What are Claiborne County Public Records?
As specified in the Tennessee Public Records Act, Claiborne County public records are defined as information that has been collected, assembled, or maintained by a government entity in the course of its daily business. This can include (but is not limited to) documents, photographs, maps, video recordings, and audio recordings.
Claiborne County public records are typically available to the general public upon request, although there may be some exceptions depending on the nature of the record in question. For example, records that contain confidential information or that are considered to be part of an ongoing investigation may not be released to the public.
Public records are typically obtainable by submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the appropriate government agency.
In addition to government agencies, some public records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Are Claiborne County Criminal Records Public?
The Claiborne County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency of the county and maintains the criminal history information relevant to county residents. However, more expansive information is maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Which is the state’s central repository of criminal history information.
To obtain criminal records from the county Sheriff’s office, requestors may send a written request or query the office in person at:
Claiborne County Sheriff Office
415 Straight Creek Rd
Tazewell, TN 37879
Phone: (423) 626-3385
Email: sheriff@claibornecountytn.gov
The Criminal Justice Investigation Services Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also offers criminal background checks to interested and eligible persons. The records provided by the Bureau typically feature arrest history, conviction information and details of pending dispositions.
To request the records online, requestors must complete and submit the online request form on the TORIS website. Mail queries can also be made by sending the information of the subject to the Bureau. The fee for this service is $29. All requests must be sent along with the relevant fee to:
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S Gass Blvd.,
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4057
How to Obtain Claiborne County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Police reports are documents that detail the events that transpired during a crime, arrest, or other incidents. Arrest records are public documents that contain information about individuals who have been arrested or charged with a crime. In Claiborne county, both police reports and arrest records are public record, and can be accessed by interested members of the public on request.
The Claiborne County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining police reports and arrest records for the county. These records are public information and can be obtained on request.
To obtain a police report, interested persons may submit a written request to the sheriff's office. Include the case number, if known, and the date of the incident. Requestors may also include the name of the victim or suspect, if known.
Arrest records can also be requested from the sheriff's office. Include the name of the person arrested and the date of arrest in the written request. The sheriff's office typically charges a nominal fee for both arrest records and police reports.
All requests may be addressed to:
Claiborne County Sheriff's Office
415 Straight Creek Rd
Tazewell, TN 37879
Phone: (423) 626-3385
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Claiborne County
Pursuant to the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-39-201 et seq., sex offenders are required to register with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation ("TBI") and with the local law enforcement authority of the county where the offender resides, is a student, or is employed. The Claiborne County Sheriff's Office is responsible for registering sex offenders who reside in Claiborne County.
To obtain information regarding sex offenders resident in Claiborne county, interested persons may query the Sheriff's office or utilize the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry managed by the state Bureau of Investigation. The registry can be searched by name, county, city, or zip code. The registry only contains information on offenders who have been convicted of certain sex offenses and who are required to register pursuant to Tennessee law.
Further information about sex offender information in Claiborne county can be made by calling the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry Hotline.
How to Find Claiborne County Inmate Records
The Claiborne county Sheriff's office generates an Intake Report with which interested members of the public can obtain inmate information on request. Inmate records typically include information such as the inmate's name, crime committed, sentence length, and projected release date. The Claiborne County Sheriff's Office also offers an online Inmate Roster that can be searched by the public. This roster includes information on current inmates such as their name, booking number, age, race, and gender.
To obtain information regarding an inmate, the requesting party will be required to furnish the Sheriff's office with certain information about themselves as well as the inmate in question. In order to protect the privacy of inmates and their families, the Claiborne County Sheriff's office will only release inmate information to parties with a legitimate interest in obtaining such information. The requesting party may be required to sign a release form authorizing the Claiborne County Sheriff's office to release the requested information.
How to Visit an Inmate in Claiborne County Jail
Interested members of the public may visit Claiborne county inmates by scheduling an appointment through the Claiborne County Sheriff's office. Appointments are generally available Monday through Friday during normal business hours, although specific times may vary depending on the inmate's housing unit and scheduled activities. Visitors must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time and must present a valid photo ID; visitors who do not have a Photo ID will not be permitted to enter the facility.
To schedule a meeting, the requestor will be required to provide the name of the inmate they wish to visit as well as their own name and contact information. For visitors under 18, a notarized parental consent form must be submitted. The Claiborne County Sheriff's office will review all requests and contact the visitor to confirm the appointment time.
Claiborne County Court Records
The Claiborne County, Tennessee judicial system is made up of three levels: the trial court, the appellate court, and the supreme court. The trial court is responsible for hearing criminal and civil cases, as well as appeals from lower courts. The appellate court hears appeals from the trial court, and the supreme court hears appeals from the appellate court.
The trial court in Claiborne County, Tennessee is the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all matters not assigned to another type of court, and it hears both criminal and civil cases. The Circuit Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over certain types of cases, such as probate matters, juvenile cases, and mental health commitment proceedings.
The appellate court in Claiborne County, Tennessee is the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals hears appeals from the trial court, as well as appeals from administrative agencies.
The supreme court in Claiborne County, Tennessee is the Supreme Court of Tennessee. The Supreme Court has final appellate jurisdiction over all matters, including appeals from the trial court and the Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court also has original jurisdiction over a small number of cases, such as cases involving the death penalty or impeachment proceedings.
The following are the addresses and contact information of all the courts in Claiborne county:
Claiborne County Circuit Court
415 Straight Creek Road,
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334
Claiborne County Chancery Court
1740 Main Street,
P.O. Box 180,
Tazewell, TN 37879
Phone: (423) 626-3284
Claiborne County Criminal Court
415 Straight Creek Road,
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334
Claiborne County General Sessions Court
415 Straight Creek Road,
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334
Claiborne County Juvenile Court
415 Straight Creek Road,
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334
Cumberland Gap Municipal Court
380 Colwyn Avenue,
P.O. Box 78,
Cumberland Gap, TN 37724
Phone: (423) 869-3860
New Tazewell City Court
413 1st Avenue,
P.O. Box 609,
New Tazewell, TN 37824
Phone: (423) 626-5242
Fax: (423) 626-2050
Tazewell City Court
1830 Main Street,
P.O. Box 206,
Tazewell, TN 37879
Phone: (423) 626-5104
Fax: (423) 626-0075
Are Claiborne County Court Records Public?
Yes, pursuant to the Tennessee Rules of Judicial Administration, all records of the trial courts are public records. This includes both civil and criminal cases. These records are typically available for inspection and copying at the county courthouse.
How to Obtain Claiborne County Court Case Records
Interested members of the public may obtain Claiborne county court case records by querying the office of the Circuit Court and Sessions Court Clerk. The requesting party is required to fill out a request form which can be done in person, by mail or online through the county website. The records division of the office will provide an estimate of the search fees and copies fees (if applicable) due at the time of the request. Once payment has been received, the search will be conducted and the requested case records will be made available to the requester.
It should be noted that court case records are public information in Claiborne county and as such, anyone may request and obtain them. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, juvenile records are not available to the public and sealed records are only available to the parties involved in the case or their legal representatives.
The information required to process a record request includes:
- The full name of the person who is requesting the records
- A daytime telephone number where the requester can be reached
- The specific case number, if known
- The names of the parties involved in the case
- The approximate date the case was filed
- The type of records being requested
Queries should be addressed to:
Claiborne County Circuit Court and Sessions Court
415 Straight Creek Rd.,
Suite 5
New Tazewell, TN 37825
Phone: (423) 626-3334
Email: circuitcourtclerk@claibornecountytn.gov
What are Claiborne County Vital Records?
Vital records are the official records that document a person's key life events, such as birth, marriage, divorce, and death. In Claiborne County, Tennessee, vital records are kept by the county clerk's office. Birth and death records are available from 1881 onwards, while marriage and divorce records are available from January 1949 onwards. Copies of vital records can be obtained from the county clerk's office for a fee. certified copies of birth and death certificates can also be obtained from the Tennessee Department of Health.
Where and How to Obtain Claiborne County Divorce Records
Claiborne county divorce records are maintained by the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.
Interested members of the public may obtain copies of these records by querying the Clerk's office in person or via mail. To obtain these records, the requesting party will be required to provide information pertaining to the divorce record, such as the names of the spouses, the case file number and the filing date.
Where and How to Obtain Claiborne County Marriage Records
The Claiborne County Marriage Records are maintained by the County Clerk's Office which is also tasked with issuing marriage licenses.
Interested persons can obtain these records by querying the county clerk's office in person or via mail. The requestor may provide:
- The personal information of the spouses
- The location of the marriage
- The marriage date
- The certificate number or its alternative.
All marriage record requests may be made to:
Claiborne County Clerk
P.O. Box 173
Tazewell, TN 37879
Phone: (423) 626-3283
Fax: (423) 626-6234
Email: countyclerk@claibornecountytn.gov
Where and How to Find Claiborne County Birth and Death Records
The Tennessee Health Department Office of Vital Records is tasked with maintaining and processing requests for Claiborne county birth and death records.
Requestors will be required to provide:
- The subject's name
- The date of birth of the subject
- The social security number of the subject
The requestor will also be required to pay a fee to cover the cost and all requests should be addressed to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
