Overton County Court Records Search
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Overton County is a rural Tennessee county in the Upper Cumberland region, with Livingston as its county seat. The county's judicial system handles criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family matters, and estate administration through a network of courts that includes the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, General Sessions Court, Juvenile Court, and the Livingston City Court. Most records generated by these courts are accessible to the public under Tennessee's open records laws.
If you're researching a court case in Tennessee, several access channels are available — clerk offices, courthouse public terminals, official state portals, and online search tools. TennesseeCourts.us can help you find publicly available case information and understand how the state's court system is organized. For the most current and accurate records, official state and county resources remain your best bet.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Overton County?
There are three practical ways to search Overton County court records: online through the state court portal, in person at the relevant clerk's office, or by mail.
Online Search
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts operates Public Case History, the statewide portal for searching appellate court records — including the Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals. Search by party name or case number to pull up case details and documents. For trial-level records at the Circuit, Chancery, and General Sessions courts, you'll generally need to contact the local clerk in person or by mail, since trial court records are not uniformly available through a single online portal.
In Person — Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains records from the Overton County Circuit Court and handles criminal and civil case filings. Staff can help with record searches during regular business hours, and the office accepts cash, money orders, debit cards, and credit cards.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Barbara Matthews |
| Address | 1000 John T. Poindexter Drive, Livingston, TN 38570 |
| Phone | (931) 823-2312 |
| Fax | (931) 823-9728 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (open during lunch) |
In Person — Clerk and Master
Chancery Court records — including probate and juvenile matters — are held by the Clerk and Master's Office. If you need equity cases, estate records, guardianship filings, child support matters, or delinquent tax actions, this is the right office to contact.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk and Master | Dorothy Stanton |
| Address | 100 East Court Square, Suite 100, Livingston, TN 38570 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 127, Livingston, TN 38570 |
| Phone | (931) 823-2536 |
| Fax | (931) 823-7631 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
By Mail
Written requests may be mailed to the appropriate clerk's office. Include the full names of all parties, a case number if you have one, the approximate filing date, a copy of valid identification where required, and a check or money order for the applicable copy fees.
Are Court Records Public in Overton County?
The Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503) establishes that all state, county, and municipal records are open for public inspection unless a specific exception applies. That presumption of openness extends to Overton County's court records. Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 further governs access to court records specifically, defining categories of case, administrative, and judicial records and identifying which portions remain confidential.
The following categories are treated as confidential and are not open to public inspection under Tennessee law:
- Juvenile records and delinquency proceedings
- Adoption records
- Criminal records involving minors
- Mental health and medical records filed with the court
- Records identifying victims of domestic violence or abuse
- Business tax records
- Unpublished drafts of judicial orders and opinions
- Sealed records and records subject to protective orders
- Internal judicial deliberation materials and conference notes
- Information related to personal safety threats against judicial personnel
When a public record contains both accessible and restricted information, the clerk is required to redact only the confidential portions before releasing the remainder. If a request is denied and you believe it was improperly withheld, you may challenge the denial through the courts under T.C.A. § 10-7-505.
Overton County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Overton County move through two levels of court depending on the nature and severity of the offense.
Circuit Court — Felony Cases
The Overton County Circuit Court handles felony criminal matters — offenses carrying potential sentences of more than one year — along with misdemeanor cases appealed from lower courts. The court also keeps official records of criminal convictions, sentencing orders, probation terms, and post-conviction motions. Circuit Court Clerk Barbara Matthews maintains all of these records.
General Sessions Court — Misdemeanors and Preliminary Hearings
The Overton County General Sessions Court has criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanor trials where defendants waive the right to a grand jury indictment, and it conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases before binding them over to Circuit Court. General Sessions Court records are managed through the Clerk and Master's Office.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 East Court Square, Suite 100, Livingston, TN 38570 |
| Phone | (931) 823-2536 |
| Fax | (931) 823-7631 |
Searching Criminal Records
For appellate-level criminal matters, you can search basic case information through the state's Public Case History portal. Trial-level criminal records require direct contact with the Circuit Court Clerk's office. When you reach out, provide the defendant's full name and an approximate date range or case number to help staff locate the record.
Sheriff's Office and Arrest Records
The Overton County Sheriff's Department, led by Sheriff John Garrett, is the county's primary law enforcement agency — handling arrests, jail operations, and criminal investigations around the clock.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1010 John T. Poindexter Drive, Livingston, TN 38570 |
| Phone | (931) 823-5635 |
| Hours | 24/7/365 |
Arrest records held by the Sheriff's Department are public records subject to the Tennessee Public Records Act. Submit a written request directly to the department for specific arrest or incident reports. Current inmate information may be available through the department's website at overtonsheriff.com.
Overton County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Overton County are distributed between the Circuit Court and the General Sessions Court, with jurisdiction determined primarily by the amount in controversy.
Circuit Court Civil Jurisdiction
The Circuit Court handles civil lawsuits where the amount in dispute exceeds the General Sessions Court's jurisdictional limit. Civil records in Circuit Court include case filings, motions, orders, judgments, and appellate decisions from lower courts. These records are held by Circuit Court Clerk Barbara Matthews at 1000 John T. Poindexter Drive.
General Sessions Court — Civil and Small Claims
The General Sessions Court acts as Tennessee's small claims court for civil disputes. Under T.C.A. § 16-15-501, General Sessions Courts in most Tennessee counties have civil jurisdiction up to $25,000. This court covers contract disputes, landlord-tenant matters, debt collection, and similar civil claims — without the full procedural requirements of circuit court litigation. Parties may represent themselves, and proceedings are generally informal.
Chancery Court Civil Jurisdiction
The Overton County Chancery Court is a court of general original equity jurisdiction, handling civil matters of an equitable nature where the debt or demand exceeds $50.00. The court has concurrent and exclusive jurisdiction over a range of civil matters assigned by the Tennessee legislature, including trust disputes, injunctions, and other equitable relief. The Clerk and Master's Office at 100 East Court Square maintains all Chancery Court civil records.
Property Records
Real estate documents — deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats — are kept by the Overton County Register of Deeds. You can also search property information online through the Tennessee Property Assessment Data page, which covers property tax, appraisal, and ownership data for all Tennessee counties.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Register | Jimmy Conner |
| Address | 306 W. Main Street, Room 139, Livingston, TN 38570 |
| Phone | (931) 823-4011 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Overton County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Overton County move through different court divisions depending on the nature of the proceeding.
Circuit Court — Divorce and Domestic Relations
Divorce proceedings, child custody disputes, child support modifications, and domestic violence protective orders all go through the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains all case records for these matters. Divorce case records are generally public, though specific content — such as information about abuse victims or children — may be redacted before release.
Chancery Court — Child Support and Juvenile Matters
By private act, the Clerk and Master in Overton County also serves as the Juvenile Clerk, making the Chancery Court the venue for juvenile matters and certain child support enforcement actions. The Chancery Court also collects and distributes child support payments. Juvenile records are confidential under Tennessee law and are not accessible to the general public.
Livingston City Court
The Livingston City Court handles ordinance violations and minor criminal matters within city limits, operating at a separate location from the county courts.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 North Church Street, Livingston, TN 38570 |
| Phone | (931) 823-6496 |
| Fax | (931) 823-6490 |
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Overton County are issued by the County Clerk. Certified copies of marriage records from the last 50 years can be obtained from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Records older than 50 years may be found at the Overton County Clerk's Office or through the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
To request a certified marriage certificate from the state Office of Vital Records, mail a completed application, a valid photo ID, and a $15.00 fee (payable by check or money order) to:
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-1763
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Victoria Looper |
| Address | 306 W. Main Street, Livingston, TN 38570 |
| Phone | (931) 823-2631 |
| Hours | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Wed: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. |
Birth and Death Records
Certified copies of Overton County birth and death certificates are issued by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records for records from the past 50 years (birth records) and 100 years (death records). The fee is $15.00 per certified copy for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates alike. Records older than those windows may be researched at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
You can submit requests in person at the Nashville office (lobby hours Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), by mail to the address above, or through VitalChek online or by phone. Under Tennessee law, only eligible individuals — the named person, parents, or legal representatives — may obtain certified copies of birth certificates.
To obtain a divorce certificate, complete and submit the Application for Certified Copy of Certificate of Divorce or Annulment with valid identification and the $15.00 fee to the Office of Vital Records. Divorce records older than 50 years can be accessed through the Tennessee State Library and Archives or the Overton County Clerk's Office.
Overton County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Overton County rests with the Chancery Court, which handles the full range of estate and guardianship matters administered through the Clerk and Master's Office. By private act, the Clerk and Master also serves as the Juvenile Clerk, making this office a central point for multiple sensitive case types.
Matters handled by the Overton County Chancery Court in its probate capacity include:
- Probate of testate estates (with a will) and intestate estates (without a will)
- Small estates that may be resolved in a single proceeding
- Appointment of administrators and executors
- Guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships for individuals unable to manage their own financial affairs
- Trust administration and trust dispute resolution
- Investment of litigant funds held in the court registry
Probate records — including original wills, inventory and appraisal documents, court orders, and settlement accountings — are maintained by the Clerk and Master at 100 East Court Square, Suite 100. You can review physical records in person during office hours or request them by mail to P.O. Box 127, Livingston, TN 38570. Mail requests should include the decedent's full name, the approximate date of death, and any case or file number if known.
For appellate-level probate decisions, the state's Public Case History portal may contain relevant case information. Genealogical and historical researchers working on older probate records should contact the Tennessee State Library and Archives, which maintains historical vital and court records that predate those currently held by county offices.