Rhea County Court Records

Rhea County court records are official documents generated and preserved by the county's courts. They detail key aspects of litigation, such as the nature of the dispute or charges, the parties involved, and the final resolution. Rhea County court records form an essential part of the Tennessee judicial record system, ensuring that the principles of transparency, fairness, and accountability are upheld within the county's justice system.

Rhea County court records contribute to public trust in the judicial process by providing insight into the reasoning behind court decisions. Additionally, these records serve as evidence of legal rights, obligations, and court rulings, helping to safeguard the due process rights of all parties involved.

Are Court Records Public in Rhea County?

Yes. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), codified in Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503 et seq., Rhea County court records are generally considered public records. Thus, most court documents—such as case dockets, opinions, orders, and certain filings—are available for inspection by any interested party.

However, some court records are restricted by law due to their sensitive nature. For example, juvenile court records are subject to confidentiality under Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-153 and adoption proceedings are sealed to protect the individual's privacy. Where an individual seeks access to sealed or confidential records, it may be necessary to obtain a court order.

Rhea County Court Records Search

Members of the public can search for Rhea County court records through any of the following means:

• Inquirers may query the court where the case was heard. This may be the Circuit Court, the Chancery Court, or the General Sessions Court. For instance, requests to the circuit court may be addressed to:

Rhea County Circuit Court Clerk's Office:

Rhea County Justice Center
7800 Rhea County Highway
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7805

• Online Portals Provided by the Court System:

• While Rhea County does not always provide comprehensive online search tools for every type of case, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts offers limited case information in Tennessee Courts' Public Case History.

• Third-Party Aggregator Websites:

• Commercial websites may also compile and provide access to various public records, including some court records.

Rhea County Courts

Rhea County is part of Tennessee's 12th Judicial District, which includes several courts that handle an array of civil, criminal, probate, and other legal matters. The addresses and contact information of the county's courthouses are as follows:

Rhea County Circuit Court
1475 Market Street,
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7805

Rhea County Chancery Court
1475 Market Street,
Room 301,
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7806

Rhea County General Sessions Court - Civil and Criminal
1475 Market Street,
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7805

Rhea County General Sessions Court - Probate
375 Church Street,
Suite 101,
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7808

Rhea County Family Court
1475 Market Street,
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7805

Dayton City Court
399 1st Avenue,
P.O. Box 226,
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-1817
Fax: (423) 775-8404

Graysville City Court
Municipal Building
136 Harrison Avenue,
Graysville, TN 37338
Phone: (423) 775-9242
Fax: (423) 775-8137

Spring City Municipal Court
City Hall
229 Front Street,
P.O. Box 369,
Spring City, TN 37381
Phone: (423) 365-6441
Fax: (423) 365-6002

Rhea County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal history records for Rhea County are maintained and disseminated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 38-6-109. These records include information on misdemeanor and felony arrests reported by local law enforcement agencies. They are primarily accessed for purposes such as employment screening, licensing, and firearm purchase background checks.

To request a criminal history record check, individuals may follow these steps

• Visit the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation website.
• Navigate to the "Criminal Justice Information Services" (CJIS) section.
• Utilize the online request portal for name-based background checks.
• Pay the non-refundable processing fee (typically $29).

Note that juvenile criminal information is generally not included unless the juvenile was tried as an adult under Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-134. Results will confirm whether a subject has a criminal history in Tennessee, including Rhea County.

Civil court records document non-criminal disputes, such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, family law matters (such as divorce or custody), and probate actions. Depending on the nature and amount of controversy, the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, or General Sessions Court may share jurisdiction over these cases.

How to Obtain Civil Court Records in Rhea County: inquirers may first identify the Court of Record and determine whether the Circuit, Chancery, or General Sessions Court handled the case. Once determined, they can contact the appropriate Clerk's Office:

For Circuit and General Sessions Court matters:

Rhea County Justice Center
7800 Rhea County Highway
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7805

For Chancery Court matters:

Rhea County Courthouse
375 Church Street, Suite 200
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7846

Court staff can assist in locating the relevant case files. Requesters may be required to pay copying or certification fees. Certain online databases may also offer limited docket information.

Rhea County Marriage Records

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-3-205, marriage records older than 50 years become publicly accessible. Older Rhea County marriage records can often be found at the Rhea County Clerk's Office or at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

For more recent marriage records (less than 50 years old), only the persons named on the certificate, their immediate family members, or legally authorized individuals may obtain certified copies. Proof of eligibility, such as a government-issued ID or documentation showing a direct relationship, is required.

Rhea County Clerk's Office:

375 Church Street, Suite 215
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7842

Rhea County Divorce Records

In accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-3-401 et seq., divorce records older than 50 years are publicly available and can be obtained from the Tennessee State Library and Archives or certain online databases. More recent Rhea County divorce records are confidential and restricted to the named parties, their attorneys, and others with a direct legal interest.

To obtain recent divorce records, contact the court that granted the divorce (often the Chancery Court or Circuit Court). Proof of identity and legal interest may be required:

Clerk & Master's Office
Rhea County Courthouse
375 Church Street, Suite 200
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7846

Rhea County Birth and Death Records

Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are governed by the provisions of Tenn. Code Ann. Title 68, Chapter 3. Rhea County birth records become public after 100 years, and death records after 50 years. Until then, access is restricted to the individual named, immediate family members, or authorized representatives.

Certified copies of recent birth or death records are obtained from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. While the Rhea County Clerk's Office can guide requesters, the official custodianship for these documents rests with the state. Thus, requests may be made to:

Tennessee Office of Vital Records
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-1763

Requesters must present valid government-issued identification and meet eligibility criteria. After the confidentiality period, these records become public, and researchers or genealogists can access them through the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Rhea County Probate Court Records

The Chancery Court maintains probate records in Rhea County. These records include wills, inventories of estates, orders appointing executors or administrators, and documents resolving disputes among heirs or creditors.

To obtain Rhea County probate records, inquirers may query the office of the Rhea County Chancery Clerk and Master. Record seekers will be expected to provide information to facilitate the record search and cover the cost of copying/certification if applicable.

Rhea County Property Records

Property records detail the ownership, boundaries, and financial interests (mortgages, liens, and easements) associated with real estate in Rhea County.

Interested parties can obtain Rhea County property records by querying the office of the Register of Deeds at:

Rhea County Register of Deeds:

375 Church Street, Suite 101
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: (423) 775-7841

In some cases, basic property information may be available online through the Register of Deeds or the Rhea County Assessor of Property's webpage.

Rhea County Court Records Online

Third-party websites like Tennesseecourtrecords.us may also offer access to certain Rhea County court records, providing users a convenient way to search information remotely. These portals may feature tools for filtering searches by party name, case number, or date range. However, while online resources can save time, their databases may not be comprehensive or fully up-to-date. There may also be fees for accessing or downloading certain documents.