Monroe County Court Records Search

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    Monroe County sits in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in southeastern Tennessee, with Madisonville serving as the county seat. The county’s judicial system encompasses a Circuit Court, Chancery Court, Criminal Court, General Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court, each handling distinct categories of legal matters. Records generated by these courts — ranging from civil judgments and criminal dispositions to probate filings and family law decrees — are held by specific clerks’ offices and are subject to the access rules established under Tennessee law.

    Locating court records in Tennessee generally involves contacting the clerk’s office of the specific court where a case was filed, visiting a public access terminal at the courthouse, or using online tools connected to the state’s court system. TennesseeCourts.us can assist in identifying the correct court division and clerk for a given matter, and provides links to case search tools and clerk directories across the state’s 31 judicial districts. Most non-restricted Monroe County court records are accessible through these channels, though certain case categories require additional authorization or involve restricted access under state law.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Monroe County?

    Monroe County’s court functions are divided across two main clerks — the Circuit Court Clerk, who handles Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, and Juvenile Courts, and the Clerk and Master, who handles the Chancery Court and Probate Division. Knowing which clerk manages which records is essential before making a request.

    Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk
    Address: 4500 New Highway 68, Suite 4, Madisonville, TN 37354
    Phone: (423) 442-2396
    Fax: (423) 442-4897
    Website: monroecircuitcourt.com
    Clerk: Dewayna Martin
    Also serves as Clerk for Criminal, General Sessions, and Juvenile Courts

    Monroe County Clerk and Master (Chancery Court / Probate)
    Address: Monroe County Courthouse, 105 College Street, Suite 2, Madisonville, TN 37354-2400
    Phone: (423) 442-2644
    Email: teresa.choate@monroetn.com
    Clerk and Master: Teresa A. Choate
    For email filings, contact the Chancery Court directly

    Monroe County Clerk
    Address: 103 College Street South, Suite 1, Madisonville, TN 37354
    Phone: (423) 442-2220 / (423) 442-5948
    Clerk: Larry Sloan
    Hours: Monday–Tuesday, Thursday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Online Case Search Options

    The Circuit Court Clerk’s website provides direct access to court dockets organized by division:

    For appellate-level case history, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a Public Case History tool covering the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals. Online payment of court costs and fees may also be made through the Circuit Court Clerk’s website.

    Are Court Records Public in Monroe County?

    The primary framework governing access to Monroe County court records is the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), TCA § 10-7-503, which establishes that public records shall be available for inspection by any Tennessee citizen, subject to specified exceptions. Requests must be sufficiently detailed to allow the custodian to identify responsive records.

    The following categories of records are restricted or confidential under Tennessee law:

    • Juvenile court records — Broadly protected under TCA § 37-1-153, which makes it an offense to publicly disclose juvenile files and records. Limited exceptions apply for serious offenses or cases transferred to adult criminal court.
    • Birth records — Restricted for 100 years under TCA § 68-3-205; accessible only to the registrant, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives during that period.
    • Death records — Restricted for 50 years under the same statute; close family members or legal representatives may access them earlier upon proof of eligibility.
    • Adoption records — Sealed by court order.
    • Medical and mental health records — Restricted by court order or applicable health privacy law.
    • Sealed criminal case files — Not accessible to the public once sealed by a court.
    • Documents subject to a court confidentiality order — Any record specifically sealed by a judge.

    All other court records generated by Monroe County’s courts — civil case filings, criminal dispositions, chancery decrees, and most probate records — are generally open to public inspection during regular business hours or upon written request.

    Monroe County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Monroe County are handled by the Circuit Court (for felony trials) and the General Sessions Court (for preliminary hearings, misdemeanors, and traffic cases). The Circuit Court Clerk, Dewayna Martin, maintains all criminal case records and dockets for both divisions.

    Searching Criminal Case Records

    • Online dockets — The Circuit Criminal Dockets page on the Circuit Clerk’s website provides hearing schedules and basic case listings.
    • In-person — Visit the Circuit Court Clerk’s office at 4500 New Highway 68, Suite 4, Madisonville, to view or request copies of criminal case files. Have the defendant’s full name and approximate case filing date available.
    • Written request — Submit a written public records request specifying the case number, party name, or date range of the records sought.

    Statewide Criminal History — Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

    The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) serves as the state’s central repository for criminal history information. Members of the general public may conduct a name-based search through the TBI’s Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) portal for a fee of $29.00 per request. Results cover adult misdemeanor and felony arrests based on fingerprint submissions by arresting agencies. Juvenile records are excluded from TORIS results unless the juvenile was transferred to adult criminal court under TCA § 37-1-134. A valid email address is required, as results are delivered electronically. Fingerprint-based FBI national background checks are also available through the TBI for a fee of $50.00.

    Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

    Criminal records and incident reports held by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office are not requested directly from the Sheriff — all public records requests for the Sheriff’s Office must be submitted through the Monroe County Finance Department:

    Monroe County Department of Finance
    Address: 103 College Street South, Suite 9, Madisonville, TN 37354
    Phone: (423) 442-9383
    Fax: (423) 442-7933
    Hours: Monday–Tuesday, Thursday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    (Office closed for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and on holidays)

    Monroe County Civil Court Records

    Civil disputes in Monroe County are filed either in the Circuit Court (for claims generally exceeding the General Sessions jurisdictional limit) or in General Sessions Court for smaller matters. The Circuit Court Clerk manages civil case files for the Circuit Court, while the Chancery Court — through the Clerk and Master — handles equity matters, injunctions, and certain real property disputes.

    General Sessions Court serves as Monroe County’s small claims and minor civil court. It processes cases more quickly and with simplified procedures, providing faster resolution for lower-value disputes and landlord-tenant matters.

    Requesting Civil Case Records

    1. Identify whether your case was heard in General Sessions, Circuit Court, or Chancery Court.
    2. Contact the appropriate clerk:
      • Circuit Court / General Sessions: (423) 442-2396
      • Chancery Court: (423) 442-2644
    3. Provide the case name, case number (if known), and approximate filing date.
    4. Request the desired documents — plain or certified copies — and inquire about applicable copy fees.
    5. Submit a written public records request if the clerk requires it.

    Online civil dockets are available through the Circuit Civil Dockets section of the Circuit Clerk’s website, providing hearing schedules and case listings. For equity and chancery matters, contact the Clerk and Master’s office directly, as those dockets may not be posted online.

    Property Records

    Although not court records, property deeds, mortgages, liens, and related real estate instruments are maintained by the Monroe County Register of Deeds, located at 103 College Street South, Suite 4, Madisonville, TN 37354, Phone: (423) 442-2440 Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. These records frequently intersect with civil and probate proceedings and can be searched in person at the Register’s office.

    Monroe County Family Court Records

    Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence proceedings — are filed in the Monroe County Circuit Court. The Chancery Court also handles certain family-related equity actions. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office at 4500 New Highway 68 is the starting point for requesting these records.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce (dissolution of marriage) records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk and are part of the public record under Tennessee law. Certified copies of divorce decrees may be requested in person at the clerk’s office or by submitting a written request. Requesters should provide both parties’ names and the approximate divorce date. The Tennessee Department of Health also maintains divorce records through its Office of Vital Records, and certified copies can be ordered through that office or via VitalChek.

    Domestic Violence and Orders of Protection

    Injunctions for protection against domestic violence are processed through the courts, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for serving these orders. Any violation of an order of protection should be reported immediately to law enforcement.

    Marriage Records and Licenses

    Marriage licenses are issued by the Monroe County Clerk, Larry Sloan, at 103 College Street South, Suite 1, Madisonville. Under TCA § 68-3-203, marriage records are considered public. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the County Clerk or from the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records.

    Birth and Death Certificates

    Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Monroe County are issued by the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. Certified copies cost $15.00 each. Birth records are restricted for 100 years and death records for 50 years under TCA § 68-3-205; certified copies during the restriction period are available only to the registrant, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives upon proof of eligibility and identification.

    Monroe County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Monroe County — including estate administration, will probate, guardianships, and conservatorships — are handled by the Monroe County Chancery Court, with records maintained by the Clerk and Master, Teresa Choate. Per TCA § 30-2-301, probate records are generally open to the public unless sealed by a judge.

    Clerk and Master of Chancery Court (Probate)
    Address: Monroe County Courthouse, 105 College Street, Suite 2, Madisonville, TN 37354-2400
    Phone: (423) 442-2644
    Email: teresa.choate@monroetn.com

    Common Probate Proceedings Handled by the Chancery Court

    • Probate of wills and appointment of executors
    • Administration of intestate estates (no will)
    • Establishment and oversight of guardianships for minors
    • Conservatorships for incapacitated adults
    • Trust administration and accounting matters
    • Claims by creditors against estates

    Filing Fees and Costs

    The fee to open a regular probate estate in Monroe County is approximately $326.00. Additional costs include publication of the notice to creditors in a local newspaper, which typically adds $100–$200 depending on publication rates. Certified copies of letters testamentary or other probate documents carry per-page copy fees set by the Clerk and Master.

    Requesting Probate Records

    To access probate records, contact the Clerk and Master’s office directly. Provide the decedent’s full name and approximate date of death or case filing date. Most probate case records are available for public inspection; however, the clerk may require a written request for certified copies or records that are not immediately at hand. Historically older probate records may be held by the Tennessee State Library and Archives rather than the courthouse itself.