What are Obion County Public Records?
Per (Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503), Obion county public records are documents in physical, electronic, audio, or other material formats, made or received in connection with official business by any governmental entity, as defined by the Tennessee code.
It is the right of every citizen in Obion county to inspect and retrieve copies of public records under the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(a)(2). However, a government entity may sometimes require a requestor to present a government-issued photo identification that includes an address (Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503).
Not all Obion county public documents are eligible for public viewing. Ineligible documents are called exceptions or exemptions. Note that there are around 538 statutory exceptions to the Tennessee Public Records Act, as released in 2018 and amended in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
To request an Obion County public record, send a request to the relevant records custodian.
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.
Obion County Crime Statistics
Tennessee crime statistics from 2001 to 2020 are maintained by the state bureau of investigation. The Crime in tennessee 2019 reported the following statistics for Obion county:
- DUI 8% decrease in DUI compared to 2019, 58.86 reductions in drug and narcotic violations compared to 2019, 42.86 decrease in weapon violations
- Violent crime 2 cases of murder which is a 100% increase, 2 cases and 60% decrease in sexual offense, 61 cases of aggravated assault in 69.44% increase,
- Property crimes 100% decrease in a robbery with zero cases, 63 cases of burglary 38.24% decrease, 43 cases of motor vehicle theft 18.87% decrease, six instances of fraud 33.33% decrease
- Domestic Violence 93 domestic violence 12.05% increase
- Hate crime none reported
- Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) none reported
Fbi's Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) 2016 recorded crime data for Obion county in 2016. The data showed no murder or manslaughter, rape, robbery, or arson cases. It also showed one violent crime, one aggravated assault, one burglary, three motor vehicle theft, 17 larceny thefts, and 20 property crimes.
Are Obion County Criminal Records Public?
Yes, Obion county criminal records are public. Tennessee's Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) provides information about Tennessee felony offenders in various jurisdictions who are or were in the Tennessee Department of Corrections custody.
Offenders' information, such as their current status, location, photo, and active sentences, is available to citizens free of charge.
Parole hearing dates for persons who are already convicted are available on the Board of Parole website.
To find information about a convicted person, visit Tennesse's Department of Corrections website. The search parameters may be the offender's name (including their aliases), their Tennessee Department of Corrections Identification Number (TDOC ID), or state identification number (SID).
Another provision to find criminal records or judgments from Obion county is to use the state's public case history. Using this tool, persons may search criminal cases by case number, case style, the names of the parties involved, or the organizations involved in the case.
How to Obtain Obion County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Obion County Police Reports and arrest records are public documents. Hence, they are publicly accessible because of Tennessee's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). These records are obtainable from government agencies in Obion, such as law enforcement and the courts.
To request a police report or arrest record in Obion county, the first point of contact is the sheriff's office at:
1 Law Lane,
Union City, Obion County
Or place a call at (731) 885-5832. Provide the necessary information such as the date and time of the occurrence, the incident's location, the name of the officer involved, and their rank. Also, provide the names of those involved and, where possible, the case number. Also, find out if any fees are required and how to pay them.
Sometimes, copies of police and arrest records are also obtainable via mail. Contact the local county Sheriff's Office to inquire about requests and payment and learn the current procedures.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Obion County
The Tennessee government provides a Sex Offender Registry as a public information resource. The registry offers personal information about sex offenders, including where they currently live, work, and attend school. To find sex offender information in Obion county, visit the Tenessee Sex Offender Registry. Go to the map offenders section, and in the search box, type "Obion". The result displays all sex offenders currently listed in Obion county.
Another way to find the sex offenders is to use the search feature on the sex offenders registry. A person can search for an offender using all or part of their name, alias, address, city, county, zip code, offender ID, offender classification, registry status, or offense.
Because the information on the register is based on the offender's statement to the registering agency, it is subject to change at any time based on an offender's change in circumstances or law enforcement's discovery that the information provided to them is inaccurate. Also, some persons may not be listed on the online registry if they are minors or due to factors.
Also, the US Department of Justice has a National Sex Offender website where seekers can search for sex offenders by their names and locations.
How to Find Obion County Inmate Records
An Obion county inmate's record contains their full name, birth date, race, address, case number, identification number (IDN), charges, booking date, court date, and other court information regarding their case. Obion County does not have an online procedure to find inmate records. Persons who desire to obtain information about inmate records for Obion county can:
- Call or send a fax to the Obion county sheriff's office at (731) 885-5832 or (731) 885-6562, respectively.
- Visit Obion County Sheriff's office address at:
1 Law Lane,
Union, TN 38261
Persons that want to contact the Sheriff's office for information about any inmates should possess the person's full name, physical description, and arrest date.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Obion County Jail
Obion county jail, located in Union City, Obion County, Tennessee, houses persons convicted before the courts. Before a person can visit an inmate in Obion county jail, they must be on the inmate’s pre-approved visitation list. Ensure to check the eligibility requirements for adults and minors. Approved persons can then schedule a visit by filling out a Visitor application form and submitting it at the Obion County Jail. They may only visit after the approval of their papers. Ensure to schedule a visiting appointment at least one day prior.
Visitors are required to check the timings and regulations before visiting the prison. They must present a government-issued identification with a photograph and follow the jail’s dress code and guidelines.
Another way to visit inmates at the Obion county jail is via video visitation. To make video visits, the inmate must create an account with The Obion County jail for video visitation and register their families on the list. Persons whose account application is approved are eligible for video visits.
Court Records
The Obion county court system comprises the chancery, circuit, general sessions, and a juvenile court for minors.
Obion Chancery (or equity) court also doubles as a probate court. They hear such cases as divorce, arbitration, trustees, probate proceedings for property sale, partition and distribution of personal property, name changes, paternity, the probate of wills, administration of estates, and all aspects of guardianships and conservatorships. They also handle land boundary disputes, will contest, declaratory judgments, partition suits, debt collection cases, delinquent property tax cases and other real estate matters. In addition, they handle all the jurisdiction relating to the estates of deceased individuals, whether they died with or without a will.
Obion county's chancery court address is:
6 Bill Burnett Circle
P.O. Box 187
Union City, TN 38281
(731) 507-0999 Ext.#1, then #3
Fax: (731) 885-7922
Obion county's Circuit Court hears appeals of decisions from the General Sessions, Municipal, and Juvenile Courts. They also hear criminal cases. Their jurisdiction often overlaps that of the chancery courts.
Obion County's circuit court address is:
7 Bill Burnett Circle
P.O. Box 606
Union City, TN 38281
(731) 507-0999 Ext.#1, then #1
Fax: (731) 885-7922
Obion county General Session Courts Take control over certain types of civil and criminal cases. These cases include all criminal cases, waived misdemeanor trials, and violations of the county's ordinances. The General Sessions Court hears general civil cases like recovery of personal property, restraining orders, injunctive relief, and mental health proceedings.
Obion County's general sessions court is located at:
9 Bill Burnett Circle
P.O. Box 606
Union City, TN 38281
(731) 507-0999 Ext.#1, then #2
Fax: (731) 885-7922
Obion's Juvenile Court is responsible for legal proceedings regarding county juveniles. Such proceedings may include custody assignments, child support for unwed parents, neglect cases, juvenile crimes, etc.
The Juvenile Court office is located at:
10 Bill Burnett Circle
P.O. Box 606
Union City, TN 38281
(731) 507-0999 Ext.#1, then #4
Fax: (731) 885-6199
Are Obion County Court Records Public?
Yes, Obion county's court records are public because of Tennessee's public records act. The implication is that unless there is a legal restriction on the accessibility of a court record, it is otherwise accessible to citizens. To view county court records online, use the Tennessee state courts tool.
How to Obtain Obion County Civil Court Case Records
Obion county’s chancery or general sessions court often hears civil court cases. To obtain a civil court case record, contact the court clerk that handled the matter by phone, fax, or physical visit and present the required information. Find the county court clerks by searching through the county or state courts. Note that some processing, copying, etc., fees might apply.
How to Obtain Obion County Criminal Court Records
Except for sealed records, criminal court records from Obion county are obtainable from the county courts. Forward any requests for criminal court records to the relevant county court clerk's office. Provide any necessary details of the case, such as the date of hearing, the names of the parties involved, the charges, and any other information required. Specific fees may apply for each request.
Also, some older county criminal court records are available by sending a copy order request to the Tennessee State Library Archives (TSLA). The records, certification, and delivery may cost anywhere between $15 to $20.
What are Obion County Vital Records?
Vital records in Obion county include documents about a person's life or life events. Vital records include an individual's birth, marriage, divorce, and death records. Per the Tennessee annotated code, The Tennessee Office of Vital Records reviews, registers, amends, issues, and maintains the original certificates for births, marriages, divorces, and deaths in the state and its counties.
To retrieve any vital record in Obion county, reach out to the Tennessee Department of Health's Office of Vital Records. These vital requests may be requested in-person, by mail, or online. Via Tennessee’s electronic issuance system, all county health departments can issue any birth, marriage, divorce or death certificates that have been registered.
Where and How to Get Public Obion County Marriage Records
For the most part, Tennessee marriage records are public. However, access is restricted to eligible persons. Eligible persons include:
- Either of the parties named on the certificate
- Children, parents, or other immediate family members of either of the parties named on the record
- Attorney of the parties or other legally authorized persons
Persons who need to access Obion county marriage records from 1780 to 1945, July 1945 – 1971 should send a request to Tennessee's State Library Archives by filling out the relevant forms. The service costs between $5 and $20, depending on the preferred mode of delivery.
To retrieve more recent copies of marriage certificates from 1971 till the present, send an application for a Certified Copy of a Certificate of Marriage request to the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in-person or by mail. The service costs $15 per search. Third parties may also send in an application for verification of marriage facts, which is not a legal document but provides marriage information.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Obion County
Generally, there are two types of marriage records: regular licenses, which apply to standard marriage licenses that are constitutionally public documents. The other type is the confidential license, which is only accessible by court order.
A confidential marriage license is used when unmarried couples who cohabitate wed without witnesses except for the couple themselves and the officiant. Confidential marriage licenses are not open to public inspection.
All marriage records in Obion county are considered public documents because Obion county does not have any confidential marriage documents.
Where and How to Find Obion County Birth Records
Obion County birth records for persons born between 1908-1912 and 1914-1920 are available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. To find a birth record, provide the child’s name, date of birth or approximate date of birth, their county of birth (if known), and the names of their parents (if known).
Persons who wish to view birth records from 1921 to date should contact the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records. The requests may be made in person, via mail, or online.
For in-Person requests, visit Obion county’s local Health Department with proper identification or entitlement documents that support the requester’s right to the birth certificate. Otherwise, visit the Tennessee Vital Records office, fill out a paper order form and present proper identification and fees amount at the Customer Service Window.
For mail requests, fill and sign an application for a certified copy of the birth certificate. Along with the application, mail a government-issued ID card, a notarized application for a certified copy, the mother’s hospital-issued copy of the birth certificate, and a money order or check for the appropriate fee, payable to Tennessee Vital Records. Forward the mail to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Contact any third-party affiliated companies to make an online request.
However, only authorized persons may request a person’s birth records. A list of authorized persons includes:
- The subject named on the certificate
- The subject’s spouse
- The subject’s parent or legal guardian
- The subject’s child
- Any other authorized representative, provided they fulfill these conditions:
- Provide a signed government ID card for themselves and the person they represent.
- They provide a signed statement from the subject, allowing the Tennessee Office Of Vital Records to release the copy to the requester.
Where and How to Find Obion County Death Records
Persons searching for Obion County death records that occurred after 1971 should fill out an application for a death certificate form and present it to Tennessee's Office of Vital Records. Although death records are considered public records, ineligible persons may not access them. Qualified applicants are the deceased's parents, child, or spouse. Moreover, the requester must present supporting documents for their right to the certificate and proper identification. These entitlement documents include custody orders, letters and testamentary, insurance policies denoting the beneficiaries, etc. Acceptable means of identification include:
- One of the following documents: a citizenship identification card, a valid passport, a valid driver's license, a military I.D. card, a temporary or alien or permanent resident card, an employment authorization card, a United States certificate of naturalization, a certificate of citizenship.
- Or any two from the following: a current pay stub or W2, a vehicle registration with the owner's name and present address, application page of an insurance policy, voter registration card, a military discharge (DD214), utility bill, health care coverage card, bank statement or deposit slip with name and current address, medical record, or a signed social security card.
Persons that wish to order copies of death records earlier than 1971 should fill out a request form and send it to the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Also, provide the individual's name, their death date or a three-year range to search, county of death (if known), and name of their spouse (if known). The cost is around $5 to $10.The requester should remember that some death records may be unavailable due to poor record-keeping by local officials.
Furthermore, the Archives Library provides an online death records search. Here, searchers may use the deceased's name, death year, certificate number, and county to search death records 1908 - 1912 and death records (1914-1933).
