DeKalb County Court Records Search

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    DeKalb County, Tennessee, is a small but well-organized jurisdiction in the Upper Cumberland region, with its county seat in Smithville. Court records from the county's trial courts — case filings, orders, judgments, dockets, and other official documents — are held by two main offices: the Circuit Court Clerk and the Clerk and Master of Chancery Court. Together, these offices document the full range of civil, criminal, family, and probate proceedings heard in DeKalb County and form the backbone of the county's public legal record.

    If you're searching for Tennessee court records, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides court information and resources statewide, and TennesseeCourts.us can help you locate publicly available case information across the state. Locally, DeKalb County courts maintain their own dockets and records, accessible through the Circuit Court Clerk's office, in-person terminal access at the courthouse, or written requests to the appropriate clerk.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in DeKalb County?

    The DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the central repository for most court records in the county, holding files for the Circuit Court, Criminal Court, General Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court. Chancery Court records are kept separately by the Clerk and Master.

    How to Access Records:

    • In Person: Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office during business hours. Staff can help locate files using a case number or party name. Bring valid identification.
    • By Mail: Submit a written request identifying the specific record you need — including the case number, party names, and document type — along with the applicable fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
    • Online Dockets: The DeKalb County website posts current court dockets for General Sessions and Circuit Court matters as a public reference, though these are preliminary and not the official record. The Tennessee appellate courts also maintain a public case history search for Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals cases.

    Copy Fees:

    • Uncertified copies: $0.50 per page
    • Certified copies: $5.00 plus $0.50 per page

    DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk
    Address: 1 Public Square, Room 201, Smithville, TN 37166
    Phone: (615) 597-5711
    Fax: (615) 597-9919
    Jury Information Line: (615) 464-6590
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    DeKalb County Clerk and Master (Chancery Court)
    Address: 1 Public Square, Room 302, Smithville, TN 37166
    Phone: (615) 597-4360
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Are Court Records Public in DeKalb County?

    DeKalb County court records are generally open to the public under the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503) and Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34, which together give Tennessee citizens the right to inspect and copy public court records. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office confirms that all records in its custody are open to the public, with the sole exception of juvenile records.

    Despite that general presumption of openness, several categories of records are withheld or must be redacted before disclosure:

    • Juvenile records — confidential under T.C.A. § 37-1-153 and sealed in their entirety at the DeKalb County Juvenile Court
    • Domestic violence victim information — addresses, phone numbers, and location data for alleged victims may be withheld by court order
    • Identity records maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts
    • Records related to alleged abuse or sexual abuse, which must be redacted to protect the individuals involved
    • Unpublished drafts of judicial orders and opinions
    • Judge's deliberative notes, memoranda, and internal case management records
    • Records sealed by court order pursuant to Rule 34©(ii)
    • Trial preparation documents not intentionally filed as part of the official case record

    Government agencies cannot require a written request or charge a fee just to view a public record, but fees do apply when you request copies or certified copies.

    DeKalb County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in DeKalb County are handled at two levels depending on the severity of the offense. Felony cases and appeals from lower courts go to the DeKalb County Circuit Court (Criminal Division), while misdemeanors, traffic violations, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency citations are processed first through the DeKalb County General Sessions Court.

    DeKalb County Circuit Court / Criminal Court
    Address: 1 Public Square, Room 303, Smithville, TN 37166
    Phone: (615) 597-5711

    DeKalb County General Sessions Court
    Address: 1 Public Square, Room 303, Smithville, TN 37166
    Phone: (615) 597-5711

    The General Sessions Court also handles misdemeanor expungements, orders of protection, and detainer warrants, in addition to traffic matters for both the county and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Cases requiring felony disposition that originate in General Sessions are bound over to the Circuit Court for final resolution.

    Requesting Criminal Records: The Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains all criminal court filings. When visiting or writing to the office, have a case number or party name ready. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $0.50 per page; uncertified copies are $0.50 per page.

    Arrest Records: Arrest records are held by the arresting agency. For DeKalb County law enforcement-generated arrest information, contact the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department:

    Address: 100 Public Square, Smithville, TN 37166
    Non-Emergency Phone: (615) 597-4935
    Anonymous Tip Line: (615) 464-6400

    The Sheriff's Department handles law enforcement throughout the county, including operation of the county jail. Arrest records that led to criminal court proceedings may also be referenced through the Circuit Court Clerk's case files.

    Current Criminal Dockets: Weekly criminal court dockets for both General Sessions and Circuit Criminal Court are posted on the DeKalb County courts and dockets page. These are for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice.

    DeKalb County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in DeKalb County is divided between the Circuit Court and the General Sessions Court, with the Chancery Court handling equitable matters. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases — including workers' compensation suits and complex disputes — while General Sessions handles smaller civil matters including small claims.

    Court Locations for Civil Matters:

    DeKalb County Circuit Court (Civil Division)
    Address: 1 Public Square, Room 303, Smithville, TN 37166
    Phone: (615) 597-5711

    DeKalb County Chancery Court
    Address: 1 Public Square, Room 302, Smithville, TN 37166
    Phone: (615) 597-4360

    Small Claims / General Sessions Civil: Small claims matters in Tennessee are handled in General Sessions Court. Tennessee law sets the General Sessions civil jurisdiction limit at $25,000 for most counties (T.C.A. § 16-15-501). Small claims cases work well for straightforward money disputes and are designed to be accessible without an attorney.

    How to Request Civil Records:

    • Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at Room 201 with a case number or party name and valid ID
    • Submit a written request by mail to the same address, identifying the case and documents needed
    • Pay applicable copy fees: $0.50 per page (uncertified), or $5.00 plus $0.50 per page (certified)
    • For Chancery Court civil records, direct requests to the Clerk and Master at Room 302

    Civil Dockets: Upcoming Circuit Court civil hearing dates are posted on the DeKalb County dockets page, typically scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. General Sessions Civil Dockets are generally available by noon the day before the court date.

    Municipal Courts: DeKalb County also has two municipal courts for city-level matters:

    Alexandria City Court
    Address: 102 High Street, P.O. Box 277, Alexandria, TN 37012
    Phone: (615) 529-2700, ext. 202

    Smithville City Court
    Address: 104 East Main Street, Smithville, TN 37166
    Phone: (615) 597-4745

    DeKalb County Family Court Records

    Family law matters — including divorce, child support, custody, workers' compensation, and adoption proceedings — are primarily handled in the DeKalb County Circuit Court. The General Sessions Court also has jurisdiction over orders of protection in domestic violence situations.

    Divorce Records: Divorce proceedings and decrees are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk and appear on the Circuit Court Civil docket. You can access divorce case records in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office (Room 201) or by submitting a written request. Divorce records for the past 50 years may also be obtained through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Records older than 50 years are available from the Tennessee State Library and Archives or from the DeKalb County Clerk's Office directly if the divorce was granted in the county.

    To request a certified copy of a divorce certificate from the state, complete the Application for Certified Copy of Certificate of Divorce or Annulment or the Application for Verification of Divorce/Annulment Facts and mail the form with a valid ID and $15.00 fee to:

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

    Marriage Records: DeKalb County marriage records from the last 50 years are available from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. To obtain a certified marriage certificate, complete the Application for Certified Copy of Certificate of Marriage and submit it with a valid government-issued ID showing the applicant's signature (if unnotarized) and a $15.00 fee to Tennessee Vital Records. For records older than 50 years, contact the DeKalb County Clerk's Office or the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

    Domestic Violence / Orders of Protection: Orders of protection are handled in General Sessions Court. Addresses, phone numbers, and location information for suspected domestic violence victims may be withheld from public records by court order under Tennessee law.

    Juvenile Court: The DeKalb County Juvenile Court handles proceedings involving individuals under 18 who have not been transferred to adult court. All juvenile records are sealed and are not open to the public under T.C.A. § 37-1-153.

    Juvenile Court
    Address: 1 Public Square, Room 303, Smithville, TN 37166
    Phone: (615) 597-5711
    Fax: (615) 294-4717 (note: county lists same circuit clerk number for juvenile matters)

    Birth and Death Records: For family-related research, birth certificates are available through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records for records 100 years old or less. Complete the birth certificate application form and submit it with a $15.00 fee per copy. Death records less than 50 years old are also available from Vital Records using the death certificate application. Older vital records are held by the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

    DeKalb County Probate Court Records

    Probate jurisdiction in DeKalb County rests with the Chancery Court, and the Clerk and Master's Office is the official record keeper for all probate matters. The Clerk and Master keeps records of all orders and proceedings in Chancery Court. Current Clerk and Master Nicole Wright was appointed by the Chancellor and began her six-year term in 2025.

    Matters handled by the Chancery Court and Clerk and Master include:

    • Estate administration (both testate and intestate)
    • Will probate and will contests
    • Guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults
    • Conservatorships
    • Trust administration and trust disputes
    • Adoptions
    • Other equitable proceedings

    Requesting Probate Records: To get copies of probate case documents, contact the Clerk and Master's Office directly. Have the decedent's name, approximate date of filing or death, and the specific document you need ready before you reach out. Fees apply for copies consistent with court fee schedules.

    DeKalb County Clerk and Master
    Address: DeKalb County Courthouse, 1 Public Square, Room 302, Smithville, TN 37166
    Phone: (615) 597-4360
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Most probate records are generally public, but certain adoption records may have restricted access. Adoptions are handled through the Chancery Court and are subject to confidentiality protections under Tennessee law. If you need access to sealed adoption records, ask the Clerk and Master directly about the applicable procedures.

    For property-related matters arising from estate administration — including deeds, mortgages, and liens — the DeKalb County Register of Deeds maintains records at 732 S. Congress Blvd., Room 101, Smithville, TN 37166, Phone: (615) 597-4153, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.