McNairy County Court Records Search
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McNairy County, Tennessee is a rural county in the southwestern part of the state, with Selmer as the county seat. The county runs a full court system that includes several trial courts, a chancery court, a juvenile court, and five municipal courts spread across its communities. Court records from these courts — covering civil disputes, criminal proceedings, probate estates, and family law matters — form the core of the county's legal documentation history.
Finding records in Tennessee means knowing which office or system holds the specific type of record you need. TennesseeCourts.us is a good reference point for a statewide directory of courts, clerk contact information, and links to publicly available case information. In McNairy County specifically, records are distributed among the Circuit Court Clerk, the Chancery Court Clerk and Master, the General Sessions Court Clerk, the Juvenile Court Clerk, and the county's vital records agencies — each handling a distinct function.
How to Look Up a Court Case in McNairy County?
Where you look depends on the type of case and when it was filed. There is no single consolidated online search portal for McNairy County courts, so you'll generally need to identify which court handled the matter before reaching out.
In-Person Search
Visiting the clerk's office of the relevant court is the most reliable approach. Clerks can search their case management systems by party name or case number and provide copies of documents on request. Fees typically apply for printed copies. Contact details for each office are listed under the relevant record category sections below.
By Phone or Mail
Each clerk's office accepts written and telephone inquiries during normal business hours. If you're submitting a written request, include the full names of all parties, the approximate filing date or year, and the type of case — civil, criminal, probate, and so on. Having a case number, if you know it, will speed things up considerably.
Tennessee State Library and Archives
For older historical case records — including circuit court minute books and chancery court files from the 19th and early 20th centuries — the Tennessee State Library and Archives holds microfilmed McNairy County records dating back to 1858. This resource is especially useful for genealogical research or historical legal questions.
Are Court Records Public in McNairy County?
Most court records in McNairy County are open to the public. Tennessee law establishes access rights through two complementary frameworks. Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 governs the public's right to inspect records created and maintained by the courts — including case files, docket entries, and administrative court records. The Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), sometimes called the Sunshine Laws, separately establishes that any Tennessee citizen may inspect public records maintained by government bodies, including courts and law enforcement agencies.
Together, these laws mean that most civil case files, criminal dockets, court judgments, property records, and other routine legal documents are generally accessible to anyone who requests them during normal business hours.
Restricted and Confidential Records
Not everything is open. Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34© identifies categories of records that are confidential and shielded from public disclosure:
- Sealed records, where a judge has specifically ordered restricted access
- Juvenile records, which are protected in their entirety for minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings
- Adoption records, which remain permanently confidential
- Unpublished drafts of judicial orders or opinions
- Records whose disclosure would interfere with a court's constitutional functions
- Any record specifically exempted by court order or applicable rule
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates — carry their own confidentiality periods under Tennessee Code § 68-3-205. Birth records are restricted for 100 years; marriage, divorce, and death records remain confidential for 50 years from the date of recording. After those periods expire, records become publicly accessible.
McNairy County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in McNairy County move through two courts depending on the severity of the offense. The General Sessions Court handles preliminary hearings for felony charges and serves as the trial court for misdemeanor cases and traffic violations. Felony trials and more serious criminal proceedings go before the Circuit Court.
McNairy County Circuit Court (Criminal Division)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Ashley Littlejohn |
| Judge | J. Weber McCraw |
| Address | McNairy County Justice Complex, 300 Industrial Drive, Selmer, TN 38375 |
| Phone | (731) 645-1015 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | mcnairycountytn.org/circuit.html |
McNairy County General Sessions Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Judge | Van D. McMahan |
| Clerk | Ashley Littlejohn |
| Address | McNairy County Justice Complex, 300 Industrial Drive, Selmer, TN 38375 |
| Phone | (731) 645-1015 |
| Fax | (731) 645-1003 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | mcnairycountytn.org/general-sessions.html |
Obtaining a Criminal History Report
If you need a statewide criminal history check rather than records from a single case, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is the central repository. The TBI's TORIS online portal allows name-based searches for any adult's Tennessee criminal history at a cost of $29.00 per search. No fingerprints are required. Results are delivered electronically, so you'll need a valid email address when submitting a request.
For a nationwide FBI background check using fingerprints, the TBI's contractor process is available for $50.00. Full details about both options — including mail-in request procedures using the Tennessee Criminal History Information Request Form — are published on the TBI's Background Checks page.
Arrest Records and Incident Reports
Arrest records, booking information, and incident reports originate with the agency that made the arrest. For most McNairy County matters, that is the McNairy County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Guy Buck:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 Industrial Drive, Selmer, TN 38375 |
| Phone | (731) 645-1004 |
| General Office | (731) 645-1000 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Contact the Sheriff's Office directly to ask about available records and how to submit a public records request. Municipal law enforcement agencies — including the Selmer Police Department at 144 North 2nd Street, (731) 645-7907 — maintain arrest records for incidents occurring within their respective jurisdictions.
McNairy County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in McNairy County go to one of two courts depending on the dollar amount at stake. The General Sessions Court has jurisdiction over civil claims up to $25,000, making it the venue for most small claims, eviction actions, and civil debt matters. Larger cases, or those requiring equitable relief, are filed in the Circuit Court or Chancery Court.
Filing a Civil Case
To start a civil action in McNairy County, the plaintiff files a complaint with the appropriate court clerk and pays the required filing fee. General Sessions civil filings in Tennessee carry a base filing fee of approximately $42.00, though the total may vary based on additional state and county fees. Circuit Court civil filing fees are considerably higher and depend on the category and complexity of the case. Call the Circuit Clerk directly at (731) 645-1015 for the current fee schedule for a specific case type.
Searching Civil Case Records
Civil case files — including judgments, motions, orders, and docket histories — are held by the clerk of the court where the case was filed. For General Sessions and Circuit Court civil matters, that is the Circuit Clerk's Office at the McNairy County Justice Complex, 300 Industrial Drive, Selmer. For chancery matters involving equitable claims or more complex civil disputes, records are with the Chancery Court Clerk and Master at 170 West Court Avenue, Room 205, Selmer.
In-person searches at either office are the most reliable method. Bring as much identifying information as possible — party names and an estimated filing date help the clerk locate the file quickly. Under the TPRA, records may be inspected during regular business hours, and copies are available for a fee.
McNairy County Family Court Records
Family law matters in McNairy County are handled primarily through the Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over divorces, child custody, child support, and domestic relations proceedings. The McNairy County Circuit Court at 300 Industrial Drive is the main venue for these cases.
Divorce Records
Divorce proceedings and their associated case files — separation agreements, custody orders, child support orders, and final decrees — are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. If you need a copy of a divorce judgment or decree, contact the clerk at (731) 645-1015 or visit in person with the parties' names and an approximate filing date.
Certified divorce certificates (as distinct from the full court file) are managed by the Tennessee Department of Health's Vital Records Office. Under Tennessee Code § 68-3-205, divorce certificates are restricted for 50 years after the date of recording. Within that window, only the parties named on the record, their immediate family members, and authorized representatives may obtain certified copies. To request a certified copy by mail, complete the PH-1671 Application for Certified Copy of Certificate of Divorce or Annulment and submit it with a copy of your valid identification and the $15.00 search fee to the Vital Records Office.
In-person requests are accepted at:
Tennessee Vital Records Office
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Both marriage and divorce records may also be requested locally through the McNairy County Health Department:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Prime Care Drive, Selmer, TN 38375 |
| Phone | (731) 645-3474 |
| Fax | (731) 645-4530 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Marriage Records
Like divorce certificates, certified marriage records are restricted for 50 years under Tennessee Code § 68-3-205, and the same eligible parties apply. Requests can be made in person or by mail using the PH-1670 Application for Certified Copy of Certificate of Marriage, accompanied by valid identification and the $15.00 fee. After the 50-year confidentiality period, uncertified copies may be released to the general public.
Custody and Domestic Violence Matters
Child custody proceedings are attached to divorce or parentage actions in Circuit Court. Domestic violence protective orders may also be sought through the Circuit Court; the clerk's office can point self-represented litigants toward available forms. Records related to domestic violence proceedings may be sealed by court order in certain circumstances.
Juvenile Court Records
The McNairy County Juvenile Court, located at the Justice Complex in Selmer, handles delinquency, dependency and neglect, and status offense matters involving minors. Under Tennessee law, juvenile court records are confidential and not available to the general public.
McNairy County Juvenile Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Ashley Littlejohn |
| Judge | Van McMahan |
| Address | McNairy County Justice Complex, 300 Industrial Drive, Selmer, TN 38375 |
| Phone | (731) 645-1020 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Website | mcnairycountytn.org/juvenile.html |
McNairy County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in McNairy County belongs to the Chancery Court, which presides over the administration of decedents' estates, the probate of wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and related matters involving trusts and fiduciary oversight. The Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court maintains all probate records filed in the county.
McNairy County Chancery Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk and Master | Kim Boals |
| Chancellor | William C. Cole |
| Address | McNairy County Courthouse, 170 West Court Ave., Room 205, Selmer, TN 38375 |
| Phone | (731) 645-5446 |
| Hours | Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri.: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Sat.: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
| Website | mcnairycountytn.org/chancery.html |
How to Request Probate Records
Probate case files are public records under the TPRA unless sealed by court order. To obtain records from the Clerk and Master's office, visit in person at Room 205 of the Courthouse during business hours, or call (731) 645-5446 to ask about mail-in procedures. Bring the decedent's full name and an approximate date of death or case filing to help the clerk locate the file. Copy fees apply for printed documents.
Probate case files typically contain petitions for administration or probate of a will, letters testamentary or of administration, estate inventories and appraisements, accountings of receipts and disbursements, claims filed against the estate, orders of distribution, and the court's final decree closing the estate. Will contests and guardianship proceedings generate additional filings within the same file.
Historical Probate Records
For older McNairy County probate records, the Tennessee State Library and Archives holds microfilmed county records extending back into the 19th century, including probate bonds, wills, and settlement records. You can contact the TSLA directly or search available collections through the TSLA online catalog for McNairy County holdings. The FamilySearch McNairy County genealogy guide also identifies specific probate record collections and the repositories where they are held — a practical resource for anyone doing genealogical research.