Davidson County Court Records Search
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Davidson County, coterminous with the city of Nashville, operates one of the most active court systems in Tennessee. As the state capital and a major metropolitan center, the county’s courts handle a high volume of cases spanning criminal, civil, domestic, and probate matters. The judicial structure in Davidson County includes circuit courts (eight divisions), criminal courts (six divisions), a four-part chancery court, general sessions courts, and a juvenile court — each with its own clerk’s office responsible for maintaining and releasing records. Navigating this system requires knowing which office holds the records you need and the procedures each clerk follows for public access.
Court records in Davidson County can be located through a combination of official clerk office resources, online databases, public access terminals at the courthouse, and state-level systems. Several clerk offices operate their own electronic search tools, and the TennesseeCourts.us may help individuals identify publicly available case information across the state’s county and circuit court systems. For records that cannot be found through digital channels, in-person inspection and mail-in requests remain available at each clerk’s office during regular business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Davidson County?
Because Davidson County has multiple courts and separate clerks, the first step is identifying which court handled the case. Criminal matters go through the Criminal Court or General Sessions Criminal Division. Civil lawsuits may be filed in Circuit Court, Chancery Court, or General Sessions Civil Division. Family law cases — including divorce — are split between Circuit and Chancery Courts. Probate matters are handled by the Probate Division of Circuit Court.
Once you know the court, the following search tools are available:
Criminal Court and General Sessions Criminal Records
The Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk’s Case Search is a free, publicly accessible database. Users can search by:
- Defendant’s first and last name
- Case number
- Complaint or incident number
- Date of birth (optional, to narrow results)
Results include charges, bond details, court appearances, case disposition, court costs, and incarceration information.
Circuit Court, Probate, and General Sessions Civil Records
The Circuit Court Clerk’s CaseLink database provides 24/7 access to cases filed in Circuit, Probate, and General Sessions Civil courts. Basic case searches are available at no charge. A subscription-based service costing $25 per month allows users to view and print documents. Records obtained through CaseLink are for informational purposes only and are not considered official copies.
For probate-specific lookups, the Circuit Court Clerk also offers a Probate Estate Lookup tool searchable by case number, party name, or filing date.
Chancery Court Records
The Chancery Court Clerk and Master provides two online options:
- Public Records Search (Odyssey) — A free database covering chancery cases from 1997 to present. Searchable by case number, party name, attorney, filing date, case type, or status.
- Chancery Information Access (CIA) — A subscription portal at $45 per quarter that allows viewing and printing of case documents.
In-Person Inspection
All clerk offices allow in-person inspection of public records during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) at no cost. The Chancery Court Clerk and Master’s office maintains public access computer terminals for on-site case review. Physical files for older chancery cases are stored off-site but can be requested for delivery to the courthouse.
Fees for Copies
Copy fees are consistent across most Davidson County clerk offices:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certification and seal | $5.00 per document |
| Exemplified copy (Chancery) | $10.00 front page + $0.50/page |
Mail Requests
Each clerk’s office accepts written requests by mail. Requests should include relevant case details (party names, case numbers), specify whether certified copies are needed, and include payment. Each office also provides a Public Records Request form that can be submitted in person, by mail, or — in some cases — by email. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Public Records Policy outlines the detailed process and designated coordinators for each division.
Are Court Records Public in Davidson County?
Davidson County court records are presumptively open to public inspection under two governing authorities. The Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), codified at T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2), requires that all state, county, and municipal records be available for personal inspection by any Tennessee citizen during business hours. Separately, Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 governs public access to court records specifically, establishing both the right of access and the categories of information that must be restricted.
Records that are restricted or confidential under Tennessee law include:
- Sealed records — Cases sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
- Certain juvenile records — Under T.C.A. § 37-1-153, many juvenile court records are confidential and accessible only to authorized parties.
- Records related to ongoing investigations — Active investigative files may be withheld.
- Expunged records — Criminal records that have been expunged are removed from public databases.
- Confidential personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account information, and certain victim data may be redacted from publicly released documents per Rule 34(2)©.
Records containing confidential information are only released to specifically authorized individuals, which typically include parties to the case, their attorneys, and certain government agencies. Individuals who believe they are entitled to restricted records may need to petition the court or present valid identification and documentation of their relationship to the case.
Davidson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal proceedings in Davidson County are adjudicated by the Criminal Court (Divisions 1 through 6) and the criminal division of General Sessions Court. The Criminal Court handles felonies and serious misdemeanors, while General Sessions hears preliminary hearings and lower-level criminal cases. Both are part of Tennessee’s 20th Judicial District.
Criminal Court Clerk’s Office
The Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk is the official custodian for criminal court and general sessions criminal records. The office is led by Howard Gentry.
Criminal Court Clerk
Address: 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2120, Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: (615) 862-5601
The office provides public viewing access to all non-restricted criminal records at no charge during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Free online record summaries are available through the Case Search system.
Requesting Copies
Certified copies cost $5.00 per certification and seal (per T.C.A. § 8-21-401(i)(5)), plus $0.50 per page. Non-certified copies are $0.50 per page. For mail requests, contact the office at (615) 862-5601 to determine the total charge, then send payment by cashier’s check or money order along with your request and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
A formal public records request can be made using the form found in the Criminal Court Clerk’s Public Records Policy document.
Criminal Background Checks
The Criminal Court Clerk provides criminal background check services. Results include Davidson County criminal history only — not case dispositions from other jurisdictions. The fee for each Davidson County arrest record check through the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department is $13.
Arrest Records and Police Reports
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) is the official custodian of arrest records, incident reports, and criminal charge information in Davidson County. To request records, complete the form embedded in the MNPD Open Records Request Policy and submit it in person, by mail, or via email.
MNPD Central Records Division
Address: 811 Anderson Lane, Suite 100, Madison, TN 37115
Phone: (615) 862-7631
Email: MNPDPublic@nashville.gov
Note that MNPD releases only arrest and charge information — not court case dispositions. For those, contact the Criminal Court Clerk.
Criminal Court Location
Criminal Court (Divisions 1–6)
Address: Justice A.A. Birch Building, 408 2nd Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201
Davidson County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Davidson County is distributed across three courts: the Circuit Court (general jurisdiction civil matters), the Chancery Court (equity cases, injunctions, property disputes, tax matters), and the General Sessions Civil Division (smaller civil claims, landlord-tenant evictions, detainer actions).
Circuit Court — Civil Division
The Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk maintains records for all eight circuit court divisions as well as General Sessions civil cases.
Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
Address: 1 Public Square, Suite 302, Nashville, TN 37201
Mailing: P.O. Box 196303, Nashville, TN 37219-6303
Phone: (615) 862-5181
Fax: (615) 862-5191
Email: circuitclerksupport@jisnashville.gov
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
Civil case records can be searched through CaseLink or inspected in person at the clerk’s office. The Public Records Request form may be used for formal requests submitted to the designated Public Records Request Coordinator.
Selected Circuit Court Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2026)
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Category One (contracts, torts, personal injury, malpractice, wrongful death, etc.) | $334.50 |
| Category Two (appeals from General Sessions, writs, foreign judgments) | $259.50 |
| Category Three (name changes, legitimations, minor settlements) | $159.50 |
| Expungements | $100.00 |
Chancery Court
The Chancery Court Clerk and Master manages all chancery filings, including equity actions, injunctions, property disputes, tax matters, and certain domestic cases.
Chancery Court Clerk and Master
Address: Historic Metro Courthouse, 1 Public Square, Suite 308, Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: (615) 862-5710
Fax: (615) 862-5722
Email: clerkandmasterrecords@jisnashville.gov
Copies can be requested via email, Phone: (ext. 71868), or in person at the file room. The Chancery Court also accepts major credit cards at the counter. A full schedule of filing and service fees is published on the office website.
General Sessions Civil Division
General Sessions civil records — including small claims, detainer warrants, and civil warrant cases — are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk.
General Sessions Civil
Address: Justice A.A. Birch Building, 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2110, Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: (615) 862-5195
Email: gscivilclerk@jisnashville.gov
Davidson County Family Court Records
Davidson County does not have a standalone family court. Instead, family law matters are divided among the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, and Juvenile Court depending on the type of case.
Divorce and Domestic Relations
Divorce actions, child custody disputes, paternity proceedings, and termination of parental rights cases are filed in either Circuit Court or Chancery Court. Records from these proceedings are maintained by the respective clerk’s office. Relevant filing fees from the Circuit Court Clerk (effective January 1, 2026) include:
| Domestic Filing Type | Fee (without service) | Fee (with DCSO service) |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce (with minor children) | $309.50 | $361.50 |
| Divorce (without minor children) | $234.50 | $286.50 |
| Modification/contempt petitions | $100.00 | $152.00 |
| Adoption (plus $30/child for birth certificate application) | $133.75 | $185.75 |
| Paternity, TPR, and other domestic matters | $159.50 | $211.50 |
Divorce case records can be searched through the CaseLink system (Circuit Court) or the Odyssey Public Records Search (Chancery Court). Child support payments ordered by the court are processed through the Tennessee Department of Human Services.
Juvenile Court Records
Cases involving children under 18 — including dependency, neglect, delinquency, and unruly child matters — are heard by the Davidson County Juvenile Court. Records are maintained by the Juvenile Court Clerk’s office.
Juvenile Court Clerk
Address: 100 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37213
Phone: (615) 862-7980
Fax: (615) 862-7982
Email: juvenilecourtclerk@jisnashville.gov
To request juvenile court records, complete the Public Records Request form and submit it to the designated Public Records Request Coordinator. Copy fees are $0.50 per page, with $5.00 for each document certification. It is important to note that many juvenile records are confidential under T.C.A. § 37-1-153 and are accessible only to specifically authorized individuals.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Davidson County are issued by the Davidson County Clerk’s Office. The fee is $99.50 (cash) or $101.49 (card). A $60 discount is available with a notarized pre-marital counseling certificate. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID and proof of Social Security number, and must complete the online application in advance.
Certified copies of marriage licenses issued within the last 30 years cost $5.00 each, plus a $2.00 mail fee for mailed requests. Requests can be submitted online or by mail to:
Davidson County Clerk’s Office
Attn: Marriage Department
P.O. Box 196333, Nashville, TN 37219-6333
Phone: (615) 862-6256
For older Davidson County marriage records (1779–2012), contact the Metropolitan Archives of Nashville. The Archives also maintains an online marriage index covering 1788 to 1916.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates can be obtained from the Metro Public Health Department (Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209) or the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records (Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243). Under Tennessee law, birth records are restricted for 100 years and death records for 50 years. Only individuals specified in T.C.A. § 68-3-205 may obtain copies before these periods expire.
Davidson County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Davidson County fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Seventh Circuit Court, Probate Division, presided over by Judge Andra Hedrick. The Probate Court Clerk’s Office — a division of the Circuit Court Clerk — manages all clerk functions for probate cases.
Probate Court Clerk’s Office
Address: 1 Public Square, Suite 302, Nashville, TN 37201
Mailing: P.O. Box 196300, Nashville, TN 37219-6300
Phone: (615) 862-5980
Fax: (615) 862-5987
Fax Filings: (615) 296-4502
Email: probateclerksupport@jisnashville.gov
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
Jurisdiction
The Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over estate administration, including the probate of wills. Tennessee law requires that a will be submitted to the court for probate. The court also exercises concurrent jurisdiction over conservatorships and guardianships. Additional matters handled include adult and minor name changes, emancipations, legitimations, and trust-related issues.
Searching Probate Records
The Probate Estate Lookup tool allows free online searches by case number, party name, or filing date. More detailed document access is available through the subscription-based CaseLink portal at $25 per month. In-person inspection of probate files is available at the clerk’s office during business hours at no charge.
Requesting Copies
Copy fees for probate records follow the standard schedule: $0.50 per page for plain copies and $5.00 for certification. Requests can be made in person, by mail (with payment by cashier’s check or money order), or by submitting the Circuit Court Clerk’s Public Records Request form to the designated coordinator at:
Probate Court Clerk’s Office
Historic Metro Nashville Courthouse
1 Public Square, Room 303
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: (615) 862-5980