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Knox County Court Records

Knox County court records are official documents generated during legal proceedings in the county’s trial-level courts, including case files, dockets, judgments, transcripts, and orders. They serve to document proceedings, preserve evidence, ensure accountability, and provide a public record of judicial actions for transparency, legal research, appeals, and background checks. The primary custodian of these records is the Clerk of the Circuit Court or equivalent trial court clerk, such as the Criminal Court Clerk or Chancery Court Clerk, who maintains, files, and preserves them as the administrative officer of the courts.

These records are created and maintained in compliance with Tennessee’s Public Records Act T.C.A. § 10-7-503 et seq., which mandates broad public access unless exempted by law, and court rules requiring secure retention, redaction of sensitive information, and periodic archiving. While most are public, some records like juvenile or sealed cases are restricted. These court records intersect with other public records. Vital records such as birth, death, marriage are held by the County Clerk. Arrest information often appears in sheriff or police reports and links to criminal court files. Federal case files remain separate in U.S. district courts, though related state matters may reference them.

Are Knox County Court Records Public?

Yes, Knox County court records are generally public under Tennessee law. The Tennessee Public Records Act T.C.A. § 10-7-503 et seq. and the Tennessee Rules of Court Rule 34 mandate broad public access to court records to promote transparency and accountability in the judicial system. Most case types are public, including:

  • Civil cases such as lawsuits, divorces, probate
  • Criminal cases such as felonies and misdemeanors
  • Traffic and environmental court matters
  • Juvenile delinquency cases (with redactions)

Restricted or confidential records that may not be accessed by the general public in Knox County include:

  • Juvenile dependency and neglect cases
  • Adoption proceedings
  • Sealed or expunged cases
  • Certain protective orders
  • Grand jury proceedings
  • Cases involving minors or victims of sexual offenses (often redacted or sealed)

What Information is Available in Knox County Court Records?

Knox County court records typically contain comprehensive information documenting legal proceedings in Tennessee’s trial-level courts which includes Circuit, Criminal, Chancery, General Sessions, Juvenile, and Probate courts. Typical contents include:

  • Case docket sheets listing all filings, hearings, and dispositions
  • Complaints, indictments, petitions, and answers
  • Motions, orders, judgments, and decrees
  • Transcripts of hearings and trials (when prepared)
  • Evidence exhibits and affidavits
  • Plea agreements, sentencing records, and probation reports (in criminal cases)
  • Divorce decrees, child custody orders, and adoption records (in family cases)
  • Probate inventories, wills, and estate administration documents

These records identify parties, attorneys, judges, case numbers, filing dates, key events, and final outcomes. Sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, minor names are often redacted for privacy.

Knox County Court Records Search

Knox County court records can be searched and accessed through multiple methods, with options varying by case type and court division.

  • Online Access: Most public records are available online via the Knox County Clerk of Court websites and the Tennessee Court Records Online (TCOR) system. The primary portal is the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk’s website and the Criminal Court Clerk’s website, offering searchable dockets, case information, and some document images for civil, criminal, chancery, and general sessions cases. Juvenile and certain family cases may have limited or no online access. One may search by case number, party name, or date; some require registration or fees for full documents.
  • In-Person Access: To obtain a court record in person, visit the appropriate clerk’s office during working hours. Public terminals allow free self-service searching. Staff may assist with locating records. Copies are available for a fee.
  • Mail and Phone Requests: Contact the clerk’s office by phone or mail. Provide case details such as case number, names, and dates. Mail requests require a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment like check or money order accepted. Some offices may accept credit cards. Fees apply for copies and certification.

Fees for Court Records in Knox County

Fees for Knox County court records vary by court division and service type, and are governed by Tennessee law T.C.A. § 8-21-401. Typical costs include:

  • Regular copies: $0.50 per page for Chancery and Probate court records. $1.00 per page for records involving Circuit/Civil Sessions.
  • Certified copies: $5.00 per document and $0.50 per page for Chancery and Probate courts. Similar fees apply in other courts.
  • Online access: Some portals like the Circuit Court online portal offer subscriptions of $120 for three months + processing fee for document downloads. Basic searches are often free.

Vital records are handled by the Knox County Health Department, not the court clerk. Certified birth/death certificates cost $15-$25 per copy. Fees are due at request time. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, or credit/debit along with processing fees. Archives may charge higher rates like $2 first page + $0.60 additional.

Knox County Courthouse Locations

Below is a directory of court locations in Knox County

Knox County Circuit Court

City-County Building

400 West Main Street, Suite M-30

Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: (865) 215-2400

Fax: (865) 215-4251.

Knox County Fourth Circuit Court

City-County Building

400 Main Street, Suite M-15

Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: (865) 215-2404.

This court handles domestic relations matters and Orders of Protection.

Knox County Chancery Court

400 West Main Street, Suite 125, Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: (865) 215-2555 (Chancery Division)

Phone: (865) 215-2920 (Chancery Division)

Phone: (865) 215-2389 (Probate Division)

Fax: (865) 215-4289 (Probate Division).

Knox County Criminal Court

City-County Building

400 West Main Street, Suite 149

Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: (865) 215-2492.

Knox County General Sessions Court - Civil Division

City-County Building

400 West Main Street, Suite M-30

Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: (865) 215-2518.

Knox County General Sessions Court - Criminal Division

City-County Building

400 Main Street, Suite M-84

Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: (865) 215-2375.

Knox County Juvenile Court

City-County Building

400 West Main Street, Suite M-30

Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: (865) 215-2400

Fax: (865) 215-4251.

Farragut Municipal Court

Town Hall

11408 Municipal Center Drive

Farragut, TN 37934

Phone: (865) 218-3363

Fax: (865) 675-2096

Knoxville City Court

800 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue

PO Box 2749

Knoxville, TN 37901

Phone: (865) 215-7474

Fax: (865) 215-7440.

Criminal Records Access in Knox County

Criminal records access in Knox County involves both local court records and official statewide criminal history checks. Official statewide criminal history checks are not handled by Knox County courts. These comprehensive background checks, including arrests, convictions, and dispositions from across Tennessee, are managed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). TBI allows the general public to obtain a Tennessee adult criminal history on any individual. The process may be completed online or by mail. Individuals or employers request these via the TBI website or authorized vendors for a fee.

Local criminal case records specific to Knox County are publicly available through online portals like Knox County Criminal Court Clerk’s website and Tennessee Court Records Online (TCOR) provide searchable dockets, case details, charges, dispositions, and some documents for criminal cases. For in-person searches, visit the Criminal Court Clerk’s Office for public terminals or staff assistance.

Knox County Probate Records

Knox County probate records document the legal process of handling a deceased person’s estate, as well as matters involving incapacitated individuals. These estate records include wills, trusts, estate administrations, also called estate settlements or probate of estates, guardianships for minors or incapacitated adults, and conservatorships, which manage financial affairs for those unable to do so themselves. Knox County does not have a separate "Family Court" that handles probate. Probate cases, including wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships, are managed by the Chancery Court. The Chancery Court Clerk is the custodian for these probate records. Common probate filings in Knox County include:

  • Petitions to probate a will and appoint an executor
  • Applications for letters of administration when there is no will
  • Petitions for guardianship of a minor or disabled adult
  • Petitions for conservatorship to manage finances or property

Many recent probate filings are available online through the Knox County Chancery Court Clerk’s website or Tennessee Court Records Online (TCOR) system, making it easy to search by case number or party name. Older or more detailed files often require an in-person visit to the clerk’s office. Certain probate matters such as some guardianship cases involving minors or sensitive personal information are confidential or restricted by law and may have limited public access.

Knox County Family Court Records

In Knox County, family law cases like divorce, custody, and support are primarily handled by the Fourth Circuit Court, while Chancery Court manages some divorces and adoptions. Access to family law records is available through a subscription-based online portal known as KnoxCircuit Records. This service provides anytime access to Circuit Court and Civil Sessions Court filings. A three-month subscription costs $120 plus a $2.50 credit card processing fee.

For in-person access or archived records, individuals may visit the Circuit Court Clerk or the Chancery Court Clerk for certain divorces and adoptions. It is advisable to call ahead, particularly for older or archived files. To obtain certified copies, requests can be submitted in person or by mail. Fees include $5 per document plus $0.50 per page, with payment required at the time of request. Mail requests must include full payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.

Federal Court Records in Knox County

Federal case jurisdiction for Knox County, Tennessee, falls under the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee (Northern Division), which covers Knox and surrounding counties in East Tennessee. The court handles federal civil, criminal, and bankruptcy matters. Records are accessible through the Clerk’s Office at the

Howard H. Baker, Jr.

United States Courthouse

800 Market Street, Suite 130

Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: (865) 545-4228

In-person visits are available during business hours.Most electronic records are available nationwide via PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. Users must register for an account. Fees are typically $0.10 per page, with a $30 quarterly waiver for low usage. Search by case number, party name, or filing date.

Knox County Court