Greene County Court Records Search
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Greene County is situated in the northeastern corner of Tennessee, with the city of Greeneville serving as its county seat. The county’s court system includes Circuit, Criminal, Chancery, General Sessions, Juvenile, and several Municipal courts — all of which generate records spanning criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, family law disputes, probate proceedings, and minor offense adjudications. These records are maintained by two primary clerk offices: the Circuit Court Clerk, who serves the Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, and Juvenile courts, and the Clerk & Master, who serves the Chancery Court and its Probate Division. The type of record and the court that handled the case determine which office holds the file and which procedures apply to a records request.
Tennessee residents and members of the public searching for court records can access several official resources. Clerk offices at the Greene County Courthouse accept in-person requests during business hours, and certain records are available through online portals. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides statewide court directories, forms, and procedural guidance. TennesseeCourts.us may also help users identify publicly available case information across Tennessee jurisdictions. Records can additionally be searched through public-access terminals at clerk offices, through official county web portals, and in some cases through the state’s vital records and law enforcement agencies.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Greene County?
Locating a court case in Greene County requires identifying the correct court and clerk office. The courthouse complex in Greeneville houses most of the county’s judicial operations, though municipal courts sit in their respective cities.
Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
Whitney Shelton Collins serves as Circuit Court Clerk, acting as clerk for the Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, and Juvenile courts. This office is the first point of contact for criminal, general civil, and juvenile case inquiries.
Address: 101 South Main Street, Suite 302, Greeneville, TN 37743
Phone: (423) 798-1760
Fax: (423) 798-1763
Jury Line (after 5 p.m.): (423) 798-1764
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Chancery Court — Clerk & Master’s Office
The Clerk & Master’s Office maintains all Chancery Court files, including divorces, custody disputes, estate and probate matters, conservatorships, guardianships, real estate disputes, name changes, adoptions, and appeals from lower courts. Chancellor Douglas T. Jenkins of the 3rd Judicial District presides.
Address: 101 South Main Street (Lower Level), Greeneville, TN 37743
Mailing: P.O. Box 263, Greeneville, TN 37744
Phone: (423) 798-1742
Fax: (423) 798-1743
Email: chancerycourt@greenecountytn.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Circuit and Criminal Court Judges
| Judge | Court |
|---|---|
| Alex Pearson | Circuit Court |
| Beth Boniface | Circuit Court |
| William Phillips | Circuit Court |
| John F. Dugger | Criminal Court |
General Sessions and Juvenile Court
Judge Kenneth N. Bailey Jr. presides over General Sessions and Juvenile matters.
Address: 101 South Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743
Phone: (423) 798-1730
Municipal Courts
| Court | Address | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greeneville City Court | 200 North College Street, Greeneville, TN 37745 | (423) 639-7111 | racgpd@comcast.net |
| Mosheim Municipal Court | 1000 Main Street, Mosheim, TN 37818 | (423) 422-4051 | clerk@mosheim.net |
| Baileyton City Court | 6530 Horton Highway, Baileyton, TN 37745 | (423) 234-6911 | tilsonbj@comcast.net |
Online Case Search
The Greene County Online Court Records System provides electronic access to case information filed with the Circuit Court Clerk’s office. To search:
- Navigate to the system and select the “Search” tab.
- Choose a case type (Civil, Criminal, General Sessions, etc.).
- Enter a party name, case number, or case year.
- Review the results, which may include docket entries, hearing dates, charges, fees, and party information.
Public users can browse limited data without registration. Subscribers who create an account with login credentials may access additional detail. Court payments can also be made through a secure online payment portal.
Are Court Records Public in Greene County?
Court records in Tennessee are presumed to be open for public inspection. Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 establishes the framework for public access, defining three categories of court records: Case Records (documents associated with a specific case), Administrative Records (records pertaining to the administration of the courts), and Judicial Records (all other court records). Rule 34 incorporates the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503) and its exemptions.
Records generally available to the public include:
- Case dockets, hearing schedules, and calendar information
- Complaints, answers, motions, and briefs filed in the case record
- Judgments, orders, and sentencing entries
- Party names, attorney information, and case status
- Fee assessments, receipts, and payment records
- Charge descriptions, violation dates, and dispositions
Records that are confidential under Rule 34 and not open for public inspection:
- Unpublished drafts of judicial orders and opinions
- Internal case management information (except appellate panel composition)
- Copies of filings provided to a judge for personal use that were not intentionally filed as part of the case record
- Written or electronic conference notes, memoranda, and reports prepared by or at the direction of a judge or judicial staff
- Information maintained by judges regarding their recusal from cases, unless filed in the case record or subject to disclosure under T.C.A. §§ 8-50-501, 8-50-506, or Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 10
- Records whose disclosure would interfere with judicial functions or undermine the court’s constitutional authority
- Records sealed by court order or subject to a protective order
- Records expressly exempted under T.C.A. § 10-7-504
Juvenile case records carry additional confidentiality protections under Tennessee law. Adoption files are also restricted. When requesting copies, the standard fee under T.C.A. § 8-21-401(i)(4) is $0.50 per page, and certification with seal costs $5.00.
Greene County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Greene County proceed in either the Criminal Court (for felony matters) or General Sessions Court (for misdemeanors and preliminary hearings). Judge John F. Dugger presides over Criminal Court, while Judge Kenneth N. Bailey Jr. handles criminal matters at the General Sessions level. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office at 101 South Main Street, Suite 302, maintains records for both courts.
Searching Criminal Records
The Online Court Records System allows users to search criminal case information by selecting “Criminal” as the case type and entering the defendant’s name or a case number. Results may include charge details, TCA code descriptions, violation dates, disposition dates, hearing schedules, and financial summaries.
Greene County Sheriff’s Department
The Greene County Sheriff’s Department handles law enforcement, arrests, and detention operations. Arrest records and other law enforcement information may be available through this office during administrative hours.
Address: 116 East Depot Street, Greeneville, TN 37743
Phone: (423) 798-1800 (available 24/7)
Email: wholt@greenetnso.org
Administrative Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Individuals seeking arrest records should contact the Sheriff’s Department in advance to confirm identification requirements and any applicable fees.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Criminal Justice Information Services Division processes criminal background checks for the general public. Tennessee-only criminal history information costs $29 per request (non-refundable) and does not require fingerprints. Requests can be submitted through Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) online, or by mail using the Criminal History Information Request Form available in English or Spanish.
- Online payment: Visa, Mastercard, or Discover; billing accounts also accepted
- Mail payment: Money order, cashier’s check, or credit card information included with the form
Criminal Court Fees
Under T.C.A. § 8-21-401(d), standard criminal court costs in courts of record are $300 per case per defendant. Probation violation proceedings cost $100, and expunction fees may reach up to $100 at the clerk’s discretion.
Greene County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Greene County are heard in the Circuit Court (general civil actions, tort claims, contract disputes) and the Chancery Court (equity matters, injunctions, certain contract and real estate disputes). General Sessions Court handles civil claims within its monetary jurisdiction. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office maintains civil records for Circuit and General Sessions proceedings, while the Clerk & Master’s office holds Chancery Court civil filings.
Civil Filing Fees (T.C.A. § 8-21-401)
| Case Type | Court | Standard Cost |
|---|---|---|
| General civil action (contracts, torts, etc.) | Circuit / Chancery | $225 |
| Appeals, transfers, certiorari | Circuit / Chancery | $150 |
| Workers’ compensation | Circuit / Chancery | $150 |
| Cross-filing or counterclaim | Circuit / Chancery | $100 |
| General sessions civil filing | General Sessions | $42 |
| Copies (per page) | All courts | $0.50 |
| Certification and seal | All courts | $5.00 |
| Subpoena | All courts | $6.00 |
| Continuance | All courts | $5.00 + $2.00 security fee |
Current fee schedules for Chancery Court filings are published on the Clerk & Master’s website, including a downloadable Chancery Court filing fee schedule effective January 1, 2026.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records can be searched online through the Online Court Records System by selecting “Civil” as the case type. In-person requests are accepted at both clerk offices during business hours. Requesters should provide a party name or case number to assist staff in locating the file.
Property Records
The Greene County Register of Deeds records and preserves instruments relating to real property, including deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, plats, leases, contracts, powers of attorney, and judgments. The office accepts original documents only and returns originals after recording. Trust deeds and mortgages must include a statement of maximum principal indebtedness for Tennessee recording tax purposes.
Address: 401 Takoma Avenue, Suite 105, Greeneville, TN 37743
Phone: (423) 798-1726
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Payment: Cash, check, or debit/credit card
Online property record searches are available through TitleSearcher.com on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. The Register of Deeds does not receive any portion of the third-party search fees. The Tennessee Property Assessment Data (TPAD) portal also allows free searches of property assessment information by selecting “Greene” from the county dropdown and entering an address, owner name, or parcel ID.
Greene County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Greene County are adjudicated primarily in Chancery Court, with certain issues also arising in General Sessions, Juvenile, and Circuit Court. The Clerk & Master’s office at 101 South Main Street (Lower Level) is the custodian for Chancery Court family filings.
Divorce and Dissolution
Divorce petitions are filed in Chancery Court. Under T.C.A. § 8-21-401(b)(1)(B), divorce cases involving minor children carry a filing fee of $200, while divorces without minor children cost $125 (these amounts do not include litigation taxes, which are assessed separately). Copies of divorce records from the Clerk & Master’s office cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost $5.00. Standardized divorce forms are not applicable here — Tennessee’s own forms are available through the Tennessee court forms page. Divorce certificates can also be obtained from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records for $15 by submitting a completed Application for a Certified Copy of a Certificate of Divorce or Annulment, a valid ID, and payment by money order or check to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Child Custody, Support, and Paternity
Custody, child support, and paternity matters may be filed in Chancery Court or Juvenile Court depending on circumstances. Filing fees under T.C.A. § 8-21-401 include $100 for paternity, custody, and adoption cases; $75 for child support enforcement and modification; and $100 for orders of protection. The Clerk & Master’s office can provide specific information regarding Chancery Court family filings.
Marriage Licenses and Records
The Greene County Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. The Clerk’s website offers an online Marriage Lookup accessible from the “Marriage Licenses” dropdown menu, allowing searches by applicant name. In-person requests for marriage records can be made at:
Address: 204 North Cutler Street, Suite 200, Greeneville, TN 37745
Phone: (423) 798-1775
Fax: (423) 798-1822
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Copies of marriage certificates are also available from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records for $15. Mail requests require a completed Application for Certified Copy of a Tennessee Certificate of Marriage and valid identification.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records in Tennessee are confidential. Birth records become public after 100 years, and death records after 50 years. Certified copies of recent records are available only to eligible requesters: the individual named in the record (birth only), parents, spouses, legal guardians, children, or authorized representatives with proper documentation. The Greene County Health Department is authorized to issue certified birth and death certificates through the state’s electronic issuance system.
Address: 810 West Church Street, P.O. Box 159, Greeneville, TN 37744-0159
Phone: (423) 798-1749
Fax: (423) 798-1755
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Applications for birth (PH-1654) and death (PH-1663) certificates may be submitted by mail or in person. The fee is $15 per copy and $15 for each additional copy. A valid form of identification must accompany each request.
Greene County Probate Court Records
The Chancery Court exercises exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters in Greene County, including the administration of decedents’ estates, the probate of wills, the appointment of conservators and guardians, and related proceedings. The Clerk & Master’s office processes all probate filings and maintains the associated records.
Probate Filing Fees (T.C.A. § 8-21-401©)
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| Opening and closing an estate (standard) | $230 |
| Filing a small estate affidavit | $41 |
| Guardianship/conservatorship (filing through closing) | $160 |
| Name change, removal of disabilities, legitimation | $100 |
| Mental health commitment filing | $50 |
| Filing and docketing a request on an existing case | $18 |
| Entering an order on an existing case | $12 |
| Filing a claim against an estate (per claim) | $11 |
| Filing exceptions to estate claims | $42 |
| Annual or interim settlement/accounting with approval order | $40 |
| Filing a document not otherwise specified | $7 |
| Issuing additional process (summons, subpoena, citation) | $6 |
A current downloadable Probate Court filing fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 is available from the Clerk & Master’s website.
Requesting Probate Records
The Clerk & Master’s office accepts in-person requests for probate records during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact the office at (423) 798-1742 or by email at chancerycourt@greenecountytn.gov to inquire about alternative request methods. Standard copy fees are $0.50 per page; certified copies cost $5.00.
The Clerk & Master conducts dedicated Decedents’ Estates Probate Docket sessions, typically beginning at 1:30 p.m. on scheduled dates. Attorneys and pro se parties should contact the office to confirm availability before filing a notice of hearing.
Wills and Property Records
Probated wills are recorded with the Greene County Register of Deeds at 401 Takoma Avenue, Suite 105. The Register’s office also handles property-related documents that may be relevant to estate administration, including deeds, deeds of trust, and liens. Recording fees are set by state statute and vary by document type; the Register of Deeds can provide specific fee information upon request.