Cumberland County Court Records Search

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    Cumberland County is situated on Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Plateau, with its county seat in Crossville. The county’s judicial system encompasses several courts operating out of the Justice Center complex, each maintaining distinct categories of legal records. These courts include the Circuit Court, Criminal Court, Chancery Court, General Sessions Court, Juvenile Court, and Probate Court. The offices responsible for filing and preserving these records are the Circuit Court Clerk and the Clerk and Master, both headquartered at the Cumberland County Justice Center on Justice Center Drive in Crossville.

    Residents and members of the public seeking court records in Tennessee can begin by consulting official clerk offices, courthouse public-access terminals, and state-level online tools. TennesseeCourts.us may assist users in identifying court locations and publicly available case information across the state. Additionally, the Cumberland County government website and the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintain directories and search portals that allow users to look up case details without visiting the courthouse in person.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Cumberland County?

    There are several avenues for locating a court case in Cumberland County, depending on the type of case and the level of detail needed.

    Online Case Search

    The Cumberland County Online Court Records System is the primary local portal for searching civil and criminal case information. Users can search by party name, case number, or year and filter results by court type (Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, or Chancery). This system provides case summaries, party information, scheduled hearing dates, and disposition details for most non-confidential matters.

    For appellate-level cases, the Tennessee Supreme Court and Court of Appeals offer a separate Public Case History search tool on the state judiciary website.

    In-Person Searches

    Individuals may visit either clerk’s office during business hours to conduct record searches using public-access terminals or to request assistance from staff. The relevant offices are:

    Circuit Court Clerk
    Address: 60 Justice Center Dr, Suite 300, Crossville, TN 38555
    Phone: (931) 484-6647
    Email: jessica.burgess@cumberlandcountytn.gov
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    Clerk and Master (Chancery Court)
    Address: 60 Justice Center Dr, Suite 226, Crossville, TN 38555
    Phone: (931) 484-4731
    Email: benjamin.tollett@tncourts.gov
    Hours: Monday–Friday (contact office for specific hours)

    Mail and Written Requests

    Written requests for copies of court records may be directed to the appropriate clerk’s office at the addresses listed above. Requests should include the full names of the parties, the case number if known, the court in which the case was filed, and the specific documents requested. Include a return envelope and the applicable copy fee.

    Steps to Search a Case

    1. Identify whether the matter is civil, criminal, family, or probate in nature.
    2. Determine the correct custodial office — Circuit Court Clerk for circuit, criminal, and general sessions matters; Clerk and Master for chancery, probate, and juvenile matters.
    3. Search the online court records system by party name or case number.
    4. If the record is not available online, visit the courthouse or submit a written request to the appropriate clerk.
    5. Pay applicable fees for copies or certifications.

    Are Court Records Public in Cumberland County?

    Tennessee law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 defines the scope of public access, classifying court records into three categories — case records, administrative records, and judicial records — and declaring that each is generally open to inspection unless a specific exemption applies.

    The Tennessee Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 10-7-503 through 10-7-504) further reinforces the right of any Tennessee citizen to inspect and copy public records maintained by government offices, including courts.

    Categories of Confidential or Restricted Records

    Not all court files are open. Under Rule 34 and related statutes, the following types of records are generally exempt from public access in Cumberland County:

    • Juvenile court proceedings and records
    • Adoption files
    • Records sealed by court order or protective order
    • Unpublished drafts of judicial orders and opinions
    • Judges’ personal notes, memoranda, and internal reports not filed as part of the case record
    • Internal case-management information (excluding appellate panel composition)
    • Security-related information concerning threats to judicial officers or court facilities
    • Records whose disclosure would impede the judicial function, as described in Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 16-3-501 through 16-3-504

    Certain vital records also carry restrictions. Birth records in Tennessee are confidential for 100 years, and death records are confidential for 50 years from the date of the event. Marriage and divorce records are restricted for 50 years, with certified copies available only to eligible individuals such as the named parties, parents, legal representatives, or persons with a court order.

    If a record has been expunged by court order, it will not appear in public searches and cannot be disclosed by the clerk’s office.

    Cumberland County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Cumberland County are divided among multiple courts depending on the severity of the charges.

    Court Jurisdiction

    CourtTypes of Cases
    Criminal Court (Circuit)Felonies, serious misdemeanors, probation violations
    General Sessions CourtPreliminary hearings, misdemeanors, local ordinance violations
    Crossville City CourtMunicipal ordinance violations, traffic offenses within city limits

    The Criminal Court and General Sessions Court are both administered through the Circuit Court Clerk’s office at the Justice Center. The Circuit Court directory page on the county website provides contact information and downloadable documents, including a fee schedule.

    Crossville City Court
    Address: 115 Henry Ave, Crossville, TN 38555
    Phone: (931) 484-7231
    Fax: (931) 707-8391

    Searching Criminal Case Records

    Criminal case information for Circuit, Criminal, and General Sessions courts can be searched through the Cumberland County Online Court Records System. Users can look up defendants by name and view case numbers, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and dispositions.

    For cases at the appellate level, the Public Case History tool on the Tennessee courts website covers the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals.

    Criminal Background Checks

    Court case searches through the county portal do not constitute an official criminal background check. For a formal Tennessee criminal history report, individuals must use the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s TORIS portal. The fee is $29 per request. Mail requests may also be sent to:

    TBI – TORIS Unit
    901 R.S. Gass Blvd.
    Nashville, TN 37216
    Phone: (615) 744-4057

    Arrest Records and Sheriff’s Office

    The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and booking information. Requests for these records should be directed to:

    Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department
    Address: 90 Justice Center Dr, Crossville, TN 38555
    Phone: (931) 484-6176
    Email: ccso@ccsheriffs.org
    Website: Sheriff’s Department directory

    Arrest records and active warrant information may be available upon request, subject to any ongoing investigation or statutory restriction.

    Cumberland County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Cumberland County is handled by both the Circuit Court and the Chancery Court, with General Sessions Court adjudicating smaller claims.

    Jurisdictional Breakdown

    • Circuit Court — General civil lawsuits, personal injury, contract disputes, tort claims, and appeals from lower courts. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains these files at Suite 300 of the Justice Center.
    • Chancery Court — Equity matters, real property disputes, will contests, injunctions, and certain business litigation. The Clerk and Master at Suite 226 of the Justice Center is the custodian of these records.
    • General Sessions Court — Civil cases with lower monetary thresholds, landlord-tenant disputes, detainer actions, and small claims. Filed through the Circuit Court Clerk’s office.

    Filing Fees

    The Circuit Court Clerk’s office publishes a fee schedule for civil filings. A downloadable document titled “Circuit Civil Filing Fees 01-01-26” is available on the Circuit Court page of the county website. A separate “General Sessions Civil Fee Sheet” is also posted there for sessions court filings. Fees vary depending on the type of action and whether service of process is needed.

    Requesting Civil Records

    Civil case documents — including complaints, answers, motions, orders, and judgments — may be obtained through:

    1. Online search at the county court records portal, which provides case summaries, party names, and filing dates at no charge.
    2. In-person at the Circuit Court Clerk (Suite 300) or Clerk and Master (Suite 226) during office hours.
    3. By mail to the appropriate office with the case number, a description of the documents sought, and the required copy fees enclosed.

    Copy fees for court documents are set by state statute. Contact the clerk’s office directly for the current per-page rate and any certification surcharges.

    Property-Related Records

    While real property disputes may be litigated in Chancery or Circuit Court, the primary repository for recorded instruments — deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and similar documents — is the Register of Deeds:

    Cumberland County Register of Deeds
    Address: 2 N Main St, Suite 204, Crossville, TN 38555
    Phone: (931) 484-5559
    Email: registerofdeeds@cumberlandcountytn.gov
    Website: Register of Deeds directory

    Property valuation and tax assessment data can be accessed through the Assessor of Property or via the Tennessee Property Viewer, an interactive statewide map maintained by the Comptroller’s Office.

    Cumberland County Assessor of Property
    Address: 2 S Main St, Suite 101, Crossville, TN 38555
    Phone: (931) 484-5745
    Email: kelli.buchannon@cot.tn.gov

    Cumberland County Family Court Records

    Family law cases in Cumberland County are heard across several courts depending on the nature of the proceeding. Divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and orders of protection each follow distinct filing and access rules.

    Divorce and Custody

    Divorce cases and contested custody matters are typically filed in the Chancery Court or Circuit Court. The Clerk and Master (Chancery) or Circuit Court Clerk maintains these files. To search for a divorce case, users can query the online records system by party name or case number. In-person requests can be made at the respective clerk’s office.

    Copy fees apply for obtaining filed documents. Certified copies of divorce decrees carry additional charges. Contact the Clerk and Master at (931) 484-4731 for specifics regarding Chancery Court divorce files, or the Circuit Court Clerk at (931) 484-6647 for cases filed in Circuit Court.

    Juvenile Court

    Juvenile Court proceedings — including dependency, neglect, delinquency, and unruly-child matters — are handled through the Chancery Court, with the Clerk and Master serving as the filing office:

    Address: 60 Justice Center Dr, Suite 226, Crossville, TN 38555
    Phone: (931) 484-4731

    Juvenile records are confidential under Tennessee law. They are not available through the online portal and cannot be accessed by the general public. Only parties to the case, their attorneys, and individuals with a valid court order may obtain juvenile case information.

    Adoption

    Adoption files are also confidential and maintained by the Clerk and Master. These records are sealed upon finalization and are not subject to public inspection absent a court order authorizing disclosure.

    Orders of Protection

    Petitions for orders of protection in domestic violence situations are typically filed in General Sessions Court or Chancery Court. Case information may appear in the online system unless restricted by the court. Victims’ identifying details may be redacted or withheld in accordance with state confidentiality statutes.

    Marriage Licenses

    Marriage licenses in Cumberland County are issued by the County Clerk’s office, not the courts:

    Cumberland County Clerk
    Address: 1760 S Main Street, Crossville, TN 38555
    Phone: (931) 484-6442
    Email: countyclerk@cumberlandcountytn.gov
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Website: County Clerk directory

    Applicants may also begin the process through the Tennessee County Clerk secure portal. Both parties must appear in person with valid identification to obtain the license.

    Vital Records (Birth and Death Certificates)

    Certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records are administered at the state level by the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records:

    Address: 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37243
    Email: vrcustomerservice@tdhs.zendesk.com
    Fee: $15 per certified copy

    The following forms are used for state-level requests:

    • Birth certificate — Form PH-1654
    • Death certificate — Form PH-1668
    • Marriage record — Form PH-1670
    • Divorce record — Form PH-1671

    Birth records are restricted for 100 years; death records for 50 years; marriage and divorce records for 50 years. Within those restriction windows, only eligible requestors — including the registrant, immediate family, legal guardians, or persons with court authorization — may obtain certified copies.

    Cumberland County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Cumberland County are handled through the Chancery Court system. The Clerk and Master serves as the filing office and custodian of all probate records, including estate administration files, wills, conservatorships, and guardianships.

    Clerk and Master (Probate)
    Address: 60 Justice Center Dr, Suite 226, Crossville, TN 38555
    Phone: (931) 484-4731
    Website: Clerk and Master directory

    Types of Probate Records

    The following categories of records are filed and maintained through this office:

    • Last wills and testaments (both probated and filed for safekeeping)
    • Petitions for letters testamentary and letters of administration
    • Estate inventories, accountings, and final settlements
    • Conservatorship petitions and orders
    • Guardianship petitions and orders (adult and minor)
    • Small estate affidavits
    • Claims against estates

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate case information may be searchable through the county online records portal depending on the case type and date of filing. For older or more detailed records, an in-person search at the Clerk and Master’s office is recommended.

    Requesting Copies

    To obtain copies of probate documents by mail, submit a written request to the Clerk and Master’s address above. Include the decedent’s full name, the approximate date of death or filing, the case number if known, and the specific documents needed. Enclose the applicable copy fees. Contact the office by phone at (931) 484-4731 for the current fee schedule.

    Conservatorships and Guardianships

    Petitions for conservatorship over adults or guardianship over minors are filed in Chancery Court. Court-appointed conservators and guardians must submit periodic accountings to the Clerk and Master, and these filings become part of the public case record unless the court orders otherwise. Guardianship matters involving minors may contain confidential information that restricts public access to portions of the file.

    Additional Resources

    The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides a statewide directory of clerks for Circuit, Criminal, and Chancery courts, which can assist users in identifying the correct contact for any Cumberland County probate matter. The Justice for All TN resource page for Cumberland County Chancery Court also offers guidance for self-represented litigants navigating estate and guardianship proceedings.