Dickson County Court Records Search

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    Dickson County, Tennessee—established in 1803 and encompassing 491 square miles of Middle Tennessee—maintains court records across several courts headquartered primarily at the Dickson County Justice Center in Charlotte, the county seat. Whether you need to trace a criminal filing, review a civil dispute, obtain probate documents, or verify a family law matter, multiple county offices and online tools can help you locate the records you need. This guide walks through each record type, identifies the responsible offices, and explains the practical steps for searching or requesting court documents in Dickson County.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Dickson County?

    Tennessee court records can be researched through a combination of clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and digital resources. The state courts website at TennesseeCourts.us may assist in locating publicly available case information across Tennessee’s trial and appellate courts. In Dickson County specifically, the Public Case History tool maintained by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts covers Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals filings.

    For trial-level cases filed in Dickson County, the primary online resource is the county’s case search portal. This system allows the public to look up records from the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, and General Sessions Court using the following search criteria:

    • Party name — Enter the first and last name of a plaintiff, defendant, or other party involved in the case.
    • Case number — If you already know the docket number assigned to the filing, enter it directly for faster results.
    • Filing date — Narrow results by specifying the approximate date range when the case was initiated.

    For in-person searches, each clerk’s office at the Dickson County Justice Center maintains its own records and can assist walk-in visitors during regular business hours. All three primary clerk offices operate Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
    Address: 500 Spring Street, P.O. Box 70, Charlotte, TN 37036
    Phone: (615) 789-7010
    Email: Pam.Lewis@tncourts.gov

    Chancery Court Clerk & Master’s Office
    Address: 500 Spring Street, P.O. Box 547, Charlotte, TN 37036
    Phone: (615) 789-7011
    Fax: (615) 789-6704
    Email: lynn.collins@tncourts.gov

    General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office
    Address: 500 Spring Street, P.O. Box 217, Charlotte, TN 37036
    Phone: (615) 789-5414
    Fax: (615) 789-3456
    Email: Leslie.Shelton@tncourts.gov

    Historical court minutes for Dickson County chancery and circuit court proceedings may also be available through the Tennessee State Library and Archives, which maintains older court records as part of its statewide collections.

    Are Court Records Public in Dickson County?

    Court records in Dickson County are presumed open to public inspection under Tennessee law, though several important exceptions apply. Two primary legal frameworks govern access:

    1. The Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503) — This statute establishes a general right of Tennessee citizens to inspect and copy governmental records. It covers records held by county offices, including court clerks.
    2. Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 (Rule 34: Public Access to Court Records) — This rule specifically addresses the public’s right to access judicial records and defines exemptions for certain categories of court documents.

    Under these provisions, the following types of court records are typically not available for public inspection:

    • Records declared confidential under T.C.A. § 10-7-504, which enumerates specific categories of confidential government records including medical records, certain juvenile records, and victim information
    • Documents sealed or restricted by court order
    • Unpublished drafts of judicial opinions, orders, and memoranda
    • Personal notes to judges inadvertently filed as part of court records
    • Written or digital notes, reports, or memoranda prepared by court officials for internal use
    • Documents whose disclosure would interfere with a court’s judicial function

    When requesting records, clerks may ask for a valid government-issued photo ID before releasing certain documents. Requesters should be prepared to provide specific case identifiers—such as party names, case numbers, or filing dates—to facilitate an efficient search. Copy fees may apply depending on the type and volume of records requested.

    Dickson County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Dickson County are handled primarily by the Circuit Court and the General Sessions Court. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, while the General Sessions Court handles preliminary hearings, misdemeanors, and municipal violations.

    Where criminal records are maintained:

    CourtTypes of Criminal CasesClerk Contact
    Circuit CourtFelonies, misdemeanors, appeals from lower courts(615) 789-7010
    General Sessions CourtMisdemeanors, traffic offenses, preliminary hearings(615) 789-5414

    The General Sessions Court holds a regular weekly schedule for criminal matters: traffic court convenes each Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., criminal municipal court each Thursday at 9:00 a.m., and criminal county court each Friday at 9:00 a.m. Violation of probation hearings are heard on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m.

    Online criminal case searches can be conducted through the Dickson County case search portal using a party name, case number, or filing date.

    Statewide criminal history checks are available through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI’s Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) allows individuals and organizations to request criminal background records:

    Tennessee Bureau of Investigation — TORIS Unit
    901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
    Nashville, TN 37216
    Phone: (615) 744-4057

    Individuals requesting their own criminal history record must include a completed request form and a fingerprint card. Fingerprinting services are available at most local law enforcement agencies, including the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office.

    Arrest records and jail information can be obtained through the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office, which operates the county jail facility at 140 County Jail Drive, Charlotte, TN 37036. The jail phone number is (615) 789-4109, and the Sheriff’s Office main line is (615) 789-4130.

    Dickson County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Dickson County is distributed among three courts depending on the nature and dollar amount of the claim.

    Chancery Court — Overseen by the Clerk & Master, Lynn Collins, this court handles a broad range of civil matters including contract disputes, property disputes, workers’ compensation claims, debt collection cases, and equitable relief. The Chancery Court also serves as the venue for divorce and other domestic relations cases.

    Circuit Court — Under Clerk Pam Lewis, the Circuit Court handles all types of civil cases except workers’ compensation, as well as appeals from General Sessions and municipal courts.

    General Sessions Court — Clerk Leslie Shelton manages filings for civil cases of limited jurisdiction, including small claims, landlord/tenant disputes, and detainer warrants. Civil court in General Sessions is held each Wednesday with docket call at 10:00 a.m.

    To obtain copies of civil court records, requesters can:

    1. Visit in person at the Dickson County Justice Center, 500 Spring Street, Charlotte, TN 37036, and speak with the clerk of the court where the case was filed.
    2. Send a mail request to the appropriate clerk’s office, including the case number or party names and any applicable copy fees.
    3. Search online through the county’s online court case system, which provides docket information and case details.

    Civil process filings and standard court forms are available on the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts website, which maintains a library of forms and publications used in state courts.

    Property-related records that may intersect with civil court filings—such as liens, deeds, and judgments—are maintained by the Dickson County Register of Deeds at the Dickson County Administration Building, 4 Court Square, Charlotte, TN 37036, phone (615) 789-5123. Property tax and assessment records can be searched through the Tennessee Property Assessment Data portal or the Dickson County Assessor’s Office at (615) 789-7015.

    Dickson County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Dickson County are primarily adjudicated by the Chancery Court. The Clerk & Master’s office processes filings related to divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and termination of parental rights. The Juvenile Court, presided over by Judge Jerred Creasy, handles juvenile delinquency, dependency and neglect, and certain custody matters involving minors.

    Requesting family court records:

    The Chancery Court Clerk & Master’s office handles requests for family court records. Visit the office at:

    Dickson County Justice Center
    500 Spring Street, P.O. Box 547
    Charlotte, TN 37036
    Phone: (615) 789-7011

    Certain family court records—particularly those involving juveniles, adoptions, and domestic violence protective orders—are confidential and may only be released to legally eligible individuals. Eligible requesters generally include the record subject, immediate family members, legal representatives, and authorized government agencies.

    Marriage and divorce certificates are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health, Vital Records Division. The Department holds Dickson County marriage records from 1974 to the present. Earlier marriage indexes (July 1, 1945 through December 31, 1973) are available through the Tennessee State Library and Archives index search.

    To order a certified copy of a marriage or divorce certificate, requesters may apply in person or by mail:

    In-person requests: Present a completed application form—either the marriage certificate application (PH-1670) or the divorce certificate application (PH-1671)—at:

    Tennessee Vital Records
    1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
    710 James Robertson Parkway
    Nashville, TN 37243
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    Mail requests require the following:

    1. A completed and notarized application form (marriage or divorce, as applicable)
    2. A photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID
    3. A $15 money order or check payable to Tennessee Vital Records
    4. Mail the package to Tennessee Vital Records at the address listed above

    Birth and death records may occasionally be relevant to family court proceedings. Certified copies are restricted to eligible requesters and can be ordered from the Tennessee Department of Health using the birth certificate application (PH-1654) or death certificate application (PH-1663). The fee is $15 per certified copy.

    Dickson County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Dickson County fall under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court. The Clerk & Master, Lynn Collins, administers all probate filings and maintains associated records. The Chancery Court handles:

    • Probate of wills
    • Estate administration and settlement
    • Claims against estates and exceptions to claims
    • Interim and annual accountings
    • Small estate affidavits
    • Guardianship and conservatorship petitions

    How to obtain probate records:

    Probate records can be requested in person or by mail through the Chancery Court Clerk & Master’s office:

    Dickson County Justice Center
    500 Spring Street, P.O. Box 547
    Charlotte, TN 37036
    Phone: (615) 789-7011
    Fax: (615) 789-6704
    Email: lynn.collins@tncourts.gov
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    When requesting probate records, provide as much identifying information as possible—including the decedent’s full name, approximate date of death, and case number if known. The clerk’s office can conduct searches and provide copies of probate filings, estate inventories, accountings, and related documents.

    Online searches for probate case docket information may also be available through the Dickson County case search portal. While the portal may not contain the full text of probate documents, it can help identify case numbers and filing dates needed for a formal records request.

    For older probate records that may no longer be held locally, the Tennessee State Library and Archives maintains historical court records from counties across the state, including Dickson County court minutes and related documents that may predate current clerk holdings.