Lincoln County Court Records Search

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    Lincoln County, Tennessee, sits in the south-central part of the state, with Fayetteville as its county seat. The county’s court system is part of Tennessee’s 17th Judicial District, which also serves Bedford, Marshall, and Moore counties. Courts operating within Lincoln County generate a range of judicial records—covering everything from criminal prosecutions and civil disputes to family law matters and estate administration. These records are maintained by different clerks’ offices depending on the type of proceeding, and access is governed by Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 along with applicable state statutes.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Lincoln County?

    Locating court case information in Tennessee can involve several channels. TennesseeCourts.us provides statewide resources for navigating the court system, including court locations, clerk contact information, and access to appellate court case histories. For trial-level cases, the public access terminals inside the Lincoln County Circuit Courthouse allow in-person searches of civil and criminal case records by case number, party name, or case type. Some Tennessee counties also have case information accessible through TNCrtInfo, a public inquiry system used by certain circuit court clerk offices across the state. For appellate decisions, the Public Case History portal on the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts website covers the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals.

    Are Court Records Public in Lincoln County?

    Tennessee Rule 34 of the Supreme Court Rules establishes the public’s right to inspect court records maintained by state courts. Under this framework, court records are presumptively open unless a specific statutory exemption or court order restricts access. The Tennessee Public Records Act also applies to governmental records more broadly and complements Rule 34’s access standards.

    Certain categories of Lincoln County court records are withheld from general public inspection:

    • Juvenile case records, which are confidential under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153; intentional disclosure is a Class B misdemeanor
    • Unpublished drafts of court orders and opinions
    • Criminal investigatory records still under active investigation
    • Witness protection records containing location and personal identifying information
    • Judge’s recusal records for specific cases
    • Affidavits and complaints supporting unexecuted search warrants

    Courts may also issue protective orders on specific documents within otherwise-public case files. When a record is subject to partial restrictions, the non-exempt portions remain accessible. Requests that are denied must generally cite the applicable exemption.

    Lincoln County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Lincoln County move through two primary courts. The Lincoln County Circuit Court handles felony prosecutions, appeals from lower courts, and more serious criminal proceedings. The General Sessions Court—whose clerk is the same office as the Circuit Court Clerk—handles misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and criminal cases below the circuit court threshold.

    Lincoln County Circuit Court / General Sessions Court

    DetailInformation
    Address112 Main Avenue South, Room 203, Fayetteville, TN 37334
    Phone(931) 433-2334
    Fax(931) 438-1577
    HoursMonday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Circuit Court ClerkLisa Simmons

    The Circuit Court Clerk (Lisa Simmons) also serves as the Juvenile and General Sessions Court Clerk, maintaining all files and preserving court minutes for those three courts. The criminal division of the Circuit Court files Grand Jury reports, handles appeals from lower courts, and processes all criminal case motions, orders, and pleadings.

    How to Request Criminal Court Records:

    1. Visit the Circuit Court Clerk’s office at Room 203 of the Lincoln County Courthouse during business hours
    2. Submit an oral or written request, or complete a records request form at the clerk’s office
    3. Identify the record clearly — include the case number, party name(s), and type of case if known
    4. Pay applicable copy fees: $0.50 per page for standard copies, and $5.00 plus $0.50 per page for certified copies
    5. Alternatively, use the public access terminals inside the courthouse to locate and view records

    For statewide criminal history background checks—as opposed to court-specific case records—the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) processes name-based searches for the general public at a fee of $29.00 per inquiry. The TBI search covers Tennessee adult criminal history records including arrests, misdemeanor charges, and felony charges.

    Arrest information and Sheriff’s Office records for Lincoln County are handled by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Office is staffed 24 hours a day and operates the county jail, which can be reached at (931) 433-3111. The general Sheriff’s line is (931) 433-9821. Public records requests directed to the Sheriff’s Office—such as incident reports or arrest records—can be submitted in person or as directed by the department.

    Lincoln County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases in Lincoln County are divided between two courts depending on the nature and value of the dispute. The General Sessions Court handles smaller civil claims up to its jurisdictional limit, while larger or more complex civil matters—including contract suits, tort claims, and real property disputes—are handled either by the Circuit Court or the Chancery Court, which has concurrent jurisdiction over many civil matters.

    Lincoln County Chancery Court

    DetailInformation
    Address112 Main Avenue South, Room B-109, Fayetteville, TN 37334
    Phone(931) 433-1482
    Fax(931) 433-9313
    Clerk & MasterRebecca Bartlett (appointed by Chancellor J.B. Cox)
    Emailrebecca.bartlett@tncourts.gov

    The Chancery Court, rooted in equity jurisdiction, hears civil cases including debt and contract disputes, real estate matters, suits for specific performance, declaratory judgments, partition suits, appeals from administrative hearings, and delinquent property tax suits filed by the city or county. The Clerk and Master serves a dual role—part clerical, part quasi-judicial—and is authorized to sign probate orders, take depositions, and investigate specific matters referred by the Chancellor.

    Civil case records can be requested in person at the respective clerk’s offices or by mail. Requests should include sufficient identifying details—such as case number, party names, and approximate filing date—to allow the clerk to locate the file. Copies cost $0.50 per page, with certified copies at $5.00 plus $0.50 per page.

    Property-related civil records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and UCC filings, are maintained by the Lincoln County Register of Deeds (Randy Delap). The Register’s records date back to Lincoln County’s formation in 1810. The basic recording fee schedule includes $12.00 for a deed or deed of trust up to and including two pages. All fees collected by the Register’s office are remitted to the county and state monthly. The Lincoln County Assessor of Property maintains separate appraisal and valuation records for real estate in the county.

    Lincoln County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Lincoln County are primarily handled by the Chancery Court, which has jurisdiction over divorces, adoptions, orders of protection, legitimation proceedings, child custody and support modifications, name changes, and removal of minority disabilities. The Clerk and Master’s office in Room B-109 is the records custodian for these proceedings.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce proceedings and related records—including decrees, custody agreements, and support orders—are filed with the Chancery Court. Records are generally public, though individual documents within a case may be sealed by court order. To request copies, contact the Chancery Court Clerk at (931) 433-1482 or visit the office at Room B-109, 112 Main Avenue South, Fayetteville, TN 37334. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $0.50 per page.

    The Tennessee Department of Health also maintains certified copies of divorce certificates. Requesters can submit a divorce record request form to the Department of Health’s Vital Records Office, providing the husband’s name, wife’s name, date and place of divorce, and the requester’s relationship to the parties.

    Marriage Records

    Marriage licenses in Lincoln County are issued by the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office (Phyllis F. Counts), located at 112 Main Avenue Street, Suite 102, Fayetteville, TN 37334. Phone: (931) 433-2454 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

    Marriage License Fee Schedule:

    SituationFee
    With marriage counseling certificate$42.50
    Without counseling$102.50

    Both parties must present photo identification and proof of their Social Security number. Completed marriage license forms may be returned to the County Clerk for recording. The County Clerk maintains marriage records as public records in the office. Older marriage indexes may also be available through the Lincoln County Archives.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death records are maintained by the Lincoln County Health Department, an extension of the Tennessee Department of Health. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by telephone. The birth records request form (PH-1654) is available through the Tennessee Department of Health. In-person requests are typically processed the same day; mail requests take one to two weeks depending on record availability.

    Death certificates are confidential records restricted to direct family members of the deceased or the legal heir named on the certificate. The death certificate application form (PH-1663) requires the full name of the deceased, date and place of death, and funeral home information. Certified death certificates cost $15.00 per copy. Historic birth and vital records indexes are also available through the Lincoln County Archives for genealogical research.

    Adoption Records

    Adoption proceedings are handled by the Chancery Court. Adoption records receive heightened confidentiality protections under Tennessee law and are not open to general public inspection. Access is limited to the parties involved and those authorized by court order.

    Juvenile Court

    The Juvenile Court in Lincoln County operates out of the same clerk’s office as the Circuit Court (Room 203, 112 Main Avenue South). Juvenile case records are strictly confidential under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153. Unauthorized disclosure of juvenile court files and records is a Class B misdemeanor. In limited circumstances involving serious offenses, Tennessee judges may exercise discretion to disclose certain information.

    Municipal Courts

    Lincoln County also has two municipal courts serving incorporated areas:

    Fayetteville City Court
    Address: 225 East College Street, Fayetteville, TN 37334
    Phone: (931) 438-7771 | Fax: (931) 438-4344

    Petersburg City Court
    Address: 120 Eastside Square, P.O. Box 215, Petersburg, TN 37144
    Phone: (931) 659-9826 | Fax: (931) 659-6116

    These courts handle local ordinance violations, traffic matters, and other municipal cases within their respective jurisdictions.

    Lincoln County Probate Court Records

    Probate jurisdiction in Lincoln County rests with the Chancery Court, administered by the Lincoln County Clerk and Master. The probate court has complete authority over estates of deceased individuals—whether testate (with a will) or intestate (without one)—as well as estates of minors and incapacitated persons.

    Types of Probate Proceedings Handled:

    • Probate in Common Form and Solemn Form — Standard will admission procedures
    • Intestate Administration — Estates where no will exists
    • Ancillary Administration — For nonresident decedents with assets in Tennessee
    • Small Estate Affidavits — Simplified procedure for qualifying smaller estates
    • Muniment of Title Administration — Used to establish title to property
    • Administration Ad Litem — Appointment of an administrator for limited litigation purposes
    • Guardianships — For minors and incapacitated adults; attorney representation is required under applicable rules
    • Conservatorships — For management of an incapacitated person’s property

    The Clerk and Master functions as more than a records custodian—this office also exercises quasi-judicial authority, including signing orders of probate and investigating matters referred by the Chancellor. Rebecca Bartlett currently serves as Clerk and Master, appointed by Chancellor J.B. Cox.

    Probate court records are treated as confidential and are made available only to persons with a tangible interest in the case. To request records:

    1. Contact the Clerk and Master’s office at (931) 433-1482 or visit Room B-109, 112 Main Avenue South, Fayetteville, TN 37334
    2. Complete the records request form available at the office
    3. Present a valid government-issued ID
    4. Requests may also be submitted by mail with sufficient case identifying information

    Governing statutes for probate matters in Tennessee include Florida Statutes Chapters 731–735 where incorporated by reference; in Tennessee, the primary authority is Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 30, 31, and 34 covering administration of estates and guardianships. Will contests and other Chancery Court civil matters involving estates are governed by the court’s equity jurisdiction embedded in Tennessee’s constitution since 1796.