Sumner County Court Records Search
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Sumner County is located in Middle Tennessee, with its county seat in the city of Gallatin. The county’s judicial system encompasses several courts of differing jurisdiction, each generating records that the public may need to access for legal research, background screening, or personal matters. Two primary clerk offices—the Circuit Court Clerk and the Chancery Court Clerk and Master—serve as the main custodians of court files within the county. These offices maintain case files, dockets, exhibits, motions, orders, transcripts, and other documents produced during legal proceedings.
Residents of Tennessee can search for court case information through several official channels. The Sumner County courts website and the Sumner County Online Court Records System both offer electronic access to case data maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. The Chancery Court Clerk and Master’s office accepts inquiries in person, by mail, by fax, or through the Tybera e-filing platform. Appellate-level case records from the Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals can be located through the Public Case History tool on the state judiciary website. For broader statewide court information, TennesseeCourts.us may assist users in identifying additional resources and publicly available case data.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sumner County?
The method for locating a Sumner County court case depends on which court handled the matter and whether the searcher has a case number or only a party name.
Online search through the Circuit Court Clerk’s website:
- Navigate to the case search page on the Sumner County Circuit Court Clerk’s site.
- Enter either the party’s name or the case year and number.
- Review the results, which display party names, party roles, presiding court, case number, filing date, and case status.
- Select an individual case entry to view additional detail such as charges, the assigned judge, and offense or filing dates.
The same data is accessible through TNCrtInfo, the Sumner County Online Court Records System, which allows searches by court type and case type.
In-person, mail, and phone requests can be directed to the appropriate clerk’s office. The Circuit Court Clerk handles records for Circuit Court, Criminal Court, General Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court matters. The Chancery Court Clerk and Master maintains Chancery Court files, including probate, divorce, and other equity cases.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court Clerk | 155 East Main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066 (Mailing: P.O. Box 549, Gallatin, TN 37066) | (615) 452-4367 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Main Criminal Office | 113 West Main Street, 3rd Floor, Gallatin, TN 37066 | (615) 452-4367, ext. 5 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| General Sessions – Civil | 155 East Main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066 | (615) 452-4367, ext. 3 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| General Sessions – Criminal | 155 East Main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066 | (615) 452-4367, ext. 2 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Chancery Court Clerk and Master | 155 East Main Street, Room 3600, Gallatin, TN 37066 | (615) 452-4282 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Juvenile Court | 657 South Water Avenue, Gallatin, TN 37066 | (615) 451-6016, ext. 4 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
For cases heard in one of the county’s municipal courts, contact the specific city court clerk directly. Municipal courts in Sumner County include:
- City of Gallatin Municipal Court — 132 West Main Street, Room 112, Gallatin, TN 37066; Phone: (615) 451-5893
- Hendersonville City Court — 1 Executive Park Drive, Hendersonville, TN 37075; Phone: (615) 264-5354
- Portland Municipal Court — 100 South Russell Street, Portland, TN 37148; Phone: (615) 325-6776, ext. 555
- White House Municipal Court — 105D College Street, White House, TN; Phone: (615) 672-4350, ext. 2137
- Millersville City Court — 1246 Louisville Highway, Millersville, TN 37072; Phone: (615) 859-0880
- Westmoreland City Court — 3012 Thompson Lane, Westmoreland, TN 37186; Phone: (615) 644-3382
Historical circuit court minutes for Sumner County may also be available through the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Are Court Records Public in Sumner County?
Tennessee law establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to court records. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503) and Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34, most documents in a court’s case file are classified as public records that any person may inspect.
Rule 34 defines three categories of court records: case records (documents in a particular case file), administrative records (pertaining to court operations), and judicial records (all other court documents). However, the rule also identifies specific categories of court records that are confidential and not open to public inspection:
- Documents expressly excepted from inspection under T.C.A. § 10-7-504 or other state law
- Documents sealed by court order or subject to a protective order
- Unpublished drafts of judicial orders and opinions
- Internal conference records, notes, memoranda, and reports prepared by judges, judicial staff, or the Administrative Office of the Courts as part of deliberations
- Internal case management information (except appellate panel composition)
- Information about threats to the personal safety of judges, staff, or their families, as well as security audits
- A judge’s individual recusal records, unless intentionally filed as part of the case record
Requests to inspect public court records in Sumner County are subject to reasonable requirements designed to preserve record integrity and ensure the efficient operation of the courts, consistent with T.C.A. § 16-3-401. If a party or non-party believes that a record should be sealed, they must demonstrate a specific, serious, and substantial interest that outweighs the public’s right of access. Conversely, individuals who believe records have been improperly withheld may challenge the restriction through the court.
Certain records in juvenile proceedings and child custody cases carry additional statutory protections and are typically accessible only to parties, their attorneys, and other individuals authorized by law.
Sumner County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Sumner County are processed through the Criminal Court (felonies and serious misdemeanors), the General Sessions Court (misdemeanors, preliminary felony hearings, and traffic offenses), and the Juvenile Court (cases involving minors under 18). Records from all three courts are maintained by the Sumner County Circuit Court Clerk.
Searching criminal case records online. The Circuit Court Clerk’s online case search tool and the TNCrtInfo portal allow users to look up criminal cases by party name or case number. Search results typically display the case number, charges, filing date, assigned judge, and current case status. For Criminal Court specifically, the clerk’s office is located at 113 West Main Street, 3rd Floor, Gallatin, TN 37066, and can be reached at (615) 452-4367, ext. 5.
Arrest records and warrants. The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office provides several public-facing resources for criminal record inquiries:
- Warrants Lookup: The Sheriff’s Office maintains an online warrants search tool where individuals can check for active arrest warrants by name.
- Warrants Division: For questions about warrant service, contact the Civil Warrants Clerks at (615) 442-1826. There are no fees for the service of criminal warrants.
- Inmate Information: The Sheriff’s Office posts in-custody inmate information online. The detention information line is (615) 442-1813, and the main office number is (615) 452-2616. The Sheriff’s Office is located at 117 West Smith Street, Gallatin, TN 37066, with office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Local police arrest reports. For incidents handled by a city police department, requests should be directed to that agency. The Gallatin Police Department maintains a Records Department that processes requests for arrest reports. Requesters should call (615) 452-8267 to confirm that a report has been completed and approved before visiting the department.
Municipal court criminal records (traffic violations, city ordinance infractions) are maintained by the clerk of the city court where the case was heard. Judges in Sumner County’s municipal courts can impose fines up to $50 and sentences of up to 30 days of jail time for municipal ordinance violations.
Sumner County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Sumner County are divided among three courts based on subject matter and the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court handles cases where the amount in dispute generally exceeds $25,000, along with personal injury, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, and name change proceedings. The General Sessions Court hears civil cases valued at less than $25,000, as well as orders of protection. The Chancery Court adjudicates matters in equity, including complex contract disputes, trust litigation, real estate actions, partition suits, specific performance claims, and foreign judgments.
Obtaining civil case records from the Circuit Court and General Sessions Court. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office is the custodian for both courts. Records can be searched through the clerk’s online case search or TNCrtInfo, requested in person at 155 East Main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066, or ordered by mail at P.O. Box 549, Gallatin, TN 37066. Contact the office at (615) 452-4367 (ext. 3 for General Sessions civil, ext. 4 for Circuit Court civil).
Obtaining civil case records from the Chancery Court. The Clerk and Master’s office accepts record requests in person, by mail, by fax at (615) 451-6031, or through the Tybera e-filing system. The office is located at 155 East Main Street, Room 3600, Gallatin, TN 37066, and can be reached at (615) 452-4282. E-filed documents that exceed 40 pages are subject to an additional fee of $0.50 per page beyond the first 40 pages, effective May 5, 2025.
Chancery Court Clerk and Master
Address: 155 East Main Street, Room 3600, Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-4282 (Civil/Domestic); (615) 451-6036 (Delinquent Taxes/Probate)
Fax: (615) 451-6031
Email: SumnerClerkandMastersOffice@tncourts.gov
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST
It is important to note that staff in both clerk offices are prohibited from providing legal advice, including guidance on which forms to file, how to complete them, or how to proceed with a case. Individuals requiring legal guidance should consult an attorney or utilize free legal services resources.
Sumner County Family Court Records
Sumner County does not maintain a dedicated family court. Domestic relations and family law cases are instead divided between the Circuit Court and the Chancery Court.
The Circuit Court handles matters such as divorce proceedings that do not involve complex property division, child custody and visitation disputes, child support matters, and adoption petitions. The Circuit Court section of the clerk’s website provides access to forms including divorce packets and name-change applications.
The Chancery Court presides over divorces involving significant property or asset distribution, complex trust or business disputes linked to family matters, paternity actions, and legitimation proceedings. The Chancery Court also handles conservatorships and guardianships that overlap with family-related issues.
To obtain family court records, individuals should contact the Circuit Court Clerk for cases heard in the Circuit Court, or the Chancery Court Clerk and Master for Chancery matters. Both offices support in-person, mail, phone, and electronic requests as described in the prior sections. Certain family case records—particularly those involving juvenile proceedings and child custody matters—are not publicly accessible and may be released only to the parties, their attorneys, and other individuals specifically authorized by law.
Marriage records. Marriage licenses in Sumner County are issued by the Sumner County Clerk (a separate office from the court clerks). Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $5 and can be ordered through the County Clerk’s online portal or in person:
Sumner County Clerk
Address: 355 North Belvedere Drive, Room 111, Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-4063
Fax: (615) 452-9371
Email: Clerk@SumnerCountyTn.gov
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Certified copies of marriage certificates can also be obtained through the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records at $15 per copy. Requesters must complete the Application for Certified Copy of Tennessee Certificate of Marriage, provide a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID, and have the application form notarized.
Divorce records. Dissolution of marriage records are kept by whichever clerk’s office administered the case—the Circuit Court Clerk or the Chancery Court Clerk and Master. Divorce certificates may also be ordered from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records at $15 per certified copy, using the Application for Certified Copy of TN Certificate of Divorce or Annulment. The same ID and notarization requirements apply. Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or online through the state’s approved vendor. The Vital Records office address for in-person or mail orders is:
Tennessee Vital Records
Andrew Johnson Tower (Rosa Parks Boulevard side)
710 James Robertson Parkway, 1st Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Birth and death records. While not court records, these documents frequently arise in family law proceedings. Certified copies of Tennessee birth and death certificates cost $15 each and can be obtained from any Sumner County Health Department clinic or from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Requesters must complete and submit the applicable application form: the birth certificate application or the death certificate application, along with valid identification.
Sumner County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Sumner County—including will validation, appointment of executors and administrators, estate asset distribution, conservatorships for incapacitated adults, and guardianships—are handled by the Chancery Court. The Clerk and Master’s office maintains all probate case files and serves as the point of contact for record requests.
Effective February 1, 2023, all probate hearings in Sumner County Chancery Court may only be conducted in person unless the Chancellor grants prior permission for a remote appearance. Filings related to probate cases can be submitted to the Clerk and Master’s office in person, by mail, by fax, or electronically through the Tybera e-filing system.
Requesting probate records. Individuals seeking copies of wills, letters testamentary, inventories, accountings, or other estate documents should contact the Clerk and Master’s office:
Sumner County Chancery Court – Clerk and Master
Address: 155 East Main Street, Room 3600, Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 451-6036 (Delinquent Taxes/Probate line)
Fax: (615) 451-6031
Email: SumnerClerkandMastersOffice@tncourts.gov
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST
The types of cases handled by the Chancery Court in the probate context include estates of deceased persons, trust administration, guardianship of minors, conservatorship of disabled adults, minor settlements, and legitimation proceedings. Delinquent property tax sale records, which are also managed by the Clerk and Master’s office, may be relevant when researching estates that include real property.
When writing to request probate records, include the decedent’s or ward’s full name, the case number (if known), and the approximate date the case was opened. The Clerk and Master’s staff can confirm whether a particular document is available and advise on any applicable copy fees. As with other Sumner County court offices, the staff cannot provide legal advice regarding how to initiate or manage a probate proceeding.