Scott County Court Records Search

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    Scott County, Tennessee, sits in the Cumberland Plateau region of northeastern Tennessee, with Huntsville as its county seat. The county's court system operates under Tennessee's Eighth Judicial District and generates official legal documentation across criminal, civil, family, and probate proceedings. Court records include any document created, received, or filed during a judicial proceeding — dockets, motions, orders, judgments, pleas, transcripts, and exhibits. Together, these records form the complete official history of how legal matters are resolved in the county, and they are routinely used for legal research, background investigations, and verifying case outcomes.

    Anyone looking to access court case information in Scott County can find county-specific contacts, case search tools, and public access resources through TennesseeCourts.us. Records are held across several court offices and can be accessed in person at the clerk's office, through public terminals at the courthouse, by mail request, or via online portals maintained by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Scott County?

    Scott County's courts are located at two primary sites — the Scott County Justice Centre and the historic County Courthouse — both in Huntsville. Before making any records request, you'll need to know which court handled the case.

    Scott County Courts — Directory:

    CourtAddressPhone
    Circuit Court575 Scott High Drive, Huntsville, TN 37756(423) 663-2440
    Chancery Court575 Scott High Drive, Suite C, Huntsville, TN 37756(423) 663-2627
    Criminal Court575 Scott High Drive, Huntsville, TN 37756(423) 663-2440
    General Sessions Court575 Scott High Drive, Huntsville, TN 37756(423) 663-2440
    Juvenile Court575 Scott High Drive, Huntsville, TN 37756(423) 663-2440
    Oneida City CourtMunicipal Building, 19922 Alberta Street, Oneida, TN 37841(423) 569-4295
    Winfield City Court24961 Scott Highway, Winfield, TN 37892(423) 569-6139

    The Circuit Court Clerk, currently Donnie Phillips (in office since September 2006), keeps records and dockets for the Circuit, Criminal, and General Sessions Courts and attends each session to record minutes. The Clerk's office also collects court fees, including litigation taxes, fines, and other required charges.

    Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
    Address: 575 Scott High Drive, Huntsville, TN 37756
    Phone: (423) 663-2440
    Email: donnie.phillips@tncourts.gov
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    For online case searches, the Tennessee Public Case History portal — run by the Administrative Office of the Courts — lets you look up cases in the Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals by name or case number. For trial-level Circuit and General Sessions civil cases, Tennessee Case Finder offers a 24/7 public inquiry system with direct access to cases filed in participating Circuit Court Clerk offices across the state. If a case isn't available online, visiting or writing to the relevant clerk's office is the standard approach.

    Are Court Records Public in Scott County?

    Tennessee's Public Records Act (TPRA), enacted in 1957, establishes that court records are public and open to inspection and copying by any Tennessee citizen. This presumption of openness covers the vast majority of criminal, civil, chancery, and probate case materials generated in Scott County's courts.

    That said, the TPRA contains well over 500 statutory exceptions that limit or restrict access to certain record types. Before submitting a request, you can check the Public Records Exception Database maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller's Office to verify whether a particular record falls under an exemption.

    Categories of court records that are generally exempt from public disclosure include:

    • Juvenile records (with a narrow exception for arrest petitions involving minors age 14 or older charged with violent felonies), protected under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153
    • Records sealed by court order
    • Judicial decisions not yet published or released
    • Manuscripts and handwritten documents sealed by court or magistrate instruction
    • Confidential records identified under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504, which covers TBI investigative records, among others
    • Information identifying minor victims in any proceeding
    • Mental health records and evaluations

    When a record is sealed or otherwise restricted, only authorized individuals — case parties, their attorneys, or persons holding a valid court order — may obtain copies. The clerk's office will not release protected materials to members of the general public, regardless of how the request is submitted.

    Scott County Criminal Court Records

    Scott County is part of Tennessee's Eighth Judicial District, which also covers Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, and Union counties. Circuit Court Judge John McAfee presides over felony criminal cases in the district. The Scott County Circuit Court Clerk maintains all criminal court records — filings, docket entries, transcripts, plea records, sentencing orders, and case outcomes.

    You can search criminal case records online through Tennessee Case Finder or request them in person or by mail at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 575 Scott High Drive. Have the defendant's full name, case number, or approximate filing date ready when you make a request. Certified copy fees apply and are collected by the Clerk's office.

    For arrest and inmate information, contact the Scott County Sheriff's Department, the primary law enforcement authority in the county, led by Sheriff Brian Keeton.

    Scott County Sheriff's Department
    Address: 2845 Baker Highway, Huntsville, TN 37756
    Phone: (423) 663-2000
    Email: jerried.jeffers@scottcounty.com

    The Sheriff's Department operates the county jail at the Scott County Justice Centre. Current inmate information — including jail intake and release records from the last 72 hours and a searchable inmate database — is available through the Scott County jail portal.

    For statewide criminal history searches, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) offers name-based background checks to the general public for $29.00 per request through its TORIS background check system. You'll need to supply the subject's name, date of birth, race, and sex. The TBI also maintains the Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL), a free public tool for searching felony offenders currently or formerly under state supervision.

    Scott County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Scott County are divided among several courts depending on the dollar amount and nature of the dispute. The Circuit Court is the primary trial court for significant civil cases, including complex contract disputes and personal injury claims. The Chancery Court, presided over by Chancellor Elizabeth Asbury, handles equitable matters, certain contract actions, and worker's compensation cases.

    The General Sessions Court, with Judge Scarlett Ellis presiding, hears civil cases below the Circuit Court's jurisdictional threshold. Under Tennessee Code § 16-15-501, General Sessions courts handle civil cases — including small claims matters — up to $25,000 in most Tennessee counties. Court is in session Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. at the Scott County Justice Centre. Judge Ellis also presides over Scott County Juvenile Court and Drug Court.

    To request civil court records in person, follow these steps:

    1. Identify which court handled the case (Circuit, Chancery, or General Sessions).
    2. Visit the appropriate clerk's office at the Scott County Justice Centre (575 Scott High Drive) during business hours, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    3. Provide the full names of the case parties, case number, or approximate filing date.
    4. Present a valid government-issued photo ID.
    5. Pay any applicable certification or copy fees before records are released.

    For mail requests, write to the Circuit Court Clerk at 575 Scott High Drive, Huntsville, TN 37756. Include the case details listed above and a check or money order for anticipated fees. For probate and chancery-related civil records, reach out to Chancery Court Clerk & Master Michael Potter directly at (423) 663-2627.

    Scott County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Scott County are split between the Circuit Court and the Chancery Court. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over a broad range of domestic matters, while the Chancery Court specifically handles divorces, dissolutions, and certain domestic relations cases. Records from both divisions are accessible through the respective clerk's offices at the Scott County Justice Centre.

    Family law case types handled in Scott County include:

    • Divorce and legal separation
    • Child custody and visitation disputes
    • Child support establishment and modification
    • Domestic violence orders of protection
    • Paternity actions
    • Adoptions
    • Guardianship of minors

    Marriage records in Scott County are issued and maintained by the Scott County Clerk, Felicia Bilbrey, who has held the position since 2018. Marriage license applications — including an online marriage application — are available through the County Clerk's online portal.

    Scott County Clerk
    Address: 283 Court Street, Huntsville, TN 37756
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 87, Huntsville, TN 37756
    Phone: (423) 663-2588
    Fax: (423) 663-3969
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (also open one Saturday per month)

    Under Tennessee law, marriage records are confidential for the first 50 years from the date of the event. During that restricted period, only the spouses themselves, immediate family members, and legal representatives may obtain copies. Records older than 50 years become publicly accessible and can be reviewed at the County Clerk's Office or through the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The Tennessee Office of Vital Records also provides remote access to older marriage records.

    Divorce records follow the same 50-year confidentiality rule. During the restricted period, only authorized persons may access divorce decrees and related case files. After 50 years, records become publicly accessible through the Tennessee State Library and Archives. If you need a divorce record within the restricted window, submit your request to the Circuit Court Clerk's office with full names of both parties, the divorce date, and a valid photo ID.

    Birth and death records are managed at the state level by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Birth certificates are confidential for 100 years from the date of birth; death certificates are restricted for 50 years. Certified copies cost $15.00 each. During the restricted period, requests are limited to the record subject, parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives who can provide valid ID and proof of relationship. Records beyond the confidentiality threshold are transferred to and held by the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The state vital records office is located at:

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

    Scott County Probate Court Records

    Probate proceedings in Scott County are heard by the Chancery Court, which has jurisdiction over estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes. Clerk & Master Michael Potter maintains all dockets and official records for Chancery Court matters, including the full probate filing history.

    Types of matters handled through Scott County's probate process include:

    • Administration of testate estates (death with a will)
    • Administration of intestate estates (death without a will)
    • Will contests and disputes over the validity of testamentary documents
    • Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults
    • Conservatorships for persons unable to manage their own affairs
    • Trust accounting under court supervision
    • Name change petitions

    Scott County Chancery Court (Clerk & Master)
    Address: 575 Scott High Drive, Suite C, Huntsville, TN 37756
    Phone: (423) 663-2627
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Probate records that are not subject to any sealing order are generally public and can be reviewed in person at the Chancery Court Clerk & Master's office during business hours. When you visit, have the name of the decedent or the estate case number ready to help staff locate the file. Certified copies of probate filings carry copying and certification fees payable to the court at the time of the request. Mail requests for probate records should go to the Clerk & Master's office and include case identifying details along with a money order or check for anticipated fees.

    For property-related information connected to estate and probate matters — including deeds, plat maps, and recorded instruments — the Scott County Register of Deeds maintains land records at 282 Court Street, Huntsville, and can be reached at (423) 663-3075, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Property assessment data is also searchable through the Tennessee Property Assessment Data portal maintained by the state comptroller. The Scott County Assessor of Property is located at 282 Court Street, Huntsville, TN 37756, and can be reached at (423) 663-2420.