Lauderdale County Court Records

According to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34, Lauderdale County court records are official documents that describe court proceedings. These documents, which might be in paper, electronic, or video formats, contain information related to civil, criminal, probate, and juvenile cases. Typically, they include hearing transcripts, filings, judgments, motions, parties' names, and case numbers. Following state legislation, they are crucial for maintaining transparency, bolstering appeals, confirming court proceedings, and enabling the general public to access justice.

Are Court Records Public in Lauderdale County?

Following Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 and the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503), court records in Lauderdale County are usually accessible to the public. Unless there are particular exceptions, these statutes uphold the public's right to view court records.

Nonetheless, some documents are classified and not available for public viewing. Court-ordered sealed documents, records protected by T.C.A. § 10-7-504 (including adoption files, juvenile records, and records containing sensitive personal information), and materials about current criminal investigations are among them. Access to certain documents may be limited to protect victims, maintain the integrity of legal proceedings, or protect privacy.

Lauderdale County Court Records Search

The following methods are available to the general public for searching Lauderdale County court records:

• At the clerk's office of the Lauderdale County Circuit Court.
• At the courthouse where the case was first filed.
• Using the County Online Court Records System
• Using the Public Case History site for the Tennessee State Courts.
• At websites that are third-party public records.

The courthouse may have public terminals for on-site searches, and copy fees may apply for printed or certified records. Inquirers may need to submit written applications or court-provided forms. For some civil and criminal cases, the county court's online records system offers remote access options. Inquirers may search by party name, case number, or filing date. Additionally, visitors can check the progress of cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals through the Public Case History Search website, which the appellate courts offer.

Lauderdale County Courts

The circuit, chancery, criminal, general sessions, juvenile, probate, and municipal courts make up Tennessee's trial court system. The following is a list of Lauderdale County court locations:

Lauderdale County Circuit Court
Lauderdale County Justice Complex
675 Highway 51 South
Ripley, TN 38063
Phone: (731) 635-0101

Lauderdale County Chancery Court
Lauderdale County Courthouse
100 Court Square
Ripley, TN 38063
Phone: (731) 635-1941

Lauderdale County General Sessions Court
Lauderdale County Justice Complex
675 Highway 51 South
Ripley, TN 38063
Phone: (731) 635-0101

Lauderdale County Probate and Juvenile Court
Lauderdale County Courthouse
100 Court Square
Ripley, TN 38063
Phone: (731) 635-2561

Gates City Court
10085 2nd Street, P.O. Box 129
Gates, TN 38037
Phone: (731) 836-7501
Fax: (731) 836-5920

Halls City Court
208 North Church Street
Halls, TN 38040
Phone: (731) 836-9653
Fax: (731) 836-9457

Henning City Court
260 North Main Street
Henning, TN 38041
Phone: (731) 738-2991

Ripley City Court
110 South Washington Street
Ripley, TN 38063
Phone: (731) 635-5223
Fax: (731) 635-2692

Lauderdale County Criminal and Civil Court Records

Case files from disagreements between people or organizations, such as contract disputes, property disputes, probate, family law issues, and small claims, are included in the civil court records of Lauderdale County, Tennessee. As stated in the previous section, these records are public under the Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 and the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503).

The public can access civil records through the Lauderdale County Circuit Court Clerk's Office or by submitting a written request; they can also access them online through the Tennessee State Appellate Courts Public Case History portal and the Lauderdale County Online Records System. A case number or party name is usually needed, among other additional search criteria, and copies are subject to charges.

Unless legally sealed, criminal court records, which include information on charges, hearings, and verdicts, are likewise open to the public. As previously stated for civil records, the Clerk's Office or the public court internet portal provides access to basic information, including the defendant's name, charges, and court dates.

Nonetheless, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is responsible for maintaining complete criminal histories, also referred to as Tennessee criminal background checks, which are regulated by T.C.A. § 10-7-504. A comprehensive criminal history can only be requested by authorized parties, such as the subject of the record or specific employers.

Requests are typically submitted via the TBI's online portal or by mail, requiring a fingerprint submission, valid ID, and applicable fees. Additionally, TBI provides the public with name-based adult criminal history information, which costs $29.00 per search and does not require fingerprints.

Lauderdale County Marriage Records

In Lauderdale County, Tennessee, marriage records serve as official proof of a couple's legal union. According to T.C.A. § 36-3-103, these typically include marriage licenses and certificates. Other marriage record types in the county include verifications.

The first place to look for these documents is the Lauderdale County Clerk. Requesters must complete a Marriage Record Request form, submit a written application, present proper identification, and pay the required fee, which is typically $15 for a certified copy, to obtain a copy.

Additionally, marriage certificates and verifications for the previous fifty years are available to the public through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Interested and eligible individuals can order copies online, by mail, or in person by completing the request form and paying a fee of $15 per copy.

For older marriage records, kindly contact the Tennessee State Library and Archives under the Secretary of State's Office.

Lauderdale County Divorce Records

In Lauderdale County, Tennessee, divorce records include divorce decrees, divorce certificates, and complete case files. The divorce decree contains the court's final ruling, which provides for terms regarding property division, child custody, and support. The comprehensive case files, on the other hand, encompass all divorce-related documents and proceedings. The divorce certificate includes basic information such as the names of the parties and the date of the divorce.

To obtain copies of these records, one must first seek them out from the Lauderdale County Circuit Court Clerk and then pay the appropriate fees, which are usually $12 for the first two pages of a certified decree and $5 for each additional page.

Divorce records from 1974 to the present day are also accessible through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. According to Tennessee law, information less than 50 years old can only be accessed by the parties, their attorneys, or those with a direct interest. Requests for certificates and verifications can be made in person, online, or by mail by completing the application form, supplying proper identification, and paying the $15.00 fee.

Get in touch with the Tennessee State Library and Archives for earlier divorce records, primarily those from July 1, 1945, to December 31, 1973.

Lauderdale County Birth Records

In Lauderdale County, Tennessee, birth records are official documents that chronicle a person's birth. Long-form certificates, which offer thorough information about the birth, are among these records. Only the registrant, their immediate family, or their legal representatives have access to birth records, which are confidential for 100 years under Tennessee law.

The Tennessee Office of Vital Records primarily maintains these records, and requesters can acquire a certified copy in person, by mail, or online by completing an application, presenting a valid form of government identification, and paying a $15 fee per copy.

For births happening in Lauderdale County, residents may also contact the Lauderdale County Health Department or the County Clerk's Office for assistance.

Lauderdale County Death Records

In Lauderdale County, Tennessee, death records chronicle the passing of individuals and contain information such as the deceased's name, the time and location of death, and the cause of death.

The Tennessee Office of Vital Records and the Lauderdale County Health Department keep these files, and eligible individuals (such as immediate family members or legal advocates) can apply for a certified copy in person, by mail, or online by completing a request form, presenting valid identification, and paying a $15 fee per copy.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives also provides records for deaths that occurred more than 50 years ago.

Lauderdale County Probate Records

The legal management of a deceased person's estate, including wills, estate inventories, guardianships, and conservatorships, is documented in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, probate records. The Lauderdale County Chancery Court is in charge of keeping these documents, and the County Clerk also acts as the Probate Court clerk.

Using the address listed above, anyone can visit the Chancery Court Clerk's Office at the Lauderdale County Courthouse to see probate records. Depending on the type and quantity of records sought, requests may require submitting a written application and incurring relevant costs. For instance, certified copies could cost more.

Additionally, the Tennessee State Library and Archives, which provides historical document research services, might have access to older probate records.

Lauderdale County Property Records

In Lauderdale County, Tennessee, property records are legal documents that describe ownership, transfers, liens, and values of real estate. They include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property tax assessments. Records like deeds and mortgages are kept in the Lauderdale County Register of Deeds, and the Tax Assessor's Office handles tax assessments and valuations.

A written application and payment of fees, which vary based on the type of document and page count (for example, recording a deed costs $12 for the first two pages and $5 for each additional page, plus applicable taxes and fees), may be required for access to these records, and individuals can visit the appropriate offices at the county courthouse to obtain them.

The Tennessee Comptroller's Property Assessment Data portal provides online access to property assessment data. Users can search to retrieve property data.

Lauderdale County Court Records Online

Lauderdale County court records are easily accessible through third-party websites, such as Tennesseecourtrecords.us, which offer more comprehensive search features than official portals. Users can search by name or case type from any location; however, these platforms have limitations, including the potential for outdated or incomplete data and the possibility of charging for full access. Users should, whenever possible, verify information with official court sources to obtain vetted, current data.