Roane County Court Records Search

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    Roane County sits in eastern Tennessee with its county seat in Kingston and is part of the Ninth Judicial District, which also includes Loudon, Morgan, and Meigs counties. The county’s court system handles a broad range of legal matters across several divisions — Circuit Court, Criminal Court, General Sessions Court, Chancery Court, and Juvenile Court — along with municipal courts in Harriman, Kingston, Oliver Springs, and Rockwood. Court records generated by these proceedings are maintained primarily by two offices: the Roane County Circuit Court Clerk and the Roane County Clerk and Master. This guide walks through the practical steps for locating, searching, and requesting court records across every major case category in the county.

    Tennessee residents and members of the public can access court records through a combination of in-person visits, mail requests, and electronic databases. The Public Court Records System operated through TennesseeCourts.us provides searchable case information for participating courts, including those in Roane County. Additionally, clerk offices at the Roane County Courthouse, public access terminals, and direct telephone inquiries all serve as avenues for obtaining case information. The state courts website may assist individuals in locating publicly available court case data across Tennessee jurisdictions.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Roane County?

    The method for finding a court case in Roane County depends on which court handled the matter and whether you plan to search online or visit in person.

    Online Searching

    The Roane County Online Court Records System offers electronic access to civil and criminal case information from the Circuit Court and General Sessions Court. The system supports searches by:

    • Party name
    • Case year
    • Case number

    This platform also permits online payment of traffic tickets and court costs for cases originating in Harriman, Kingston, Oliver Springs, and Rockwood. Users should have their docket number ready when making payments.

    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.

    In-Person and Mail Requests

    The two primary offices where records can be obtained in person or by mail are:

    Roane County Circuit Court Clerk (Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, Juvenile, Traffic, and Collections Court records)

    Address: 200 East Race Street, Suite 11 (Circuit/Criminal) / Suite 16 (General Sessions/Juvenile), Kingston, TN 37763

    Phone: (865) 376-2390 (Circuit/Criminal) | (865) 376-5584 (General Sessions) | (865) 376-3861 (Juvenile Court)

    Email: Ann.Goldston@tncourts.gov

    Roane County Clerk and Master (Chancery Court and Probate records)

    Address: 200 East Race Street, Suite 12, Kingston, TN 37763

    Phone: (865) 376-2487

    Fax: (865) 376-1228

    Courthouse Hours

    The Roane County Courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays. The courthouse is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

    Available Forms

    The Circuit Court Clerk provides downloadable forms for pro se litigants, covering civil, criminal, domestic, and subpoena matters. These include forms for civil summons, detainer warrants, orders of protection, criminal expungement, and other common filings.

    Are Court Records Public in Roane County?

    Court records in Roane County are generally open for public inspection under the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503). The statute establishes that records in the possession of government agencies are accessible unless a specific exemption applies. Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 further governs public access to court records, distinguishing between case records, administrative records, and judicial records.

    The following categories of court records are not open for public inspection:

    • Records sealed or expunged by court order
    • Documents containing confidential personal information such as Social Security numbers or medical records
    • Juvenile court records
    • Adoption records
    • Records protected under attorney-client privilege
    • Unpublished drafts of judicial orders and opinions
    • Internal case management information
    • Written conference records, notes, and memoranda prepared by judges or judicial staff as part of deliberative processes
    • Information regarding threats to the personal safety of judges, judicial staff, or court employees
    • Documents protected from disclosure by a protective order

    Under Rule 34, any record expressly excepted from inspection under T.C.A. § 10-7-504 or otherwise restricted by state law remains confidential. Requests to view public court records are subject to reasonable restrictions intended to preserve record integrity and the efficient operation of the courts, as outlined in T.C.A. § 16-3-401.

    When sealed records exist in a case file, the public portions remain accessible while the sealed portions are withheld. Individuals who believe they are entitled to access restricted records may petition the court for relief.

    Roane County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Roane County are handled by the Criminal Court for felony matters and the General Sessions Court for misdemeanor trials and preliminary felony hearings. The Honorable Jeffery H. Wicks serves as Criminal Court Judge for the Ninth Judicial District. Criminal cases are prosecuted by the District Attorney General’s Office under District Attorney General Russell Johnson. Criminal Court sessions in Roane County are scheduled during three terms beginning in March, June, and October each year.

    The Circuit Court Clerk maintains all records for both the Criminal Court and General Sessions Court. Criminal case dockets and records can be accessed through these methods:

    1. Online — Search the Roane County Online Court Records System by party name, case number, or case year.
    2. In person — Visit the Circuit Court Clerk’s office at 200 East Race Street, Suite 11, Kingston, TN 37763.
    3. By mail — Send a written request to the same address with sufficient identifying information (defendant’s name, case number, or date range).
    4. By phone — Call (865) 376-2390 for Circuit/Criminal Court inquiries.

    General Sessions Court hears criminal matters on Tuesdays and traffic citations on Fridays. The current General Sessions docket is available online.

    Statewide Criminal Background Checks

    The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains the central criminal history repository for the state. Public criminal background checks cost $29.00 per request (non-refundable) and can be conducted through the Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) portal. Requesters must supply the subject’s name, date of birth, race, and sex. Fingerprints are not required for public name-based searches. Mail requests can be sent to:

    Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
    901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
    Nashville, TN 37216
    Phone: (615) 744-4000

    Arrest and Sheriff Records

    The Roane County Sheriff’s Office handles arrest records and current inmate information. Inquiries may be directed to:

    Roane County Sheriff’s Office
    230 N. Third Street
    Kingston, TN 37763
    Phone: (865) 376-5582

    Criminal court forms available through the Circuit Court Clerk’s website include a criminal expungement petition and a uniform affidavit of indigency for criminal matters.

    Roane County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Roane County is distributed among three courts depending on the amount in controversy and subject matter. The Circuit Court hears civil cases involving claims over $25,000, the General Sessions Court handles civil disputes under $25,000, and the Chancery Court presides over equity matters including injunctions, contract disputes in equity, and certain property cases.

    The Honorable Michael Pemberton serves as Circuit Court Judge. Circuit Court terms in Roane County begin in January, May, and September. General Sessions civil hearings are held on Wednesdays.

    Civil Filing Fees (from the Roane County fee schedule)

    Case TypeFiling Fee
    Civil suit (claims over $25,000) with service$426.50
    Civil suit (claims over $25,000) without service$374.50
    Small claims$250.50
    Foreign judgment$251.50
    Fax filing fee$5.00 + $1.00/page
    Subpoena (clerk fee)$10.00
    Local service fee$52.00
    Out-of-state service fee$20.00 + clerk fee

    Obtaining Civil Court Records

    Civil records from Circuit Court and General Sessions are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk:

    • Online — Use the Online Court Records System to search case information.
    • In person or by mail — Contact the Circuit Court Clerk at 200 East Race Street, Suite 11, Kingston, TN 37763. Phone: (865) 376-2390

    For Chancery Court civil matters, contact the Clerk and Master at 200 East Race Street, Suite 12, Kingston, TN 37763. Phone: (865) 376-2487 The Clerk and Master’s office accepts credit card payments (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover), with a 2.5% convenience fee added.

    Available civil forms include a civil summons for General Sessions, detainer summons for landlords, notice of appeal, summons to recover personal property, writ of possession, and wage garnishment forms.

    Property-related civil records, including deeds and liens, are kept by the Roane County Register of Deeds at 200 East Race Street, Suite 6, Kingston, TN 37763, Phone: (865) 376-4673 Land records are accessible online through a paid subscription at www.ustitlesearch.net or in person at the Register’s office. All records in the Register’s office are public, except for military discharges.

    Roane County Family Court Records

    Family law cases in Roane County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, adoption, and paternity — are primarily heard in the General Sessions Court. Divorces and orders of protection hearings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The Roane County Juvenile Court handles matters involving delinquent and dependent children, with records maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk.

    Divorce Filing

    The Circuit Court Clerk’s website provides guidance on agreed divorces. Divorce filing fees from the Roane County fee schedule include:

    Divorce TypeFee
    Divorce complaint (no children, no service)$277.00
    Divorce complaint (with service)$330.50

    Tennessee Supreme Court-approved divorce forms are available through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.

    Orders of Protection

    Domestic violence protective order forms available from the Roane County Circuit Court website include:

    Marriage Records

    Marriage licenses in Roane County are issued by the Roane County Clerk at 200 East Race Street, Suite 2, Kingston, TN 37763, Phone: (865) 376-5556 The fee is $102.00, reduced to $42.00 with a signed and notarized Certification of Completion of premarital counseling. Both parties must appear in person with photo ID and proof of Social Security number. The license is valid for 30 days and must be obtained before the ceremony.

    Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $7.00 in person or $9.00 by mail ($7.00 plus $2.00 postage). Marriage records can also be searched online through the county clerk’s system.

    At the state level, the Tennessee Department of Health issues certified copies of marriage and divorce records for $15.00. Required application forms:

    Mail completed applications with payment and a valid ID to:

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

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health. Under Tennessee law, birth records are closed for 100 years and death records for 50 years, available only to qualified persons including the individual named, immediate family, legal representatives, and government agencies. Certified copies cost $15.00 each. Application forms:

    Confidential Family Records

    Juvenile court records and adoption records are not available for public inspection. Adoption records in Tennessee are sealed, and identifying information is generally released only with consent of the birth parents or by court order.

    Roane County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Roane County fall under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court. The Clerk and Master’s office serves as the custodian of all probate case files, maintaining rule and execution dockets, attending court sessions, and keeping official minutes. Probate cases encompass estate administration, the filing and probate of wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters.

    Probate Filing Fee: $204.14 (as listed in the Roane County fee schedule), plus publication costs if notice to creditors or interested parties is required.

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate case information can be obtained by contacting the Clerk and Master’s office directly. The office takes public inquiries in person or by phone about Chancery and Probate cases.

    Roane County Clerk and Master
    200 East Race Street, Suite 12
    Kingston, TN 37763
    Phone: (865) 376-2487
    Fax: (865) 376-1228

    The Clerk and Master’s office accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover payments, with a 2.5% processing fee. Mail requests should include sufficient identifying information such as the decedent’s or ward’s name and any known case numbers.

    Court-Ordered Property Sales

    When probate or chancery proceedings result in ordered sales of real or personal property, the Clerk and Master conducts auctions as directed by the court. The office also manages delinquent tax collections and annual back tax sales for Roane County and the cities of Harriman, Kingston, Oliver Springs, and Rockwood.

    Related Property Records

    For real property documents connected to estate matters — such as deeds, deeds of trust, and liens — the Roane County Register of Deeds at 200 East Race Street, Suite 6, Kingston, TN 37763, maintains the official records. The Roane County Property Assessor at Suite 5 of the same building can provide property tax and ownership information at (865) 376-4362. Property assessment data is also accessible through the state’s assessment website.