MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Montgomery County Public Records?

Tennessee open records act defines a public record as documents, papers, or other material made or received in connection with any governmental agency's transaction of official business. All requests made by requesters must be promptly provided by the record custodian within seven days. If the record's custodian fails to respond within the timeframe specified after receiving the request, it results in a denial of the request. The requester can file a public record lawsuit.

Denial of a public record request must be clearly stated in writing with the legal basis by the custodian of the record. Otherwise, custodians must provide a timeframe to when the record will be made available. Record custodians must also provide the requester with an estimate of the cost of copies as soon as possible.

Not all copies of the public records can be inspected or copied by the public under the Tennessee public records act. Some records are confidential and exempted. Examples of such exemptions include:

• Employee assistance program records pertaining to counseling or referrals for mental health, marriage, alcoholism, and other similar personal issues may be kept separate from personnel records and so stay discreet. 10-7-504 T.C.A. (d).
• Personal phone numbers, home phone numbers, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, and driver's license numbers.
• Medical records T.C.A. § 10-7-504(a)
• Library records T.C.A. § 10-8-102.
• Financial statements filed by cities as proof of their ability to pay workers' compensation claims are confidential. T.C.A. § 50-6-405(b)(3).
• All child abuse investigation files, reports, records, and papers are confidential. 37-1-612, T.C.A.
• Information on law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, correction officers, dispatchers, and paramedics who seek assistance for job-related critical incidents through group counseling sessions led by mental health professionals T.C.A. § 10-7-504(a)(13)(A).
• An informant's identity who provides information that leads to eviction for drug or prostitution offenses is confidential. T.C.A. § 66-7-107.
• Any information about the location of a domestic violence shelter, family safety center, rape crisis center, or human trafficking service provider is confidential when the director requests such in writing. T.C.A. § 10-7-504(a)(17).
• Contingency plans for dealing with terrorist acts are confidential. T.C.A. § 10-7-504(a)(21).
• Photographs and recordings of juveniles by law enforcement officers are confidential. T.C.A. § 37-1-154 and 37-1-155.
• Financial records filed for income verification under the local option property tax freeze are confidential. T.C.A. § 67-5-705.
• Competitive sealed proposals are confidential until the intent to award is announced. Then the proposals will be open to public inspection. T.C.A. § 12-3-1207.
• Records addressing public hospitals' marketing strategies and strategic plans are confidential until seven days before the strategy and plans are adopted. T.C.A. § 68-11-238.

Public county records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple county records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:

• The address of the requestor;
• A case number or file number (if known);
• The location of the document or person involved;
• The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile);
• 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.

Montgomery County Crime Statistics

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office publishes annual crime statistics for events in the county. According to the 2020 report, a total of 1603 crimes committed were reported. The city recorded 811 property crimes, including 80 burglary theft, 63 motor vehicle theft, 56 fraud, 349 larceny, 2 embezzlement, 29 forgeries, 3 extortion, 3 arson, 211 vandalism, and 14 stolen property offenses. A further breakdown of the data reveal 297 reported violent crimes, one homicide 29 sex offenses, non-consensual, 8 rape cases, 18 forcible fondlings, and 104 incidents of aggravated assault.

Are Montgomery County Criminal Records Public?

Montgomery County Criminal Records are public records. Individuals can get public criminal records under the Tennessee Freedom of Information Act by submitting requests to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (T.B.I.), the designated record custodian. The following information will be found in criminal records requested from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (T.B.I);

• The offender's name and aliases.
• Race, date of birth, and age.
• Physical characteristics include height, weight, hair color, and eye color.
• Tattoos and scars are examples of markings.
• Charges.
• Convictions
• Sentences
• Jail status
• Fingerprint
• Photograph

A criminal record search will disclose accessible information unless formally sealed or erased. Prior to July 2017, only people who dropped criminal charges may expunge records. Tennessee law allows individuals convicted of certain offenses to close or erase criminal records to meet specific standards.

How to Obtain Montgomery County Police Reports and Arrest Records?

Interested individuals can obtain arrest records from the Montgomery County sheriff. The sheriff's county website contains information on arrest records collected and kept by the sheriff. The information is maintained up to date and correct.

A criminal charge is not usually the outcome of an arrest. Nonetheless, an arrest record will include information about the arrested person such as their name, date of birth, race, physical description, and, most importantly, fingerprint, collected and stored by the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to identify people under arrest.

Although the phrases are widely used interchangeably in Tennessee, police reports are not the same as arrest records. Police records detail the acts of police personnel, whereas arrest records detail the arrest of a civilian. Residents may request Montgomery arrest records and police reports at the following address:

Sheriff's Office
120 Commerce Street
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-0611
Email: soinfo@mcgtn.net

How to Find Montgomery County Sex Offender Information?

The Montgomery County Sheriff Sex Offender Registration Unit is responsible for registering, tracking, and monitoring all convicted sex offenders within Montgomery County who are not on State Probation. Interested persons can get sex offenders information online using different criteria:

• Requesters can search for an offender by name, alias, address, city, county, zip code, offender Identification, offender classification, registry status, or offense. All or part of a name is valid.
• Requesters can search to broaden and narrow the research by adding or removing an item from the search criteria and can seek up to eight search terms. Click the arrow icon to reveal additional search filters.
• Requesters can view full details of offenders by clicking the offender's photo and get email notifications when an offender's information is updated, which can be printed in PDF format.
• To get updated info about offenders, requesters are advised to click on the info icon.

According to the Sexual Offender Registration Law, sexual offenders must register and report annually or quarterly, depending on their classification, to verify and update their information. Any offender who violates the law is considered a felony with mandatory minimum jail sentences and fines established.

Where and How to Find Montgomery County Inmate Information?

Montgomery County Sheriff provides a booking log for requesters to get necessary information concerning inmates in the county jail. Requesters can search the booking page by entering the inmates' last, first, and middle names, which display the inmate's arrest date, arrest time, booking time, release date, inmate picture, and the arresting officer. Requesters seeking information on currently incarcerated inmates may visit the jail or call using the following contact details:

Montgomery County Jail,
116 Commerce Street,
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-0611
Jail: (931) 648-0615

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Montgomery County Jail?

Interested visitors to the Montgomery County Jail must first schedule an appointment online. Friends and family can also schedule a visit by calling the jail from Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visitation hours are only on Wednesday & Saturday OR Thursday & Sunday (depending on the inmate's location). Visitors must follow visitation guidelines or risk scheduled visits being canceled. SOme visitation guidelines include:

• A convicted felon who has been in the prison facility in the past six (6) months will not be permitted.
• Only those visitors whose names have been submitted by the inmate will be allowed visitation.
• Cell Phones or electronic gadgets are not allowed.
• No purse nor bags, food, drinks are allowed.
• Sleeveless clothes, shorts or skirts, sagging, or revealing clothes are permitted on the premises.
• A maximum of three (3) visitors are permitted on the premises.
• Children must be duly registered and accompanied by a parent or guardian for visitation. Children must always be with parents or guardians at all times.
• All inmates are allowed two (2) visits per week 30mins each visit.
• Adult visitors must come along with proper photo identification.
• If a visitor misses 3 visits within 30 days without properly canceling the visit, It could lead to the suspension of privileges. Repeat offenses may result in a lifetime ban.

Court Records

Montgomery County Circuit Courts are courts of original jurisdiction. All civil and criminal cases and appeals from general sessions, Juvenile, and Municipal courts are heard in the circuit court. Circuit Court authority sometimes overlaps with that of Chancery Courts.

Location of the Court in Montgomery County
Circuit Court Clerk
2 Millennium Plaza
Suite 115
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5700
Email: cccmont@mcgtn.net/

Are Montgomery County Court Records Public?

The public has access to Montgomery County Court Records. The Circuit Court Clerk's office is responsible for coordinating and managing Montgomery County's courts' general legal business, public communications, and financial operations. However, Section 10-7-504 of the Tennessee Annotated Code exempts some records from public disclosure; members of the public do not have access to past or present government employees' medical records or personal information. Residents of Tennessee can check the status of any public record they're interested in using the Public Records Exception Database.

Can You Look Up a Montgomery County Court Case Online?

Montgomery County provides interested persons with an online platform to search for court case records. Users can search by party name by inputting the first name, last name, or business name to get the records or by case number by inputting case number and case year to obtain the information.

How to Obtain Montgomery County Civil Court Case Records?

The Circuit Court clerk keeps civil court records. All interested parties can examine civil court documents via the public terminals at the office or by obtaining hard copies unless the court has sealed them. Requests for records should be sent to:

Circuit Court Clerk
2 Millennium Plaza
Suite 115
Clarksville, Tennessee 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5700
Email: cccmont@mcgtn.net

How to Obtain Montgomery County Criminal Court Records?

The clerk of the Circuit Court is in charge of keeping criminal court records. Any interested parties can obtain criminal court physical records at the office complex unless the court record has been classified. Records requests should be sent to the following address:

Circuit Court Clerk
2 Millennium Plaza
Suite 115
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5700
Email: cccmont@mcgtn.net

What are Montgomery County Vital Records?

In accordance with the Tennessee Open Records Act, most vital records in Tennessee are open to the public except as otherwise provided by law. Tennessee. Code Annotated. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A). State law, common law, court rules, and federal law prohibit the disclosure of certain public records. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, vital records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Tennessee. Code Annotated. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A), only Tennessee citizens have the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records. On the other hand, governmental entities may make records available to individuals who are not Tennessee residents. Vital records in Montgomery County can be obtained from the Department of Health upon request by an eligible individual.

Where and How to Obtain Montgomery County Divorce Records?

Montgomery County, Tennessee, divorce records are considered court records and are made available for public access unless sealed by statute, rule, or court order. Records from July 1, 1945, to 1969 are public information and can be accessed at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. However, divorce records that are less than 50 years old are only available to parties with a legitimate or direct claim at the Tennessee Office of Vital Records and Tennessee Department of Health that maintain divorce records. The certificate can be obtained in person or via mail. To obtain a divorce certificate by mail, the requester must include the completed and signed application to the given address.

Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower,
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243

The requester will provide the following information in person to access a divorce record:

• Name and address of requesting party
• The date.
• The name of both spouses.
• Date and location of divorce
• The purpose of the request
• The number of copies being requested.
• The valid government-issued identification. showing with the signature visible.

The cost of obtaining a divorce-certified copy is $15 for each copy. Money orders or checks should be payable to the Tennessee vital records office. The office is always open from Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Where and How to Obtain Montgomery County Marriage Records?

The Tennessee Office of Vital Records keeps marriage records in Tennessee from 1970 to the present. Marriages held and recorded in Tennessee prior to 1970 are available to the general public at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. A person requesting a copy of a marriage certificate must be one of the parties named on the record, an attorney or an immediate family member. Any person may request plain copies of these records. In Tennessee, marriage Records can be obtained by mail or in person. To obtain a marriage record in person, the requester must submit a completed Application Form and a copy of a valid government-issued identification to the completed form to the Tennessee Vital Records office, which is located at the given address:

Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN N37243

The first copy of a marriage-certified copy costs $15 at the Tennessee Vital Records office. Each additional copy requested at the same time is $15. Fees for mail or in-person requests are payable by check, cash, or money order. The office is always open from Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Where and How to Obtain Montgomery County Birth Records?

Birth Records in Montgomery County, Tennessee, can be obtained from the Department of Health and the vital records office. Records above 100 years are public records and can be accessed at the Tennessee State Library and Archives for inspection and to obtain a copy. However, birth records less than 100 years old are only available to the person(s) named on the certificate and related individuals, such as;

• The person named on the record's spouse.
• The person named on the record's parent.
• A legal guardian.
• The child of the person named on the record.
• An authorized representative acting on behalf of one of the above-mentioned categories of persons.

To obtain a birth record in person, the requester must submit a completed Application Form along with a copy of a valid government-issued identification to the Tennessee Vital Records office, which is located at:

Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN N37243

The cost of obtaining a birth-certified copy cost $15 for each copy. and $15 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Fees for mail or in-person requests are payable by check, cash, or money order. The office is always open from Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Where and How to Obtain Montgomery County Death Records?

Death records in Tennessee can be obtained from the State's Office of Vital Records. The Office only keeps records on deaths that occurred between 1971 and the present. Applicants can order copies of death records filed between 1848 - 1908 by visiting the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Tennessee death records can be obtained from the Vital Records Office via mail or in person.

To obtain a certified copy via mail or in person, the requester must first download and complete an application form and attach a photocopy of a government-issued identification card to the given address.

Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN N37243

The cost of obtaining a death certificate is $15 at the Tennessee Vital Records Office.