Fayette County Court Records Search
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Fayette County, Tennessee is a largely rural county situated east of Memphis, with its county seat in Somerville. The county operates a layered court system that handles everything from minor traffic violations to complex civil litigation and estate proceedings. Court records generated by these courts document the history of each case — including filings, orders, judgments, and transcripts — and serve as essential resources for attorneys, researchers, journalists, and members of the public who need verified legal information.
Finding court records in Tennessee starts with identifying which court handled a particular case, since record custody stays with the originating court. Tennessee’s official court resources are consolidated through TennesseeCourts.us, which can help users locate court contact information, online case lookup tools, and statewide public access resources. Beyond that statewide entry point, Fayette County records can be accessed in person at clerk offices, searched through online judicial portals, or requested by mail depending on the court and the type of document.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Fayette County?
The method for locating a court case in Fayette County depends on the type of case and the court that handled it. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides a Public Case History portal that allows users to search case information from the Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals. For trial-level cases handled locally — including circuit, chancery, general sessions, and juvenile matters — requestors typically need to contact the specific court directly.
Key Fayette County Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit & General Sessions Court | 705 Justice Drive, Somerville, TN 38068 | (901) 465-5205 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Chancery Court | 16755 Highway 64, Suite 210, Somerville, TN 38068 | (901) 465-5219 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Juvenile Court | 705 Justice Drive, Somerville, TN 38068 | (901) 466-3900 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Both the Circuit and General Sessions Courts share the Bill G. Kelley Criminal Justice Complex at 705 Justice Drive. The clerk for both courts is Ed Pulliam, and the fax number is (901) 465-5215. The Chancery Court is staffed by Clerk & Master Amy Anderson, who can be reached at Amy.Anderson@tncourts.gov.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in requests for case documents are accepted during normal business hours at each clerk’s office. Bring the case party’s name, case number if known, and a valid photo ID. Staff will locate the record and advise on applicable copying fees before producing documents.
Online Search
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the Public Case History system for appellate-level cases. For trial court records, the TNCrtInfo portal provides access to case information for participating Tennessee courts. In-person requests at the relevant clerk’s office remain the most reliable method for obtaining complete trial court records.
Are Court Records Public in Fayette County?
Tennessee’s Public Records Act, codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, establishes the right of every citizen of Tennessee to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by government entities, including courts. Custodians must respond to records requests promptly and may charge reasonable fees for producing copies, but cannot charge citizens merely to inspect records in person.
Several categories of court records carry confidentiality protections under Tennessee law and are not available to the general public:
- Juvenile court records — Protected under Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-153, which makes juvenile court dockets and case files presumptively confidential. Identifying information about minors in dependency, delinquency, and neglect proceedings is not publicly accessible.
- Grand jury records — Grand jury proceedings and related documentation are sealed under Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 6.
- Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and orders are closed to the public; access requires a court order.
- Certain domestic matters — Information in child custody proceedings involving minors may be partially or fully restricted depending on the nature of the filing.
For records that are public, requestors may inspect documents at the clerk’s office or request certified copies. The applicable fee schedule varies by court, but standard copying fees in Fayette County run $1.00 per page for transcripts and $2.00 per certificate and seal, in addition to other assessed costs.
Fayette County Criminal Court Records
The Fayette County Circuit Court holds jurisdiction over felony prosecutions and serious misdemeanor cases. It sits as part of the 25th Judicial District. The court operates out of the Bill G. Kelley Criminal Justice Complex and maintains all criminal case files, including charging documents, motions, plea agreements, jury verdicts, and sentencing orders. The General Sessions Court handles preliminary hearings in felony cases, along with misdemeanor trials and traffic-related criminal matters.
Circuit & General Sessions Court
Address: 705 Justice Drive, Somerville, TN 38068
Phone: (901) 465-5205 | Fax: (901) 465-5215
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
To obtain criminal court records, requestors should contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s office directly. You will need the defendant’s full name and, when possible, the case number or approximate filing date. Certified copies are available for a fee in accordance with the court’s published schedule.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
Arrest records are maintained separately from court records and are the responsibility of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Bobby Riles oversees the department, which operates at:
- Address: P.O. Box 219, 705 Justice Drive, Somerville, TN 38068
- Phone: (901) 465-3456 | Fax: (901) 466-3950
- Jail Information: (901) 465-5247
- Email: contactus@fcsotn.org
Public records requests submitted to the Sheriff’s Office are processed under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Although a written request is not strictly required by law, submitting one in writing helps ensure timely and accurate fulfillment.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains the state’s central criminal history repository. Members of the general public may request a Tennessee adult criminal history check on any individual. The current fee is $29.00 per request, and the check may be completed online through the TBI Backgrounds portal or by mail. The search requires the subject’s full name, date of birth, race, and sex. Fingerprint-based checks are available for higher-accuracy results and can be arranged through IdentoGO-licensed providers.
Fayette County Civil Court Records
Civil case records in Fayette County are distributed between two courts depending on the monetary value of the claim and the subject matter.
General Sessions Court — Civil Jurisdiction
The General Sessions Court handles civil disputes under the statewide jurisdictional limit of $25,000, as established by Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-501. This court is also the venue for small claims matters, landlord-tenant disputes, and forcible entry and detainer actions. The General Sessions Court offers a more streamlined process and does not require a jury trial, though parties can appeal an unfavorable decision to the Circuit Court.
Circuit Court — Civil Jurisdiction
The Circuit Court handles larger civil matters, including breach of contract claims exceeding the General Sessions threshold, personal injury actions, and appeals from General Sessions decisions. Civil filings, orders, and judgments are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk at 705 Justice Drive.
Chancery Court — Equitable Jurisdiction
The Fayette County Chancery Court, presided over by Chancellors Kasey A. Culbreath and William C. Cole, handles equitable matters including injunctions, trusts, certain contract disputes, real property partition actions, and divorce proceedings. It is also the court of first instance for probate matters (addressed separately below). The Chancery Court is located at:
Fayette County Chancery Court
Address: 16755 Highway 64, Suite 210, P.O. Box 220, Somerville, TN 38068
Phone: (901) 465-5219 | Fax: (901) 465-5217
Email: Amy.Anderson@tncourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
To request civil records from any of these courts, contact the relevant clerk’s office with the case party names and the approximate case number or filing date. The court will advise on copying fees before producing documents.
Fayette County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Fayette County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support modifications, and domestic violence orders of protection — are primarily handled by the Chancery Court and, for certain proceedings, the Circuit Court.
Divorce and Separation
Divorce petitions are filed with the Fayette County Chancery Court. Filing fees for a divorce include a base filing fee of approximately $218.00, plus publication costs that vary depending on the number of words in the required legal notice. Cases involving minor children carry additional processing requirements, including mandatory parenting plans and potential referrals to child support services.
Child Custody and Support
Custody and support determinations are adjudicated within divorce proceedings or as independent actions in the appropriate court. Parties seeking to modify existing custody or support orders must file with the court that entered the original order.
Domestic Violence
Orders of protection in domestic violence cases are handled through the General Sessions Court or Chancery Court. Under Tennessee law, petitioners may request emergency ex parte orders of protection, which are served by the Sheriff’s Office.
Adoption and Guardianship
Adoption proceedings are handled by the Chancery Court and carry strict confidentiality protections. Records related to adoptions are sealed under Tennessee law and are not available to the public without a court order. Adoption fingerprinting for applicants carries a separate fee of $43.25 per person.
Vital Records Related to Family Matters
Marriage and divorce certificates, as well as birth and death records, are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. Each certified copy costs $15.00. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or online. Mail requests should be sent to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
Required items for all vital records mail requests include a completed application form — available for marriage certificates, divorce certificates, birth certificates, and death certificates — along with a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID and a $15.00 money order or check made payable to Tennessee Vital Records. Each application must be notarized before submission.
Juvenile Court
The Fayette County Juvenile Court, presided over by Judge David Douglas, handles delinquency cases, dependency and neglect proceedings, and matters involving the Department of Children’s Services. All juvenile court records are confidential under Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-153 and are not accessible to the general public. Requests involving sealed juvenile records require a court order.
Fayette County Juvenile Court
Address: 705 Justice Drive, Somerville, TN 38068
Phone: (901) 466-3900 | Fax: (901) 465-5286
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Municipal Courts
Several incorporated municipalities in Fayette County operate their own city courts that handle local ordinance violations and misdemeanor traffic matters within their jurisdictions:
- Gallaway City Court — 333 Old Brownsville Road, P.O. Box 168, Gallaway, TN 38036 — (901) 867-3333
- La Grange City Court — 20 Main Street, P.O. Box 621, La Grange, TN 38046 — (901) 878-1246
- Moscow Municipal Court — 14075 Highway 57, Moscow, TN 38057 — (901) 877-3585
- Oakland Municipal Court — 170 Doss Circle, P.O. Box 521, Oakland, TN 38060 — (901) 465-0070
- Piperton Municipal Court — 3575 Highway 196, Piperton, TN 38017 — (901) 853-4834
- Rossville Municipal Court — 360 Morrison Road, P.O. Box 27, Rossville, TN 38066 — (901) 853-4681
- Somerville City Court — 13085 North Main Street, P.O. Box 909, Somerville, TN 38068 — (901) 465-7301
Records for each municipal court are held by the individual city and are not part of the county court system. Contact the relevant court clerk for record request procedures.
Fayette County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Fayette County fall under the jurisdiction of the Fayette County Chancery Court, which oversees the administration of decedents’ estates, probating of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes. The court is staffed by Clerk & Master Amy Anderson.
What Probate Records Are Available
Probate records maintained by the Chancery Court include:
- Last wills and testaments filed for probate
- Letters testamentary and letters of administration
- Inventories and accountings of estate assets
- Guardian and conservatorship appointments and reports
- Name change orders
- Estate settlement and distribution records
These documents are generally considered public records under the Tennessee Public Records Act unless a specific statutory exception applies.
How to Request Probate Records
Contact the Chancery Court clerk’s office in writing or in person to request probate documents. Provide the decedent’s full name and approximate date of death or case number. The court will confirm which documents are available, advise on applicable copying fees, and produce copies upon payment. For initial guidance on opening a new probate matter, contact the Clerk & Master’s office directly.
Fayette County Chancery Court (Probate)
Address: 16755 Highway 64, Suite 210, P.O. Box 220, Somerville, TN 38068
Phone: (901) 465-5219 | Fax: (901) 465-5217
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Probate Filing Fees
Probate filing fees in Fayette County are assessed at the time of filing and vary depending on the nature and complexity of the estate. Full estate administration filings typically carry fees in the range of $350.00 to $450.00, which may include publication costs. Small estate affidavit procedures are available for qualifying estates and involve lower fees. The Tennessee Comptroller’s property assessment database can also assist in identifying real property included in an estate, searchable by owner name, parcel ID, or address.