Rutherford County Court Records Search
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Rutherford County, Tennessee, is home to one of the fastest-growing communities in the state, and its court system reflects that growth with a layered structure of general and limited jurisdiction courts. Each court within the county generates and maintains official records of the legal proceedings it handles, from circuit court felony trials to probate estate filings at the county clerk’s office. These documents serve as the authoritative record of what occurred in a case, and knowing which court to contact is the foundation of any records search.
Residents of Tennessee looking to locate court case information have several paths available. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains resources and search tools for state-level case information. TennesseeCourts.us is one aggregator of publicly available case data, though official county and state court sources will always provide the most reliable and current records. Searches may be conducted through the clerks’ offices, public-access computer terminals at courthouses, official online portals, or by submitting written requests to the appropriate court division.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Rutherford County?
Rutherford County court records can be searched through several official channels depending on the type of case and the court that handled it.
Online Search Options
- The Tennessee Public Case History portal covers appellate-level cases and select trial court matters through the Tennessee Courts’ case management system.
- The Rutherford County Chancery Court website publishes daily and motion dockets updated weekly, with daily dockets posted each Friday for the following week and motion dockets posted two days before each court date.
- The Chancery Court also supports e-filing for civil filings in that division.
- The Tennessee Archive and Library name index can help locate older or historical case records.
In-Person Requests
The Circuit Court Clerk’s office handles records for Circuit Civil, Circuit Criminal, General Sessions Civil, General Sessions Criminal, and Juvenile courts. Visitors may appear in person at the Judicial Center during business hours to request records or use available public-access terminals. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for access to certain records.
Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk
Address: 116 West Lytle Street, Room 102, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Circuit Civil Phone: (615) 898-7820 | Fax: (615) 691-5904
Circuit Criminal Phone: (615) 898-7812 | Fax: (615) 691-5917
General Sessions Civil Phone: (615) 217-0069 | Fax: (615) 396-3152
General Sessions Criminal Phone: (615) 898-7831 | Fax: (615) 691-5890
Mail Requests
To request records by mail, download and complete the Circuit Court Clerk’s Public Records Request Form, attach a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and mail it to 116 West Lytle Street, Room 102, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. The clerk will respond with a fee estimate before processing. Once fees are confirmed and paid, the requested records will be released.
Are Court Records Public in Rutherford County?
Tennessee law generally treats court records as open to the public. The Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A)) establishes a presumption of openness for records generated and maintained by state, county, and municipal governmental entities, including courts. Under this framework, members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of court documents without having to state a reason for the request.
Typical information available in public court records includes party names, case numbers, court numbers, case history, and the name of the presiding judge. However, the Act and related provisions exempt certain categories of records, including:
- Adoption records, which are sealed from general public access
- Records exempted by Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504 and T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A)
- Records sealed by a specific court order
- Unpublished notes, drafts of opinions, and judicial orders not yet finalized
- Physical or digital notes and memoranda prepared by court staff on behalf of the court
- Records related to internal case management
The Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 governs access to electronic court records and establishes additional confidentiality protections. Courts are permitted to charge fees for retrieving and copying records. Copies from the Chancery Court clerk cost $0.50 per page; certified copies are $2.00 per page plus $2.00 per certification.
Rutherford County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Rutherford County originate in two primary courts depending on the severity of the offense. The Circuit Court — Criminal Division handles felony cases, while the General Sessions Court — Criminal Division handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings on felony matters.
Searching Criminal Court Records
- Circuit Criminal records can be searched in person or by mail at the Circuit Court Clerk’s office at 116 West Lytle Street, Room 102, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.
- General Sessions Criminal records are held by the same clerk; contact the General Sessions Criminal division at (615) 898-7831.
- The Chancery Court dockets page is relevant for civil and equity matters but not for criminal proceedings.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation — Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive criminal history check, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is the state repository for criminal records. The TBI’s TORIS (Tennessee Offender Records Information System) accepts requests from the general public through three methods:
- Online: Create an account on the TBI’s online platform and provide the subject’s name, date of birth, race, and sex, along with credit card payment.
- By mail: Download and complete the Criminal History Information Request Form in English or in Spanish, and mail it with a $29.00 check or money order to: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation — TORIS Unit, 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216. Phone: (615) 744-4057
- In person: Visit TBI offices during regular business hours.
The $29.00 fee is required for both online and mail-based requests. The TBI’s check does not require fingerprints and searches solely Tennessee records.
Arrest Records — Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office
Arrest records maintained by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office are not available through TBI and must be requested directly from the Sheriff. The Warrants and Records Division handles records requests for incident reports, background checks for gun permits, and related documents.
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office — Warrants and Records
Address: 940 New Salem Highway, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Phone: (615) 898-7877 | Records Line: (615) 898-7777
Email for incident reports: records@rcsotn.org
Note that the Sheriff’s Office does not provide employment background checks; those requests must go through TBI. Incident reports are generated for most complaints received, and approximately 1,500 to 2,000 are entered into the system each month. Traffic crash reports handled by the Sheriff’s deputies are available through the same division; crashes involving injuries are investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Rutherford County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Rutherford County are divided among three courts, each with distinct jurisdiction:
| Court | Civil Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court — Civil Division | General civil cases, appeals from administrative agencies |
| Chancery Court | Equity matters, property disputes, real estate, trusts, workers’ compensation, divorce, adoption |
| General Sessions Court — Civil Division | Landlord/tenant disputes, small claims, general civil cases under monetary limits |
Rutherford County Chancery Court
Address: 116 West Lytle Street, Suite 5101, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Phone: (615) 898-7860 | Fax: (615) 849-9553
Email: chancery@rutherfordcountytn.gov
The Chancery Court’s website at rcchancery.com provides online access to court dockets and supports electronic filing. Daily hearing dockets are posted each Friday for the following week; motion dockets are posted two days before the scheduled date. The Clerk and Master serves as the principal administrative aide to the Chancery Court and maintains all case records. The court also handles delinquent tax sales and court-ordered auctions, which are posted on the Chancery Court website.
Civil records can be requested in person, by mail, or through the Chancery Court’s online public records request portal. Written requests should specify the case name, case number if known, and the type of record sought. Copy fees are $0.50 per page; certified copies are $2.00 per page plus $2.00 per certification. Credit card payments at the Chancery Court carry a 2.25% plus $0.25 convenience fee.
For General Sessions Civil matters, contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s General Sessions Civil division at (615) 217-0069. Small claims filings and landlord/tenant disputes heard in General Sessions are also maintained by this office.
Rutherford County Family Court Records
Rutherford County does not have a standalone family court. Instead, jurisdiction over domestic and family matters is distributed across multiple courts, depending on the nature and complexity of the case.
| Court | Domestic Cases | Juvenile Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court | Divorce, custody, visitation, domestic violence orders, paternity | Adoption, children in need of supervision |
| Chancery Court | Divorce, custody, visitation, domestic violence orders, child support, paternity | Adoption, children in need of supervision |
| General Sessions Court | Child support, divorce, custody, visitation, domestic violence orders, paternity | Delinquency, abuse/neglect, supervision, parental rights termination |
| Juvenile Court | Paternity, custody, child support | Delinquency, abuse/neglect, supervision, parental rights termination |
Rutherford County Juvenile Court
Address: 1710 South Church Street, Suite 2, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Phone: (615) 898-7972 | Fax: (615) 217-7120
Because family records often contain sensitive personal information about minor children and victims of domestic violence, access is generally limited to parties with a direct legal interest in the case — the record subject, close relatives, legal representatives, and authorized government agencies. Requesters for confidential family records must provide a valid photo ID and, in some instances, demonstrate their legal standing to obtain the file.
Dissolution of Marriage Records
Divorce records from 1989 to the present are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health — Office of Vital Records. Records predating 1989 are held by the Tennessee State Library and Archives. To request a certified copy of a divorce certificate, complete the Application for Certified Copy of Certificate of Divorce or Annulment and mail it with a $15.00 search fee (check or money order payable to Tennessee Vital Records) and a copy of a government-issued ID to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
Marriage licenses in Rutherford County are issued by the County Clerk’s office. Both applicants must appear in person with a valid photo ID and Social Security number. The standard fee is $107.50; applicants who provide a completed and notarized Certificate of Completion from a premarital counselor or minister qualify for a reduced fee of $45.00.
Certified copies of marriage certificates are available:
- In person: $5.00 per copy (Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Blackman offices)
- By mail: $7.00 per copy; mail the request with the bride’s and groom’s names and date of marriage to the appropriate County Clerk office
County Clerk locations and hours are listed in the Probate section below.
Rutherford County Probate Court Records
In Rutherford County, the General Sessions Court Judge serves as the Probate Judge by private act. Estate matters heard by the probate judge are administered through the Rutherford County Clerk’s office, which handles filings, maintains all records, and issues letters testamentary and letters of administration. Probate records in Tennessee are public documents and are available for review at the Office of the County Clerk in the county of filing.
Types of Probate Matters
- Wills and estate administration
- Small estate affidavits (estates of $50,000 or less with no real property)
- Guardianships and conservatorships
- Name changes, correction of birth certificates, habeas corpus
- Legitimation cases
Requesting Probate Records
To request access to probate records, complete the county’s probate records request form and submit it to the Rutherford County Clerk’s main office. Refer to the Local Rules for Rutherford County Probate Court for procedural requirements. The county also provides Estate Matters Procedural Information as a reference guide for parties navigating the probate process without an attorney, though the Clerk’s staff cannot provide legal advice.
Probate Filing Fees (revised July 1, 2018)
| Matter | Fee |
|---|---|
| Opening and closing an estate (includes 1 letter testamentary/administration) | $418.50 |
| Establishing a Muniment of Title for Real Estate | $418.50 |
| Small estate affidavit | $229.50 |
| Filing a claim against an estate | $50.00 |
| Filing exceptions to claims against estates | $100.00 |
| Guardianship/Conservatorship (standard filing, includes all initial process and final accounting) | $303.50 |
| Name changes, legitimation, removal of disabilities, habeas corpus | $243.50 |
| Annual or interim settlement/accounting | $75.00 |
| Order on an existing case (other than closing order) | $20.00 |
| Summons, subpoenas, citations, writs (not initial process) | $10.00 |
| Each additional letter testamentary, administration, guardianship, or conservatorship | $6.00 |
| Regular copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $2.00 per page + $2.00 per certification |
For claims against an estate, submit a notarized claim form in triplicate with supporting evidence and the $50.00 filing fee. All claims must be filed within four months from the first date of publication of the Notice to Creditors. The creditors notice publication fee varies by outlet: $135.00 for the Daily News Journal, $125.00 for Main Street Media, and $28.00 for WGNS.
Small estate proceedings have a 45-day waiting period after the date of death and require a certified death certificate, affidavits from non-joining heirs, and a list of outstanding debts. Estates involving real property are not eligible for small estate administration.
Estates being closed through the probate court must have a TennCare Release from TennCare Administration on file before the judge will sign the closing order.
County Clerk Office Locations and Hours
The County Clerk Lisa Duke Crowell operates four locations:
Murfreesboro (Main Office)
319 North Maple Street, Suite 121, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Phone: (615) 898-7800 | Fax: (615) 898-7830
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Blackman Office
3906 Blaze Drive, Suite A, Murfreesboro, TN 37128
Phone: (615) 898-7995
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Smyrna Office
205 I Street, Smyrna, TN 37167
Phone: (615) 459-9692 | Fax: (615) 355-4118
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Eagleville Office
108 South Main Street, Eagleville, TN 37060
Phone: (615) 849-0330
Hours: Open the first working day of each week, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed noon–1:00 p.m.)
The County Clerk accepts cash and checks drawn on Tennessee banks only; no out-of-state checks are accepted. Debit and credit cards are accepted with a 2.25% plus $0.25 processing fee charged by a third-party processor.