Montgomery County Court Records Search
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Montgomery County sits in north-central Tennessee, bordering Kentucky, with Clarksville as the county seat and the state’s fifth-largest city. The county’s court system processes a high volume of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters each year through several distinct courts and clerk offices. Understanding which court holds a particular record, what search tools exist, and how to submit requests can save considerable time for anyone seeking case information, certified documents, or background details.
Tennessee court records are generally accessible through individual clerk offices, in-person terminals at courthouses, and various electronic lookup tools. The state judiciary maintains resources through TennesseeCourts.us that can help users identify courts, locate case information, and understand statewide rules governing public access. For Montgomery County specifically, records are distributed across the Circuit Court Clerk, the General Sessions Court Clerk, the Chancery Court, the Juvenile Court, and the County Clerk, each of which manages distinct record types and maintains its own filing and retrieval procedures.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County offers both online and in-person methods for locating court case information. The approach depends on the type of case and the court that handled it.
Online Search Options
- Circuit and General Sessions Court records can be searched through the Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk’s website, which provides access to case dockets and indexes.
- Statewide case lookup is available through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. The Tennessee Court Case Search portal allows users to search by party name, case number, or attorney across participating courts.
- Property and lien records tied to civil judgments can be searched through the Montgomery County Register of Deeds online system.
In-Person Search
Visitors may search court records at the following locations during regular business hours:
| Court/Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court Clerk | 2 Millennium Plaza, Suite 101, Clarksville, TN 37040 | (931) 648-5703 |
| General Sessions Court Clerk | 2 Millennium Plaza, Suite 102, Clarksville, TN 37040 | (931) 648-5714 |
| Chancery Court Clerk & Master | 2 Millennium Plaza, Suite 201, Clarksville, TN 37040 | (931) 648-5706 |
| Juvenile Court Clerk | 2 Millennium Plaza, Clarksville, TN 37040 | (931) 553-5300 |
| County Clerk | 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 502, Clarksville, TN 37040 | (931) 648-5711 |
Most clerk offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. Self-service terminals may be available at the Millennium Plaza complex for index searches.
Tips for Effective Searches
- Have as much identifying information as possible: full legal name, date of birth, case number, or approximate filing date.
- Criminal and traffic case searches often require at least the defendant’s name and date of birth.
- Civil case searches may be conducted by party name (plaintiff or defendant) or by case number.
- Older records that predate electronic indexing may require an in-person visit or a written request to the appropriate clerk.
Are Court Records Public in Montgomery County?
Tennessee law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. The Tennessee Public Records Act (Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503) provides that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise restricted by statute or court order.
Court records specifically fall under both the Public Records Act and rules adopted by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Rule 30 of the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules addresses public access to court records and outlines which information is publicly available and which must be restricted or redacted.
Records Generally Open to the Public
- Criminal case files (charges, docket entries, judgments, sentences)
- Civil complaints, answers, motions, and court orders
- Divorce decrees and final orders in domestic cases
- Probate filings including wills admitted to probate and estate inventories
- Liens, judgments, and execution records
- Traffic citations and disposition records
Records That Are Restricted or Confidential
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency/neglect records (T.C.A. § 37-1-153 and § 37-1-154)
- Adoption records, which are sealed upon finalization
- Grand jury proceedings and sealed indictments prior to arrest
- Records subject to court-ordered sealing or expungement
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Victim information in certain domestic violence and sexual assault cases
- Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personal identifiers, which must be redacted from publicly filed documents under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 30
Requests to inspect restricted records typically require a court order or proof of statutory eligibility. Expungement of eligible criminal records is governed by T.C.A. § 40-32-101, and expunged records are removed from public access.
Montgomery County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Montgomery County are handled primarily by two courts depending on the severity of the offense. Felony cases are prosecuted in the Circuit Court, while misdemeanors and preliminary felony hearings are processed through the General Sessions Court.
Circuit Court — Felony Division
The 19th Judicial District Circuit Court handles all felony prosecutions, felony sentencing, and appeals from General Sessions Court. Case records include indictments, arraignment minutes, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and probation documents.
- Clerk Office:Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk
- Address: 2 Millennium Plaza, Suite 101, Clarksville, TN 37040
- Phone: (931) 648-5703
General Sessions Court — Criminal Division
General Sessions Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings for felony charges, and violations of city ordinances. Records include warrants, bonds, case dispositions, and sentencing information.
- Address: 2 Millennium Plaza, Suite 102, Clarksville, TN 37040
- Phone: (931) 648-5714
Arrest and Booking Records
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest and booking records. Current inmate information and recent booking details may be available through the Sheriff’s Office website or by contacting their records division directly at (931) 648-0611. The Clarksville Police Department also processes a significant number of arrests within city limits.
Criminal History Background Checks
Statewide criminal background checks are available through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI offers both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks:
- Name-based search: Available online for a fee of $29.00
- Fingerprint-based search: Requires submission of fingerprint cards to TBI; fees vary depending on the type of check and whether FBI records are included
For local-level checks, individuals may submit a written request to the Circuit Court Clerk’s office. Include the subject’s full name, date of birth, and any known case numbers. Copy fees apply at $0.50 per page for standard copies and additional fees for certified copies.
Expungement
Tennessee allows expungement of certain criminal records under T.C.A. § 40-32-101. Eligible offenses generally include dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and certain qualifying misdemeanor and felony convictions. The filing fee for an expungement petition is $350 for eligible convictions. Successful expungement removes the record from public court indexes.
Montgomery County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Montgomery County are divided between the Circuit Court, General Sessions Court, and Chancery Court based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
Jurisdictional Breakdown
| Court | Civil Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court | Claims exceeding $25,000; tort actions; contract disputes |
| General Sessions Court | Civil claims up to $25,000; forcible entry and detainer (evictions); small claims |
| Chancery Court | Equity matters including injunctions, property disputes, contract reformation, trust litigation |
Filing Fees
Civil filing fees in Montgomery County follow the schedule set by Tennessee statute (T.C.A. § 8-21-401). Representative fees include:
- Circuit Court civil complaint: $250.00 (approximate filing fee; includes clerk and litigation taxes)
- General Sessions civil warrant: $115.00 to $175.00 depending on claim type
- Small claims filing (General Sessions): Varies by amount claimed; typically under $100 for claims below $5,000
- Chancery Court complaint: Filing deposits typically start at $250.00 or more
Fees are subject to change. Contact the appropriate clerk’s office to confirm current amounts before filing.
How to Search Civil Records
- Visit the Circuit Court Clerk case search online or use the statewide Tennessee Court Case Search portal.
- Search by plaintiff name, defendant name, or case number.
- For General Sessions civil records, contact the General Sessions Clerk at (931) 648-5714 or visit in person.
- Chancery Court records are maintained by the Clerk and Master, and certain filings may be searched through their office or online portal.
Requesting Copies
Written requests for civil record copies should include the case number, party names, and a description of the specific documents needed. Copies are typically $0.50 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order at most clerk offices; some offices also accept credit or debit cards.
Judgments and Liens
Civil judgments filed in Montgomery County become liens on real property located within the county. Judgment abstracts are recorded with the Register of Deeds and can be searched through their online records system. Satisfaction of judgment must also be filed with the Register of Deeds to clear the lien.
Montgomery County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Montgomery County are handled through the Circuit Court (which includes a domestic relations division) and, to a limited extent, the General Sessions Court for orders of protection. The Chancery Court also has jurisdiction over divorce cases.
Divorce Records
Both the Circuit Court and Chancery Court can grant divorces in Tennessee. Filing a complaint for divorce in Montgomery County requires:
- Filing the complaint with the appropriate court clerk
- Paying the filing fee (approximately $250 to $350 depending on the court and whether children are involved)
- Serving the other party in accordance with Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure
Divorce case files typically include the complaint, answer, financial declarations, parenting plans (if minor children are involved), marital dissolution agreements, and the final decree. Final divorce decrees are public records unless the court has sealed specific portions.
Child Custody and Support
Custody and child support matters arising from divorce or paternity proceedings are handled in Circuit or Chancery Court. The Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) provides child support enforcement services for Montgomery County. DHS can assist with:
- Establishing paternity
- Establishing and modifying child support orders
- Enforcing existing support orders
- Locating non-custodial parents
Orders of Protection
Domestic violence protection orders are initially filed in General Sessions Court and may be transferred to Circuit Court for extended orders. Petition forms are available at the General Sessions Clerk’s office. There is no filing fee for orders of protection in Tennessee.
Juvenile Court Records
The Montgomery County Juvenile Court handles dependency and neglect cases, juvenile delinquency, unruly child petitions, and certain custody matters. Juvenile Court records are confidential under T.C.A. § 37-1-153 and are not open to public inspection except by court order or statutory exception. The Juvenile Court is located at 2 Millennium Plaza, Clarksville, TN 37040, and can be reached at (931) 553-5300.
Adoption Records
Adoption proceedings are handled through Chancery Court or Circuit Court. Upon finalization, adoption records are sealed and can only be accessed through a court order or through the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services post-adoption unit. Tennessee does maintain a contact veto registry and a mutual consent voluntary adoption registry for adult adoptees and birth parents.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Montgomery County Clerk and are public records. The County Clerk’s office at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 502, Clarksville, TN 37040, handles license applications and certified copies. The marriage license fee is $99.50 (or $37.50 for couples who have completed a premarital education course, per T.C.A. § 36-3-104). Certified copies of marriage licenses are available for a small per-page fee.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. Locally, the Montgomery County Health Department may issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Tennessee. Fees are $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time.
Montgomery County Probate Court Records
In Tennessee, probate matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court (or in some counties, a separate Probate Court). Montgomery County probate matters are handled by the Chancery Court, with the Clerk and Master serving as the custodian of probate records.
Types of Probate Records
The Chancery Court Clerk and Master maintains records for:
- Last wills and testaments admitted to probate
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Letters testamentary and letters of administration
- Conservatorship petitions and orders
- Guardianship appointments for minors and incapacitated adults
- Small estate affidavits (for estates valued at $50,000 or less, per T.C.A. § 30-4-103)
Contact Information
Chancery Court Clerk and Master
Address: 2 Millennium Plaza, Suite 201, Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5706
How to Search Probate Records
- Contact the Clerk and Master’s office by phone or visit in person during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
- Provide the decedent’s full legal name, date of death (if known), and any known case number.
- The office staff can search indexes and retrieve files for inspection.
- Some probate docket information may be available online through the Chancery Court or through the statewide Tennessee Court Case Search.
Probate Filing Fees
Representative probate filing fees in Montgomery County include:
- Petition to probate a will or open an estate: Approximately $250 to $350 (includes clerk fees and litigation taxes)
- Small estate affidavit: Typically lower than a full probate filing; contact the Clerk and Master for exact amounts
- Conservatorship petition: Filing fees similar to estate proceedings
- Certified copies: Standard copy fee plus certification charge
All fees should be confirmed with the Clerk and Master before filing, as amounts are periodically updated by statute.
Opening an Estate — General Steps
- Obtain the original will (if one exists) and the death certificate.
- File a petition with the Chancery Court Clerk and Master, along with the required filing fee.
- The court will issue letters testamentary (if there is a will) or letters of administration (if there is no will) appointing the personal representative.
- The personal representative must then inventory assets, notify creditors (publication in a local newspaper is required under T.C.A. § 30-2-306), pay debts and taxes, and distribute remaining assets according to the will or Tennessee intestacy law.
- A final accounting must be filed with the court before the estate can be closed.
Public Access to Probate Records
Most probate records are public and available for inspection at the Clerk and Master’s office. Exceptions include records that a court has sealed for cause, certain medical or mental health records filed in conservatorship proceedings, and records involving minors’ personal information. Wills become public documents once admitted to probate, and estate inventories and accountings filed with the court are also part of the public record.
For researchers and genealogists, older probate records from Montgomery County may be available through the Tennessee State Library and Archives, which maintains historical court records collections for many Tennessee counties.