Obion County Court Records Search

Obion County, Tennessee maintains official records of every legal proceeding heard within the county’s court system, covering criminal matters, civil disputes, family law cases, probate proceedings, and juvenile matters. These records document case filings, hearings, rulings, judgments, and final dispositions. Whether you are researching a personal legal history, conducting a background check, tracing family estate matters, or verifying the outcome of a civil dispute, knowing which court maintains a specific record and how to properly request it will save significant time and effort.

The county courthouse complex is located in Union City, along Bill Burnett Circle, where the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, General Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court all operate. Each court maintains its own records and is served by a specific clerk’s office. For those who cannot visit in person, Tennessee also provides several online tools for case research. TennesseeCourts.us can help direct users to publicly available case information, court locations, and statewide judicial resources. Additional online lookup tools are discussed in the section below.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Obion County?

There are three primary ways to search for court records in Obion County: in person at the relevant clerk’s office, by mail, or through an online case search tool.

Online Case Search

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains TNCrtInfo, a statewide court case information system. Obion County’s Circuit Court and General Sessions Court records are searchable through this portal at the county-specific subdomain. The search tool allows users to look up cases by party name, case number, or other identifiers. For appellate court records — including the Court of Appeals and Tennessee Supreme Court — the Public Case History system at the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides a separate search interface.

In-Person Requests

Requesters may visit the clerk’s office for the specific court where the case was heard. Each court at the Obion County Courthouse has its own clerk and extension number. Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Court	Clerk	Address	Phone
Circuit Court	Denise Taylor	7 Bill Burnett Circle, P.O. Box 606, Union City, TN 38261	(731) 507-0999 Ext. 1, then 1
General Sessions Court	Denise Taylor	9 Bill Burnett Circle, P.O. Box 606, Union City, TN 38261	(731) 507-0999 Ext. 1, then 2
Chancery / Probate Court	Emily Hall, Clerk & Master	6 Bill Burnett Circle, P.O. Box 187, Union City, TN 38281	(731) 507-0999 Ext. 1, then 3
Juvenile Court	Denise Taylor	10 Bill Burnett Circle, P.O. Box 606, Union City, TN 38261	(731) 507-0999 Ext. 1, then 4

All fax numbers for Circuit, General Sessions, and Chancery courts: (731) 885-7922. Juvenile Court fax: (731) 885-6199.

Mail Requests

Written requests may be sent by mail to the appropriate clerk’s office. Include the full name of at least one party to the case, the approximate case date, and the case number if known. Court clerks cannot provide legal advice or guidance on how to proceed with a case; if legal assistance is needed, West Tennessee Legal Services offers civil legal aid to those who qualify.

Court Fee Payments

The Circuit Court and General Sessions Court do not accept personal checks. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards. Court costs may also be paid online at courtfeepay.com; note that a 3% or minimum $3.00 service charge applies to online payments.

Are Court Records Public in Obion County?

Tennessee law generally makes government records available to the public under the Tennessee Public Records Act, codified at Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503. Under this statute, any citizen of Tennessee has the right to inspect and copy records maintained by government entities, including county courts, during normal business hours. Requests may be made verbally or in writing.

However, the TPRA includes a significant number of statutory exceptions — well over 500 identified by the Office of Open Records Counsel. Categories commonly restricted from public disclosure include:

Juvenile court records — proceedings involving minors are confidential under Tennessee’s juvenile justice statutes
Adoption records — sealed by court order
Medical and mental health records attached to court files
Sealed case files — certain civil, criminal, or family court cases restricted by judicial order
Personal identifying information of current or former public employees in some contexts
Death records fewer than 50 years old, which are restricted to authorized parties

When a record is partially confidential, the custodian must redact the exempt portions and release the remainder where separation is possible under TCA § 10-7-503. The Obion County public records policy is maintained on file at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and the Office of the County Mayor. Requesters denied access to records may petition the Chancery or Circuit Court for relief.

Obion County Criminal Court Records

Criminal matters in Obion County move through two court levels. Felony charges are ultimately handled by the Circuit Court (27th Judicial District), which also hears Class A misdemeanor cases appealed from General Sessions. Circuit Court Judge Jeff Parham presides over the court. The General Sessions Court, presided over by Judge Jimmy Smith, handles the initial hearing of all criminal cases, including arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and final disposition of most misdemeanors.

The Grand Jury, which consists of 13 members plus at least two alternates, meets on the first Tuesday of February, June, and October to consider felony indictments submitted by District Attorney General Colin Johnson. Special sessions may be called as needed.

How to Request Criminal Court Records

Identify whether the case was resolved in General Sessions or Circuit Court.
Contact Denise Taylor, Circuit Court Clerk, at (731) 507-0999 Ext. 1, then 1 (Circuit) or Ext. 1, then 2 (General Sessions).
Provide the defendant’s full name, approximate date of the proceeding, and the case number if available.
Search cases online using the Obion County TNCrtInfo case portal.

Criminal History and Background Checks

Criminal history background checks are available through the Obion County Clerk’s office via an IdentoGO fingerprinting service. This service is available by appointment only; appointments can be scheduled at tn.state.identogo.com. Fees range from $37 to $55 depending on the type of check requested. All major credit cards are accepted; cash and personal checks are not.

For current jail detainee information, the Obion County Sheriff’s Office maintains information on incarcerated individuals. The Sheriff’s Office is reachable at (731) 885-5832 for non-emergency inquiries.

It is important to note that arrest records and court records are distinct. An arrest record reflects an individual’s apprehension by law enforcement; a court record documents what occurred during judicial proceedings. An arrest does not constitute a criminal conviction, and court records should be consulted to determine case outcomes.

Obion County Civil Court Records

Civil cases in Obion County are distributed between two courts depending on the nature and amount of the claim:

General Sessions Court — handles civil disputes involving smaller monetary claims; parties may represent themselves, and the proceedings are less formal. Corporations must retain an attorney.
Circuit Court — handles larger civil claims, jury trials, and appeals of General Sessions civil judgments.
Chancery Court — handles equitable matters, including suits for specific performance, injunctions, declaratory judgments, partition of property, debt collection suits, delinquent tax actions brought by the county or a city, suits for damages, and appeals from administrative hearings.

Requesting Civil Records

Civil case records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office (for Circuit and General Sessions matters) and the Chancery Court Clerk & Master (for equity matters). When contacting either office, requesters should supply:

Full names of the parties involved
The approximate filing or hearing date
The case number, if known

Records may be obtained in person at the courthouse or by written mail request. Fees apply for copies. The online TNCrtInfo system also includes civil case information for Circuit and General Sessions courts.

Property Records

Property-related civil matters — including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and judgments — are recorded and maintained separately by the Obion County Register of Deeds:

Register of Deeds
Address: 5 Bill Burnett Circle, P.O. Box 514, Union City, Tennessee 38261
Phone: (731) 507-0999 Ext. 5
Email: deeds@obioncountytn.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

The Register of Deeds office, currently led by Cheryl Dickson Reddin, records warranty deeds, trust deeds, powers of attorney, affidavits, liens, and other land instruments. Property owners may also subscribe to a free fraud detection alert service through mylandalert.com. The office accepts cash, checks, or debit/credit cards.

Obion County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Obion County are handled primarily by the Chancery Court, which serves as the court of equity for the 27th Judicial District. Clerk & Master Emily Hall oversees Chancery Court records. The court has jurisdiction over a broad range of family-related proceedings, including:

Divorce — including uncontested and contested divorce filings and subsequent modifications
Adoption — proceedings are confidential and sealed by law
Legitimation of children born outside of marriage
Orders of protection — handled at times by Chancery Court
Name changes
Child custody and guardianship determinations involving children of deceased or incapacitated parents
Custody and support assignments for children of unwed parents (also processed through Juvenile Court)

Requesting Family Court Records

Contact the Clerk & Master at:

Obion County Chancery Court
Address: 6 Bill Burnett Circle, P.O. Box 187, Union City, TN 38281
Phone: (731) 507-0999 Ext. 1, then 3
Fax: (731) 885-7922
Email: emily.hall@tncourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Divorce forms, including forms for cases with and without children, are available through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts, along with the Uniform Local Rules for the 27th Judicial District.

Marriage and Divorce Vital Records

Certified copies of marriage and divorce records are maintained and issued by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records (a division of the Tennessee Department of Health), not by the county courts directly.

Marriage certificates — Available to the named parties, their children, parents, immediate family members, attorneys, and those with legal authority. Requesters must complete a Marriage Certificate Application (Form PH-1670) and submit it in person or by mail with a $15 fee per copy.
Divorce records — Also available through Tennessee Vital Records. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or online, accompanied by a $15 fee per request.

The marriage license itself is obtained through the Obion County Clerk before a wedding takes place. Fees are $99.50 for a standard license or $39.50 with completion of a premarital counseling program. The County Clerk’s office is located at 2 Bill Burnett Circle, P.O. Box 188, Union City, TN 38281, and can be reached at (731) 507-0999 Ext. 2.

Obion County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Obion County fall under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court, with Emily Hall serving as Clerk & Master for all probate proceedings. Tennessee law vests probate courts with jurisdiction over the estates of deceased individuals (whether they died with or without a will), as well as matters involving minors and persons declared incompetent.

Types of Probate Cases Handled

Probate in solemn form (formal will admission)
Intestate administration (no valid will)
Ancillary administration (assets in multiple states)
Small estate affidavits
Muniment of title administration
Administration ad litem
Guardianships and conservatorships for minors or incapacitated adults
Will contests

Searching Probate Records

To search for a probate case or request copies of probate documents, contact the Clerk & Master directly:

Obion County Chancery Court (Probate Division)
Address: 6 Bill Burnett Circle, P.O. Box 187, Union City, TN 38281
Phone: (731) 507-0999 Ext. 1, then 3
Fax: (731) 885-7922
Email: emily.hall@tncourts.gov

When submitting a request for probate records, provide the following information:

The decedent’s full legal name
The approximate date of death
The case or estate number, if known

For historical probate records, the Tennessee State Library and Archives holds older Obion County records including probate filings and early Chancery Court case files. The Tennessee State Library and Archives is a useful resource for genealogical research involving estates predating modern court record retention.

Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are classified as vital records under the Tennessee Code Annotated and are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records. The central office is located at:

Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243

Key access rules:

Birth records (1908–1920): Available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives
Birth certificates: $15 per certified copy; proof of identity required
Death certificates: $15 per certified copy; records less than 50 years old are restricted to the subject, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a demonstrated legitimate interest
Vital records fees information is available directly through the Tennessee Department of Health

Requests may be submitted in person at the Vital Records office, by mail with a completed application form and payment, or through authorized online request services.

For individuals needing legal help navigating any of these court systems without an attorney, West Tennessee Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying residents in Obion County and surrounding areas.