Sumner County Court Records

Documents and other materials collated or produced by courts in Sumner County, Tennessee are a significant part of Tennessee court records. They offer a window into the workings of the county’s justice system to keep the public connected to the judiciary and hold it accountable.

These court records include case files, dockets, exhibits, motions, rulings, transcripts, and verdicts. Legal professionals can research case records to find favorable precedents. Judges can refer to the records to make fair decisions. Meanwhile, court administrators can also use them to optimize case management.

Members of the public seeking to view and obtain various Sumner court records can approach the proper custodian and pay the applicable fees.

Are Court Records Public in Sumner County?

Yes. Tennessee's Public Records Act (T.C.A 10-7-503) and Rule of Supreme Court 34 classify most court documents as public information.

However, the public's right to access Sumner County court records is not absolute. T.C.A 10-7-503(a) and Tennessee Rules of Supreme Court 34(2)(C) place restrictions on specific types of documents and information to ensure fairness in legal proceedings and protect sensitive private information or ongoing law enforcement efforts.

Sumner County Court Records Search

A Sumner court record search involves looking for information maintained within the county's judicial system. To view and obtain related documents, individuals must approach the court that handled a case. The main court records custodians in Sumner County are the Circuit Court Clerk and the Chancery Court Clerk and Master.

Individuals can also find records through third-party aggregate websites. These businesses offer extensive databases that contain records from different courts. They charge for services and are not affiliated with public bodies.

Sumner County Court Records Search by Name

Name searches are among the search parameters used by court record custodians to locate requested records. Members of the public can submit the name of a party to a case or the attorney's name to find associated records. Most online search tools run by the custodian's offices also allow users to pull case information by name.

Third-party aggregate websites are another avenue for user-friendly name searches.

Sumner County Courts

The judicial system in Sumner County includes the Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, Chancery, and Juvenile courts. Below are their physical addresses:

Circuit Court
100 Public Square
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-4367, ext. 4
Fax: (615) 451-6027

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 549
Gallatin, TN 37066

Criminal Court
Criminal Justice Center
117 West Smith Street
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-4367, ext. 5
Fax: (615) 451-6027

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 549
Gallatin, TN 37066

General Sessions Court
117 West Smith Street
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-4367, ext. 3 (Civil), (615) 452-4367, ext. 2 (Criminal)

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 549
Gallatin, TN 37066

Juvenile Court
657 South Water Avenue
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 451-6016, ext. 4
Fax: (615) 451-6072

Chancery Court
Sumner County Courthouse
100 Public Square
Rooms 400 and 401
Gallatin, TN 37066

Municipal (City) Courts in Sumner County

City of Gallatin Municipal Court
132 West Main Street
Room 112
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 451-5893

Hendersonville City Court
1 Executive Park Drive
Hendersonville, TN 37075
Phone: (615) 264-5354

Millersville City Court
1246 Louisville Highway
Millersville, TN 37072
Phone: (615) 859-0880
Fax: (615) 851-1825

Portland Municipal Court
100 S Russell Street
Portland, TN 37148
Phone: (615) 325-6776, ext. 555

Westmoreland City Court
3012 Thompson Lane
Westmoreland, TN 37186
Phone: (615) 644-3382, (615) 644-2223

White House Municipal Court
Billy S. Hobbs Community Center
105D College Street
White House, TN
Phone: (615) 672-4350, ext. 2137

Sumner County Superior Court Case Search

The Circuit Court is Sumner County's court of general jurisdiction. The court exercises jurisdiction ordinarily constrained to superior courts in many U.S. jurisdictions.

The court handles various cases, including felony criminal, domestic relations, personal injury, medical malpractice, workers' compensation, and name change. Records generated and collected by the Circuit Court are maintained and disbursed by the Sumner County Circuit Clerk. The office offers online and offline options for viewing and requesting copies of court records.

Using the Clerk's online search tool involves providing a party name or case year and number. Each matching result shows the party names and roles, presiding court, case reference, case number, filing date, and status. Opening a case record entry provides further details, such as the charge, judge, and offense date.

People preferring offline methods for obtaining court records or who cannot find the records online can call, mail, or visit the Circuit Clerk's office:

117 West Smith Street
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 451-3209
Fax: (615) 451-6027

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 549
Gallatin, TN 37066

Individuals can also obtain certain circuit court minutes from the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Sumner County District Court Records

The Tennessee court system does not use the term "district court" for courts of limited jurisdiction. Instead, the general sessions, juvenile, and municipal courts serve as the state's limited jurisdiction courts and handle proceedings typically under the jurisdiction of district courts in other U.S states.

The General Sessions Court in Sumner handles minor civil cases (worth less than $25,000), misdemeanor criminal cases, and orders of protection. The Juvenile Court handles civil, criminal, and some domestic relations cases involving minors under 18.

Meanwhile, municipal courts (city courts) have jurisdiction over city or municipal ordinances violations, where judges can award up to $50 fines and 30 days of jail time.

Finding General Sessions and Juvenile Court Records

Members of the public can approach the Sumner County Circuit Clerk and follow the process outlined earlier to find records in the General Sessions and Juvenile courts.

It is important to note that certain juvenile court records may only be released to specific individuals permitted by law.

Finding Municipal Court Records

Individuals can contact the Clerk of the city or municipal court that heard a case to obtain municipal court records.

Sumner County Criminal Records

Sumner criminal records include information gathered from or generated by local law enforcement. These agencies run different divisions and have resources that can help members of the public find various criminal records.

For example, people looking for Sumner County arrest records can visit the agency that made the arrest (usually a city police department), especially if the case has not been charged to court. Case in point: The Gallatin Police Department allows people to request arrest reports by providing the right documentation.

The County Sheriff’s Office also has an online Warrants Lookup tool that allows individuals to find information about active arrest warrants.

Sumner County Criminal Court Case Lookup

People can approach the Sumner Circuit Clerk’s office for felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile cases heard in the Criminal, General Sessions, and Juvenile courts. They can also contact the clerks of city courts where traffic, property maintenance, and city ordinance violation cases are handled.

Get Sumner County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Sumner County include documents related to legal disputes between individuals or organizations that do not involve criminal charges. Examples are lawsuits over contracts, property, personal injury, and eviction.

Civil cases are generally shared between the Circuit, General Sessions, and Chancery Courts.

Circuit Courts handle serious cases, especially where the amount in contention exceeds $25,000. General sessions courts handle cases valued at less than $25,000. Chancery courts hear cases where legal rules may need flexibility to achieve a fair outcome, such as complex business, trusts, wills, and property division (like in divorces) issues.

Sumner County Family Court Records

Sumner County does not have a specific "family court". Family law cases are handled within the Circuit and Chancery Courts.

The Circuit Court handles matters like:

• Divorce (without complex property division)
• Child custody and visitation
• Child support
• Adoption

The Chancery Court focuses on:

• Divorces with significant property or asset distribution
• Complex business or trust disputes linked to family matters

To obtain civil court records, individuals can contact the Circuit Court Clerk or the Chancery Court Clerk and Master, depending on where the case was heard.

It is important to note that some family case records, especially juvenile and child custody proceedings, are not public information. They are typically accessible only to specific individuals, like the case parties.

Sumner Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records are created and received during divorce and annulment proceedings in Sumner County's Circuit and Chancery courts.

The Chancery Court handles divorces involving property division, while the Circuit Court hears divorce matters without property resolutions. Individuals who want to obtain divorce decrees can approach the Circuit Court Clerk for cases heard in the Circuit Court, while the Chancery Court Clerk and Master dispense dissolution of marriage records from the Chancery Court.

Interested parties can also go through the Tennessee Department of Health's Office of Vital Records to obtain copies of divorce records. The office allows people to purchase copies of divorce certificates ($15 per copy) in person, online, and by mail.

Requesters must complete the Application for Certified Copy of TN Certificate of Divorce or Annulment form. They must also provide acceptable ID, such as a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID (which must include the applicant's signature), and a notarized application form.

Individuals who want to order by mail or in person can use the following address:

Tennessee Vital Records
Andrew Johnson Tower (Rosa Parks Boulevard side of the building)
710 James Robertson Parkway
1st Floor
Nashville, TN 37243

People who want to order copies online must go through the office's approved third-party vendor.

Applicants must note that certain divorce records, like divorce decrees, may only be accessible to parties to the case, their attorneys, and other people permitted by law.

Sumner County Marriage and Divorce Records

People who want to obtain Sumner County divorce records can follow the methods explained under the dissolution of marriage records section.

Sumner County marriage records, on the other hand, including marriage licenses and certificates, can be obtained from the office of the Sumner County Clerk. Individuals can use the Clerk's online portal to look up marriage licenses and order certified copies. They can also visit the Clerk's office at the following address to purchase the copy:

Sumner County Clerk
355 North Belvedere Drive
Room 111
Gallatin TN, 37066
Phone: (615) 452-4063
Fax: (615) 452-9371
Email: Clerk@SumnerCountyTn.gov

Any person seeking a Sumner County marriage certificate can also go through the Tennessee Department of Health's Office of Vital Records. The process is the same as obtaining a divorce certificate. However, individuals must complete the Application for Certified Copy of Tennessee Certificate of Marriage form instead. The Vital Records office only maintains divorce records from 50 years ago to the current year.

Sumner County Birth and Death Records

Sumner County birth certificates serve as proof of identity and citizenship. They are often required for passport and driver's license applications, school enrollment, and accessing certain government benefits.

Death certificates are also crucial Sumner County vital records. They officially document people's passing and are necessary for settling estates, claiming insurance benefits, and aiding certain legal proceedings. Researchers studying population trends can also use birth and death records as part of study materials.

Individuals can obtain certified copies of Sumner County birth records and death documents from the Sumner County Health Department or the Tennessee Department of Health's Office of Vital Records. Requesters must complete and submit the birth or death certificate application form, depending on what they want to order. Each certificate costs $15.

Sumner County Probate Court Records

Probate cases involve the legal processes surrounding a deceased person's estate. They include will validations, appointment of executors, asset distribution, and dispute resolution.

The Sumner County Chancery Court handles probate cases, and the Chancery Court's Clerk and Master's office maintains associated records. Individuals can contact the office to obtain probate documents and files at:

Sumner County Courthouse
100 Public Square
Rooms 400 & 401
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-4282 (Civil/Domestic), (615) 451-6036 (Delinquent Taxes/Probate)
Fax: (615) 451-6031

Sumner County Property Records

Sumner County property records contain essential details about land and buildings in the county. They reveal the current and past owners, property legal descriptions, tax assessments, mortgages, liens, and building permit histories.

People search for property records during real estate transactions to verify ownership, assess asset value, and check for outstanding tax payments and liens. Lenders, for example, rely on the records to evaluate potential collateral and measure a person's creditworthiness.

Individuals can obtain Sumner property records through the Sumner County Register of Deeds, the Sumner County Property Assessor, and the Comptroller of the State of Tennessee.

Sumner County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds office allows individuals to find, view, and copy real property documents recorded after January 1988 using computers in its public search room during business hours.

355 North Belvedere Drive
Suite 201
Gallatin, Tennessee 37066
Phone: (615) 452-3892

People can also contact the office by phone to request copies of recorded real property documents.

The office does not conduct title searches. However, any individual seeking to conduct such searches can open a copy account with the Register of Deeds by depositing $50 and providing their name, phone number, and address.

Fees for copying documents at the Sumner County Register of Deeds Office include the following:

Copies made by individuals:

• Standard pages: 15 cents per page
• Plats: $2.50 per page

Copies mailed by the office:

• Standard pages: 15 cents per page
• Plats: $4.50 per page

Certified Copies:

• Standard pages: $1 per page
• Plats: Fees are not specified. Individuals should reach out to the Register of Deeds for pricing.

Sumner County Assessor of Property

The Sumner Property Assessor values properties in the county to determine the amount of tax to be levied. During this process, the office collects pertinent information about each property, including ownership details, sales history, and property features.

Individuals can visit the Assessor's office to find and collect details about any real property in Sumner County.

355 N Belvedere Drive
Room 206
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-2412

The office also runs a GIS (Geographic Information System) database that furnishes public access to property information. People can use the database's interactive map to pull up property details, including assessment information. They can also search by name and address.

Comptroller of the State of Tennessee

The Comptroller of the State of Tennessee’s Division of Property Assessments also maintains property valuation records. Individuals can contact the office directly for property inquiries or use the Tennessee Property Assessment Data portal.

The online database accepts different search parameters, including parcel number, owner name, property address, subdivision, and sales date range. Users must choose a county and enter the search parameter to start a search.

Sumner County Court Records Online

Third-party public records like Tennesseecourtrecords.us simplify customers' search for public records by pooling records from different courts and agencies into one central database. However, they charge for services per search or subscription.

Individuals should note that third-party sites sell records independently and are not officially partnered with any government body, including courts, to dispense records. Therefore, verifying any sourced record is essential.