Knox County Court Records
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Knox County is located in East Tennessee with its county seat in Knoxville. The county's court system spans several courts housed primarily in the City-County Building at 400 Main Street and other facilities around Knoxville. These include the Chancery Court (with both a Chancery Division and a Probate Division), the Circuit Court, the Criminal Court, the Fourth Circuit Court, General Sessions Court, Civil Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court. Each court has its own clerk responsible for maintaining case records, so requests for documents must go to the right office depending on the case type.
For anyone searching Tennessee court records, a good place to start is the state judiciary's centralized resource. The Public Case History tool maintained by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts allows free searches of cases appealed to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals. At the county level, Knox County clerks offer their own online portals for criminal, circuit, and civil sessions records. In-person searches are available at each courthouse during business hours, and certain courts accept mail requests. TennesseeCourts.us may also help you identify publicly available court case information across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Knox County?
The method for looking up a Knox County court case depends on which court handled the matter. Multiple online portals and in-person options exist.
Appellate Case Search (Statewide)
Cases appealed from Knox County courts to the Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, or Court of Criminal Appeals can be searched through the Public Case History database. Searches accept a case number, case style, party name, or organization name.
Criminal Court, General Sessions Criminal, and Fourth Circuit Court Records
The Knox County Criminal Court Clerk offers an online records portal for cases in Criminal Court, General Sessions Criminal, and the Fourth Circuit Court. You'll need to register for an account. Document images can be printed from the portal, or you can visit the Clerk's office for free in-person viewing of paper copies. The Criminal Court Clerk also provides a docket search tool for upcoming court dates.
Circuit Court and Civil Sessions Records
The Circuit Court Clerk provides online access to circuit and civil sessions court records through the KnoxCircuit Records portal. Call (865) 215-2429 for help with the portal. A Request to View Public Record Form may also be submitted by mail.
Chancery Court Records
The Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court handles records in person and by mail. Call (865) 215-2555 before visiting. You'll need either a case number or the full names of the parties.
Knox County Archives (Historical Records)
Older records are accessible through the Knox County Archives, including indexes for the Chancery Court and Circuit Court.
Copy Fees (Per TCA 8-21-401)
- Paper copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document (in addition to per-page charges)
- Acceptable payment: cash, money orders, checks, credit/debit cards (processing fees may apply)
Are Court Records Public in Knox County?
Knox County court records are public records under two complementary legal frameworks. The Tennessee Public Records Act grants the public a statutory right to inspect records maintained by government agencies, including courts. Supreme Court Rule 34 specifically addresses public access to court records, defining them to include all case, administrative, and judicial records created, collected, or maintained by the courts.
Despite the strong presumption of openness, both the Public Records Act and Rule 34 identify categories that are exempt from disclosure:
- Medical records
- Adoption records
- Juvenile records (private under Tennessee law, with limited exceptions)
- Unpublished drafts of judicial orders and opinions
- Conference records, notes, memoranda, or reports prepared by judges or judicial staff
- Internal case management information (excluding appellate panel composition)
- Judge recusal records (unless part of the case record)
- Any record whose disclosure would undermine the constitutional powers of the court or interfere with its judicial function
Records not available online or through digital portals can generally be inspected in person at the relevant courthouse. When records have been sealed by court order, access typically requires filing a motion demonstrating sufficient cause.
Knox County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Knox County are handled by the Criminal Court (felonies), the General Sessions Court Criminal Division (misdemeanors and preliminary hearings), and the Fourth Circuit Court. The Criminal Court Clerk is the official keeper of records for all three courts.
Criminal Court Clerk's Office
Knox County Criminal Court Clerk
City-County Building
400 Main Street, Suite 149
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-2375
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Online Criminal Case Access
The Criminal Court Clerk provides an online records portal where registered users can search and print document images from cases in Criminal Court, General Sessions Criminal, and the Fourth Circuit Court. A registration fee applies; however, in-person viewing of paper records at the Clerk's office is free.
Criminal Background Checks
Three agencies offer criminal history information in Knox County:
| Agency | Method | Fee | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Court Clerk | Online or in person | $15.00 | SSN, DOB, name(s), alias; email or phone for contact |
| Knox County Sheriff's Office | In person or mail form | $15.00 | Valid photo ID (in person); completed form and fee (mail) |
| Knoxville Police Department | In person or mail form | $10.00 | Government-issued photo ID and SSN card |
The Sheriff's Office also publishes arrest information on its website.
Knox County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Knox County are divided among several courts. The Chancery Court's Chancery Division handles most significant civil litigation—including contract disputes, boundary disputes, suits on foreign judgments, proceedings in aid of execution, and workers' compensation claims. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction and hears civil cases and appeals. The Civil Sessions Court handles small claims and less complex civil matters.
Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Chancery Court | 400 Main St., Suite 125, Knoxville, TN 37902 | (865) 215-2555 |
| Circuit Court | 400 Main St., Suite M30, Knoxville, TN 37902 | (865) 215-2400 |
| Civil Sessions Court | 300 Main St., Room 318, Knoxville, TN 37902 | (865) 215-2518 |
Online Civil Records
Circuit Court and Civil Sessions records are available through the KnoxCircuit Records portal. The Chancery Court does not currently offer a public online records portal, though older records can be searched through the Knox County Archives Chancery Court index.
Chancery Court Filing Fees (2025 Schedule)
Per the Knox County Chancery Court fee schedule, filing fees must be paid when the action is initiated and do not include service of process charges:
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New complaint | $339.50 |
| Administrative appeal (non-tax) | $264.50 |
| General Sessions/Juvenile appeal | $264.50 |
| Writ of certiorari/mandamus/quo warranto | $264.50 |
| Out-of-county transfer | $264.50 |
| Guardianship/conservatorship | $274.50 |
| Workers' compensation | $264.50 |
| Minor's settlement | $214.50 |
| Foreign judgment (registration or enforcement) | $214.50 |
New fee schedules took effect January 1, 2026, per TCA 8-21-401. Cases initiated before that date use the earlier schedule, but any services requested on or after January 1, 2026 are subject to the new fee schedules.
In-Person and Mail Requests
The Clerk and Master's office provides civil records at $0.50 per page and $5.00 per certified copy. Mail requests must include fees by check or money order, a self-addressed prepaid envelope, and either a case number or the parties' full names. Cases in the Sixth Judicial District are subject to the Uniform Local Rules of Practice.
Knox County Family Court Records
Knox County does not have a standalone family court. Domestic relations cases—including divorce, adoption, legitimation, name changes, and orders of protection—are handled by the Chancery Court's Chancery Division and the Fourth Circuit Court. Juvenile matters are heard by the Juvenile Court at a separate facility. Family-related records can be requested in person or by mail from the relevant court's clerk.
Family-Related Filing Fees (Chancery Court, 2025)
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce (with minor children) | $314.50 |
| Divorce (without minor children) | $239.50 |
| Legal separation/annulment | $214.50 |
| Counter/cross-complaint | $100.00 |
| Adoption | $215.75 |
| Legitimation | $214.50 |
| Paternity/parentage | $214.50 |
| Termination of parental rights | $214.50 |
| Name change | $237.00 |
| Order of protection | $214.50 |
| Re-open (enforcement/modification/parenting plan/contempt) | $75.00 |
Marriage Records
Marriage license records can be obtained from the Knox County Clerk's Office. Certified copies are available online for $9.02 (including mail and processing fees) or in person at any Clerk's Office location for $5.50. You'll need the names of both applicants and the marriage date.
The Knox County Clerk's main office is at:
Knox County Clerk Main Office
300 W. Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-2385
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Historical marriage records are also searchable through the Knox County Archives, which maintains indexes for marriages from 1901–1950 and 1951 to the present.
Divorce Records
Divorce records can be requested from the Fourth Circuit Court or the Chancery Court, depending on where the case was filed. The Knox County Archives maintains a searchable divorce index organized by first name, last name, or divorce date. Contact the Archives at (865) 215-8800 or archives@knoxlib.org for copies and pricing.
Birth and Death Records
The Knox County Health Department Vital Records Office issues birth and death certificates for events that occurred anywhere in Tennessee. Birth certificates are available for the past 100 years; death certificates are available for the past 50 years. Both are confidential during those periods—access is restricted to the subject, parents, legal guardians, spouse, or child (or funeral home, for death certificates).
- Cost: $15.00 per certificate
- Payment: cash, money order, personal check; credit card accepted with a 2.5% fee ($2.00 minimum)
- Online request forms: Birth Certificate | Death Certificate
- Mail request forms: Birth (English) | Birth (Spanish) | Death (English) | Death (Spanish)
Knox County Health Department Vital Records
140 Dameron Ave., First Floor
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: (865) 215-5100
Email: vital.records@knoxcounty.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Birth certificates only are also available at the West Clinic location at 9000 Executive Park Drive, Suite A301B, Knoxville, TN 37923; Phone: (865) 215-5950
After the confidentiality period expires (100 years for birth, 50 years for death), records become public and can be obtained from the Knox County Archives at 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Archive copies cost $2.00 for the first page and $0.60 for each additional page; certified copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $0.60 per additional page. Historical birth records are also searchable online.
Knox County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Knox County fall under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court's Probate Division. The Clerk and Master handles the admission of wills to probate, appointment and supervision of personal representatives, issuance of letters testamentary or of administration, and related estate proceedings.
Probate Court Contact
Knox County Chancery Court Clerk and Master
400 Main Street, Suite 125
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-2555
Fax: (865) 215-2920
Accessing Probate Records
Recent probate records are stored on-site in the Chancery Court vault. Older records are available on microfilm at the courthouse or through the Knox County Archives. Requests can be made in person or by mail—bring a case number or the party's full name and a valid ID. Copies cost $0.50 per page; certified copies carry an additional $5.00 per document.
Online Historical Probate Search
The Knox County Archives maintains searchable online databases for older probate records:
Both indexes can be browsed or searched by name.
Probate-Related Filing Fees (Chancery Court, 2025)
Guardianship and conservatorship petitions carry a filing fee of $274.50. Minor's settlement cases cost $214.50. Petitions filed within an existing case cost $75.00, and co-conservatorship petitions cost $18.00. Interim accountings with an order are $40.00. Appellant record preparation for probate appeals is $300.00. All fees are payable at the time the action is initiated, and updated schedules effective January 1, 2026 are available on the Chancery Court fee schedules page.
Knox County Archives
East Tennessee History Center
601 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-8800
Email: archives@knoxlib.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.