Scott County Court Records

Scott County court records refer to official documents generated or filed during a legal proceeding in the county's legal system. The court clerk is typically the designated custodian of court records in Scott County. These court records play a vital role in understanding the results and history of all legal cases in the county, including civil, criminal, probate, and family cases. They are also relevant to legal research, background checks, and verifying case details in personal and professional contexts.

Are Court Records Public in Scott County?

Yes. Scott County court records are part of the public records, which are generally considered public records under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA). The TPRA, which was enacted in 1957, grants the public the right to inspect and duplicate copies of Scott County court records. Nonetheless, certain records are exempt from public disclosure; these include those considered confidential due to the sensitive nature of the information they contain. Below are some records exempt from public disclosure:

• Reports sealed by the court
• Judicial decisions not yet published
• Handwritten documents generated at the instruction of a court or magistrate
• Manuscripts are sealed and restricted from public disclosure as per the Public Records Act, Tennessee Code Annotated section 10-7-504
• Juvenile records, except arrest petitions relating to minors 14 years or older charged with violent felonies
• Victim information involving minors

Additionally, researchers can search the Public Records Exception Database to confirm the status of the record being sought.

Scott County Court Records Search

Inquirers may perform a Scott County court records search in one of the following ways:

• The office of the Court Clerk
• Where the case was filed or heard
• Remote search database provided by the judicial system
• Third-party search websites.

Scott County Courts

Scott County's court system includes various courts handling civil, criminal, probate, and juvenile matters. Below is a directory for courts in Scott County:

Scott County Circuit Court
Scott County Justice Centre
575 Scott High Drive
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2440

Scott County Chancery Court
Scott County Justice Centre
575 Scott High Drive
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2627

Scott County Criminal Court
Scott County Justice Centre
575 Scott High Drive
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2440

Scott County General Sessions Court
Scott County Justice Centre
575 Scott High Drive
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2440

Scott County Juvenile Court
Scott County Justice Centre
575 Scott High Drive
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2440

Oneida City Court
Municipal Building
19922 Alberta Street
Oneida, TN 37841
Phone: (423) 569-4295

Winfield City Court
24961 Scott Highway
Winfield, TN 37892
Phone: (423) 569-6139

Scott County Criminal and Civil Records

The Scott County Circuit Court Clerk is the official record custodian for all cases filed in Scott County, including Scott County criminal records and Scott County civil court records.

• Accessing Scott County Criminal Court Records

Scott County criminal court records typically include Scott County arrest records, plea entries, trial transcripts, sentencing details, and case outcomes, among others. Individuals seeking such records can request them at the Circuit Court Clerk's office or by mail at the address below. Requesters are at liberty to visit the office during regular working hours on working days. All requesters must be furnished with details relating to the record being sought, including case number, party names, or filing dates. Additionally, requesters are to present a valid photo ID (Preferably a government-issued ID) and any applicable fees for record certification or duplication.

Scott County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
575 Scott High Drive
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2440

• Accessing Scott County Civil Court Records

Scott County civil court records refer to documents containing details of non-criminal legal disputes in Scott County. These cases typically include property disagreements, probate matters, small claims, contract issues, and family law cases. Scott County civil court records can be readily accessed through the Clerk's Office either in person or via mail at the address provided earlier. Additionally, interested parties can use the remote tool Tennessee's Public Case History, which the Administrative Office of the Courts provides. Researchers can conduct searches by name or case number.

Scott County Marriage Records

Scott County marriage records contain details related to the issuance of marriage licenses and the eventual filing of marriage certificates. The Scott County Clerk's Office is primarily responsible for managing all Scott County marriage records. As per Tennessee law, marriage records, including Scott County marriage records, are confidential for the first 50 years. Only authorized individuals such as spouses, immediate family, and legal representatives can access the records during this time. Records older than 50 years can, however, be viewed by any citizen through the Scott County Clerk's Office in person or via mail at the address provided earlier. To search for records, researchers must possess details related to the records being sought, including the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and a valid photo ID. Even though a records search is usually free, certified copies of records attract a charge.

Alternatively, researchers can remotely access Scott County marriage records through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.

Scott County Divorce Records

Like other records, Scott County divorce records and associated case files are maintained by the Scott County Clerk. These include divorce decrees and Divorce certificates. Scott County divorce records are accessible in person or via mail at the County Clerk's office.

All requests must contain details such as the names of both parties, the date of divorce, and a copy of a valid photo ID. It is worth noting that, like marriage records, divorce records are also confidential for the first 50 years and can only be accessed by authorized persons. After the first 50 years, Scott County records became public records accessible through the Tennessee State Library & Archives.

Scott County Birth Records

Scott County birth records, including Scott County birth certificates, are managed by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records and are confidential for the first 100 years from the dates of birth as per state law. Records less than 100 years old are only accessible to the individual named on the record, their parents, legal guardians, and designated representatives, who are required to present a valid ID and pay the applicable fee of $15. Records older than 100 years are transferred to the Tennessee State Library and Archives, where they then become accessible to the public.

Scott County birth records serve numerous functions, including identity verification and obtaining a driver's license and passport.

Scott County Death Records

Scott County death records are maintained by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records for the first 50 years from the date of death, after which they typically become public records accessible through the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Access to Scott County death certificates during the restricted period is limited to immediate family members and legal representatives. Record requests are to be made through the Vital Records Office at the address below and require a valid ID, proof of relation or legal interest, and the associated fee of $15.

Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243

Death records are vital in numerous processes in Scott County, including estate settlement, life insurance claims, and verifying death dates.

Scott County Probate Court Records

Scott County probate court records are official legal documents relating to the estate and affairs of deceased individuals, including wills, guardianships, estate administrations, name changes, and conservatorships. These cases are typically heard by the Scott County Chancery Court, part of Tennessee's judicial system responsible for probate matters.

To access Scott County probate court records, interested parties can contact the Scott County Clerk and Master's Office, which serves as the custodian of probate filings. Records can be requested either in person, by mail or via phone. Researchers are required to provide relevant case details such as the name of the deceased, the estate number, and the associated fees, especially for certified copies.

Scott County Property Records

Scott County property records are maintained by the Scott County Assessor of Property and the Register of Deeds. Property records are crucial in finding valuable information on property ownership, providing legal descriptions, parcel maps, assessed value and tax assessments.

Individuals interested in Scott County property records can access them by visiting the Assessor's Office of the Register of Deeds in person at the addresses below. Additionally, certain property-related records may be accessed remotely through the Tennessee Property Assessment Data website. Certified copies can be requested at the address below:

Scott County Assessor of Property
282 Court Street
Scott County Courthouse
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2420

Scott County Register of Deeds
282 Court Street
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2531

Scott County Court Records Online

Third-party remote tools provide an alternative for accessing Scott County court records without visiting any courthouse in person. These platforms, such as Tennesseecourtrecords.us, compile data from numerous platforms, allowing interested researchers to search for records by name, case number, case type, or court location. These platforms provide a convenient means for interested individuals to access records at no cost.

Nonetheless, even though these websites offer ease of access, researchers are advised to verify the authenticity of these records against those obtained from government agencies. This is particularly because these third-party platforms are not affiliated with government agencies.