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Davidson County, Tennessee State Court Records

Davidson County court records are official written accounts of legal proceedings handled by a court in the county. These records are managed by several court clerks, such as the Criminal Court Clerk, Civil Court Clerk, and Chancery Court Clerk.

Court records are considered crucial in the judicial system as they ensure accountability and transparency. Their importance also spans beyond the judiciary into other government branches and departments, such as law enforcement. For example, an arrest warrant, which is a court-issued document, authorizes law enforcement officers to make an arrest, which in turn triggers the creation of an arrest record.

Are Davidson County Court Records Public?

Yes. Davidson County court records are public in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act and Supreme Court Rule 34. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, state, county, and municipal records are presumed open for inspection by Tennessee citizens, and Supreme Court Rule 34 reinforces the provisions of the Act in the judiciary.

Davidson County residents generally have the right to access court records in the county under these laws; however, this access is limited to information that is not considered confidential under the law. Confidential records and information are blocked from public view. Examples include

  • Expunged criminal records
  • Juvenile records
  • Home addresses of victims
  • Sealed cases

What Information is Available in Davidson County Court Records?

Court records in Davidson County do not always have the same contents, as every case is unique in its own way. However, public court records usually contain the following core information:

  • The general case details, such as the case number, the case type, and the case status
  • The names of all the people involved in the case
  • The court handling the case
  • The events of the case
  • Temporary orders and the final judgment

Davidson County Court Records Search

Individuals have three basic options for searching court records in Davidson County. The best method to use depends on several factors, including the purpose of the search, the urgency of the search, and whether a copy of the record is needed. The search options are explored below.

Online Access

Online access is the best search option for individuals who need immediate access to a court record in Davidson County. There are several online case search portals available to the public, depending on the type of record. These portals include

Researchers will generally need a person's name or a case number to run a search on any of these portals.

Confidential court records and information are not accessible online.

In-Person Access

In-person searches allow individuals to inspect the physical file of a case and obtain a copy (plain or certified) if they choose to. To conduct a search, inquirers may visit the specific clerk of the court's office where the record is filed during business hours. Similar to online searches, inquirers will need to provide the name on the file or the case number. Obtaining a copy of the record will cost a fee. Requesters may also be asked to provide a valid Tennessee ID (e.g., driver's license) before they are allowed to inspect or receive copies of a record.

Mail and Phone Requests

Researchers who would rather not search for the record online or visit the Clerk of Court's Office to inspect a record may send a request through the mail. For records maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, individuals may complete and mail the Public Records Request Form. For other offices, inquirers may write down the request, including the case number and the names of the parties in the case. When mailing the request, a self-addressed, stamped envelope should be included, along with the payment for the copies that will be made, and a copy of the requester's ID.

Fees for Court Records in Davidson County

Viewing Davidson County court records online or in person is free. However, requesting a copy of the record at the office or by mail will incur a fee, regardless of the court with the record. The fee schedule for record copies is as follows:

  • Photocopies: 50 cents per page for colored copies and 15 cents per page for black and white copies.
  • Certified copies: $5 plus the per-page fee.
  • Exemplified copies: $10 per document.
  • Employee labor: Free for the first hour, then charged according to the employee's hourly wage.

Davidson County Courthouse Locations

The Davidson County trial court system consists of high-level state trial courts, including the Circuit Court, Probate Court, Chancery Court, and Criminal Court, alongside lower courts of limited jurisdiction, such as the General Sessions Court, Juvenile Court, and several municipal courts. The addresses of the courts are below.

Davidson County Circuit Court, Chancery Court, and Probate Court

1 Public Square

Nashville, TN 37201

Circuit Court Phone: (615) 862-5181
Probate Court Phone: (615) 862-5980

Chancery Court Phone: (615) 862-5710

Justice A.A. Birch Building (Criminal Court and General Sessions Court)

408 2nd Avenue, North

Nashville, TN 37201

Criminal Court Phone: (615) 862-5601

General Sessions Court Phone: (615) 862-5195

Davidson County Juvenile Court

100 Woodland Street

Nashville, TN 37213

Phone: (615) 862-8000

Goodlettsville Municipal Court

105 South Main Street

Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Phone: (615) 851-2200

Belle Meade Municipal Court

4705 Harding Road

Nashville, TN 37205

Phone: (615) 298-1223

Berry Hill Municipal Court

698 Thompson Lane

Nashville, TN 37204

Phone: (615) 292-5531

Oak Hill Municipal Court

5548 Franklin Pike

Nashville, TN 37220

Phone: (615) 371-8291

Forest Hills Municipal Court

6300 Hillsboro Pike

Nashville, TN 37215

Phone: (615) 372-8677

Criminal Records Access in Davidson County

A Davidson County criminal record is the documented account of an individual's encounter with the county's criminal justice system. An individual's criminal record is a compilation of information from local law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.

Official criminal history records are maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The public can access the criminal history record of anyone through the Tennessee Open Records Information Services portal. Researchers will have to input the person's name and their date of birth to search the portal. Each search costs a non-refundable fee of $29.

Criminal case files in Davidson County are maintained by the Criminal Court Clerk. Individuals can search for a record online through the Criminal Court Case Search portal or by visiting the clerk's office.

Davidson County Probate Records

Probate records are records created when a court oversees the dispensing of a deceased person's estate. This includes paying the person's debts and administering their will, including how their assets are distributed to heirs. Probate records in Davidson County also include guardianship proceedings for individuals who are unable to take care of themselves.

Davidson County probate records are generally public records and can be reviewed by anyone, except where the record is sealed under the law or by the court. Individuals can search for a probate record on the Circuit Court Probate Estate Lookup portal using a case number or a first and last name. Alternatively, individuals may visit the Probate Court Clerk's Office to inspect a record.

Davidson County Family Court Records

Davidson County family courts are files created during family-related disputes in the county. Common cases include adoption, name changes, divorce, parentage proceedings, and child dependency and neglect. Family law cases may be heard by the Davidson County Circuit Court, the General Sessions Court, the Chancery Court, or the Juvenile Court, depending on the case.

Members of the public can search for a family court record online using the case search portal of the court that handled the case. To obtain a physical copy of the record, individuals will have to visit the Clerk of Court's Office where the file was kept.

Federal Court Records in Davidson County

A federal court record is a document maintained within the United States court system. These records are created from proceedings that fall under federal law. Such cases, when arising in Davidson County, are not handled by any local court, but by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Davidson County residents who want to access a federal court record may visit the Fred D. Thompson Courthouse located at 719 Church Street in Nashville. For remote access, individuals may use the PACER Case Locator. The locator provides access to federal court records for a fee.

Davidson County Court