Putnam County Court Records

Putnam County court records are official documents created, maintained, and stored by the local county courts. These files include various materials such as case files, audio and video recordings, electronically stored information, pleadings, and judicial orders created due to court proceedings. Typically, Putnam court records contain details about why the case was filed, the persons involved, and the case outcome.

These files are a component of the broader Tennessee court records, and they play a critical role in the justice system, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability. Court records are essential for the public, legal professionals, and researchers, allowing individuals to follow legal proceedings and review judicial decisions. These records also uphold the legal rights of involved parties by documenting the complete history of a case.

Are Court Records Public in Putnam County?

Yes. County court records are under Putnam County public records and are generally accessible to the public under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Under the Act, interested individuals can review records such as case dockets, orders, and motions, fostering accountability within the judicial system. Public access to these records is essential for maintaining trust in legal proceedings.

However, the TPRA also imposes restrictions on certain types of court records. Confidential records, including juvenile cases, adoption proceedings, and sealed documents, are not open to the public. Similarly, sensitive information in family law cases, like custody disputes or divorce settlements, may be partially or fully restricted to protect the privacy of involved parties. Medical records and documents containing personal identifiers, such as Social Security numbers, are often redacted or inaccessible.

Requests for access to restricted records usually require a court order with a valid justification for why the information is needed. These restrictions help balance the public's right to information and the protection of individuals' privacy, ensuring that sensitive legal matters remain confidential while upholding the law's principles of transparency.

Putnam County Court Records Search

Members of the public can do a Putnam County court records search at the following places:

• A court clerk's Office.
• The originating courthouse (i.e., where a case was filed).
• An electronic portal provided by the court.
• Third-party public records websites.

Putnam County Courts

The Putnam County trial court system comprises a Circuit Court, Chancery Court, Criminal Court, General Sessions Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, and City Courts. Below is a list of all courthouse addresses in Putnam County.

Putnam County Circuit Court
421 East Spring Street
Room 1C, Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508

Putnam County Chancery Court
421 East Spring Street
Suite 1C38
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 526-6321

Putnam County Criminal Court
421 East Spring Street
Room 1C, Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508

Putnam County General Sessions Court
421 East Spring Street
Room 1C, Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508

Putnam County Juvenile Court
421 East Spring Street
Room 1C, Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508

Putnam County Probate Court
421 East Spring Street
Suite 1C38
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 526-6321

Algood City Court
215 West Main Street
Algood, TN 38506
Phone: (931) 537-9545 ext. 1550.

Baxter City Court
200 Main Street
P.O. Box 335
Baxter, TN 38544
Phone: (931) 858-4111, ext. 1.

Cookeville City Court
1019 Neal Street
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 520-5254

Monterey City Court
Police Department
711 East Commercial Avenue
Monterey, TN 38574
Phone: (931) 839-2323

Putnam County Criminal Records

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) handles Putnam County criminal records through its Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division. The TBI is the designated repository for criminal history records, including misdemeanor and felony arrests. The division's Putnam criminal records are based on fingerprint submissions from local law enforcement, ensuring reporting accuracy. Records such as Putnam arrest records are used in background checks required for various purposes, such as firearm purchases, teaching positions, and medical licenses.

Criminal history checks are available to the public. However, the reports will not include juvenile records unless the individual was tried as an adult under Tenn. Code Ann § 37-1-134. Interested individuals can perform a name-based search for adult criminal history information, such as Putnam County arrest records, and the TBI charges a non-refundable fee of $29 for each request.

Accessing Putnam County criminal records involves the following steps:

• Visit the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation website.
• Hover the cursor over "TBI's Divisions" on the top menu.
• Select "CJIS Division" from the drop-down list.
• Scroll down to find "Background Checks".
• Click on the online request form.
• Complete the form that appears and submit it.

Interested parties should note that the search results will confirm whether the individual has a criminal history. If a record exists, a copy will be forwarded to the requester. Juvenile information, unless part of an adult trial, remains inaccessible. Also, this search is limited to Putnam County/Tennessee and does not extend to broader state or federal databases.

Get Putnam County Civil Court Records

Civil court records involve non-criminal legal disputes between individuals, organizations, or government entities. They typically include cases related to contracts, property disputes, personal injury claims, family law matters (such as divorce or child custody), and probate issues. The records contain filings, motions, judgments, and other legal documents pertinent to the civil case.

Putnam County civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Court, General Sessions Court, and Chancery Court, each with different jurisdictions depending on the nature of the case. The Circuit Court shares jurisdiction with the Chancery Court for most civil cases except for unliquidated damages claims.

The first step to accessing county civil court records is determining which court handled the case. The Circuit and General Sessions Courts share the same court clerk, and civil court records for both courts can be accessed through the court clerk's online portal. To obtain records, take the following steps:

• Visit the county's website.
• Scroll down and click on "court dockets".
• Scroll down the new page and click on "Lookup a case".
• Click on "search".
• Fill in fields like party name or case year/number.
• Select the relevant court type (Circuit or General Sessions).
• Choose "civil case type" and click "find now" to filter the results.

Alternatively, contact the records clerk via email to request documents. Copy or certification fees may apply. If the Chancery Court handled the case, contact the Court's Clerk and Master at:

421 East Spring Street
Suite 1C38
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 526-6321
Email: recordsclerk@putnamcountytn.gov.

Putnam County Marriage Records

According to Tennessee Code, Title 68, Chapter 3, Putnam County marriage records older than 50 years are public documents and can be publicly accessed. These records are available at the County Clerk's Office. Interested parties can visit the Office in person to review or request copies.

For marriage records less than 50 years old, access is restricted. Only the individuals named in the record or those with a direct familial or legal relationship to them are permitted to obtain copies. To request these records, qualified individuals may provide proof of their relationship and a valid government-issued ID. Eligible persons can access county marriage records by visiting the County Clerk's Office or calling ahead at (931) 526-7106. The Office is located at:

121 South Dixie Avenue
Cookeville, TN 38501.

Requesters should be prepared to provide the necessary identification and any relevant details about the marriage, such as the names of both parties, the marriage date, and the marriage location, to access documents such as Putnam County marriage certificates.

Alternatively, individuals seeking county marriage records can access these documents through third-party aggregator websites. These platforms gather public records from various sources, including county and state agencies, providing a more accessible and often faster way to retrieve marriage records.

Putnam County Divorce Records

Putnam County divorce records are governed by the Tennessee Code, Title 68, Chapter 3, which states that divorce records over 50 are publicly accessible. Individuals can obtain these older records from the Tennessee State Library and Archives, where older vital records are maintained. Alternatively, third-party websites may also provide access to these older records, although fees may apply for searches and copies.

Divorce records less than 50 years old are confidential and can not be accessed by the general public. Only the individuals named in the records, their legal representatives, or others with a close relationship to the parties involved may obtain them. To access these records, individuals can contact the court clerk's Office that handled the divorce case. For example, if the County Chancery Court processed the divorce, interested parties should reach out to the Clerk and Master's Office for assistance. Remember to bring a valid government ID for verification purposes.

421 East Spring Street
Suite 1C38
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 526-6321

Putnam Birth and Death Records

Putnam County birth and death records serve as vital legal documents that establish identity, citizenship, and family relationships. They are also essential for obtaining government benefits, passports, and estates.

Tennessee Code, Title 68, Chapter 3 allows for public access to Putnam County vital records once the documents reach a certain age—Putnam County birth certificates become public after 100 years, and death records after 50 years. For more recent vital records, Tennessee Code, Title 68, Chapter 3 restricts who may access county birth and death records to protect the privacy of individuals. The law permits only the record's subject, immediate family members, and legal representatives to request certified copies of birth records. For death records, the spouse, children, parents, or next of kin may request copies that include the cause of death. Other parties may access these records only if they demonstrate a direct, tangible interest, such as establishing a legal right or claim.

The Putnam County Clerk's Office is the authorized custodian for handling such records and will provide the necessary assistance to ensure proper access, whether by phone or in-person requests. Remember to bring a valid government-issued ID for physical visits to verify eligibility.

121 South Dixie Avenue
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 526-7106

Putnam County Probate Court Records

Probate court records in Putnam County primarily deal with matters concerning the administration of estates, the distribution of a deceased person's assets, and the settlement of any debts owed. These records can include wills, inventories of the deceased's assets, court orders regarding the management of the estate, and guardianship records. The probate court also handles cases involving the appointment of executors or administrators for estates without a will and resolving disputes among heirs or creditors.

The County Chancery Court's Clerk and Master's Office serves as the county's records custodian. Interested parties should reach out to the court's Clerk and Master for assistance.

421 East Spring Street
Suite 1C38
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 526-6321

Putnam County Property Records

Property records in Putnam County contain valuable information regarding ownership, boundaries, and real estate information. These records typically include deeds, which document the transfer of property ownership between individuals, as well as mortgages, liens, and easements, which outline financial and legal claims on the property.

Interested parties can contact the County Property Assessor's Office to access county property records. The county does not provide an online portal for these records, so individuals will need to call or visit the Office.

300 East Spring Street
Room 1
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-8428

Putnam County Court Records Online

Third-party online websites such as Tennesseecourtrecords.us provide convenient access to Putnam County court records, allowing users to search from anywhere without the stress of physically visiting the courthouse. The website offers access to documents related to civil, criminal, and probate cases. The most significant benefits are the ease of access and convenience. However, limitations might include possible fees for retrieving complete documents, incomplete or outdated information, and restricted access to certain sensitive records. Additionally, records on third-party sites may vary in accuracy, so verifying information with official sources is recommended.