Claiborne County, Tennessee Court Records
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Claiborne County, Tennessee occupies the northeastern corner of the state along the Virginia and Kentucky borders, with its county seat at Tazewell and a secondary judicial hub in New Tazewell. The county's court system is divided among several courts—Circuit Court, Chancery Court, General Sessions Court, Juvenile Court, and several municipal courts—each with its own jurisdiction and separate record-keeping responsibilities. Because no single office holds all records for the county, the first step is identifying which court handled the matter you're researching.
Residents looking for court records in Tennessee have several pathways available. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides statewide information on court structure, clerk locations, and online tools. TennesseeCourts.us can help you understand how the state's judicial system is organized and identify which clerk's office to contact. Depending on the case type and the court that heard it, records may be reviewed in person at the courthouse, requested by mail or email, or in some instances accessed through online case inquiry systems.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Claiborne County?
Court Locations and Contact Information
Most of Claiborne County's trial court operations are split between two locations: New Tazewell (where the Circuit, General Sessions, and Juvenile Courts operate) and Tazewell (where the Chancery Court, County Clerk, and Register of Deeds are located).
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court & General Sessions Court | 415 Straight Creek Rd., Suite 5, New Tazewell, TN 37825 | (423) 626-3334 |
| Chancery Court (Clerk & Master) | 1740 Main St., Suite 201, Tazewell, TN 37879 | (423) 626-3284 |
| County Clerk | 1740 Main Street, Suite 2, Tazewell, TN 37879 | (423) 626-3283 |
| Sheriff's Office | 415 Straight Creek Rd., New Tazewell, TN 37825 | (423) 626-3385 |
Municipal Courts
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland Gap Municipal Court | 380 Colwyn Avenue, P.O. Box 78, Cumberland Gap, TN 37724 | (423) 869-3860 |
| New Tazewell City Court | 413 1st Avenue, P.O. Box 609, New Tazewell, TN 37824 | (423) 626-5242 |
| Tazewell City Court | 1830 Main Street, P.O. Box 206, Tazewell, TN 37879 | (423) 626-5104 |
Online Case Search
For appellate matters, the Tennessee Public Case History system allows free searches of Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals cases. Trial court case access at the county level generally requires contacting the relevant clerk's office directly, visiting in person, or using court-specific inquiry systems where available.
Requesting Records from the Circuit Court Clerk
Circuit Court Clerk Jackie Rosenbalm oversees records for the Circuit, General Sessions, and Juvenile Courts. Email and written requests can be directed to:
Circuit Court Clerk Claiborne County
415 Straight Creek Rd., Suite 5
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334
Email: circuitcourtclerk@claibornecountytn.gov
When submitting a request, include the case number, the names of the parties involved, the filing or judgment date, and a description of the specific record you need. Both the Circuit Court and Chancery Court offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Claiborne County?
Tennessee's Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. 10-7-503 et seq.) establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records. At the court level, Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 specifically governs access to records maintained by the state's courts, affirming the public's right to inspect them unless a specific exemption applies.
Records Exempt from Public Disclosure
The following categories are shielded from routine public access in Claiborne County:
- Records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Adoption case files (sealed by statute)
- Child custody documents in proceedings where confidentiality is ordered
- Medical and mental health records submitted to the court
- Sealed or expunged records
- Personal identifying information of victims, witnesses, and jurors
- Financial information whose disclosure could jeopardize personal security
- Information whose release could endanger an individual's physical safety
Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, government entities are not required to compile or sort through files to create new records in response to a request—they must only provide access to records that already exist. Custodians may require a written request and may charge reasonable copying fees consistent with the state's schedule.
Claiborne County Criminal Court Records
Court Jurisdiction
Criminal matters in Claiborne County are handled across two court levels. The Circuit/Criminal Court—presided over by Judges E. Shayne Sexton and John D. McAfee, among others—hears felony indictments, appeals, violation of probation matters, post-conviction proceedings, and Grand Jury proceedings. The General Sessions Court, overseen by Judge Robert M. Estep, handles felony and misdemeanor warrants, citations, Capias orders, violations of probation at the sessions level, and preliminary matters for the District Attorney General's office.
Accessing Criminal Court Records
Records from both courts are maintained by Circuit Court Clerk Jackie Rosenbalm. To request criminal case records:
- Contact the clerk's office at (423) 626-3334 or email circuitcourtclerk@claibornecountytn.gov.
- Provide the case number, defendant's name, approximate case date, and the specific document or docket information needed.
- In-person requests can be made at 415 Straight Creek Rd., Suite 5, New Tazewell, during business hours (Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).
Sheriff's Office Records
Arrest records, incident reports, and warrant information are maintained by the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Bob Brooks. The office is located at 415 Straight Creek Road, New Tazewell, TN 37825, with hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Requests for law enforcement records are governed by Tenn. Code Ann. 10-7-503 and should include identifying information such as the subject's full name, date of birth, and incident date. The Sheriff's fax number is (423) 626-7144.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For comprehensive criminal history background checks covering all Tennessee jurisdictions, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) operates as the state's central repository under Tenn. Code Ann. 38-6-109. You can submit a name-based check through the TBI's TORIS online portal or by mailing a completed Criminal History Information Request Form with a $29.00 fee (check or money order) to:
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation TORIS Unit
901 R.S. Gass Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4057
The TBI search requires the subject's full name, date of birth, race, and sex. Fingerprint-based checks are also available and are required for certain employment and licensing purposes.
Claiborne County Civil Court Records
Jurisdiction
Civil cases in Claiborne County are divided by dollar value and subject matter. The Chancery Court handles civil actions involving fraud, specific performance of contracts, reformation of instruments, dissolution of partnerships, employment discrimination, workers' compensation, delinquent tax matters, and actions relating to persons under legal disability. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil torts and contract disputes exceeding $25,000, condemnations, and workers' compensation claims. The General Sessions Court handles limited-jurisdiction civil matters—torts and contracts under $25,000—as well as landlord-tenant disputes, garnishments, bank levies, and orders of protection.
Requesting Civil Records
- Chancery Court civil records: Contact Clerk and Master Patricia Simmons at 1740 Main St., Suite 201, Tazewell, TN 37879; Phone: (423) 626-3284; Fax: (423) 626-3604; Mailing address: P.O. Box 180, Tazewell, TN 37879.
- Circuit Court and General Sessions civil records: Contact Circuit Court Clerk Jackie Rosenbalm at 415 Straight Creek Rd., Suite 5, New Tazewell, TN 37825; Phone: (423) 626-3334
Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Written requests should describe the record with enough specificity to allow the clerk's office to locate it—include party names, the case number if known, and the approximate date of filing or judgment.
Forms and Self-Help
Neither the Chancery Court nor the Circuit Court prepares forms for self-represented litigants. That said, forms and instructions for common filings—including divorce—are available through Justice for All TN, the Tennessee Access to Justice Commission's self-help resource. Parties representing themselves remain responsible for the correctness of their filings and for paying applicable filing fees.
Property Records
Property-related civil records—deeds, mortgages, and plats—are maintained by the Claiborne County Register of Deeds, located at 1740 Main Street, Suite 2, Tazewell. Property assessment data is separately available through the state's Tennessee Property Assessment Data portal and the Tennessee Property Viewer, both searchable by owner name, address, or parcel ID.
Claiborne County Family Court Records
Divorce Proceedings
Divorce actions in Claiborne County are filed with and adjudicated by the Chancery Court, with Chancellor Elizabeth C. Asbury presiding. The Clerk and Master's Office—headed by Patricia Simmons—maintains all divorce case files, including pleadings, agreed orders, and final decrees. Certified copies of divorce decrees may be requested from the Clerk and Master at 1740 Main St., Suite 201, Tazewell.
Under Tenn. Code Ann. 36-3-103, marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk. Marriage records from the County Clerk's office at 1740 Main Street, Suite 2, Tazewell (Phone: (423) 626-3283) may be requested in person or by mail. Provide both spouses' full names—including the bride's maiden name—the date of the marriage, and valid identification.
Child Support and Custody
Child support enforcement cases are heard by the Chancery Court, with Child Support Referee Gregory Miller and Child Support Magistrate Gregory Miller presiding over related matters across both the Chancery and Sessions courts. The Domestic Relations/Child Support Enforcement docket typically convenes most Fridays, and parties are notified by the Assistant District Attorney's office of their required appearance dates.
Custody and conservatorship proceedings may be heard in either the Circuit Court or the Chancery Court, depending on the context. Adoption proceedings are handled by the Chancery Court, and those records are sealed from public access by statute.
Juvenile Court
Juvenile Court matters in Claiborne County fall under General Sessions Judge Robert M. Estep's jurisdiction. The Juvenile Court is located at 415 Straight Creek Rd., Suite 6, New Tazewell, TN 37825. Juvenile records are confidential under Tennessee law and are not available to the general public. Parties with a legitimate legal interest—including the juvenile, their parents or guardians, and authorized legal representatives—may petition for access.
Vital Records – Birth and Death
Birth and death certificates for Claiborne County are issued by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records, governed by Tenn. Code Ann. 68-3-205. The fee is $15.00 per certified copy. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old are restricted to the record subject, immediate family members, or legal representatives. Older records become publicly accessible through the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or online. Written requests require:
- Completed application form (Form PH-1654 for birth certificates or Form PH-1663 for death certificates)
- Valid government-issued photo identification
- Payment of $15.00 per copy
Mail requests should be sent to:
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-1763
Claiborne County Probate Court Records
Jurisdiction and Custodian
Probate jurisdiction in Claiborne County rests with the Chancery Court, which handles wills for testate estates, intestate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and small estate affidavits. The Clerk and Master's Office serves as the record custodian for all probate filings.
Probate Filing Fees
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| Administration (Executors) | $489.50 |
| Small Estates (under $50,000) | $100.50 |
Probate Procedures Overview
Anyone seeking to probate a Claiborne County estate must file a prepared petition and order with the Clerk and Master's Office. The court does not use standard fill-in forms—petitions must be prepared with attorney assistance or independently by the petitioner. Key procedural steps include:
- Filing a petition, proposed order, and will (if one exists) with the clerk.
- Posting a bond for the personal representative unless waived by the will or court under Tenn. Code Ann. 30-1-201.
- Filing a complete inventory of the estate within 60 days of appointment (Tenn. Code Ann. 30-2-301).
- Notifying all beneficiaries and known creditors within 60 days of appointment.
- Publishing a creditors' notice in the Claiborne County Standard Banner for two consecutive weeks (Tenn. Code Ann. 30-2-306).
- Filing an Inheritance Tax Return with the Tennessee Department of Revenue within nine months of the decedent's death (Tenn. Code Ann. 67-8-316), unless the estate qualifies for a waiver.
- Filing accountings with the clerk within 15 months of qualification and annually thereafter until the estate is closed (Tenn. Code Ann. 30-2-602).
For small estates with a gross value under $50,000, an affidavit process under Tenn. Code Ann. 30-4-101 may be available after 45 days from the date of death, provided no personal representative petition has been filed.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate filings are generally open to the public, with the exception of adoption records. To review or request copies of probate case files, contact the Clerk and Master at:
Claiborne County Clerk and Master
1740 Main St., Suite 201 (physical) | P.O. Box 180 (mail)
Tazewell, TN 37879
Phone: (423) 626-3284 | Fax: (423) 626-3604
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Provide the decedent's full name, the approximate year of probate, and any available case number to help staff locate the record quickly. The office cannot provide legal advice—all legal questions should be directed to a licensed Tennessee attorney.