Washington County Court Records

Washington County court records include a wide array of materials such as papers, documents, letters, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files, films, sound recordings, and various other forms of information regardless of their physical formats, all created or received in relation to a court proceeding. These records form a crucial part of the Tennessee court records, not only including documentation from Washington County but also from other counties, serving as a framework for the administration of justice in response to committed offenses. They play a vital role in educating the public about the workings of the state's and county's justice systems, as well as the repercussions of violating laws.

According to Supreme Court Rule 34, court records consist of various categories, case records, administrative records, and judicial records.

• Case records comprise all records maintained by the court as part of the official case file for a specific legal matter
• Administrative records encompass records associated with the court's administrative functions that are not directly tied to any specific case
• Judicial record cases refer to records that do not fit into the categories of case records or administrative records

These records typically include a wide range of information such as dockets, transcripts, documents, exhibits, and memoranda. They provide essential details such as the names of involved parties, filing dates, assigned judges, case statuses, statutory dates, references to the case, outstanding balances, upcoming hearings, filings, served documents, roles, document types, hearing specifics, fee details, and subsequent hearings.

Are Court Records Public in Washington County?

The Tennessee Public Records Act (§ 10-7-503) grants citizens the right to examine public records, including court records, as specified. Additionally, Supreme Court Rule 34 reaffirms this right, making it the court's duty to provide access to records for interested parties. However, some records or specific details within records are deemed confidential due to their nature or content.

Types of records deemed confidential include those outlined by statute, accessible only to authorized individuals as stipulated by the law or court order. Examples of such records are juvenile and adoption records. Moreover, the state's privacy policy dictates that certain sensitive personal information within records is automatically safeguarded and not disclosed as public information, such as medical results and financial statements. Additionally, court orders or statutory provisions may restrict court records from public access.

Washington County Court Records Search

Washington County court records are accessible through online searches, by mail, and in person. The Washington court provides all three options for accessing these records.

The available methods include:

• An online case management tool
• Daily dockets of ongoing court cases
• Walk-in searches at the courthouse where the case was processed and at the Office of the County Clerk
• Third-party websites

Washington County Court Records Search by Name

In Washington County, searches for court records can be carried out using various search criteria such as a case number, case year, and particularly the party name search option. Even if an individual only possesses one party's name involved in the case, they can still proceed with the search. However, providing additional details typically results in a more effective and efficient search process.

The online case management tool offers a name search feature to facilitate the search for court records.

For those preferring to request the examination of a specific court record via mail, they can provide the names of the parties involved in the case. While this method may take longer for record retrieval, it is still a viable option for inquirers.

Alternatively, individuals can visit the Office of the Clerk or the courthouse associated with the case to make inquiries in person.

Accessing and inspecting records may be free of charge; however, fees may apply for obtaining copies of the records.

Washington County Courts

There are several courts in Washington County, including a Circuit Court, a Chancery Court, a Criminal Court, a General Session Court, a Juvenile Court, and three Municipal Courts. The addresses for these courts are provided below:

Circuit Courts in Washington County

Washington County Circuit Court, George Jaynes Justice Center
108 West Jackson Boulevard
Suite 2167
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: (423) 753-1736

Chancery Courts in Washington County

Washington County Chancery Court, George Jaynes Justice Center
108 West Jackson Boulevard
Suite 2157
Jonesborough TN 37659
Phone: (423) 788-1450
Phone: (423) 753-1623 (Probate)

Criminal Courts in Washington County

Washington County Criminal Court, George Jaynes Justice Center
108 West Jackson Boulevard
Suite 2167
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: (423) 753-1736

General Sessions Courts in Washington County

Washington County General Sessions Court, George Jaynes Justice Center
108 West Jackson Boulevard
Suite 2167
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: (423) 753-1736

Juvenile Courts in Washington County

Washington County Juvenile Court, George Jaynes Justice Center
108 West Jackson Boulevard
Suite 2167
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: (423) 753-1736

Municipal Courts in Washington County

Johnson City Juvenile Court
607 East Myrtle Avenue
Johnson City, TN 37601
Phone: (423) 434-6200

Johnson City Municipal Court
601 East Main Street
Johnson City, TN 37601
Phone: (423) 434-6160

Jonesborough Municipal Court
Town Hall
123 Boone Street
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: (423) 753-1053

Washington County Superior Court Case Search

Washington County does not have a Superior Court within its jurisdiction; however, the Circuit and Criminal Court hold the highest authority in the county, presiding over the majority of civil and criminal proceedings respectively as the primary trial courts. At times, the responsibilities of the Circuit Court may intersect with those of the Chancery Court (particularly in managing family-related matters).

Traditionally, all cases heard in this court are managed by the court's clerk and are accessible to the public as long as they are considered open records.

In light of this, individuals seeking to locate a case record can utilize any of the available methods, whether online, by mail, or in person, depending on their preference.

Cases addressed by this court encompass a range of legal matters, including but not limited to divorces, medical malpractice, torts, workers' compensation, orders of protection, contract disputes, probate, real estate cases, and appeals from other courts.

Washington County District Court Records

In Washington County, there is no stand-alone District Court, but rather several specialized courts such as the Chancery Court, Criminal Court, Juvenile Court, and Municipal Court that handle specific or restricted legal matters. Each of these courts has jurisdiction over distinct types of cases; for instance, the Juvenile Court focuses on issues involving minors in the county, while the Municipal Court addresses violations of local ordinances and state laws.

Court records from these different courts are housed within their respective locations. When seeking a specific case record, individuals must first identify the court that handled the case and can then make inquiries directly at the courthouse. Providing specific details is essential to assist the court clerk or staff in locating the requested case file.

Moreover, for added convenience, individuals interested in accessing a particular case record can do so easily online through the Washington County online Court system. The online case search tool proves invaluable for locating court cases that are either resolved or currently in progress across the various courts with specialized jurisdictions.

Washington County Criminal Records

Law enforcement agencies in both the state of Tennessee and Washington County maintain criminal records. These records, like court records, are available for public access. Individuals seeking access to these records can contact the relevant law enforcement divisions based on the specific type and scope of the record they are looking for.

To begin the process, individuals can start by visiting the Sheriff’s office. Although the sheriff’s office does not provide online access to criminal records, Washington County arrest records can be found on the booking sheet available on the Sheriff's webpage. Therefore, visiting the office in person is the most effective way to obtain any county-level information.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) provides a service for public access to criminal records for a fee of $29. This search does not require fingerprinting as it is a name-based search and can be conducted either online or via mail. The search results are delivered electronically. It is worth noting that this option is only accessible to individuals with registered accounts.

If someone is unable to access the record through the usual means, they can complete and submit a request form to the following address:

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Headquarters
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4000

Moreover, individuals have the option of obtaining their national criminal history record through the TBI via an approved private vendor for a fee of $50. Alternatively, individuals can directly contact the FBI to request their records for a fee of $18.

Washington County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Washington County has a designated Criminal Court responsible for handling criminal hearings, although other courts such as the circuit Court also have jurisdiction over some cases. Typically, criminal cases can be found in the online database of the county’s court records, regardless of the court where the matter was resolved.

For researchers, there are options to either send mail or visit the courthouse. If the specific court that handled the case is unknown, the individual can visit the clerk’s office to inquire about the presiding court.

Once the inquirer has identified the court where the case was heard, they can then proceed to submit queries. Required parameters may include the name of the property, the case number, the filing date, the case type, and any other relevant data to assist in locating the information.

Get Washington County Civil Court Records

The Circuit Court serves as the primary venue for various civil cases, encompassing a range of issues such as medical malpractice claims, divorce, and compensation of workers’ cases. Additionally, other courts also have the jurisdiction to conduct hearings on specific civil matters.

Obtaining a civil court record in Washington County follows the same process as obtaining other types of records, as previously discussed. This can be done through online access, mail requests, or visiting the courthouse in person. If a record is nonconfidential, residents can reach out to the court clerks for information on the case in question.

In addition to the civil case mentioned above, other types of records that can be found within civil case files include tort claims, contract disputes, and employment-related issues.

Washington County Family Court Records

Family court records in Washington may be handled by different courts depending on the type of case, with responsibilities sometimes overlapping between courts. For example, divorce cases may be heard in the Chancery Court or the Circuit Court, while family matters involving minors are handled by the Juvenile Court. Fortunately, accessing Washington family court records is a straightforward process. The case management system provided online allows researchers to easily locate family cases in the database. This can be done conveniently from home using the internet. By providing the required parameters, an individual can quickly retrieve sorted records within minutes.

If someone is unable to access the online case search tool, they have the option to send an inquiry mail or request mail to the Office of the Clerk or the courthouse where the case was heard. For those preferring an in-person inspection to obtain records, they can visit the concerned courthouse or the Office of the Clerk to make inquiries. The information required to retrieve a case file remains the same regardless of the method used for the search.

Family court records in Washington are legal documents that serve different purposes. For instance, a record of adoption serves as proof that an adoptee is a legal member of a specific family, granting them the right to claim privileges similar to other biological family members.

Washington Dissolution of Marriage Records

In Washington County, records about the dissolution of marriage, commonly known as divorce records, are typically managed by the Circuit or Chancery Court. Individuals seeking access to these records in Washington County have three available options:

• Utilizing the online case search system
• Sending an inquiry or request mail
• Visiting in person to request an inspection or obtain records

Washington County Marriage and Divorce Records

Washington County vital records, including marriage and divorce records, are considered confidential and are only made available to the public 50 years after the occurrence of the marriage or divorce (Tennessee Code § 68-3-205). The Office of Vital Records in Tennessee allows eligible individuals to obtain these records through three methods:

• In-person: Qualified applicants can complete a paper order form and present proper identification at the customer service window at the vital record office in Tennessee. Non-qualified applicants must demonstrate their entitlement to the record requested when placing the order. Order forms are available on-site at the office, located at:

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

In-person orders offer same-day pick-up.

• Mail: Requesters can complete and submit the appropriate form for the marriage or divorce record/certificate. For marriage certificates, the options include "Application For Certified Copy of Certificate of Marriage" or "Application for Verification of Marriage Facts," while for divorce certificates, the options include "Application for Divorce or Annulment Certificate" or "Application for Verification of Divorce or Annulment Facts" The mail request should include an ID or notarized letter and the required fee, and be sent to the office address. Processing time for mail requests is approximately 6 weeks.
• Online: Residents can place an online order through the Office of Vital Records. The office does not provide a certified copy online; rather, this is facilitated in collaboration with an approved third-party vendor. Processing time for online orders is approximately 4 weeks.

The fee for a certificate, whether for a marriage or divorce, is $15. Payment can be made using checks, credit/debit cards, or money orders. Cash payments are only accepted for in-person orders.

It is important to note that only the subject of the record or an immediate family member can obtain a certificate. Applicants must provide a completed and signed application for a certified copy of a certificate of marriage or divorce, as well as a photocopy of a government-issued identification card with the applicant's signature or a notarized application for a certified copy.

Marriage and divorce records that have become part of Washington County public records can be obtained from the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Washington Birth and Death Records

Washington's vital records, including birth and death records, are considered confidential. Birth records become accessible to the public 100 years after the event, while death records become public after 50 years. Once this time has elapsed, the Tennessee Vital Records Office transfers the records to the Tennessee State Library and Archives for public access.

The requirements and eligibility for obtaining a Washington birth certificate or record, as well as a Washington County death certificate or record, are the same as those applied to obtaining a Washington marriage and death record or certificate.

Applicants in need of a copy of their birth certificate can pick it up at the Tennessee Vital Records Office during working hours without the need for an appointment. Individuals born before 1949 would need to obtain and complete an application form and submit it to the Division of Vital Records in Nashville.

The process for procuring a birth or death certificate follows a similar method to getting a marriage and divorce certificate through any medium, including online, mail, or on-site, as previously explained. Those applying via mail would need to fill out and submit the required forms (Application for Birth Certificate or Application for Certificate of Death), along with any other necessary documents and the payment of the $15 fee for a Washington County birth certificate and a Washington death certificate.

Washington County Probate Court Records

The Washington County Chancery Court encompasses the Chancery Division and the Probate Division, with jurisdiction over probate matters within the county. Probate hearings in this court address issues such as conservatorships, guardianships, wills, and estate administration. Residents looking to obtain a probate court record can inquire with the Chancery Court or utilize the case search tool provided by Washington’s online court system.

The procedure for obtaining a probate court record follows a similar process to securing any other type of court record in Washington.

Washington County Property Records

Property records in Washington are part of the public record and are accessible to members of the public. While Washington County, like many counties in Tennessee, does not maintain an online database for accessing property records, the Assessor of Tennessee offers an online parcel search tool that interested parties can utilize to view properties within Washington. Searches can be conducted using the property owner's name, parcel number, property address, or subdivision name.

Additionally, individuals can perform a property search on the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury’s website. This search allows users to look up properties using the property address, owner name, or parcel ID. Information contained in the records includes the owner's name, property address, control map, group, parcel, parcel ID, special interest, lot, class, subdivision, and sale date.

For inquiries regarding a property in Washington County or tax payments, residents can visit the Assessor's office at the following address:

Assessor’s Office
110 East Main Street
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: (423) 753-1670
Fax: (423) 753-1815

Washington County Court Records Online

Private websites, separate from government sources, offer access to court records online. Many of these websites provide coverage across the nation or within individual states. One such example is tennesseecourtrecords.us. The use of third-party sites presents both pros and cons compared to government-operated platforms.

To begin with, third-party sites typically offer broader coverage, allowing researchers to access federal, state, and county court records without navigating away from the site. These sites often require minimal search parameters while yielding multiple records related to the subject, which is beneficial for individuals with limited search details. Additionally, most private sites and databases are available for access at any time throughout the day.

Conversely, there are potential drawbacks to using third-party sites, as the information provided by some of these platforms may not always be accurate and can therefore be misleading. Outdated data is also a concern. Furthermore, due to the commercial nature of most of these sites, there is usually a subscription or per-use fee associated with each search.

However, individuals have the opportunity to choose the website that best caters to their needs and make use of it accordingly.