Sullivan County Court Records Search
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Sullivan County sits in the northeastern corner of Tennessee, anchoring the state’s Second Judicial District. With a county seat in Blountville and major population centers in Kingsport and Bristol, the county operates a multi-court system that generates a wide range of case records across criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Two separate clerk offices manage these records: the Circuit Court Clerk handles filings from the circuit, criminal, general sessions, and juvenile courts, while the Clerk and Master oversees chancery court records, including probate and many family law proceedings. Understanding which office holds a particular record is the first step toward an efficient search.
Court records in Tennessee can be located through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online search tools. The Sullivan County Online Court Records System provides free electronic access to case information from most county courts. Statewide court directories, rules, and forms are also available through TennesseeCourts.us, which may help individuals identify the correct court or locate publicly available case data.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sullivan County?
Sullivan County offers several practical ways to find court case information, depending on whether you need basic docket data or certified document copies.
Online Search via the Sullivan County Court Records System
The county maintains a free, publicly accessible case management system at sullivan.tncrtinfo.com. To conduct a search:
- Click “Search” from the top navigation menu.
- Choose a court type (Circuit Court, Criminal Court, General Sessions, Juvenile, or Chancery) and a case type (Civil, Criminal, or both).
- Enter either a party’s last name or a case year and number.
- Complete the CAPTCHA verification and click “Find Now”.
Search results display the case number, party names, file date, case type, and current status. Clicking on a party name opens additional docket detail. The system indexes cases across most Sullivan County courts but does not include municipal (city) court records, nor does it provide downloadable images of filed documents.
The Sullivan County Chancery Court maintains a separate online records lookup tool on its own website, which covers chancery filings including probate and certain family law proceedings.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in visitors may inspect case files at the courthouse where the matter was heard. Both the Circuit Court Clerk and the Clerk and Master maintain records during standard business hours.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court Clerk | Sullivan County Justice Center, 140 Blountville Bypass, P.O. Box 585, Blountville, TN 37617 | (423) 279-2752 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Clerk and Master (Blountville) | 140 Blountville Bypass, Room 201, P.O. Box 327, Blountville, TN 37617 | (423) 323-6483 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Clerk and Master (Bristol) | 801 Anderson Street, Room 239, Bristol, TN 37620 | (423) 989-4363 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Clerk and Master (Kingsport) | 225 West Center Street, Room 104, Kingsport, TN 37660 | (423) 224-1726 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
Written and Mail Requests
Any person may submit a written request to the appropriate clerk’s office describing the records sought. Requests should include sufficient identifying information such as the case number, party names, or filing date. The clerk’s office may contact the requester if clarification is needed.
Copy Fees
Per Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401, standard fees for court record copies in Tennessee are:
- Uncertified copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus $0.50 per page
Under Local Practice Rule 11 for the Second Judicial District Circuit and Chancery Courts, the clerk’s office may assess additional labor costs if record retrieval and processing exceeds five hours. Fees for older or archived records may also be higher. All fee amounts should be confirmed directly with the responsible clerk’s office before submitting payment.
Are Court Records Public in Sullivan County?
Tennessee law establishes a strong presumption that court records are open for public inspection. The Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, defines a “public record” as any documentary material made or received by a governmental entity in the course of its official functions. Under the TPRA, any Tennessee citizen may inspect or copy public records without being required to state a reason for the request.
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 supplements the TPRA by addressing public access to appellate court records specifically, while trial courts operate under both the TPRA and applicable Tennessee court rules.
Despite broad openness, several categories of records are exempt from public disclosure:
- Adoption records
- Juvenile court records (confidential by statute)
- Order of protection case documents
- Medical records contained in case files
- Unpublished drafts of judicial opinions or orders
- Internal judicial memoranda, conference notes, and reports prepared for a judge’s use
- Jury lists
- Briefs, motions, and documents furnished solely for a judge’s individual review and not filed as part of the case record
The Tennessee Comptroller’s office publishes a comprehensive list of public record exemptions that applies across all government entities, including the judiciary. Where a specific record has been sealed by court order, access is typically limited to the parties and their attorneys.
Sullivan County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Sullivan County are divided between the Criminal Court (felonies) and the General Sessions and Municipal Courts (misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and ordinance violations). The Circuit Court Clerk maintains records for the Criminal Court and General Sessions Court.
Criminal Court
Sullivan County Justice Center
140 Blountville Bypass, P.O. Box 585
Blountville, TN 37617
Phone: (423) 279-2752
Fax: (423) 323-3741
General Sessions Courts
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsport | Kingsport Justice Center, 200 Shelby Street, Kingsport, TN 37660 | (423) 224-1711 |
| Bristol | Ralph P. Harr Justice Center, 801 Anderson Street, Bristol, TN 37620 | (423) 989-4352 |
Online Criminal Case Search
To look up a criminal case through the Sullivan County Online Court Records System, select “Criminal Court” or “General Sessions” under court type, then enter the defendant’s name or a case number and year. The system covers circuit, criminal, and general sessions case data but does not include municipal court dockets. Individuals needing city court records should contact the applicable municipal court clerk directly.
Court dockets for pending criminal matters in the Bristol, Kingsport, and Blountville law court locations are published periodically on the Circuit Clerk’s website.
Sheriff’s Office Records
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office is the primary county law enforcement agency and maintains arrest reports, incident records, and inmate information. The office can be reached at:
Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department
P.O. Box 589
Blountville, TN 37617
Phone: (423) 279-7500
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Sheriff’s Office publishes a current inmate roster on its website. Requests for arrest or incident reports should be directed to the Records Division.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) offers name-based criminal background checks to the general public through the TORIS (Tennessee Open Records Information Services) system. A Tennessee-only search costs $29 and does not require fingerprints. Results are delivered electronically to the requester’s email address. Applicants must provide the subject’s name, date of birth, race, and sex. Only adult criminal records and records of juveniles tried as adults are released; juvenile records remain confidential.
Requests may also be submitted by mail using the TORIS paper form. For fingerprint-based FBI background checks, the TBI contracts with IdentoGO, at a cost of $50. The TBI’s Background Checks page provides full instructions and current fee details. The TORIS Unit can be reached at (615) 744-4057.
Sullivan County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Sullivan County is heard across three court levels, each with a distinct jurisdictional threshold.
The Circuit Court exercises general trial jurisdiction over civil actions, including personal injury, breach of contract, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation claims. It also hears appeals from the general sessions and juvenile courts. The Chancery Court handles equity matters, including disputes involving real property, injunctions, and contract issues, and often shares concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court. The General Sessions Court adjudicates civil claims within statutory monetary limits and processes small claims matters.
Civil records from the circuit and general sessions courts are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk at the Sullivan County Justice Center in Blountville. Chancery court civil filings are held by the Clerk and Master, with offices in Blountville, Bristol, and Kingsport.
Searching Civil Records Online
The Sullivan County Online Court Records System indexes civil cases across these courts. When searching, select the appropriate court type and choose “Civil” as the case type. Enter a party name or case number to retrieve matching results. The system displays docket entries, filing dates, and case status, though full document images are not available for download.
The Sullivan County Chancery Court website also provides an online court records lookup specifically for chancery filings, as well as the ability to pay court costs electronically.
Obtaining Copies
To get copies of civil court filings, contact or visit the responsible clerk’s office. Written requests by mail should describe the records needed with enough specificity for the staff to locate them. Copies are charged at $0.50 per page (uncertified) or $5.00 per document plus $0.50 per page (certified). All fee amounts should be verified before submitting payment.
Sullivan County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Sullivan County are spread across the circuit, chancery, and juvenile courts, depending on the nature of the proceeding. Divorce, annulment, custody, child support, spousal support, legal separation, and dissolution of marriage cases are heard by both the circuit and chancery courts. The juvenile court has exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving juvenile delinquency, dependency, neglect, and abuse, and also handles paternity, child support, and custody matters involving children of unmarried parents.
Accessing Family Court Records
Records from family proceedings in the circuit court are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk, while the Clerk and Master holds records from chancery court family cases. Both offices can be reached at the contact numbers and addresses listed earlier in this guide. The online records system at sullivan.tncrtinfo.com covers circuit, general sessions, and juvenile court family cases. Chancery court family filings can be searched through the separate chancery court online lookup.
Confidentiality Restrictions
Not all family court documents are available for public inspection. Tennessee law imposes confidentiality on juvenile court records, and access to such records is generally limited to the parties, their counsel, and certain authorized agencies. The Spouses’ Personal Information form (Form 2) filed in divorce proceedings is not disclosed to the public. Other sealed or sensitive documents may likewise be restricted by court order.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are issued and maintained by the Sullivan County Clerk’s Office. The Clerk provides an online Marriage Lookup tool where users can search by spousal name to view license details and order certified copies. Scanned marriage records dating back to 1863 are available through the Clerk’s office for genealogy research.
Marriage license fees in Sullivan County are $38.00 with proof of premarital counseling or $98.00 without counseling. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $5.00 at the office or $7.00 by mail. The County Clerk operates three locations:
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Blountville | 3258 Highway 126, Suite 101, Blountville, TN 37617 | (423) 323-6428 |
| Bristol | 801 Anderson Street, Room 140, Bristol, TN 37621 | (423) 989-4366 |
| Kingsport | 408 Clay Street, Kingsport, TN 37660 | (423) 224-1790 |
All offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and related documents are held by the Circuit Court Clerk (for circuit court divorces) or the Clerk and Master (for chancery court divorces). The Clerk and Master can be contacted for chancery divorce records at (423) 323-6483. The Circuit Court Clerk handles circuit court divorce records and can be reached at (423) 279-2752. On the online search system, selecting “Dr-Divorce(Pl/Df)” or “Drs-Divorce(Pl/Df)” as the case type will narrow results to dissolution of marriage cases.
Certified copies of divorce certificates may also be ordered from the Tennessee Department of Health, Vital Records for $15 each. The Department maintains divorce records going back 50 years from the current year. Requests can be submitted online through the Department’s approved vendor or by mail using the official divorce record application. Older divorce records are available through the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Birth and Death Records
Sullivan County birth and death certificates can be obtained from the Sullivan County Regional Health Department at:
154 Blountville Bypass, P.O. Box 630
Blountville, TN 37617
Phone: (423) 279-2780
The health department issues statewide birth records for the most recent 100 years and death records for the most recent 50 years. Each certified copy costs $15.00, and a valid ID is required. Eligible individuals may also request certificates from the Tennessee Department of Health by mail (using the birth certificate application or death certificate application) or through the Department’s online vendor. The fee is $15 per certificate. Earlier vital records may be accessed through the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Sullivan County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Sullivan County are handled by the Chancery Court, with the Clerk and Master serving in the dual role of court clerk and Master in Chancery. The court oversees the administration of decedent estates, the probating of wills, guardianship proceedings for minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, and related filings.
Where Probate Records Are Held
All probate case documents are maintained by the Clerk and Master’s office. The primary address for probate inquiries is:
Probate Court
P.O. Box 327
140 Blountville Bypass
Blountville, TN 37617
Phone: (423) 323-6483
Fax: (423) 989-4362 or (423) 224-1736
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched online through the Sullivan County Online Court Records System by selecting “Chancery” as the court type and entering a party name or case number. The Sullivan County Chancery Court website also offers a dedicated online court records lookup for chancery filings, including probate matters.
For in-person searches, the Clerk and Master’s office in Blountville, Bristol, or Kingsport can assist during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Visitors may inspect probate case files at no charge. Copies of probate documents can be obtained at the standard rates: $0.50 per page for uncertified copies and $5.00 per document plus $0.50 per page for certified copies.
Mail Requests
Written requests for probate records should be sent to the Clerk and Master at P.O. Box 327, Blountville, TN 37617. Include the decedent’s full name, the approximate date of death or filing, and the case number if known. The office will respond with the records and applicable fees. All probate records are generally considered public unless a specific court order restricts access.