Giles County Court Records Search

Giles County, Tennessee, generates court records through a multilayered court system centered in Pulaski, the county seat. These records document every stage of a legal proceeding — from initial filings and pleadings through final judgments, orders, and decrees. Whether someone needs to verify a criminal conviction, track a civil lawsuit, locate a divorce decree, or review a probated will, the process begins by identifying which Giles County court handled the matter and which clerk’s office maintains those files.

Public records access in Tennessee is available through several channels, including clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and online tools. Residents and researchers can also consult TennesseeCourts.us for guidance on navigating the state’s court structure and locating publicly available case information across Tennessee jurisdictions.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Giles County?

Giles County operates five distinct court levels, each with its own clerk and subject matter jurisdiction. Identifying the correct court is the first step in any record search.

Court Directory — Giles County, Tennessee

Court	Address	Phone
Circuit Court (General, Juvenile & Traffic)	1 Public Square, P.O. Box 678, Pulaski, TN 38478	(931) 363-5311
Chancery Court (Clerk & Master)	1 Public Square, P.O. Box 678, Pulaski, TN 38478	(931) 363-2620
General Sessions Court	Giles County Courthouse, P.O. Box 678, Pulaski, TN 38478	(931) 363-1924
Ardmore City Municipal Court	25844 Main St, P.O. Box 55, Ardmore, TN 38449	(931) 427-2124
Elkton City Municipal Court	168 Main St, P.O. Box 157, Elkton, TN 38455	(931) 468-2506
Lynnville City Municipal Court	151 Mill St, P.O. Box 158, Lynnville, TN 38472	(931) 527-3158
Minor Hill City Municipal Court	13200 Minor Hill Hwy, P.O. Box 69, Minor Hill, TN 38473	(931) 565-3113
Pulaski City Municipal Court	203 South 1st St, P.O. Box 633, Pulaski, TN 38478	(931) 424-4404

The Giles County Circuit Court Clerk is the primary records custodian for Circuit, General Sessions, Juvenile, and Traffic Court filings. Circuit Court Clerk Natalie Bass Oakley’s office handles docketing, fine collection, and record keeping for all four of those dockets.

For Chancery Court matters — including divorces, probated wills, and estate settlements — the Clerk & Master’s office is the correct point of contact. Crystal Gibson Greene currently serves as Clerk & Master; her office is reachable at (931) 363-2620.

Online payments for court fines and fees can be submitted through the court’s online payment portal. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts also maintains public case history for appellate-level decisions and provides a statewide self-help center with court forms and procedural guides.

Requests may be submitted in person during regular business hours or by mail to the respective clerk’s office. Mailed requests should include the party name, approximate case filing date, and case type to help staff locate the record efficiently.

Are Court Records Public in Giles County?

Tennessee’s Public Records Act, found at Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A), establishes that state and local government records — including court records — are open to inspection by Tennessee citizens. Requests may be submitted in person, by telephone, fax, mail, or email where those communication channels are available to the governmental entity.

An important limitation applies: only Tennessee citizens hold the statutory right to inspect and obtain copies of public records under this law. Non-residents may receive records that governmental agencies choose to share, but the enforceable right of access belongs to Tennessee residents.

The following categories of records are typically restricted from public disclosure:

• Juvenile court records — proceedings involving minors are confidential by statute
• Adoption records — sealed at the time of finalization
• Records that could prejudice a fair trial — a court may restrict access when disclosure would compromise ongoing proceedings
• Active law enforcement investigative records — exempt while an investigation is open
• Medical and mental health records submitted as exhibits
• Personal financial information protected by specific statutory exemptions

When a record contains both public and restricted content, the custodian redacts the protected portions and provides the remainder. Requesters who believe a lawful request has been improperly denied may contact the Tennessee Comptroller’s Open Records Counsel for guidance.

Giles County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Giles County are prosecuted at two court levels. Felony charges — offenses carrying potential incarceration in state prison — are handled by the Giles County Circuit Court, which sits in the 22nd Judicial District alongside Lawrence, Maury, and Wayne counties. Misdemeanor criminal matters and preliminary hearings on felony charges are handled by the General Sessions Court.

Circuit Court criminal schedule:

• Circuit Criminal docket: fourth Monday and Tuesday of each month
• Circuit Civil docket: each Wednesday
• Trials: set according to the judges’ schedules

The 22nd Judicial District is served by five Circuit Court judges: David L. Allen (Division I), J. Russell Parkes (Division II), Christopher V. Sockwell (Division III), Caleb Bayless (Division IV), and Julie Heffington (Division V). The District Attorney General’s Office can be reached at (931) 424-4030, and the District Public Defender’s Office at (931) 363-0657.

Searching criminal case records:

To search for a criminal case, contact the Giles County Circuit Court Clerk in person or by mail:

Giles County Circuit Court Clerk
Address: 1 Public Square, P.O. Box 678, Pulaski, TN 38478
Phone: (931) 363-5311
Fax: (931) 424-4790

For statewide criminal history, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) provides name-based background check services to the general public through its online portal at tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov. The TBI’s system returns results indicating whether the subject has a Tennessee adult criminal history. Searches can be completed online or by mail.

Arrest records and jail information:

The Giles County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for maintaining the county jail, serving court process, and enforcing court orders. The Sheriff’s Office is located at:

Giles County Sheriff’s Department
Address: 200 Thomas Gatlin Dr, Pulaski, TN 38478
Phone: (931) 363-3505
Fax: (931) 424-7039

A live inmate roster maintained through the county’s ISOMS portal shows current bookings at the Giles County Jail. Arrest records tied to criminal prosecutions become part of the court case file and can be obtained through the Circuit Court Clerk’s office once charges have been formally filed.

Giles County Civil Court Records

Civil disputes in Giles County are divided between the Chancery Court and the Circuit Court depending on the nature of the claim. The Circuit Court handles civil cases of general jurisdiction, while the Chancery Court — through the Clerk & Master — oversees matters involving contracts, real estate, civil damages, torts, and delinquent property tax collection.

Clerk & Master — Chancery Court:

Giles County Clerk & Master
Address: 1 Public Square, P.O. Box 678, Pulaski, TN 38478
Phone: (931) 363-2620
Fax: (931) 363-2106

The Chancery Court sits on a regular weekly schedule — Wednesday following the first, second, third, and fourth Mondays of each month. Chancery Court Judges include Jessica Parrish (Division I), J. Russell Parkes (Division II), Christopher V. Sockwell (Division III), Caleb Bayless (Division IV), and Julie C. Heffington (Division V).

General Sessions Court — limited civil jurisdiction:

The General Sessions Court handles civil cases subject to monetary limits set by state statute, as well as certain specific types of civil actions. It also serves as the entry point for misdemeanor criminal matters. For civil claims exceeding General Sessions jurisdiction, plaintiffs must file in Circuit or Chancery Court.

Civil case records can be requested in person or by mail through the appropriate clerk’s office. Requests should identify the parties’ names, approximate filing date, and case type. Copy fees may apply; callers should confirm the current fee schedule when contacting the clerk.

Property records:

Deeds, mortgages, liens, contracts, and other instruments affecting Giles County real property are recorded and maintained by the Giles County Register of Deeds. The Register’s office is located at 222 W. Madison Street, Pulaski, TN 38478, and can be reached at (931) 363-5137. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Title searches may be conducted online using the Register’s title search portal.

Giles County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Giles County are handled primarily by the Chancery Court through the Clerk & Master’s office. The Chancery Court has jurisdiction over the following family-related proceedings:

• Divorce without minor children
• Divorce with minor children
• Termination of parental rights
• Adoption
• Orders of protection for married parties
• Child support

Non-married parties seeking an Order of Protection file their petition in the General Sessions Court rather than Chancery Court. The General Sessions Court is located at the Giles County Courthouse, P.O. Box 678, Pulaski, TN 38478, and can be reached at (931) 363-1924.

Divorce records:

Certified copies of divorce decrees are maintained by the Clerk & Master’s office at 1 Public Square, Pulaski. Requesters should provide the names of the parties, the approximate filing date, and pay applicable copy fees. Divorce records may also be requested from the Tennessee Department of Health Office of Vital Records. The statewide office address is:

Tennessee Vital Records
Address: 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243

The fee to obtain a certified copy of a Tennessee divorce or annulment certificate is $15.00 per copy, with each additional copy costing $15.00. Requesters applying by mail must complete and submit the Application for Certified Copy of a Tennessee Certificate of Divorce or Annulment.

Marriage records:

Marriage records are available from the Tennessee Department of Health Office of Vital Records or the Giles County Register of Deeds at 222 W. Madison Street, Pulaski, TN 38478 (Phone: (931) 363-5300; Fax: (931) 363-2068). Mail requests to the state office must include a completed Application for Certified Copy of a Tennessee Certificate of Marriage, valid identification, and the $15.00 search fee. Additional copies of the same record each cost $15.00.

Birth and death records:

Birth records in Giles County are restricted to immediate family members and authorized representatives. Certified copies cost $15.00 per copy, with each additional copy also costing $15.00. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or online using the Application for Certified Copy of a Tennessee Certificate of Birth. Death certificates carry the same $15.00 fee per certified copy and require a completed Application for Certified Copy of a Tennessee Certificate of Death along with a valid government-issued ID. Both types of vital records can be requested from either Tennessee Vital Records in Nashville or the Giles County Register of Deeds office in Pulaski.

Juvenile Court:

Juvenile delinquency cases and child dependency matters are handled by the Juvenile Court division, with records maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. Because juvenile proceedings are confidential under Tennessee law, these records are not publicly accessible. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office handles juvenile recordkeeping alongside Circuit, General Sessions, and Traffic Court filings.

Giles County Probate Court Records

Probate jurisdiction in Giles County is shared between the Chancery Court and the Juvenile Court. The Chancery Court, through the Clerk & Master, handles the widest range of probate matters, including the probate of wills, supervised and unsupervised estate administration with or without a will, and civil probate-related proceedings. The Juvenile Court holds jurisdiction specifically over guardianships and conservatorships involving minors or incapacitated adults.

Probate matters handled by the Chancery Court (Clerk & Master):

• Probate of wills
• Settlement of estates with or without a will
• Trust-related proceedings
• Suits for collection of delinquent property taxes (after two years)

Requesting probate records:

Certified copies of probated wills, letters testamentary, estate inventories, and final settlement orders can be obtained from the Clerk & Master’s office. Requests must include enough identifying information — such as the decedent’s full name, approximate date of death or filing, and the document type needed. Written requests may be mailed to:

Giles County Clerk & Master
Address: 1 Public Square, P.O. Box 678, Pulaski, TN 38478
Phone: (931) 363-2620
Fax: (931) 363-2106

In-person visits are accepted during regular business hours. Copy fees may apply depending on the document type and number of pages. Contacting the office by phone in advance to confirm the current fee schedule and required information is recommended before submitting a written or in-person request.

For guardianship and conservatorship matters, the Circuit Court Clerk’s office handles recordkeeping on the Juvenile Court’s docket:

Giles County Circuit Court Clerk
Address: 1 Public Square, P.O. Box 678, Pulaski, TN 38478
Phone: (931) 363-5311
Fax: (931) 424-4790

Online court fee payments for probate and other Giles County court matters can be made through the court’s online payment portal. The court also accepts cashier’s checks and money orders, or payment by phone. Researchers working on genealogical questions involving older Giles County estate records should note that the county’s probate and chancery records date back to 1810 and may be available through the Tennessee State Library and Archives for historical matters predating electronic recordkeeping.