Bradley County Court Records Search

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    Bradley County is located in southeastern Tennessee, with its county seat in the city of Cleveland. The county’s judicial system operates within the 10th Judicial District, which also serves McMinn, Monroe, and Polk counties. Court records in Bradley County are generated and maintained by several distinct offices — the Circuit Court Clerk, the Criminal Court Clerk, the Chancery Court, the General Sessions Court, and the Juvenile Court — each responsible for particular categories of legal proceedings. Property records, liens, and other recorded instruments are filed through the Register of Deeds, while the County Clerk handles marriage licenses and certain other administrative filings. Knowing which office holds the record you need is the first step toward a successful search.

    Individuals looking for Bradley County court records can start with TennesseeCourts.us, the state’s judicial branch website, which provides directories of court locations, links to case-lookup tools, and downloadable court forms. Beyond that statewide resource, records may be searched through local clerk offices in person, by mail, by telephone, or through online databases. Public-access terminals are available at certain courthouse offices for walk-in research. The remainder of this guide breaks down each record type, explains where it is held, and details the procedures and costs involved in obtaining it.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Bradley County?

    Bradley County court cases can be located through several channels depending on the type of case, how quickly the information is needed, and whether the requester can visit in person.

    Online searches. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a statewide case information system. The Tennessee Court Case Lookup portal allows users to search criminal, civil, and domestic-relations cases by party name, case number, or attorney. Coverage varies by court and county, but it is the most accessible starting point for remote searches.

    For Bradley County specifically, the Chancery Court Clerk and Master’s office and the Circuit Court Clerk’s office can confirm case information over the phone or in response to written requests. The General Sessions Court handles preliminary hearings, misdemeanors, and civil matters below its jurisdictional threshold, and its records may also be searched through the clerk’s office.

    In-person searches. The primary courthouse facilities in Bradley County are located in Cleveland:

    Bradley County Courthouse
    Address: 155 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311

    Bradley County Justice Center
    Address: 2290 Blythe Avenue SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
    Phone: (423) 728-7226

    The Justice Center houses the Criminal Court Clerk’s office and General Sessions Court operations. Walk-in visitors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, if possible, the case number or full legal names of the parties involved. Searches that require staff time may be subject to copy and research fees.

    By mail. Written requests for court records should be addressed to the appropriate clerk (circuit, criminal, chancery, or general sessions) at the courthouse address. Include the full names of the parties, approximate dates, the type of record requested, a return address, and a check or money order for applicable fees.

    Key search details to provide:

    • Full legal names of parties
    • Case number (if known)
    • Approximate date of filing or disposition
    • Type of case (criminal, civil, domestic, probate)
    • The specific document needed (order, judgment, filing, etc.)

    Are Court Records Public in Bradley County?

    Tennessee has a strong tradition of open government, codified primarily in the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503 et seq.). This statute declares that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of the state unless an exemption applies. Court records maintained by clerks in Bradley County are presumed public and available for inspection during normal business hours.

    However, certain categories of records are shielded from public access by statute, court rule, or court order:

    • Sealed records. A judge may order any case file sealed for cause. Once sealed, the case is not accessible to the public.
    • Expunged records. Under T.C.A. § 40-32-101, eligible individuals may petition to have certain criminal records expunged (destroyed). Once expunged, the records are treated as if they never existed.
    • Juvenile records. Proceedings in the Bradley County Juvenile Court are confidential. Access is limited to the parties, their attorneys, the child’s guardian ad litem, and other authorized persons (T.C.A. § 37-1-153).
    • Adoption records. Adoption files are sealed upon finalization. Post-adoption records may be accessed only through the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Post-Adoption Unit or by court order.
    • Grand jury proceedings. Grand jury deliberations and votes remain secret under Tennessee law.
    • Medical and mental-health records submitted to the court in connection with certain proceedings.
    • Records involving victims of sexual offenses where the court has entered a protective order.

    When requesting records under the Public Records Act, no explanation of purpose is required. However, custodians may charge reasonable fees for copies. Tennessee law caps the per-page cost for standard copies and allows agencies to charge for the time spent locating and reproducing records when a request is exceptionally large. If a records request is denied, the requester may appeal to the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel (OORC) for review without cost.

    Bradley County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Bradley County are handled at two levels. Felony cases and appeals from lower courts are prosecuted in the Circuit Court acting in its criminal division (10th Judicial District Criminal Court). Misdemeanor offenses, preliminary hearings, violations of local ordinances, and traffic matters are heard in General Sessions Court. The Criminal Court Clerk maintains the official file for all felony cases and certain serious misdemeanor proceedings.

    Criminal Court Clerk’s Office
    Address: 2290 Blythe Avenue SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
    Phone: (423) 728-7226

    Office hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays. The Criminal Court Clerk processes filings, collects fines and court costs, and provides certified copies of judgments, orders, and other case documents.

    Searching criminal records online. The statewide case lookup system includes criminal docket information for Bradley County. Users can search by defendant name or case number. For records that do not appear online, or for certified copies, contact the clerk’s office directly.

    Arrest records and law-enforcement reports. The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest logs, incident reports, and booking records. The Sheriff’s Office is located at:

    Bradley County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 2290 Blythe Avenue SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
    Phone: (423) 728-7300

    Requests for incident reports and arrest records can be submitted in person or by mail. A valid photo ID is required. Fees for copies of reports vary; requesters should call ahead to confirm the cost and whether the report is available for release. Booking photographs and current inmate information may be accessible through the sheriff’s office website or jail-management system.

    The Cleveland Police Department handles arrests within city limits and maintains its own set of criminal-justice records. Requests for city police reports should be directed to the Cleveland Police Department at (423) 476-4344.

    Background checks. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) provides criminal-history background checks for a fee. These checks draw on statewide arrest and conviction data and can be requested online, by mail, or at designated agencies. A name-based search through TBI typically costs $29.

    Expungement. Tennessee law allows expungement of certain eligible offenses under T.C.A. § 40-32-101. A filing fee applies, and eligible individuals must petition the court that entered the original conviction. The petition form and instructions are available through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. Not all offenses qualify, and the court retains discretion to grant or deny the petition.

    Bradley County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Bradley County is divided among three courts based on the nature and dollar amount of the dispute.

    Circuit Court exercises general civil jurisdiction over lawsuits with no upper monetary limit. It handles tort claims, contract disputes, personal-injury actions, and appeals from administrative agencies. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains the official record of all civil filings.

    Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
    Address: 155 North Ocoee Street, Room 203, Cleveland, TN 37311
    Phone: (423) 728-7243

    Chancery Court hears equity matters, including property disputes, contract rescission, injunctions, trust litigation, tax disputes, workers’ compensation cases, and will contests. The Chancery Court Clerk and Master serves as both clerk and commissioner for certain proceedings.

    Chancery Court Clerk and Master’s Office
    Address: 155 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311
    Phone: (423) 728-7202

    General Sessions Court has jurisdiction over civil claims up to $25,000 (T.C.A. § 16-15-501), including landlord-tenant disputes, property damage, and small claims. Small-claims cases — those involving $25,000 or less where at least one party is not represented by an attorney — follow simplified procedures designed for self-represented litigants. The General Sessions Clerk manages these files.

    General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office
    Address: 2290 Blythe Avenue SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
    Phone: (423) 728-7226

    How to request civil court records:

    1. Identify the court. Determine whether the case was filed in Circuit, Chancery, or General Sessions Court based on the subject matter and dollar amount.
    2. Search online. Use the Tennessee Court Case Lookup to find the case number, parties, and disposition information.
    3. Contact the clerk. Call or visit the appropriate clerk’s office to request copies.
    4. Provide details. Furnish the case number, party names, and the specific documents needed.
    5. Pay applicable fees. Standard copy fees in Tennessee courts are typically $0.50 per page for non-certified copies and $5.00 for a certification. Fees may vary by clerk’s office; confirm in advance.

    Property and land records. Real-estate records — deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plat maps, and UCC filings — are recorded with the Bradley County Register of Deeds, located at 155 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311, Phone: (423) 728-7224 Many recorded documents can be searched online through the register’s electronic database. Tennessee’s recording fee for most instruments is set by T.C.A. § 8-21-1001.

    Bradley County Family Court Records

    Family-law matters in Bradley County are primarily handled by the Circuit Court (domestic-relations division) and the Chancery Court, depending on the type of action. The Juvenile Court has exclusive jurisdiction over proceedings involving children under age 18, including dependency and neglect, unruly-child petitions, and certain custody matters where the child’s welfare is at issue.

    Divorce and legal separation. Divorce petitions are filed in either Circuit or Chancery Court. Tennessee recognizes both fault-based and irreconcilable-differences (no-fault) grounds for divorce (T.C.A. § 36-4-101 et seq.). The filing party pays a filing fee at the time the complaint is submitted. Divorce cases become part of the public record upon filing, though the court may restrict access to sensitive financial information or protect minor children’s identifying details.

    Child custody and support. Custody and parenting-plan orders are entered by the court as part of a divorce proceeding or in an independent custody action. Child-support orders are calculated using the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines worksheet (Income Shares Model). Modifications to existing orders require a petition and a showing of a significant variance or material change in circumstances.

    Domestic violence protection orders. Orders of protection may be sought through the General Sessions Court or the Circuit Court under T.C.A. § 36-3-601 et seq. There is no filing fee for petitions for orders of protection. Clerks can provide the necessary forms, and the Tennessee Court Forms page offers downloadable versions.

    Juvenile Court.

    Bradley County Juvenile Court
    Address: 2290 Blythe Avenue SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
    Phone: (423) 728-7232

    Juvenile Court records are confidential under T.C.A. § 37-1-153. Only authorized persons — parties, attorneys, guardians ad litem, and individuals with a court order — may access these files. Delinquency adjudications, dependency and neglect findings, and unruly-child proceedings all fall within the Juvenile Court’s exclusive jurisdiction.

    Adoption records. Adoption decrees finalized in Bradley County are sealed. A person seeking post-adoption information may contact the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services or file a petition in the court that granted the adoption requesting the release of specific information. The state maintains a Contact Veto Registry that allows birth parents and adult adoptees to register their preferences regarding contact.

    Marriage licenses. Marriage licenses in Tennessee are issued by the Bradley County Clerk. Applicants must appear together at the clerk’s office with valid photo identification. Tennessee eliminated the requirement for witnesses and officiant signatures effective January 1, 2024, replacing the traditional ceremony model with an authorization process. The marriage-license fee varies; contact the County Clerk’s Office at (423) 728-7230 for the current amount. Certified copies of recorded marriage certificates are available from the same office.

    Birth and death certificates. Vital records for events that occurred in Tennessee are maintained by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records within the Department of Health. Certified copies can be ordered through the state office or through the local county health department. Birth certificates are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, or their legal representatives.

    Bradley County Probate Court Records

    Probate proceedings in Bradley County are heard in Chancery Court. The Clerk and Master serves as the administrative arm for estate cases, maintaining files for decedent estates, trust administration, guardianships, and conservatorships.

    Chancery Court Clerk and Master (Probate)
    Address: 155 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311
    Phone: (423) 728-7202

    Types of probate matters handled:

    • Administration of decedent estates (testate and intestate)
    • Probate of wills
    • Appointment of executors and administrators
    • Guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults
    • Conservatorships over the property of incapacitated persons
    • Trust disputes and trust accountings
    • Small-estate affidavits

    Filing a probate case. Under Tennessee law, a will must be presented for probate in the county where the decedent was domiciled at the time of death (T.C.A. § 32-2-101). The petitioner files the original will along with a petition for probate and pays the applicable filing fee. Court costs for opening an estate vary; the Clerk and Master’s office can provide the current schedule.

    Small-estate procedures. Tennessee allows simplified administration for estates that fall below a statutory threshold. If the total value of the decedent’s personal property, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $50,000, an heir may file a small-estate affidavit (T.C.A. § 30-4-103) without the need for full probate administration. The affidavit is filed with the Chancery Court Clerk and carries a reduced filing fee.

    Searching probate records:

    1. Visit the Chancery Court Clerk and Master’s office at the Bradley County Courthouse during business hours (typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).
    2. Provide the decedent’s full legal name and approximate date of death.
    3. Staff will locate the estate file and allow inspection of public documents within it.
    4. Request copies of specific instruments — wills, letters testamentary, inventories, accountings — and pay the per-page copy fee.

    Estate records are generally public once filed with the court, although the court may restrict access to certain sensitive financial schedules or medical reports submitted in connection with guardianship or conservatorship proceedings. Guardianship records involving minors may also have limited access depending on the circumstances.

    For downloadable probate forms, the Tennessee Court Forms page maintained by the state courts provides standardized petitions, accountings, and inventories used across the state. The Chancery Court Clerk’s office may also have local supplemental forms available at the clerk’s window or on the Bradley County government website.