Sevier County, Tennessee State Court Records
In Sevier County, court records are formal documents maintained by court officials, which provide an official account of how civil, criminal, probate, and family law cases were handled in a court of law. Various case files and documents outline the entire legal process, from the initial filing through hearings, motions, court rulings, and the final judgment.
All Sevier County court records and files are managed by the Clerk of Court. The Circuit Court Clerk oversees major criminal and civil cases, while the Chancery Court Clerk and Master maintain records for chancery and probate matters, including divorce and adoption cases. The General Sessions Court Clerk, on the other hand, maintains records of misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings on felonies.
Court records are different from, yet connected to, other public records, such as arrest and vital records. Though these records are often added to court files, they are originally maintained by other public agencies.
Are Sevier County Court Records Public?
Yes. The Tennessee Public Records Act and Supreme Court Rule 34 establish that court records are open for inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless exempted by court order, state law, or federal law. However, not all court records are accessible; some are either legally restricted or sealed. These include
- Juvenile records
- Adoption cases
- Expunged records
- Sensitive personal information, for instance, Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Mental health or medical records
What Information is Available in Sevier County Court Records?
The information contained in Sevier County court records depends on the case type and the court division in which the case was heard. A typical court record details the following information:
- Names of parties involved in the case
- Case type and number
- Details of the attorney in charge of the case
- Hearing dates
- Motions
- Sentences
- Judgments
- Appeal notices
- Court fees and fines
Sevier County Court Records Search
The search for court records in Sevier County is determined by several factors, such as the nature of the record and its filing date. Individuals can access public court records online, in person, by mail, or by phone.
Online Access
The online case search portal (statewide Tennessee Case Finder) provided by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is a user-friendly tool for looking up case information, including docket entries and case dispositions, for Circuit Court, General Sessions Court, and Chancery Court cases statewide. Requesters can search by case number, party name, or attorney. The Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville also maintains court minutes from Circuit, County, and Chancery Courts dating back many decades.
Not all public court records can be accessed online; juvenile, family, and probate filings are protected by confidentiality laws and cannot be accessed online.
In-Person Access
For members of the public who are unable to obtain the records they desire online, an in-person visit to the courthouse remains the most reliable option. Physical inspection of court records is available at no cost during regular office hours.
Mail and Phone Requests
Where in-person access is not possible, court records can be obtained via mail. A standard mail request should include comprehensive identifying details, such as the full names of all parties, the approximate filing date, the case number (if known), and the specific documents desired. Processing times for mail requests vary; however, under the TPRA, custodians must respond within seven business days.
Requests must be submitted to the relevant Clerk's office according to the record type. For civil and criminal records from the Circuit Court, requesters may contact:
Sevier County Circuit Court Clerk
127 Commerce Street
Suite 2104
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: (865) 453-6136
Fees for Court Records in Sevier County
It is important to distinguish between inspecting and copying a public record. In Tennessee, TPRA prohibits record custodians from charging for the inspection of a public record, unless such fees are statutorily required. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A)(i), inspection is free; however, custodians of public records may charge a reasonable fee that covers the copying cost or labor associated with producing copies of the desired record.
The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel set a standard schedule of reasonable fees in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. 10-7-503 and 8-4-604:
- Black-and-white copies cost a maximum of 15 cents per page for standard sizes of 8½" x 11" or 8½" x 14".
- Colored copies of original document: Up to 50 cents per page.
- Certified copies: $5 per document. This varies based on the court and document type.
Sevier County Courthouse Locations
Sevier County courts function within the Tennessee 4th Judicial District. The court operates a decentralized system in which specific case types are handled by different court divisions, while the main courthouse is located in Sevierville. These court divisions include the Circuit, Chancery, General Sessions, and Juvenile Court divisions. Sevier County primary courts' jurisdictions and locations include
- Circuit Court (Suite 207E) handles felony criminal and civil cases over $25,000, including appeals from the lower courts.
- Chancery Court (Suite 108W) is a trial court that handles matters of divorce, adoption, child support, guardianships, conservatorships, delinquent tax matters, contracts, and property disputes.
- General Sessions Court (Room 107E) is a court of limited jurisdiction that presides over preliminary felony hearings, misdemeanor trials, certain juvenile cases, and small civil claims not exceeding $25,000.
- County Clerk (Room 202E) oversees General Sessions civil matters, marriage licenses, and related records.
Sevier County Circuit Court
127 Commerce Street
Suite 2104
Sevierville, TN 37863
Phone: (865) 453-5536
Sevier County Chancery Court
125 Court Avenue
Suite 108 West
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: (865) 453-4654
Fax: (865) 453-8763
Sevier County General Sessions Court
127 Commerce Street
Suite 1103
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: (865) 453-5502
Sevier County Juvenile Court
125 Court Avenue
Suite 308 West
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: (865) 428-5284
Fax: (865) 774-3822
Criminal Records Access in Sevier County
In Tennessee, "criminal records" refers to two separate documents: local court documentation and the comprehensive criminal history data managed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Statewide criminal background checks are the responsibility of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, not the county court. The TBI's Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) system enables the public to request Tennessee adult criminal histories by name for a fee of $29. This search does not require fingerprints, and results are sent electronically in PDF format to a valid email address. A TBI background check shows statewide arrests, charges, and convictions, but does not include criminal history from other states or juvenile records unless the individual was tried as an adult.
By contrast, local criminal history records detail individual prosecution, including charges, hearing dates, plea entries, verdicts, and sentencing information. For access to such records, requesters may contact the Sevier County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Users should note that courts do not compile overall criminal history in the same manner as the TBI's system.
Sevier County Probate Records
Probate records detail how a deceased person's estate is administered. This includes the validation of wills, the appointment of executors, the administration of estates without a valid will (intestate administration), the creation of testamentary trusts, and the appointment of conservators for adults. In Sevier County, these records are maintained by the Chancery Court.
Probate records are generally open to the public. More recent digitized filings may be accessible upon inquiry to the Clerk and Master's Office. Older estate files are held in physical archives and require an in-person visit or written request. Certain probate records, including sealed medical records in guardianship cases or confidential trust inventories filed under court order, are restricted.
Sevier County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Sevier County are handled across the Sevier County courts. The Chancery Court has jurisdiction over divorces, adoptions, protection orders, child support, conservatorships, guardianships, and certain domestic relations matters, while the juvenile court handles matters involving minors, including delinquency, dependency, and neglect proceedings.
Most family court case filings are public records, except for sealed adoption records and certain juvenile records, which require a court order to access. Certain custody evaluations and guardianship reports may also be restricted by judicial order, and judges can seal specific filings for good cause.
To obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, custody order, or support order, interested persons may call (865) 453-4654 or send a written request, including the case number and applicable fee, to the relevant Court Clerk.
Federal Court Records in Sevier County
Federal court proceedings are separate from filings in county or state courts. Federal cases, including immigration cases, federal criminal charges, civil rights violations, and lawsuits against the United States, are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, which serves Sevier County. The Eastern District maintains offices in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Winchester, and Greenville.
Federal court records are accessible through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), which is the national online system for U.S. federal court documents. PACER registration is free; however, access to documents is charged at 10 cents per page, with a $3 per-document cap, and quarterly fee waivers are available for accounts that accrue less than $30.
The Eastern District charges 50 cents per page for case file copies, plus an extra fee for certified copies. For details, contact the Knoxville federal clerk of court.
Note: Bankruptcy cases filed by Sevier County residents are handled through the Eastern District's bankruptcy division.
