Shelby County Court Records Search
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Shelby County is the most populous county in Tennessee and home to Memphis, the state’s largest city. Its court system is correspondingly large, with multiple trial courts spread across several divisions handling everything from felony prosecutions and complex civil litigation to estate matters and juvenile proceedings. Anyone seeking to access case filings, court judgments, criminal dispositions, or family law records in Shelby County will need to identify the correct court and clerk’s office, since records are maintained separately by each court’s clerk rather than through a single centralized office. This guide explains where each type of record is kept, how to request or search for it, what fees to expect, and which records carry access restrictions.
Tennessee maintains a network of court resources that can assist with locating case information across the state’s counties. TennesseeCourts.us may be a starting point for identifying court locations and understanding the state’s judicial structure. In Shelby County specifically, several courts offer their own online case search portals, and the clerk’s offices at the various courthouses provide in-person access during business hours. Public access terminals, online databases, and written or verbal requests to the appropriate clerk are all available methods for conducting records research in the county.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Shelby County?
Identifying the correct court is the essential first step in any Shelby County case lookup. The county operates several distinct trial courts, each with its own clerk and record-keeping system. The main courts and their contact details are as follows:
Shelby County Circuit Court
Address: 140 Adams Avenue, Room 324, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3800
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Shelby County Chancery Court
Address: 140 Adams Avenue, Room 308, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3900
Shelby County Criminal Court
Address: 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3034, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3200
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Shelby County General Sessions Court — Civil Division
Address: 140 Adams Avenue, Room 106, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3400
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Shelby County General Sessions Court — Criminal Division
Address: 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite LL-81, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3500
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Shelby County Probate Court
Address: 140 Adams Avenue, Room 124, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3750
Shelby County Juvenile Court
Address: 616 Adams Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-0600
Online Case Search Options
Several Shelby County courts maintain independent online case search systems:
- The Shelby County Criminal Justice System (CJS) Portal allows registered users to search criminal court cases and General Sessions criminal matters, view hearing dates, and access case details.
- The General Sessions Civil Court case inquiry system provides access to civil division records by party name, case number, or attorney.
- The Chancery Court online records search covers cases filed in Chancery Court, including contested divorces and civil equity matters.
- The Circuit Court case search includes civil cases, divorce filings, and other matters heard by the Circuit Court.
For in-person searches, visitors can go to the appropriate clerk’s office during business hours. Requests may be verbal or written, though written requests are recommended. Requests can also be submitted by mail to the clerk of the relevant court. Historical court records may additionally be available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, which is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Are Court Records Public in Shelby County?
Court records in Shelby County are presumptively open to the public under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503. The Act requires that state, county, and municipal records be available for personal inspection during business hours. There are several important qualifications to understand:
- Tennessee residency requirement. Only citizens of Tennessee have the right to inspect and receive copies of public records under the TPRA. Requesters may need to provide valid identification or proof of residency.
- Inspection is free. There is no charge to inspect public records in person at any Shelby County court. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
- Copy fees. Governmental entities may charge for the reasonable cost of producing copies. At the Shelby County Probate Court, for example, black and white copies cost $0.50 per page. At the Circuit Court Clerk’s office, copies are also $0.50 per page. Certified copies carry additional fees — typically $5.00 or more depending on the court and document type.
- Request methods. Under the TPRA, records requests may be submitted in person, by telephone, fax, mail, or email if the governmental entity communicates through those means.
Records with restricted access include:
- Juvenile records for children younger than 13, which are not accessible to the public
- Sealed records and expunged criminal records
- Records exempted by other state statutes, such as certain adoption proceedings
- Active investigation files where disclosure could compromise law enforcement efforts
- Records sealed by court order
When records contain both public and confidential information, the custodian may redact the restricted portions and release the remainder.
Shelby County Criminal Court Records
Shelby County’s criminal courts are among the busiest in Tennessee. Felony cases and indicted misdemeanor cases are heard in the Criminal Court, which currently operates nine divisions (expanding to eleven divisions on September 1, 2026, under HB1268). Misdemeanor criminal cases that have not been indicted are handled by the General Sessions Criminal Division. The county also operates a Veterans Court for eligible veterans charged with criminal offenses.
Searching Criminal Court Records
The Criminal Court Clerk’s Office maintains records for felony and indicted misdemeanor cases. The clerk’s office is located at 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3034, Memphis, TN 38103, and can be reached at (901) 222-3200. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Shelby County CJS Portal provides online case search capabilities — users must register and sign in, then use the Smart Search tool to locate case information by name or case number.
For General Sessions criminal matters, the clerk’s office is at 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite LL-81, Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: (901) 222-3500 The General Sessions Criminal Justice System Portal replaced the former JSSI system and provides online access to criminal division hearing information and case data.
Arrest Records and Criminal Background Checks
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Records and Identification (R&I) section provides copies of arrest tickets and jail release verification. Requests can be made in person or by mail at:
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office — Records and Identification
201-271 Poplar Avenue, Jail Annex, Room 10-06
Memphis, TN 38103-1945
Phone: (901) 222-4944
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed holidays)
A completed Request for Service Form is required along with valid identification and the applicable fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Jail Release Verification | $20.00 |
| Fingerprint Card (first) | $15.00 |
| Fingerprint Card (each additional) | $5.00 |
| Arrest Ticket | $15.00 |
| Additional Copies | $5.00 |
Payment must be by money order or cashier’s check in the exact amount — no cash, no personal checks, no refunds for overpayment.
The Sheriff’s Office does not conduct background investigations. For Tennessee criminal background checks, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) offers a name-based statewide search for $29 (fingerprints not required). Results are delivered electronically. For FBI nationwide checks, fingerprint-based searches are available through IdentoGO for $50.
For public records requests from the Sheriff’s Office, submit a completed TPRA request form by mail, fax, or email. The TPRA Coordinator can be reached at (901) 222-5656 at 201 Poplar Avenue, Room 9-15, Memphis, TN 38103. Only business checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks are accepted.
Shelby County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Shelby County are heard across three courts depending on the nature and amount in controversy. The General Sessions Civil Division handles matters with smaller monetary amounts including landlord-tenant disputes, debt claims, and other limited civil actions. The Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction with nine judges presiding over tort claims, contract disputes, personal injury, medical malpractice, and other civil matters. The Chancery Court handles equity cases, injunctions, tax sales, and certain civil disputes.
Requesting Civil Court Records
Tennessee citizens can request civil records from the clerk of the court where the case was heard. For General Sessions civil matters, the clerk’s office is at the Judge D’Army Bailey Courthouse, 140 Adams Avenue, Room 106, Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: (901) 222-3400 Online case searches are available through the General Sessions civil case inquiry system. Public records requests can also be emailed to gspublicrecords@shelbycountytn.gov or directed by phone to (901) 222-3585.
For Circuit Court civil records, the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is at 140 Adams Avenue, Room 324, Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: (901) 222-3800, open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Online records are searchable through the Circuit Court case search portal. The county also supports electronic filing for Circuit and Chancery Court cases.
Selected Circuit Court Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2026)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| General civil complaint (Category 1) | $341.50 |
| Appeals / Transfers / Certiorari (Category 2) | $266.50 |
| Name Change / Minor Settlement (Category 3) | $166.50 |
| Adoption | $119.00 |
| Copies (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified Copy | $5.00 |
| Fax Filing | $5.00 + $1.00/page |
Chancery Court civil records can be searched online through the Chancery Court case search system. The Chancery Court Clerk and Master’s office is at 140 Adams Avenue, Room 308, Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: (901) 222-3900
Shelby County Family Court Records
Shelby County does not have a separate family court. Instead, family law cases are divided between the Circuit Court and the Chancery Court, each of which hears divorce, custody, child support, alimony, paternity, adoption, and related domestic matters. The court where a case is filed depends on the nature of the proceeding and how it was initiated, so record seekers should confirm which court handled the case of interest before making a request.
Divorce Records
Divorce filings are heard by either Circuit Court or Chancery Court. Filing fees as of January 2026 differ based on circumstances:
| Divorce Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce with minor children | $431.50 |
| Divorce without minor children | $356.50 |
| Petition to modify child support | $112.00 |
Records for divorce cases filed in Circuit Court can be searched online through the Circuit Court portal, and Chancery Court divorces can be found through the Chancery Court portal. Copies can be obtained in person at the clerk’s office for the relevant court or requested by mail.
Marriage Records
Under Tennessee state law, marriage records are confidential for 50 years. Records less than 50 years old must be obtained from the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. Marriage records older than 50 years can be requested from the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Additionally, the Shelby County Register of Deeds provides an online searchable index of marriage records from 1980 through 2014.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records from 1924 to the present and death records from 1974 to the present are available through the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. For older records, the Shelby County Register of Deeds maintains an online index of birth records from 1874 to 1916, and death records from 1949 to 2014. The Shelby County Archives may also contain historical vital records. Pre-1924 birth records and pre-1974 death records can also be accessed in person at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Municipal Courts
Shelby County’s five municipal courts — Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Memphis, and Millington — exercise General Sessions-level jurisdiction within their respective city limits. Records from these courts must be requested from the individual municipal court clerk.
Shelby County Probate Court Records
The Shelby County Probate Court handles estates of decedents, wills, conservatorships, guardianships, name changes, corrections to birth certificates, emancipation of minors, and judicial hospitalization under Tennessee’s Mental Health Law. The court is located at 140 Adams Avenue, Room 124, Memphis, TN 38103, and can be reached at (901) 222-3750.
Searching Probate Records Online
The Shelby County Probate Court maintains its own online case access system with searchable records from 1997 to the present. Document images are available from 2012 forward. For records predating those dates, requesters must visit the Probate Court Clerk’s office to view microfiche or microfilm. The online system also includes a court calendar showing scheduled hearings.
Requesting Records In Person or By Mail
Tennessee citizens may make oral or written requests for probate court records to the clerk. Requesters should provide the names of parties involved and any known case or docket numbers. For copy orders, the Probate Court accepts requests by email at the address listed on the Shelby County Probate Court website. Black and white copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies of any document or pleading are $5.00 plus $0.50 per page.
Probate Court Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2026)
The Probate Court fee schedule, updated January 1, 2026, includes the following key fees:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition to Probate Will | $341.50 |
| Petition for Letters of Administration | $341.50 |
| Small Estate Petition (with or without will) | $341.50 |
| Petition for Conservatorship or Guardianship | $341.50 |
| Petition for Name Change | $166.50 |
| Petition to Correct Birth Certificate | $216.50 |
| Petition to Re-open | $75.00 |
| Filing a Claim Against an Estate | $50.00 |
| Filing an Exception to a Claim | $100.00 |
| Depositing Unprobated Will | $5.00 |
| Certified Copy | $5.00 (+$0.50/page) |
| Additional Certified Letters (each) | $5.50 |
Multiple filings — including affidavits of notice to beneficiaries, cost bonds, oaths, inventory filings, waivers, and TennCare releases — require no fee. The Probate Court also accepts new passport applications by appointment; call (901) 222-3750 and select option 4 for details.
For property records related to estate matters, the Shelby County Register of Deeds online search allows users to look up deeds, liens, and other recorded instruments by owner name, property address, or parcel number.