1. Tennessee Court Records
2. Hamilton County Court Records

Hamilton County Court Records

Hamilton County court records are official documents or other forms of documentation compiled, generated, or maintained by local courts that contain information regarding the court’s administrative processes or legal proceedings they heard. Primarily, court records are used to document different processes the legal system handles, which provides accurate records of what happened during these processes.

Due to the wealth of information court records contain, they are useful tools that interested parties and regulatory bodies can review to ensure that court legal proceedings are conducted fairly and without bias. Furthermore, court records can be utilized as evidence in future legal proceedings, particularly in situations of appeal.

Information typically found in Hamilton County court records includes and is not limited to dockets, schedules, filling made by parties, case’s parties details, final disposition/status, and court orders.

Are Court Records Public in Hamilton County?

Yes. Hamilton County court records are subject to the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA). Hence, court records are considered part of Hamilton County Public Records. The TPRA grants Tennessee citizens the right to access state, county, and municipal records maintained by government entities in Tennessee, including records of local courts.

However, there are exceptions to the TPRA. These exceptions limit or restrict public access to specific types of court records, and only eligible individuals and entities can access them. These records include: 

• Juvenile court records
• Expunged court records 
• Conservatorship examinations
• Adoption records 

Hamilton County Court Records Search

Interested persons can conduct Hamilton County court records searches at or through the following places/public officials;

• Court clerk’s office
• Local courthouses
• Online resources provided by local courthouses
• Third-party websites that offer court records search services. 
• Tennessee State Library and Archives (specifically court minutes) 

Hamilton County Court Records Search by Name

Provided an inquirer has the full name of an individual or the name of a business, they can search for Hamilton County court records by name by querying local court clerk’s offices. Some clerks provide online court records search portals that inquirers can use to access court records they maintain remotely. These portals are usually accessible through the court’s official websites and are typically searchable using a subject’s name and in most cases free to use. Some examples of these portals include the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk’s Office Information portal, the Tennessee Circuit Courts case finder website, and the Hamilton County Chancery Court online records system.

Alternatively, inquirers can visit local courthouses and query their court clerk’s office to conduct in-person searches for court records they maintain. In most cases, a subject name can be used as a search criteria for searches. However, other information such as case number and filing date may also be used. Although court record searches are usually free, record seekers who request plain or certified copies of court records are charged a fee. These fees are typically assessed per page or document.

Hamilton County Courts

Hamilton County court system comprises five (5) types of courts: Chancery Court, General Sessions Court (Criminal and Civil), Criminal Court, Circuit Court, and Juvenile Court. Additionally, there are municipal courts that operate within the county. The courthouse addresses and contact information of courts with Hamilton County are provided below:

Hamilton County Chancery Court 
Hamilton County Courthouse 
300 Courthouse 625 Georgia Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37402 
Phone: 423-209-6600 
Fax: 423-209-6601

Hamilton County Criminal Court 
Hamilton County - Chattanooga Courts Building 
102 Courts Building, 600 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 
Phone: 423-209-7500
Fax: 423-209-7501

Hamilton County Circuit Court
Hamilton County Courthouse 
500 Courthouse, 625 Georgia Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37402 
Phone: 423-209-6700 
Fax: 423-209-6701

Sessions Courts in Hamilton County

Hamilton County Sessions Court - Civil Division 
Hamilton County Courthouse 
625 Georgia Avenue, Room 500, Chattanooga, TN 37402 
Phone: 423-209-7630 
Fax: 423-209-7631 

Hamilton County Sessions Court - Criminal Division
Hamilton County - Chattanooga Courts Building 
600 Market Street, Room 108, Chattanooga, TN 37402 
Phone: 423-209-7500 
Fax: 423-209-7501

Juvenile Courts in Hamilton County

Hamilton County Juvenile Court 
1600 East 3rd Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404 
Phone: 423-209-5100

Hamilton County Juvenile Court - Child Support Division 
1221 East Main Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404 
Phone: 423-209-5970

Municipal Courts in Hamilton County

Chattanooga City Court 
Hamilton County - Chattanooga Courts Building 
600 Market Street, Room 104, Chattanooga, TN 37402 
Phone: 423-425-6311 
Fax: 423-643-7587 

Collegedale Municipal Court 
4910 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, TN 37363 
Phone: 423-468-1891 
Fax: 423-396-3138 

East Ridge City Court 
City Hall 
1517 Tombras Avenue, 
East Ridge, TN 37412 
Phone: 423-867-2701 
Fax: 423-867-2712

Lakesite City Court 
9201 Rocky Point Road, Lakesite, TN 37379 
Phone: 423-842-2533 
Fax: 423-842-8110

Lookout Mountain Town Court 
710 Scenic Highway, PO Box 111
Lookout Mountain, TN 37350 
Phone: 423-821-1226 
Fax: 423-821-3193

Red Bank City Court 
3117 Dayton Boulevard, Red Bank, TN 37415 
Phone: 423-874-0055 
Fax: 423-875-8767 

Signal Mountain Town Court 
Town Hall 
1111 Ridgeway Avenue
Signal Mountain, TN 37377 
Phone: 423-886-2177

Soddy-Daisy Municipal Court 
The Municipal Building,
9835 Dayton Pike, 
Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379 
Phone: 423-332-5323

Walden City Court 
PO Box 335, Signal Mountain, TN 37377 
Phone: 423-886-4362 
Fax: 423-886-7953

Hamilton County Superior Court Case Search

Tennessee Court system consists of the Supreme Court, Appellate courts, trial (Circuit and Chancery) courts, and courts with limited jurisdiction (i.e. general sessions courts, juvenile courts, and municipal courts). Superior courts are not part of Tennessee’s Court System. As a result, Hamilton County does not have a Superior Court.  

Hamilton County District Court Records

There are no District Courts in Tennessee or Hamilton County. Tennessee is divided into 32 Judicial Districts and Hamilton County falls under Judicial District 11. Each district is served by trial (Circuit and Chancery) courts and courts with limited jurisdiction (general sessions, juvenile, and municipal courts).

Hamilton County Criminal Records

Certain criminal records, such as Hamilton County arrest records, are maintained by law enforcement agencies in Hamilton County. These criminal records are subject to the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA). As a result, citizens of Tennessee have the legal right to access these records upon request.

Tennessee citizens can access Hamilton County Criminal Records maintained by local law enforcement agencies by querying the County’s Sheriff’s Office and local municipal police departments. These agencies typically have a records division that eligible persons can query to access criminal records they maintain. For instance, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Records Division. Note that, each agency only maintains and provides criminal records regarding their specific jurisdiction. To obtain criminal records from multiple jurisdictions in Tennessee, record seekers can request statewide criminal background checks through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Hamilton County Criminal Court Case Lookup

In Hamilton County, criminal cases are handled by the County’s Criminal Court and General Sessions Criminal Court. Interested persons can utilize the following options to search for and access criminal case records maintained by either court;

• Visit or contact the court clerk's office: Hamilton County Criminal Court and General Sessions Criminal Court share the same Court Clerk. The Clerk is responsible for maintaining records of criminal court cases heard at both courts. Interested persons can visit the court clerk’s office during open hours (Monday - Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M) to request and access records the clerk maintains. 
• Utilize online resources provided by the clerk’s office: The Criminal Court Clerk provides online resources that interested persons can use to access public criminal case records online. The resources include the Hamilton County Criminal Court portal and Sessions Criminal Court information websites. These websites are searchable by defendant’s name, case number, filing date, and officer’s name. The Criminal Court Clerk also provides resources interested persons can use to look up Criminal Court Dockets and Sessions Criminal Court Dockets online. These resources are viewable as lists. 

Get Hamilton County Civil Court Records

Hamilton County Circuit and General Sessions Civil Courts primarily preside over civil cases. Hence, interested persons can get court records of civil cases heard at either court by querying their respective court clerk’s offices. Fortunately, both courts share the same court clerk. Record seekers can use the following methods to get civil cases court records through the Court Clerk’s Office.

• Contact or visit the Court Clerk’s office: record seekers can visit the Court Clerk's office of Hamilton County Circuit and General Sessions Civil Court to make an in-person request for Civil Court records. The Court Clerk’s offices are located at each court’s respective courthouses. Generally, record seekers are advised to contact the court clerk before their in-person visit to inquire about requirements for facilitating in-person court records requests. Interested persons can find the contact information of the county’s Circuit Court Clerk and General Sessions Civil Court Clerk through the Hamilton County Directory Information page.
• Use online resources the Court Clerk’s office provides: the Clerk's Office of Hamilton County Circuit and General Sessions Civil Court offer online resources interested persons can use to access public civil court records they hold. These resources include the General Sessions Court information portal and the Circuit Court TN case finder. The former is searchable using a defendant’s name, case number, case filing date, or officer’s name. Meanwhile, the latter requires users to create an account to access the service. Fortunately, both resources are free to use. Note that the Sessions Civil Court Dockets and Circuit Court Dockets are also accessible online.

It is also worth noting that Hamilton County's Chancery Court hears civil cases In some situations. Hence the Chancery Court Clerk may be queried to obtain civil court records of such cases. Alternatively, record seekers can use the online court record system provided by the Chancery Court clerk's office. 

Hamilton County Family Court Records

In Hamilton County, family law cases primarily fall under the jurisdiction of the County’s Circuit Court. Family law cases include domestic matters cases, such as adoptions, divorces, and marriages. Like most types of court records in Hamilton County, family law case court records are subject to the TPRA with the expectation of cases involving minors. As a result, Tennessee residents are allowed to access most family law case court records.

Seekers of family court records in Hamilton County can query the County’s Circuit Court’s Clerk. As previously mentioned, record seekers can visit the Hamilton County Circuit Courthouse to query the Circuit Court’s Clerk Office staff for relevant records in person. Alternatively, interested persons can remotely search for records utilizing the Circuit Court TN case finder. 

Hamilton Dissolution of Marriage Records

“Dissolution of marriage” is another term for “divorce”. Like all other types of family law cases, divorce records in Hamilton County are accessible through the County’s Circuit Court Clerk using the process described in previous sections

Hamilton County Marriage and Divorce Records

Separate public offices maintain marriage and divorce records in Hamilton County. The former (marriage records) is maintained by the Hamilton County Clerk, while the latter (divorce records) is maintained by the County’s Circuit Court.

Like all other types of family law case records, interested persons can access Hamilton County divorce records by querying the County’s Circuit Court’s Clerk Office. Queries can be made in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office located with the Circuit Courthouse. Alternatively, online resources are provided by the Circuit Clerk’s office records seekers can use to access public divorce records remotely.

On the other hand, record seekers can request public Hamilton County Marriage certificates from the County’s Clerk by mail. The requester must complete the Marriage Records Request Form and mail it to the County Clerk along with relevant fees at:

Hamilton County Clerk 
c/o Marriage License Records 
625 Georgia Avenue, Room 201 
Chattanooga, TN 37402

It is worth noting that the County Clerk's Office provides online access to Hamilton County Marriage records through its Marriage Records website. 

Hamilton County Birth and Death Records

Hamilton County birth and death records are maintained by Hamilton County’s Health Department Vital Records Office. The Department maintains Hamilton County birth certificates of individuals born in the county within the last 100 years and death certificates for individuals who died within the last 50 years. Hence, interested persons can access relevant birth and death records through the Department. However, only certain eligible persons can access certified copies of Hamilton County’s birth and death certificates. These eligible persons include: 

For birth certificate

• The person named on the record
• Certain family members of the subject 
• Legal representatives

For death certificate

• Certain family members of the decedent
• individuals with a legal right to the certificate
• The decedent's parent, child, spouse, or an attorney or agency acting on behalf of their estate are the only people who request information about the decedent's cause of death.

Eligible persons can request birth and death certificates by completing an application (birth certificate application and death certificate application) and submitting it alongside the required fee and ID to the department. Certified copies of both a death and birth certificate cost each. Acceptable forms of fee payment include credit card payments or a check or money order made payable to Hamilton County Vital Records. Discover, American Express, Visa, or MasterCard are also accepted. Fortunately, a list of acceptable forms of IDs is listed on each application form. The following information is needed to complete the application;

Birth certificate application

• The full name of the record’s subject
• The subject’s date of birth                 
• The subject’s place of birth                
• The subject’s mother's maiden name and father's name
• The requester’s signature and relationship to the subject of the birth record
• The requester’s daytime telephone number

Death certificate application

• The decedent's full name on the certificate
• The decedent's date of death 
• The decedent's sex and age at death 
• The county of death 
• The name and location of the funeral home 
• The purpose of the copy of the certificate 
• The requester’s signature and relationship to the person named on the birth record 
• The requester’s the address to which the original should be mailed 
• The requester’s daytime telephone number

To complete the request process, the completed application alongside the required fees and a copy of the requester’s ID should be sent to the Hamilton County Vital Records Office by mail or email at:

Hamilton County Vital Records Office 
921 East Third Street 
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Email:
Phone: 423-209-8025
Fax: 423-209-8024

On the other hand, the Tennessee State Library and Archives may be queried for Hamilton County birth records more than 100 years old and death records more than 50 years old.

Hamilton County Probate Court Records

Hamilton County’s Chancery Court serves as the county’s probate court. The court handles probate cases including but not limited to estates, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. Hence, record seekers can access Hamilton County probate court records through the county’s Chancery Court.

Record seekers can access probate court records by visiting the Hamilton County Chancery Courthouse to query the Court Clerk's Office in person. The Clerk’s Office staff can assist record seekers in searching for relevant probate court records. Alternatively, the Chancery Court Clerk's Office offers a public records portal interested persons can use to remotely search for public records the office maintains, including probate records. The portal is accessible for free and searchable using a party’s name or case year and number. Chancery Court Dockets are also available online. 

Hamilton County Property Records

In Hamilton County, property records are maintained primarily by two public offices, the County Register of Deeds and the County Assessor of Property. The former (Register of Deeds) records and maintains deeds and other instruments against real property (i.e. mortgages, liens, etc). The latter (Assessor of Property) appraises real properties within the county.

Interested persons can access property records maintained by the Hamilton County Register of Deeds Office remotely through the record search portal the Office provides. Note that new users must apply for an account to access the portal. The Register of Deeds Office can also be contacted or visited to access property records at:

Hamilton County Register of Deeds Office
625 Georgia Ave, Room 400 
Chattanooga, TN 37402 
Phone: (423) 209-6560 
Fax: (423) 209-6561 
Email:

On the other hand, record seekers can use the record search portal provided by the Hamilton County Assessor of Property Office to access property records maintained by the office. The portal is free to use and is searchable by street name, street number, parcel number, or owner’s name. For more information or in-person inquiries, the Assessor of Property Office can be contacted at: 

Hamilton County Assessor of Property Office
6135 Heritage Park Drive 
Bonny Oaks 
Chattanooga, TN 37416 
Phone: 423-209-7300 
Fax: 423-209-7301

Hamilton County Court Records Online

Although using government channels to search for court records is generally advised, there are other ways of conducting court records searches. Interested persons can utilize certain third-party websites like TennesseeCourtRecords.us that offer court record search services to conduct their search. These websites are operated by private individuals or entities that compile public court records obtained from different government channels into an all-in-one database they maintain and make publicly accessible online.

The main advantage of using these third-party websites to conduct searches is that they streamline the search process. Public court records of different courthouses are typically accessible through their single database that is easily searchable using an individual’s name. However, users are usually charged a fee or subscription to conduct searches or access search results.

The results come from information in state, county, and city databases, but they might not have all the details mentioned above.