Search Cheatham Court Records

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Cheatham County, Tennessee State Court Records

Cheatham County court records are documents generated by local courts during legal proceedings. A court record is the official account of a case, serving as a source of information to the government, law enforcement, and the general public. These records are kept and preserved by the clerk of the court that handled the case.

Court records are also part of the county's pool of public records and interact with other records. For example, when the court divides real estate assets between spouses during a divorce, a party may manually record a deed or a certified copy of the divorce decree at the Registry of Deeds to update public property books.

Are Cheatham County Court Records Public?

Yes. Court records in Cheatham County are presumed open to any Tennessee citizen to view. Court record openness in the county is established by the Tennessee Public Records Act and Supreme Court Rule 34. However, not every Cheatham County court record is public. Certain records are confidential and cannot be inspected:

  • Juvenile records
  • Sensitive personal information
  • Sealed and expunged data
  • Adoption records
  • Judicial drafts
  • Conservatorship records

What Information is Available in Cheatham County Court Records?

Cheatham County public court records usually contain the following information:

  • The case overview, including the case number, case type, case status, and filing date
  • The names of the parties and their attorneys
  • Documents filed in the case
  • The case docket
  • Pleadings
  • The case outcome

Cheatham County Court Records Search

Individuals can search for Cheatham County court records using any of these methods:

Online Access

Members of the public can access Cheatham County court records from the comfort of their home through the Cheatham County Online Court Records System. The court records system allows individuals to search for court records from the Circuit Court and General Sessions Court by party name, case number, or case year. Case searches are free; however, researchers cannot access confidential court records on the system.

In-Person Access

Individuals can visit the Cheatham County courthouse if the case was heard by the Circuit Court, Criminal Court, the Juvenile Court, the General Sessions Court, or the Chancery Court, or visit the appropriate city court. Individuals will be asked to provide a name or case number and may be asked to put the request in writing if many records are needed. The clerk may also charge a fee for the duplication of the records.

Mail and Phone Requests

Cheatham County court records can also be requested through the mail. Individuals who want to request a record via mail should put the request in writing, detailing the names of the people involved, the case number, and the documents needed. The written request should then be packaged along with payment and a self-addressed, stamped envelope and mailed to the appropriate clerk of court's office. Requesters may call the clerk's office to confirm how the mail should be addressed and how much the copy costs.

Fees for Court Records in Cheatham County

Cheatham County residents inspecting a court record can save money by searching the Cheatham County Online Court Records System or by viewing the file at the clerk's office, without duplicating it. However, if an individual asks the clerk to make paper copies, a fee will be charged. The fees charged for copies are set according to the Tennessee Comptroller's Schedule of Reasonable Charges:

  • Uncertified Copies: 15 cents per page for black and white replicates, and 50 cents per page for colored copies
  • Certified Copies: $5 plus the per-page fee
  • Delivery Fee (for mail requests): The actual cost of postage
  • Labor Fees (for locating a record): The first hour is usually free; subsequent hours are charged using the hourly wage of the employee

Cheatham County Courthouse Locations

The Cheatham County trial court system comprises Municipal Courts, General Sessions Court, and state trial courts (Chancery and Circuit Courts). Below is the contact information for these courts.

Cheatham County Courthouse

100 Public Square

Ashland City, TN 37015

Circuit Court Phone: (615) 792-3272 (Option 2)

Chancery Court Phone: (615) 792-4620

General Sessions Court: (615) 792-4866 (Option 1)

Ashland City Municipal Court

405 North Main Street

Ashland City, TN 37015

Phone: (615) 792-5719

Kingston Springs Municipal Court

420 North Main Street

Kingston Springs, TN 37082

Phone: (615) 952-2110 Ext. 4

Criminal Records Access in Cheatham County

Cheatham County criminal records contain information and documents pertaining to the criminal activity of individuals in the county. These documents are maintained by local law enforcement, such as the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office and the court, depending on the document's type.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is the state agency that maintains criminal history records. These records are an official summary of an individual's arrests, convictions, and sentences. Members of the public can perform a background check to access a person's record through the Tennessee Open Records Information Services portal. The TBI states that "no juvenile information will be included on the report unless the juvenile was transferred to criminal court pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann § 37-1-134." The fee for a check is $29.

The court primarily maintains an individual's criminal case file. Researchers can inspect the case file at the Cheatham County Circuit Court Clerk's Office or search the Cheatham County Online Court Records System.

Cheatham County Probate Records

A probate record is any court case document surrounding the administration of a deceased person's estate or the care of incapacitated persons or dependents. Typical probate records are guardianship files, letters of administration, wills, appraisals, claims from creditors, and death certificates. Probate matters are heard by the Chancery Court.

Probate records are public records, so members of the public can view a deceased person's will or a list of their assets. However, certain records are kept private and not disclosed to the public (e.g., guardianship records). Individuals can inspect a probate record at the Chancery Court Clerk and Master's Office at the Cheatham County Courthouse, specifically Suite 106.

Cheatham County Family Court Records

Family court records are files documenting legal actions or disputes between family members and domestic partners. Examples of such cases include divorce, adoption, child custody, domestic restraining orders, and juvenile delinquency. In Cheatham County, family-related cases are heard by the Circuit Court or the Chancery Court, depending on the type of action. The Circuit Court handles matters centered on minors, while the Chancery Court handles adult cases.

Family court records involving adults are generally public records. Researchers can inspect or obtain a record by visiting the Chancery Court Clerk and Master's Office or by sending in a written request by mail.

Federal Court Records in Cheatham County

Federal court records track legal cases involving federal law, such as immigration violations and disputes that cross state lines (e.g., interstate drug trafficking). Federal cases originating from Cheatham County are handled by the U.S District Court (Middle District of Tennessee) and the U.S Bankruptcy Court (Middle District of Tennessee), depending on the case type.

Cheatham County residents interested in accessing a federal court record may search online using the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal. Users need to register an account and pay a fee (10 cents per page) to search the portal.

Cheatham County Court