Bedford County Court Records Search

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    Bedford County, Tennessee, is anchored by the city of Shelbyville and administered through a court system that mirrors the structure used across the state — Circuit, Chancery, General Sessions, and Juvenile courts each serving distinct jurisdictional roles. Whether you need documentation from a criminal proceeding, a civil lawsuit, an estate matter, or a family court case, understanding which court maintains the records and how to reach it is essential before submitting any request.

    Locating Tennessee court records begins with the state’s judicial resources. TennesseeCourts.us provides a starting point for navigating Tennessee’s court structure, and the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts at TNCourts.gov supports online searches, clerk lookups, and access to case history records for appellate courts statewide. For trial-level records — the type most people are seeking — the relevant county clerk’s office is typically the correct point of contact. Public access terminals, official clerk portals, and in-person requests all remain viable search methods depending on the case type and filing date.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Bedford County?

    All of Bedford County’s courtrooms and court clerk offices are consolidated at a single location:

    Bedford County Judicial Center
    Address: 108 Northcreek Drive, Shelbyville, TN 37160

    This centralization means that whether a case falls under Circuit, Chancery, General Sessions, or Juvenile jurisdiction, the courthouse itself is the same building. The specific suite number varies by court division, detailed in the court listings below.

    Step-by-Step: Requesting Court Records in Person

    1. Identify the court that handled your case (Circuit, Chancery, General Sessions, or Juvenile) — see the court listings in each section below.
    2. Visit the appropriate clerk’s office at the Judicial Center during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
    3. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID.
    4. Provide the case name, case number, or party name to the clerk.
    5. Pay the applicable copy fee — the Circuit Court Clerk operates as a fee office; contact the office directly for current copy rates.

    Online Payment of Fines and Costs

    Individuals who need to pay court fines or costs without visiting the office can call (866) 658-0845 or use CourtFeePay.com to submit payment remotely.

    Appellate Court Records

    For cases decided at the appellate level — Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, or Court of Criminal Appeals — the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts Public Case History search tool provides online access through TNCourts.gov.

    Are Court Records Public in Bedford County?

    Tennessee operates under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), codified at T.C.A. § 10-7-503, which establishes a constitutional right of access to public government records, including court documents. Under this framework, most court records in Bedford County are open to any member of the public upon request.

    However, the Act and associated court rules carve out several categories of restricted records. The following are generally not available for public inspection:

    • Juvenile court records — cases involving persons under 18 are confidential by statute
    • Victim identifying information in domestic violence proceedings — addresses, phone numbers, and locations may be withheld by court order
    • Sexual abuse case documents — records may be redacted to protect involved parties
    • Identifying data held by the Administrative Office of the Courts that is specifically exempted from public disclosure
    • Records sealed by individual court order based on privacy or safety interests

    Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 governs public access to appellate court records and establishes the framework for sealing requests and balancing public access against privacy interests. At the trial court level, the TPRA gives custodians discretionary authority to deny access to records falling within recognized statutory exemptions. The Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office confirms that all Circuit Court records are open to the public with the sole exception of juvenile records. Fees apply for copies of any records provided.

    Bedford County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal proceedings in Bedford County move through two tiers: General Sessions Court handles preliminary hearings for felonies and trials for misdemeanors where a defendant waives the right to a grand jury and jury trial; the Circuit Court takes over when cases are bound over from General Sessions or presented directly to a Grand Jury.

    Bedford County Circuit Court (Criminal Division)

      
    AddressPublic Square, Suite 200, Shelbyville, TN 37160
    Phone(931) 684-3223
    Fax(931) 684-4141
    HoursMonday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    Bedford County General Sessions Court

      
    AddressPublic Square, Suite 200, Shelbyville, TN 37160
    Phone(931) 684-3223
    Fax(931) 684-4141
    HoursMonday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    Records from both courts — including case filings, rulings, sentencing information, and judgments — are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and are accessible in person at the Judicial Center. General Sessions criminal cases that flow through the Clerk’s office include all county sheriff deputy cases generated through the Judicial Commissioner’s office, city police cases involving jailable offenses, and state trooper cases.

    Statewide Felony Offender Lookup

    For individuals seeking felony conviction records outside of a specific case context, the Tennessee Department of Correction maintains a searchable Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) database at TN.gov. This free resource displays information on felony offenders who are currently or were previously in state custody or under supervision.

    Bedford County Sheriff’s Office

    Arrest records and incident reports handled by the Sheriff’s Department are available subject to the TPRA. Record requests should be submitted in writing.

      
    Address103 Lane Parkway, Shelbyville, TN 37160
    Phone(931) 684-3232
    Fax(931) 685-1322
    Non-Emergency HoursMonday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    City Courts

    Bedford County also has municipal courts that handle local ordinance violations and certain misdemeanors:

    Shelbyville City Court
    Address: Shelbyville Police Department, 109 Lane Parkway, Shelbyville, TN 37160
    Phone: (931) 684-5811 | Fax: (931) 684-3784

    Wartrace City Court
    Address: 29 Main Street East, P.O. Box 158, Wartrace, TN 37183
    Phone: (931) 389-6144 | Fax: (931) 389-6142

    Bedford County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Bedford County is divided between General Sessions Court and Circuit Court based on the dollar amount at issue. General Sessions handles civil disputes valued at under $25,000, covering matters such as automobile accidents, unlawful detainer warrants, and orders of protection. When the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000, or when a party appeals a General Sessions judgment, the case moves to Circuit Court. Circuit Court also handles cases appealed from lower courts and those filed directly at that level.

    Circuit Court Clerk’s Office — Civil Records

      
    Address108 North Creek Drive, Suite 6, Shelbyville, TN 37160
    Phone(931) 684-3223
    Fax(931) 684-4141
    HoursMonday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    The Circuit Court Clerk — currently Michelle Murray — is responsible for maintaining all civil case files, collecting fees and judgments, and ensuring records are properly organized for appeals. When a case is appealed from a lower court of record, the Clerk compiles the full record needed for appellate review.

    What civil records are available?

    • Case filings and initial complaints
    • Court orders and rulings
    • Judgment records and payment histories
    • Appeal documentation
    • Workman’s compensation filings
    • Orders of protection (General Sessions level)

    All civil records except juvenile matters are open to the public. Fees are charged for copies; contact the Circuit Court Clerk directly for the current fee schedule, as the office operates as a fee office with rates subject to change.

    Chancery Court — Civil Equity Matters

    The Bedford County Chancery Court, part of Tennessee’s 17th Judicial District, handles civil cases in equity that do not fall within Circuit Court jurisdiction. Chancellor J. B. Cox presides, with Clerk & Master Curt M. Cobb maintaining all records.

      
    Address108 North Creek Drive, Suite 155, Shelbyville, TN 37160
    Phone(931) 684-1672
    Fax(931) 680-0144

    The Chancery Court serves Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, and Moore Counties under this shared judicial district structure.

    Bedford County Family Court Records

    Family-related legal proceedings in Bedford County are spread across multiple courts depending on the nature of the matter. Divorce, child support, and custody cases are handled at the Circuit Court level, while certain family equity matters may fall under Chancery Court jurisdiction. Juvenile-related family matters, including child support cases involving minors, are handled through Juvenile Court.

    Bedford County Juvenile Court

      
    AddressPublic Square, Suite 200, Shelbyville, TN 37160
    Phone(931) 684-3223
    Fax(931) 684-4141

    Important: Juvenile Court records are confidential under Tennessee law and are not available to the general public. This applies regardless of the nature of the case.

    Divorce and Custody Records

    Divorce proceedings, child support, and custody arrangements filed in Circuit Court are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. Certified copies of divorce decrees from these proceedings may be obtained directly from the Clerk’s office at 108 North Creek Drive, Suite 6. The Circuit Court Clerk also manages workman’s compensation cases that may carry family financial implications.

    Vital Records for Family Matters

    Marriage and divorce certificates from the last 50 years are maintained by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Records older than 50 years may be obtained through the Tennessee State Library and Archives or, if applicable, the Bedford County Clerk’s Office where the original license or decree was issued.

    To request a marriage or divorce certificate from the Office of Vital Records, complete the applicable form and mail it with a valid ID and the $15.00 fee (covering the record search and one certified copy) to:

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

    Birth and Death Certificates

    Birth records for the last 100 years and death records for the last 50 years are held by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Under Tennessee law, birth certificates may only be obtained by the person named on the record. Death certificates are restricted to persons with qualifying interest. Each certified copy carries a $15.00 fee for the search and first copy.

    For historical records older than the retention window, the Tennessee State Library and Archives maintains genealogical and historical vital record collections accessible to researchers.

    Bedford County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Bedford County fall under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court, with the Clerk & Master’s Office serving as the administrative hub for all estate proceedings. The Clerk & Master is authorized under T.C.A. § 18-5-103 to perform all functions of a Master in Chancery, making the office central to probate practice in the county.

    Bedford County Clerk & Master’s Office

      
    Address108 Northcreek Drive, Suite 155, Shelbyville, TN 37160
    Phone(931) 684-1672
    Fax(931) 680-0114

    Probate Matters Handled by the Clerk & Master

    The office manages a broad range of probate proceedings, including:

    • Issuing letters of administration and letters testamentary
    • Receiving and adjudicating creditor claims against estates
    • Taking and stating all accounts and estate settlements
    • Examining and filing Small Estate Affidavits
    • Overseeing guardianship and conservatorship matters
    • Handling adoptions and trust-related proceedings

    Before Your Probate Hearing

    The Clerk & Master requires specific documentation to be submitted prior to any common form probate hearing:

    1. A completed Probate Information Sheet (available through the office)
    2. A copy of the will to be probated, if applicable
    3. Any affidavits, waivers, and proposed exhibits
    4. A surety bond on file with the Clerk & Master’s Office, if required — the Clerk & Master determines the bond amount

    Small Estate Affidavits

    For smaller estates, a Small Estate Affidavit may be filed in lieu of full probate administration. Affidavits not prepared by an attorney must be completed on the office’s official Small Estate Affidavit Form. Contact the Clerk & Master at (931) 684-1672 to schedule a probate proceeding or obtain the required forms. A full set of probate forms is available through the Bedford County Chancery Court website.

    Probate records maintained by the Clerk & Master are generally accessible to the public consistent with the Tennessee Public Records Act. Requests for copies should be directed to the Clerk & Master’s Office at the Judicial Center address listed above.