions Court
Old Knox County Courthouse
300 Main Street
Room 318
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-2518

Juvenile Court
Carey E. Garrett Juvenile Court Building
3323 Division Street
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 215-6400
Fax: (865) 215-6546

Knox County Specialized Courts

Mental Health Court
Administrative Office Located:
Knox County Health Department
140 Dameron Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: (865) 215-5272
Fax: (865) 215-5270

Recovery Court
900 E. Hill Ave., Suite 480
Knoxville, TN 37915
Phone: (865) 659-6352
Fax: (865) 522-0567

Veterans Treatment Court
Phone: (865) 659-6352
Fax: (865) 522-0567

Knoxville Municipal Court
Public Safety Complex
1650 Huron St.
P.O. Box 2749
Knoxville, TN 37901-2749
Phone: (865) 215-4311
Email: citycourt@knoxvilletn.gov

Knox County Superior Court Case Search

Knox County does not have a Superior Court. Individuals can visit any of the courts available in the county to access court records. Some courts release court information online or by mail. Old court records can be requested from the Knox County Archives online using the Chancery Court and Circuit Court indexes.

Knox County District Court Records

The Sixth Judicial District has three trial courts: a Circuit Court, a Chancery Court, and a Criminal Court. All cases in this District are handled based on the Uniform Local Rules of Practice. All trial courts provide court records to the public at the courthouse. However, the Criminal Court provides an online option, while the Circuit Court and Chancery Court have mail options. Online service is free, but copies of District Court records cost $0.50 per page and $5 per document for certified copies.

Knox County Criminal Records

Criminal history records are public records in Knox County. Therefore, individuals can retrieve Knox County criminal records from several law enforcement agencies in the county:

• Criminal Court Clerk’s Office: Anyone can conduct a criminal record search on other people at the Criminal Court Clerk’s Office for $15. A Knox County criminal record search request can be submitted online. A social security, date of birth, name(s), and alias are required to conduct the search. The requester must submit an email or phone number to which the record staff can contact them.
• Knox County Sheriff’s Office: Individuals can appear in person at the Sheriff’s Office Public Records window with a valid photo ID. The staff will provide a request form that must be completed, and a $15 fee must be paid to get the record. Alternatively, requesters can mail a Background Check Form with the necessary fees to the Office. Individuals can also view Knox County Arrest Records on the Sheriff’s Office’s website.
• Knoxville Police Department: The Department’s Record Unit disseminates local criminal background records in person for $10.00. A government-issued photo ID and a social security card are required to complete the request. A mail request can be made by submitting an Open Records Request Form.

Knox County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Criminal Court handles all criminal court cases in Knox County. Criminal court records are offered online to inquirers to increase public access. Users must register for an account to use the online portal. The Clerk charges a registration fee, but users can freely print images from the portal or visit the Clerk’s Office to request a physical copy of the same document image for free.

Alternatively, requesters can visit the Clerk’s Office to view paper copies of criminal court records for free. However, copies of criminal court records attract a small fee. All in-person requests should be made during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.). The record staff will require a name or case number to process the request. Per Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-21-401, paper copies of criminal court records cost 50 cents per page and an additional $5 charge for certified copies.

Get Knox County Civil Court Records

The Knox County Chancery Court Chancery Division has jurisdiction over most civil cases. The Division handles civil cases like divorce, adoption and legitimation, name change, contract and boundary disputes, conservatorships and guardianships, worker’s compensation, suits on foreign judgments, appointment and removal of trustees, and proceedings in aid of execution. Pursuant to Tennessee law, the Knox County Chancery Court’s Clerk and Master readily makes these records available for inspection during regular business hours.

Individuals can access civil records in person or by mail. The clerk and Master charge $0.50 per page for civil court records and $5 per document for certified copies. In-person requesters are strongly advised to call the Chancery Division at (865) 215-3015 before the desired inspection time. Mail requesters must send the necessary fees by check or money order and a self-addressed envelope, sufficient postage pre-paid, capable of containing the requested copies to the Clerk and Master’s Office. A case number (a docket number) and proof of identification are required to access civil court records. If the case number is unknown, the full names of the case parties must be provided.

Knox County Family Court Records

Knox County does not have a specific family court. However, the Chancery Court's Chancery Division and Fourth Circuit Court handles family court cases like divorce, adoption and legitimation, name change, contract and boundary disputes, conservatorships, and guardianships. Family court records can be retrieved by mail or in person at the courthouse. A name or case number is required to conduct the search.

Knox Dissolution of Marriage Records

The process of obtaining dissolution of marriage records is similar to divorce records. Interested persons can request the dissolution of marriage records in person or by mail at the Knox County Fourth Circuit Court and Chancery Court. Online requests can be made via the public index provided by Knox County Archives. Note that only old records can be retrieved via this database.

Knox County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Knox County Archives maintains marriage and divorce records. Requests can be made online or in person. Online requesters can find marriage and divorce records using the following indexes:

• Knox County marriage index, 1901–1950
• Knox County marriage index, 1951–present
• Knox County divorce index (a search can be conducted by first name, last name, or divorce date)

Copies of original marriage and divorce records can be obtained from the Knox County Archives. Contact the office by phone at (865) 215-8800 or email (archives@knoxlib.org) for a price quote. Visit the office during business hours from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. A name is required to facilitate the search.

A Divorce record request can also be made to the Knox County Fourth Circuit Court and Chancery Court. Individuals can get the record by mail or in person.

Copies of Knox County marriage certificate can also be obtained from the Clerk's Office. Individuals can request a certified copy of their marriage license records online or by visiting any of the Knox County Clerk's Office locations. The names of both applicants and the marriage date are required. Online requests cost $9.02, including mail and online processing fees, while in-person requests cost $5.50.

Knox Birth and Death Records

Copies of birth and death records can be obtained from the Knox County Vital Records Office. These records are confidential and only become public within a given period. For example, birth and death certificates are confidential for 100 and 50 years, respectively. Confidential birth and death records are only open to the subject of the record, parents, legal guardians, spouse, child, or funeral home (for death records). These records can be obtained online (Birth Certificate or Death Certificate). A photo of the requester's ID is necessary to complete the online form. Requesters must complete the form and pay by credit card with an additional 2.5% fee ($2 minimum). The processing time is within one to two business days. Notify the Vital Records Office by email at vital.records@knoxcounty.org or by phone at (865) 215-5098 after submitting the form.

Individuals who cannot complete the online forms can submit a request in person or by mail. Birth and death certificates cost $15 per copy, payable by cash, money order, or personal check. A $30 fee is charged for any returned check.

Mail order requires printing and filling out a Knox County Birth Certificate Form (English or Spanish) or Death Certificate Form (English or Spanish). The mail package must include the appropriate form, a copy of a driver’s license, and the necessary fee. In-person requesters can complete a birth or death certificate form at the Department’s Customer Service Window. A proper identification is required for the order. All in-person visits should be within office hours (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday). In-person and mailing address is:

Knox County Health Department Vital Records
First floor (Behind security/information desk)
140 Dameron Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: (865) 215-5100
Fax: (865) 215-5106
TDD: (865) 215-5001
Email: vital.records@knoxcounty.org

Birth and death certificates become public after 100 and 50 years, respectively. Public birth and death records can be retrieved online or in person from the Knox County Archives. These records go back to 1881. Knox County birth records are available online. A search can be conducted by first or last name or browsed by letter. Both birth and death records can be obtained in person at:

East Tennessee History Center
Knox County Archives
601 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-8800

Regular copies of records cost $2 for the first page and $0.60 for each additional page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $0.60 for each additional page. The Knox County Archives accepts cash, checks, and credit/debit card payments. A minimum convenience fee of $0.50 applies to all credit/debit card transactions. For transactions over $20, the fee is 2.5%.

Knox County Probate Court Records

The Knox County Chancery Court Probate Division has jurisdiction over probate cases like wills and estates. The Court’s Clerk and Master stores recent probate court records on-site in the Chancery Court vault. Older records are stored on-site in microfilm and off-site in the Knox County archives. This makes it possible for individuals to request probate court records in person at the courthouse. A case number or party name and a valid ID are required to process the request. This service costs $0.50 per copy and $5 per document for certified copies. Alternatively, requesters can request probate court records by mail.

The Knox County Archives also disseminates wills, probate files, and related documents for older cases. Records can be retrieved in person or online via the Probate Index and Wills and State Settlements Index.

Knox County Property Records

Several custodians in Knox County issue property records to residents. Here are some places where individuals can find property records in the county:

• Knox County Register of Deeds (ROD): Property records can be obtained online (either by using the Map or filling out the Request Form) or in person. In-person requesters can locate a property record by providing the owner’s name, property address, legal description, or recording date. Individuals needing property records can also call the ROD’s Records Department by phone at (865) 215-2329.
• Knox County Property Assessor’s Office: A look up can be conducted in person or using the Property Search tool. An online search can be performed using the following options:
  • Owner Search: The search criteria are based on last name or first name. The option can be filtered by owner, address, tax year, or parcel ID.
  • Basic Search: This is a property search option. The search parameters are parcel ID, property owners, legal description, tax district, subdivision name, property type, book/page number, or property address.
  • Advanced Search: A search can be conducted by address range, appraised value, city, land acreage, owner name, street name, street number, owner name, sales date, sales price, subdivision name, tax year, and sales validity.
• Knox County Trustee: Individuals looking for property information can use the Search Portal or the Published Forms on its website. Users of the portal can search by tax account, name, or address.

Knox County Court Records Online

Knox County residents can access court records using third-party online resources like courtrecords.us. The only significant advantage of using a third-party database is the opportunity to retrieve court information within and outside Tennessee. However, all records obtained from third-party sites must be verified to ensure accuracy.

Most third-party platforms offer a name-based court record search. The search will return a list of court case information based on the name searched, maintained in the specific platform. Members of the public can access basic court case information for free at the initial stage of the search. However, users would have to pay a small fee to access court information for a particular person. The fees vary per site.