Union County Court Records Search
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Union County, Tennessee sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the northeastern part of the state, with its county seat at Maynardville. The county's court system spans multiple divisions — Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, General Sessions, Juvenile, and two Municipal courts — each maintaining its own dockets and case files. Those records give the public the ability to monitor judicial proceedings, verify legal histories, and exercise rights under state law.
Court records in Union County are generated and preserved by clerks serving each court. These clerks file case documents, collect fees, issue process, and make records available to the public within the limits set by Tennessee law. Whether you're conducting a background check, researching litigation history, or managing a probate estate, identifying which office holds the record you need is the right place to start.
Tennessee residents and others looking for Union County court records can begin with official court resources and clerk office portals. TennesseeCourts.us offers a directory of court resources across the state, which can help you identify the correct clerk's office, find public access terminals, and locate online search tools. For appellate-level cases, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the Public Case History portal, covering cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals. For trial court records, the clerks at the county courthouse remain the main point of contact.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Union County?
Most Union County court records are maintained by two offices. The Circuit Court Clerk handles filings for the Circuit Court, Criminal Court, General Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court. The Clerk and Master's office manages Chancery Court and Probate Court records.
Union County Circuit Court Clerk
Address: 901 Main Street, Suite 201, Maynardville, TN 37807
Phone: (865) 992-5493
Fax: (865) 992-8099
Email: barbara.williams@tncourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Union County Clerk and Master (Chancery & Probate)
Address: 901 Main Street, Suite 206, Maynardville, TN 37807
Phone: (865) 992-5942
Fax: (865) 992-9338
Email: sandra.edmondson@tncourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
You can look up a court case in Union County through the following channels:
- In person — Visit the appropriate clerk's office at 901 Main Street in Maynardville and ask to search the case index. Staff can retrieve filings by case number, party name, or case type. Copy fees apply for paper records.
- Online — Appellate cases — Use the Public Case History search portal maintained by the Tennessee courts system to search Supreme Court and appellate court records by case number, case style, or party name.
- Online — Local trial court cases — The Circuit Court Clerk offers online payment for traffic tickets and court costs, and the court's website provides access to court information for General Sessions, Circuit, and Criminal matters.
- By mail — Send a written request to the relevant clerk's office identifying the case by number or parties. Include a check or money order for applicable copy fees. The clerk will respond as promptly as practicable.
The Union County official government website also provides direct links to each court division and office, making it a useful starting point for identifying the correct department before visiting.
Are Court Records Public in Union County?
Court records in Union County are presumptively public under the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). The statute defines a "public record" as any document, paper, electronic file, or other material created or received by a government agency in the course of its official duties. Any person may inspect or copy public court records without being required to state a reason for the request.
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 supplements the Public Records Act by establishing specific procedures for accessing appellate court records and providing a framework for handling requests at all court levels. Together, these authorities create a strong presumption of openness.
That said, not all court records in Union County are open. The following categories are generally restricted from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records — All proceedings involving minors under Tennessee juvenile justice statutes are confidential.
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only under limited court-approved circumstances.
- Expunged criminal records — Once expunged, a record is removed from public view as if the underlying charge never occurred.
- Sealed records — A judge may seal specific case files upon finding sufficient legal cause.
- Briefs and motions not filed as part of a case record — Pre-decisional documents not formally placed into the case docket are not typically public.
- Certain victim information — Personal identifying information for crime victims may be redacted before records are released.
If a record appears to be missing or incomplete, it may have been sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted. The clerk's office can confirm whether a record exists but is restricted, without disclosing the restricted content.
Union County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Union County fall under two courts. Felony cases are prosecuted in the Criminal Court, while General Sessions handles misdemeanor offenses and preliminary hearings in felony cases — including the initial determination of probable cause before a case is bound over to Criminal Court for trial.
Both divisions are served by the Circuit Court Clerk at 901 Main Street, Suite 201. To search criminal records at the courthouse, visit the clerk's office during business hours with the individual's name and, if known, the approximate date of the case. Court staff can pull dockets, judgment entries, and sentencing documents.
For criminal history background checks, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is the authoritative statewide source. The TBI maintains Tennessee's adult criminal history repository and provides the following check options:
| Check Type | Fee | Fingerprints Required |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Only (General Public) | $29.00 | No |
| FBI Only — Nationwide | $50.00 | Yes |
| Tennessee & FBI (Qualified Organizations) | $37.15 (applicant) / $33.15 (volunteer) | Yes |
Name-based checks for the general public can be submitted online or by mail to the TBI. The TBI releases records only for adults and for juveniles tried as adults; all other juvenile records remain confidential under state law.
Arrest information for individuals held at the county jail can also be obtained through the Union County Sheriff's Office, located at 130 Veterans Street, Maynardville, TN 37807. The Records division can be reached at (865) 992-5212. The Sheriff's Office main line is (865) 992-6262.
Union County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Union County takes place across three courts depending on the amount in dispute and the nature of the claim: the Circuit Court, the General Sessions Court, and the Chancery Court. The Circuit Court handles larger civil disputes, including personal injury, workers' compensation, name changes, and appeals from lower courts. The Chancery Court covers equity matters. The General Sessions Court functions as the county's small claims forum for monetary disputes.
General Sessions — Civil Jurisdiction:
- Monetary claims of $25,000 or less
- Detainer warrants (evictions) — unlimited jurisdiction
- Actions to recover personal property — unlimited original jurisdiction
- Judgment becomes final ten days after entry
- Individuals may represent themselves; corporations must retain an attorney
To file a civil action in General Sessions, you must appear in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office and provide the opposing party's name and a current mailing address. Advanced court costs are required at the time of filing. The clerk does not accept personal checks; payment must be made by cash, cashier's check, or money order.
Civil case records — including complaints, warrants, judgments, and garnishment orders — are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and are available for public inspection. You can request copies in person at 901 Main Street, Suite 201, or submit a written request by mail with the applicable copy fee.
For civil actions in the Chancery Court, including cases involving real property and equitable relief, contact the Clerk and Master's office at Suite 206 of the same address.
Union County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Union County are distributed between the Circuit Court and the Chancery Court. Divorce, child custody, child support enforcement, paternity, domestic relations, and adoptions may be filed in either court depending on the specific nature of the claim. The Clerk and Master administers Chancery Court filings, which commonly include divorce proceedings, custody disputes, and guardianship petitions.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and case files are maintained by the Clerk and Master and are generally accessible to the public unless sealed. To obtain a certified copy of a divorce certificate — separate from court case files — contact the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Divorce certificates cost $15.00 per copy and are available by mail, in person at the state office, or through VitalChek online.
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-1763
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates are issued and maintained by the Union County Clerk, located at 825 Main Street, Maynardville, TN 37807, (865) 992-8043. Certified copies of marriage certificates from the state Vital Records office cost $15.00 per copy. To request a certified copy by mail, submit a completed marriage certificate application form to the Tennessee Vital Records address above along with proper identification and the appropriate fee.
Historical marriage records are also indexed through the Tennessee State Library and Archives, which holds older vital records available for genealogical research.
Birth and Death Records
Both birth and death certificates are issued by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records and cost $15.00 per copy. Birth certificates can also be obtained through any county health department statewide, including the Union County Health Department, without having to travel to the county where the birth occurred. Death certificates follow the same countywide issuance policy. Identification is required in all cases, and requesters who are not immediate family members may need to demonstrate legal entitlement to the record.
Juvenile Court Records
Juvenile matters — including cases involving minors charged with delinquency and dependency and neglect proceedings — are heard in Juvenile Court at 901 Main Street, Suite 201. All juvenile records are confidential under Tennessee law and are not available to the general public.
Protective Orders
Orders of protection in Union County are filed through the Circuit or General Sessions Court. The public index maintained by the clerk may reflect the existence of a protective order, but access to the full content may be limited to protect the safety of the petitioner.
Union County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Union County are handled by the Chancery Court, with the Clerk and Master serving as the administrative officer for all estate and probate filings. Clerk and Master Sandra Edmondson oversees probate proceedings at Suite 206, 901 Main Street, Maynardville, TN 37807.
The Chancery Court's probate jurisdiction covers:
- Estate administration — Both full administration and small estate procedures
- Wills — Filing, contest proceedings, and probate of wills
- Guardianship and conservatorship — Appointment and oversight of guardians for minors and incapacitated adults
- Trusts — Trust establishment and administration disputes
- Wrongful death petitions
- Minor settlements
Chancery Court Filing Fees (Selected)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Guardianship/Conservatorship Petition | $275.00 (Clerk Fee $268.00 + Clerk Data Fee $7.00) |
| Civil Causes | $200.00 |
| Full Estate Administration | $175.00 |
| Release from Administration (under $35,000) | $85.00 |
| Release from Administration (over $35,000) | $110.00 |
| Summary Release | $60.00 |
| Trust Filing | $150.00 |
| Guardianship — Minor | $175.00 |
| Adoption | $200.00 |
| Name Change | $125.00 |
| Will for Recording Only | $25.00 |
| Marriage License | $50.00 |
To request probate records, contact the Clerk and Master's office during business hours at (865) 992-5942 or by email at sandra.edmondson@tncourts.gov. Have the name of the decedent or party, approximate date of filing, and any case number ready when you reach out. Copies are available for a per-page fee. Written mail requests are accepted and should include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you are requesting copies rather than in-person inspection.
Property Records
Although property records are not technically court records, they are frequently searched alongside estate and probate matters. The Register of Deeds for Union County, located at 901 Main Street, Suite 105, Maynardville, TN 37807, (865) 992-8024, maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other real estate instruments dating back to the county's formation. The office is reachable by phone, mail, or in-person visit, and the records are public and searchable through the Register's office index.