Lincoln County Court Records

Lincoln County court records are judicial, administrative, and case records that any Lincoln County court generates regarding any case handled by the court. They include documents filed or produced during legal processes, including written and printed documents, audio and video recordings, photos, and data that has been electronically recorded.

Are Court Records Public in Lincoln County?

Yes, Lincoln County court records are public per Rule 34 of the Tennessee court rules on Public Access to court records. The public is legally entitled to view public court records from institutions run by government organizations in Lincoln County. Therefore, unless the document is specifically exempt from access under the Public Records Act, they may be accessed by members of the public. A court can also issue a protective order on specific court documents to prevent public access to court records. Some examples of Lincoln County court records that are exempt from public disclosure include:

• Unpublished drafts of court orders.
• Juvenile case records as per Tennessee Code Ann. § 37-1-153.
• Criminal investigatory case records.
• Court records show persons' location and personal information in a witness protection program.
• Records kept by specific judges about their recusal from certain court cases.
• Affidavit and complaint forms for unexecuted search warrants.

Lincoln County Court Records Search

Persons seeking Lincoln County court records can find them via the following options:

• The public access computers that are in the Lincoln County Circuit Courthouse.
• By visiting the county court clerk's office.
• Using third-party websites.

Lincoln County Courts

The Lincoln County court system comprises six courts. There is one circuit court, chancery court, general sessions court, juvenile court, and municipal court. The circuit courts in Lincoln County are general jurisdiction courts. Circuit judges handle appeals of judgments from City, Juvenile, Municipal, and General Sessions tribunals and civil and criminal proceedings. Circuit Courts have jurisdiction that is similar to that of Chancery Courts. The locations of the courts in Lincoln County are as follows:

Fayetteville City Court
225 East College Street,
Fayetteville, TN 37334
Phone: (931) 438-7771
Fax: (931) 438-4344

Petersburg City Court
120 Eastside Square, P.O. Box 215,
Petersburg, TN 37144
Phone: (931) 659-9826
Fax: (931) 659-6116

The Lincoln County Circuit Court
Lincoln County Circuit Court
112 Main Avenue South,
Room 203,
Fayetteville, TN 37334
Phone: (931) 433-2334
Fax: (931) 438-1577

Chancery Courts in Lincoln County
Lincoln County Chancery Court
112 Main Avenue South,
Room B-109,
Fayetteville, TN 37334
Phone: (931) 433-1482
Fax: (931) 433-9313

General Sessions Courts in Lincoln County
Lincoln County General Sessions Court
112 Main Avenue South,
Room 203,
Fayetteville, TN 37334
Phone: (931) 433-2334
Fax: (931) 438-1577

Juvenile Courts in Lincoln County
Lincoln County Juvenile Court
112 Main Avenue South,
Room 203,
Fayetteville, TN 37334
Phone: (931) 433-2334
Fax: (931) 438-1577

Lincoln County Criminal and Civil Records

Lincoln County Court criminal and civil court records are available at the county clerk's office where the civil or criminal case was handled. Criminal and civil cases are handled by either the circuit court, general sessions court, or magistrate court, depending on the severity of the criminal case and the amount of money involved in the civil dispute. The circuit court clerk is also the juvenile and general sessions court clerk. Generally, the duties of the clerk involve:

• Keeping, maintaining, and filing all documents related to criminal and civil cases.
• Keeping track of all the cases filed in Circuit and General Sessions Courts.

The circuit court has a criminal division responsible for filing Grand Jury reports, Lincoln criminal records, appeals from lower courts, motions, orders, pleadings, and other documents relating to criminal cases filed with the court. Persons can also request Lincoln County criminal records that have been entered as evidence in a trial.

Lincoln County court records requests can be made in person or through U.S. mail. Requests can be initiated by speaking orally at the court clerk's office or by completing the records request form and submitting it to the county court clerk's office. Requestors need to ensure that the record request contains sufficient information to allow the records custodian to answer the request quickly and identify the precise records they are looking for.

People can also use the public access computers at the circuit courthouse to search for case records. These terminals house a database of civil and criminal court records that can be searched using the case number, the first and last name of the person on the records, and the type of case. Copies are $0.50 per page, and certified copies are $5 plus $0.50 for each page.

Lincoln County Marriage Records

Individuals can obtain Lincoln County marriage records at the Lincoln County Clerk's Office and the Vital Records Office. Lincoln County marriage records include marriage certificates, licenses, and proof of marriage indexes. The county clerk records every marriage that has occurred in the county and sends marriage records to the vital records office for safekeeping.

Individuals can request marriage records online and in person from the county clerk's office. To request records, individuals need to obtain and fill out a marriage records order form and then present proper identification at the county court clerk's office or the customer service window of the state vital records department.

Lincoln County Divorce Records

Lincoln County divorce records are vital records that can be obtained from the Lincoln County court where the divorce hearing took place or at the Department of Public Health Office.

The Department of Health Office maintains certified copies of divorce certificates and annulment records at their office in Lincoln County. Individuals can request copies of these records in person or through the mail by completing and submitting a divorce record request form to the department's office. Requestors will need to provide the following information on the request form

• Name of Husband.
• Name of Wife.
• Date of Divorce.
• Place of Divorce.
• Signature of Person Making Request.
• Relationship of Requestor.
• Purpose of Copy.

The cost of a Lincoln County arrest record is $15.

Lincoln County Birth Records

Lincoln County birth records are vital records that can be obtained from the Lincoln County Health Department, an extension of the Tennessee Department of Health. The department keeps a record of all births that occur in the county.

Individuals can request Lincoln County birth records in person, by mail, or by telephone. The request process involves applicants completing the birth records request form and submitting it to the office. In-person requests are handled on the same day, while mail requests take 1-2 weeks, depending on the recentness of the birth.

The Lincoln County Archives also maintains a list of much older birth indexes.

Lincoln County Death Records

Lincoln County records can also be found at the Lincoln County Health Department. Lincoln County death certificates are confidential records that can only be accessed by a direct family member of the deceased or the legal heir to the person named on the death certificate.

Death record applications can be made in person at the office or through the mail. Requestors will need to provide the full name of the deceased, the date of death, the place of death, and the name of the funeral home where the deceased was housed. Lincoln County death records cost $15

Lincoln County Probate Court Records

Lincoln County probate court records can be obtained from the office of the Clerk & Master for the Lincoln County Chancery & Probate Court. The Lincoln probate court has complete authority over the estates of minors, incompetent individuals, and deceased people, regardless of whether they left a will or not. These types of probate cases handled by the court are intestate administration, ancillary administration, small estate affidavits, administration ad litem, guardianships, and conservatorships. Probate court records are confidential and only made available to persons with a tangible interest in the probate case.

The Lincoln County Probate Court allows individuals to request court records in person or through the mail. Requests are made by completing a records request form obtained at the probate court office. Individuals visiting the court to request court records must bring a valid ID to access documents.

Lincoln County Property Records

Lincoln County property records are public records that can be accessed at the Lincoln County Assessor of Property office and the Register of Deeds office. The county assessor's office maintains records relating to property appraisals and valuations. In contrast, the register of deeds maintains property records that show ownership history, property sale value, mortgage, and transfer tax.

Individuals can visit either office in person to request Lincoln County property records. All records at the office are public records and may be viewed at any time during regular business hours. Copies are available for a small fee.

Lincoln County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like Tennesseecourtrecords.us provide an online option for accessing public Lincoln County court records. Third-party sites are web resources owned by private companies. These sites conveniently provide tools for searching Lincoln County court records. However, since they are operated independent of government resources, their reliability and accuracy may not be guaranteed.