Williamson County Court Records Search
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Williamson County sits within Tennessee’s 21st Judicial District, with its county seat in the city of Franklin. The county’s trial courts—including Circuit Court, Chancery Court, General Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court—generate records spanning criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law proceedings, estate administration, and more. Two primary clerk offices manage these files: the Circuit Court Clerk handles all Circuit Court and General Sessions Court records, while the Clerk and Master maintains Chancery Court records, including probate and equity matters. Several municipal courts in Brentwood, Fairview, Franklin, and Nolensville also operate within the county.
Residents and researchers looking for Williamson County court information can begin through Tennessee’s official court resources. The Williamson County case search portal allows queries by party name, case number, or case year across Circuit Court, General Sessions, and Clerk and Master divisions. Additional statewide tools are available through TennesseeCourts.us, including appellate case histories and self-help forms. Beyond online searches, the clerk offices at the Williamson County Judicial Center accept walk-in visits, phone inquiries, and written requests during regular business hours. Public-access terminals inside the courthouse offer another option for on-site record searches.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Williamson County?
There are several ways to search for a court case in Williamson County, depending on whether you need basic docket information or certified copies of filed documents.
Online Search
The Williamson County online case search hosted through the Tennessee court information system lets users look up cases by entering a party name or a case number. Search results display the party’s name, role, court type, case number, filing date, disposition status, and last update. The system covers Circuit Court (civil and criminal), General Sessions Criminal, General Sessions Civil, and Clerk and Master cases. Users can filter results by court type and case type. Keep in mind that detailed documents—motions, orders, transcripts—are not available for download through the portal. For appellate-level cases, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a separate Public Case History tool for Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals records.
In-Person Search
Visit either clerk office during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.):
- Circuit Court Clerk — Williamson County Judicial Center, 135 4th Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064; Phone: (615) 790-5454
- Clerk and Master (Chancery Court) — Williamson County Judicial Center, 135 4th Avenue South, Room 236, Franklin, TN 37064; Phone: (615) 790-5428
Staff can assist with locating case files and producing copies. Be prepared to provide the case number, party name, or approximate filing date.
Mail Requests
Written requests may be sent to the appropriate clerk office at the addresses above. Include as much identifying information as possible—full party names, case number, case type, and approximate dates. Enclose payment for any applicable copy or certification fees. Processing typically takes five to seven business days. Contact the clerk by phone to arrange expedited handling if necessary.
Key Fees for Record Copies
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification and seal | $5.00 |
| Exemplification | $15.00 |
| Issuing a subpoena | $10.00 |
| Post-judgment filing fee | $25.00 |
Court costs and fines can be paid online through CourtFeePay for both General Sessions and Circuit Court matters.
Are Court Records Public in Williamson County?
Tennessee law establishes a strong presumption of public access to government records. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503), any citizen of Tennessee has the right to personally inspect public records during normal business hours. Court records fall within this framework, meaning that most filings, docket entries, judgments, and orders in Williamson County courts are available for public review.
Records That Are Restricted or Sealed
Not every court document is freely accessible. Tennessee law and court rules restrict access to certain categories, including:
- Juvenile records — Proceedings in Williamson County Juvenile Court are confidential by statute. Access is limited to parties, their attorneys, and authorized agencies.
- Sealed criminal records — Cases that have been expunged under T.C.A. § 40-32-101 are removed from public view. Eligible offenses include certain misdemeanors and select felonies after statutory waiting periods.
- Adoption records — Finalized adoption files are sealed. Access generally requires a court order.
- Unexecuted warrants — Active arrest warrants that have not been served are not disclosed to the public.
- Orders of protection — While the existence of a protection order may be part of the public record, associated filings containing sensitive personal information may be restricted.
- Sealed civil documents — A judge may seal specific filings in civil cases to protect trade secrets, proprietary information, or the privacy interests of a party.
To obtain a sealed or restricted record, a requestor generally must petition the court and demonstrate that the need for disclosure outweighs the reason for restriction. Courts issue such orders only in exceptional circumstances.
Williamson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Williamson County are prosecuted through two primary courts. Felony and serious misdemeanor cases that proceed past preliminary hearing are handled by the Circuit Court sitting as Criminal Court. General Sessions Criminal Court handles initial appearances, preliminary hearings, misdemeanor cases, and traffic offenses issued by the Tennessee Highway Patrol or the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department.
Where Criminal Records Are Maintained
The Circuit Court Clerk is the custodian of all criminal court records for both Circuit Court and General Sessions Criminal Court. The office manages grand jury indictments, trial dockets, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and appeals.
Circuit Court Clerk
135 4th Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 790-5454
Fax: (615) 790-5411 (Criminal Division)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
How to Search Criminal Case Records
- Go to the Williamson County case search portal.
- Enter the defendant’s name in the party name field.
- Under Court Type, select “Circuit Court” and/or “General Sessions Criminal”.
- Under Case Type, check “Criminal”.
- Click “Find Now” to retrieve matching results.
Results include case numbers, filing dates, charges, and disposition status. Physical case documents must be obtained directly from the clerk.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
Arrest and booking information is maintained by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, which is separate from the court clerk.
Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
408 Century Court, Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 790-5560
Fax: (615) 790-5580
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Sheriff’s Office can provide information about current inmates, recent bookings, and incident reports. For broader criminal history checks, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation offers name-based background checks to the general public for $29 per subject. This search returns Tennessee arrest, prosecution, conviction, and sentencing data.
Expungement
Certain criminal records may be expunged under T.C.A. § 40-32-101. Eligible individuals must petition the court in which the conviction or charge was filed. Expunged records are removed from public databases maintained by the clerk.
Williamson County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Williamson County is divided between two courts based on the amount in controversy. Circuit Civil Court has jurisdiction over lawsuits exceeding $25,000, including tort and contract claims, condemnation actions, name changes, and appeals from lower courts. General Sessions Civil Court handles claims of $25,000 or less, including small claims, detainer warrants, and writs of possession. Chancery Court holds concurrent civil jurisdiction with Circuit Court over equity matters, contract disputes, and injunctions—and has exclusive jurisdiction over estate matters and delinquent tax collections.
Searching for Civil Case Records
The same online case search system covers civil filings. Select the appropriate court type (Circuit Court, General Sessions Civil, or Clerk and Master) and set the case type to “Civil”. In-person and mail requests go to the respective clerk offices.
Circuit and General Sessions Civil Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2026)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Category 1 civil action (tort, contract, malpractice, etc.) | $397.50 |
| Category 2 civil action (appeals from agencies, condemnation, workers’ comp) | $322.50 |
| Category 3 civil action (name change, expungement, orders of protection, etc.) | $222.50 |
| Category 4 civil action (child support enforcement/modification) | $197.50 |
| General Sessions civil warrant / detainer warrant | $172.50 |
| General Sessions counterclaim | $40.00 |
| General Sessions third-party complaint | $44.00 |
| General Sessions appeal | $322.50 |
| Preparing appeal record | $300.00 |
Sheriff service fees of $52.00 per defendant apply in addition to filing costs and are payable separately. A full breakdown is available on the Chancery and Circuit Court cost schedule and the General Sessions Court fee page.
Forms and E-Filing
The Circuit Court Clerk provides downloadable court forms for civil warrants, subpoenas, garnishments, and other filings. Electronic filing is available through the Tennessee eFlex system for attorneys and parties who have registered accounts. Local e-filing rules apply; instructions are posted on the Williamson County Court System page.
Williamson County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Williamson County are handled across multiple courts depending on the type of proceeding. Divorce cases, adoption petitions, and parenting plan modifications are filed in either Circuit Court or Chancery Court. Orders of protection and certain custody disputes may originate in General Sessions Court. Juvenile dependency, delinquency, and unruly child proceedings are heard in Juvenile Court.
Divorce
Divorce actions are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk or the Clerk and Master. Filing fees as of January 1, 2026:
- Divorce with no minor children: $297.50
- Divorce with minor children: $372.50
- Counter/cross filing (no minor children): $175.00
- Counter/cross filing (with minor children): $250.00
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides court-approved divorce forms for uncontested cases through its Self-Help Center. Insurance coverage disclosure forms for divorce cases are available through the Circuit Court Clerk’s forms page.
Adoption
By local rule, all adoption petitions in Williamson County must be filed in Chancery Court. The filing fee for adoptions is $198.75. Adoption records are sealed upon finalization and can only be accessed by court order.
Termination of Parental Rights and Paternity
Filing fee: $222.50 for termination of parental rights and paternity actions filed in Circuit or Chancery Court.
Orders of Protection
Victims of domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual assault may petition for an order of protection. Filing falls under Category 3 ($222.50). The Tennessee courts’ Self-Help Center provides Order of Protection forms at no charge.
Juvenile Court
Williamson County Juvenile Court handles delinquency, unruly behavior, dependency and neglect, and custody matters involving minors.
Williamson County Juvenile Court
408 Century Court, Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 790-5814
Fax: (615) 595-1283
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Juvenile records are confidential under Tennessee law. Access is restricted to parties, legal counsel, and authorized agencies. New petitions carry a filing fee of $100.00, and payments for court costs, restitution, and attorney fees can be made through CourtFeePay.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Williamson County Clerk at 1320 West Main Street, Suite 135, Franklin, TN 37064; Phone: (615) 790-5712 Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security cards. The fee is $40 with a notarized pre-marital counseling certificate or $100 without one. Licenses are valid for 30 days statewide, with no waiting period. Applicants can begin the process through the online marriage license application.
Vital Records
Certified copies of birth and death certificates may be requested through the Williamson County Health Department or any local health department in Tennessee. The state Office of Vital Records also processes statewide requests. Certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates cost $15 each through the Tennessee Department of Health.
Williamson County Health Department — Franklin
1324 West Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 794-1542
Williamson County Health Department — Fairview
2629 Fairview Boulevard, Fairview, TN 37062
Phone: (615) 799-2389
Williamson County Probate Court Records
In Williamson County, probate matters are handled exclusively by the Chancery Court. The Clerk and Master serves as the administrative officer for all estate proceedings, issuing letters testamentary and letters of administration, appointing executors and administrators, adjudicating creditor claims, probating wills in common form, and overseeing accountings and settlements. Guardianships and conservatorships for minors and disabled adults are also filed through this office.
Clerk and Master — Chancery Court
Williamson County Judicial Center
135 4th Avenue South, Room 236
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 790-5428
Fax: (615) 790-5626
Probate Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2026)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Opening and closing estate (includes notice to creditors; does not include letters) | $443.50 |
| Letters testamentary / letters of administration (each) | $5.00 |
| Muniment of title; small estates; insolvent estates | $397.50 |
| Filing claims against an estate | $50.00 |
| Exception to claim | $100.00 |
| Conservatorship / guardianship | $397.50 |
| Filing, reviewing, recording settlements and accountings | $75.00 |
| Order entered on existing case (other than closing order) | $20.00 |
| Issuing summons, subpoenas, writs, notice, or citation | $10.00 |
| Filing any other document | $7.00 |
| File and docket request on existing case | $25.00 |
| Preparing appeal record | $300.00 |
How to Search Probate Records
Current probate case information can be searched through the Williamson County online case search by selecting “Clerk and Master” under Court Type. Historical probate records—including wills, estate inventories, and guardianship files dating back to the early 1800s—are indexed through the Williamson County Archives, which contains over 400,000 entries covering court cases, marriage records, wills, deeds, and tax records.
For in-person requests, visit the Clerk and Master’s office during regular business hours. Copies of probate documents cost $0.50 per page, with an additional $5.00 for certification and seal. Chancery Court forms, including probate-related filings, are available on the Chancery Court website. The Chancery Court’s local rules of practice govern procedural requirements for estate administration, accountings, and protective proceedings in Williamson County.