Montgomery County Court Records

Court records are documents, papers, and other records maintained or prepared by a court clerk in a court proceeding. They include documents, papers, and briefs submitted to and generated by a court in a civil or criminal case. Court records typically comprise many documents and decisions, including pleadings, motions, orders, transcripts, affidavits, statements, exhibits, audio and video recordings, appeals, and others.

Tennessee court records are of utmost legal significance; they help researchers, attorneys, and judges trace a case's history, develop legal arguments, and understand legal processes. They also help judges of appellate courts identify judgments made in error and overturn them. With respect to statutory exemptions, court records are public records and help facilitate accountability and transparency in the Tennessee Judicial System.

In Montgomery County, the circuit court clerk is the official custodian of court records. The office of the circuit court clerk maintains an online index of court cases, handles administrative tasks, and serves as a liaison officer between the court and the public. Understanding the significance of Tennessee Court Records and the structure of the court system is important when navigating the legal system and accessing court records.

Are Court Records Public in Montgomery County?

Yes. According to the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), all records of state, county, and municipal government bodies shall be open for personal inspections by any citizen of Tennessee during ordinary business hours (T.C.A. §10-7-503(a)(2)(A)). Record custodians cannot refuse an individual's right of inspection without reason founded in state law. Custodians of court records are obligated to make records available for request not only at public terminals in the courthouses but also by mail upon payment for postage. Under T.C.A. 10-7-503(a)(2)(B), court clerks are to make records promptly available for inspection or within seven business days.

Although the TPRA requires custodians to make public records available for inspection and copying through generally accessible channels and respond to requests promptly, the law also mandates custodians to determine exempt records. In Tennessee, members of the public can not access confidential records or records exempt from disclosure by statute. These records are concealed to protect sensitive information and individual privacy. Examples include:

• Records sealed or expunged by court order
• Confidential records
• Medical information
• Criminal investigative files
• Personally identifying information (social security numbers and state-issued ID’s and licences)
• Adoption records
• Identifying information on victims of criminal offense
• Juvenile records
• Family law records
• Jury lists
• Order of Protection.

Montgomery County Court Records Search

Researchers can perform a Montgomery County court record search at any of the following sources:

• Courthouses
• The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
• Montgomery County online court records system
• Third-party aggregate websites.

Montgomery County Court Records Search by Name

To find a court record by name in Montgomery County, the searcher must know the name of the case or either party involved in the case(the plaintiff, defendant, complainant, appellant, or respondent), the case year, case number, and filing date. Then, proceed to the presiding court with this information to request to view or copy the record. Researchers who visit the courts to find court records may be required to:

• Present a valid means of identification (state-issued IDs)
• Pay search, copying, and certification fees
• Complete and submit a public records request form to process the request
• Provide additional information about the case of interest (case type, originating court, hearing date, filing date range, nature of the case, and proof of relationship to the subject if it is a family court record).

Additionally, Montgomery County court records are available online. The Montgomery County Online Court Records System is an index of civil, criminal, criminal/traffic, and other case types. Members of the public can view case information and search records at no extra cost. The site contains court records of the Circuit, Chancery, and General Sessions Court.

Montgomery County Courts

The Montgomery County Court system consists of a circuit court, a general district court, and a juvenile and a municipal court. Please find listed below the addresses and contact information of all courts in the Montgomery County jurisdiction:

Montgomery County Circuit Court
Montgomery County Courts Center
2 Millennium Plaza
Suite 115
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5700
Fax: (931) 648-5729

Montgomery County Chancery Court
2 Millennium Plaza Suite 101
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5704

Montgomery County General Sessions Court
Montgomery County Courts Center
2 Millennium Plaza
Suite 115
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5700
Fax: (931) 648-5729

Montgomery County Juvenile Court
Montgomery County Courts Center
2 Millennium Plaza
Suite 115
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5700
Fax: (931) 648-5729

Clarksville Municipal Court
1 Public Square
Suite 122
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-4604
Fax: (931) 221-0742

Circuit Court Clerk
2 Millennium Plaza
Suite 115
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5700
Fax: (931) 648-5729
Email: cccmont@mcgtn.net.

Montgomery County Circuit Court Case Search

The Montgomery County Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction in Tennessee. It has overlapping jurisdiction with the Chancery Court. A perfect illustration of this is how both courts handle family law matters (adoption, paternity, child support, et cetera). The Circuit Court has judicial authority to hear criminal cases, civil cases, and appeals from lower courts. The Clerk of the circuit court is also the clerk of the General Sessions and Juvenile court.

The duties of the Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk are laid down in statute and the rules of the court, and one key responsibility is to manage court cases, record them, and preserve court exhibits. The court clerk also has a statutory obligation to transfer information and data to other state agencies. Cases filed by the circuit court clerk can be retrieved from the clerk’s office at the courthouse during normal business hours. One may also access court records online at the Montgomery County Online Court Records System. Individuals can navigate this search platform by using the party name, case ear, and case number as the search criteria.

Montgomery County District Court Records

The Montgomery County District Court is part of the 19th Judicial District in Tennessee. The court serves Montgomery and Robertson counties. It has jurisdiction to adjudicate on the following civil cases: contract/debt, specific performance, real estate matters, worker’s compensation, probate, conservatorship, guardianship, trusts, paternity, legitimation, divorce, order of protection (within a divorce action), contempt, child support (within a chancery case), partition suits, minor settlements, foreign judgments, name change, adoption, and surrender. Montgomery County district court records may be obtained from the court clerk’s office or online using the Montgomery County case management system.

Montgomery County Criminal Records

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office maintains Montgomery county arrest records an online inmate roster search, booking log, and warrant search that are accessible to the general public. Interested persons may also submit an online Public Records Request Form to the County Sheriff or submit a copy of the request form by mail or in person at the sheriff’s office.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
120 Commerce Street
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-0611

Individuals may also obtain adult criminal history records from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI is the central criminal repository for the state; it maintains all criminal records and conducts general and FBI background searches. The process can be done online or by email. A general public criminal record check is name-based and costs $29 per request. The TBI does not disclose information on juvenile offenders.

Montgomery County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Montgomery Circuit Court clerk prepares, files, and maintains criminal court records for the county. A significant portion of these records are public records and may be obtained at courthouses, the office of the court clerk, or at the county case management system.

Get Montgomery County Civil Court Records

In Montgomery County, civil court records are created for non-criminal disputes. Private individuals or businesses usually file civil cases. The most common types of civil cases are contract disputes, torts (defamation, negligence, trespass, personal injury, property damage), tenancy disputes, probate, bankruptcy, violation of labor laws, consumer protection, and family law matters.

Just like criminal court case records, the Montgomery County court clerk is the custodian for civil court records. Hence, individuals can inspect and view copies of civil court records at public search terminals at the circuit court clerk’s office, the originating courthouse, or through court-owned and third-party case management websites. Save for confidential records and statutory exemptions, civil case records are open to the general public. In case a request is refused or rejected, the law mandates that the court clerks must inform such person of the reason for the refusal.

Montgomery County Family Court Records

There is no specialized family law division or family court in Montgomery County, Tennessee. Family law matters, including divorce, separation, child rights, termination of parental rights, child support, child neglect and abuse, spousal support, custody, visitation, legal emancipation, adoption and foster care, and other related issues, are typically handled by the Montgomery County Circuit Court. The Court of Chancery also handles adoption, paternity, child support, divorce, and guardianship.

Interested persons can request copies of Montgomery County family law records at the circuit court clerk’s office or by mail. Family law cases are sensitive matters, and as such, the court may restrict or limit access to information in those records, especially those involving children.

Montgomery County Circuit Court
2 Millennium Plaza
Suite 115
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5700
Fax: (931) 648-5729
Email: cccmont@mcgtn.net

Montgomery Dissolution of Marriage Records

Montgomery County dissolution of marriage records are records of divorce, legal separation, and annulment proceedings handled by the circuit court. They are legal documents that signify the end of a marriage. Dissolution of marriage records are part of family court records and can be retrieved from the office of the circuit court clerk.

Montgomery County Marriage and Divorce Records

Montgomery County marriage records can be accessed at the Tennessee County Clerk's office. Individuals can search online for marriage licenses or view old index books for older records. Furthermore, residents of Montgomery County may contact the County Clerk for guidance on how to retrieve copies of marriage certificates and licenses. Divorce proceedings are in the jurisdiction of the circuit court clerk; for this reason, requests for Montgomery Divorce records shall be directed to the Circuit Court.

Montgomery County Birth and Death Records

In Montgomery, birth and death certificates dated 1974 till present may be obtained from the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. To find a Montgomery County death record, the interested party should know the record holder's name, date of death, county of death, and the name of their spouse (if known). These records cost $5 for deliveries by mail or email within the state and $10 for requests outside of Tennessee.

Likewise, to find a Montgomery County birth record, the searcher must provide the child's name, date of birth or approximate date of birth, county of birth (if known), and names of parents (if known). The Office of Vital Records is open to visitors on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tennessee Vital Records
Andrew Johnson Tower
1st Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (931) 648-7257

Montgomery County Probate Court Records

Montgomery County probate records concern estate administration and property disposition after a testator's death. Probate is a legal process of validating a will and administering an estate. During this process, a will becomes a public court record. Interested persons may contact or visit the circuit court clerk to obtain copies of probate documents in the county.

Montgomery County Property Records

The Montgomery County Assessor of Property has records of all taxable properties in the county. Property information is available at the Assessor’s property information website, which includes sales data, ownership information, building type, age, address, lots, subdivision, and appraisal value. Likewise, the Montgomery County Register of Deeds maintains and files records of official land documents in the county. Montgomery County property records may be accessed by mail or email to the register of deeds. One may also make a physical request in person at the Register's office.

Register of Deeds
350 Pageant Lane
Suite 101-A
Clarksville, TN 37040
Email: regdeeds@mcgtn.net.

Mailing Address:
Montgomery County Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 1124
Clarksville, TN 37041-1124.

Montgomery County Court Records Online

Third-party court records search sites are another means of sourcing court case information online. To find the case records, the researcher should know the party name, case or docket number, name of the attorney, the filing date, and occasionally the parties’ date of birth. Providing these details will help the searcher get an accurate selection of results and identify the specific record sought quickly. Tennesseecourtrecords.us has an easy interface that allows users to search for court records across multiple jurisdictions in Tennessee.

Although third-party websites are often used, users encounter some limitations when finding public records on these platforms. The information on some of these sites is inaccurate and outdated. Users also have limited access to sensitive records. These sites also charge users expensive search or subscription fees to access more features and comprehensive court records.