What are Putnam County Public Records?
According to the Tennessee Public Records Act, Putnam County public records are any document, paper, letter, map, book, photograph, microfilm, electronic data processing file and output, film, sound recording, or other material capable of storing information made, used, received, or retained by a government entity while conducting official business. In Putnam County, public records may appear in different forms or characteristics. In compliance with the Act, citizens of Tennessee can obtain or inspect public documents without restriction. However, due to sensitive information, state or federal statutes, certain documents may be restricted from public view. Examples of documents that may be exempt from Putnam County public records search include:
- Information about an individual's hospital or medical record
- Documents protected by state or federal statutes
- Information that discloses personal identifiers such as driver's license
- Information gathered due to attorney-client privilege
Third-party websites may also have access to public county records. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a single record or numerous county records. However, users must offer sufficient information to aid with the search, such as;
- The requestor's address.
- If available, a case or file number.
- The location of the document or the individual concerned.
- The name of the subject in the record (not a minor).
- The registrant's most recent known or present address.
Government entities do not fund third-party websites. As a result, record availability and results may differ and prove unreliable to use.
Putnam County Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation through its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program publishes annual crimes statistics. According to the 2019 crimes report, Putnam County recorded 85 violent crimes, 518 property crimes, and five arsons. The violent crimes consist of 13 rape cases and 72 aggravated assault cases. Note, there were no cases of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter and robbery. Meanwhile, the property crimes include 136 burglary cases, 317 larceny-theft cases, and 65 motor vehicle theft cases. The 2018 crimes report for Putnam County recorded 127 violent crimes, 625 property crimes, and seven arsons. A breakdown of the violent crimes includes 20 rape cases, three robbery cases, and 104 aggravated assault cases. There was no record of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter cases. The property crimes consist of 159 burglary cases, 377 larceny-theft cases, and 89 motor vehicle theft cases.
Are Putnam County Criminal Records Public?
Yes. In compliance with Tennessee Public Records Act, Putnam County criminal records are public. These documents are open to public view upon request. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is responsible for collating and issuing copies of all criminal records within its purview. Interested individuals who intend to access Putnam County criminal records can achieve this online or by mail. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains an online database that allows requesters access to criminal history information. Each criminal history information request costs $29. Note, the fee is a non-refundable one. As an alternative, interested persons can obtain copies of Putnam County criminal history information by mail. Such persons must, however, provide necessary fees and information about the record. All mail requests should be addressed to:
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - TORIS
901. R.S. Gass Blvd
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4057
How to Obtain Putnam County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Putnam County Sheriff Office (PCSO) provides access to all police reports and arrest records within its jurisdiction. Requesters must provide the date, place of the event, and parties involved. Note, the PSCO charges $5 for each accident report. Also, the reports may take up to five to seven days to process. Individuals who wish to obtain copies of incident reports must complete a records request form at the PSCO lobby. The incident report requires up to 24 hour processing time. Note, reports less than 10 pages in length are free.
Putnam County Sheriff's Office
421 East Spring Street
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-8484
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Putnam County
Individuals interested in Putnam County sex offender information can access them via the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains and provides statewide coverage of registered sex offenders within its jurisdiction. Requesters can search the database using the offender's name, alias, address, city, county, zip code, offender ID, offender classification, registry status, or offense.
How to Find Putnam County Inmate Records
Requesters can find inmate records at the Putnam County Sheriff's Office (PCSO). The office serves as the record custodian for all inmates within its jurisdiction. Interested persons who intend to obtain Putnam County inmate records must contact PCSO via (931) 528-8484.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Putnam County Jail?
Interested persons who wish to visit an inmate in Putnam County jail can schedule a visit for Saturday and Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Note, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office is responsible for operating and maintaining all inmate activities. Visitors must schedule their visit a week in advance. Note, only visitors named on the inmate's visitation list would be allowed.
Putnam County Justice Center
421 East Spring Street
#1D31
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-8484
Court Records
In Putnam County, the trial court systems consist of General jurisdiction and Limited jurisdiction courts. The General jurisdiction courts include Circuit Courts, Chancery Courts, Criminal Courts, and Probate Courts, while the Limited jurisdiction courts consist of General Sessions Courts, Municipal Courts, and Juvenile Courts. Generally, the general jurisdiction courts are responsible for all cases beyond the limited jurisdiction courts.
Circuit Courts in Putnam County
Putnam County Circuit Court
421 East Spring Street, Room 1C
Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508
Fax: (931) 526-2004
Chancery Courts in Putnam County
Putnam County Chancery Court
421 East Spring Street
Suite 1C38
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 526-6321
Fax: (931) 526-1914
Criminal Courts in Putnam County
Putnam County Criminal Court
421 East Spring Street, Room 1C
Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508
Fax: (931) 526-2004
General Sessions Courts in Putnam County
Putnam County General Sessions Court
421 East Spring Street, Room 1C
Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508
Fax: (931) 526-2004
Juvenile Courts in Putnam County
Putnam County Juvenile Court
421 East Spring Street, Room 1C,
Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508
Fax: (931) 526-2004
Probate Courts in Putnam County
Putnam County Probate Court
421 East Spring Street, Room 1C
Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508
Fax: (931) 526-2004
Municipal Courts in Putnam County
Algood City Court
215 West Main Street
Algood, TN 38506
Phone: (931) 537-9545 ext. 1550
Fax: (931) 537-9429
Baxter City Court
200 Main Street
P.O. Box 335
Baxter, TN 38544
Phone: (931) 858-4111 ext. 1
Fax: (931) 858-5904
Cookeville City Court
Municipal Building
45 East Broad Street
P.O. Box 998
Cookeville, TN 38503
Phone: (931) 520-5254
Fax: (931) 526-4897
Monterey City Court
Police Department
711 East Commercial Avenue
Monterey, TN 38574
Phone: (931) 839-2323
Fax: (931) 839-7514
Are Putnam County Court Records Public?
Yes. Most Putnam County court records are public and available to interested persons upon request. Although, in compliance with the Tennessee Public Records Act, government entities are permitted to restrict some court documents. Examples of such documents may include juvenile court records, adoption records, and more. Individuals interested in Putnam County court records can contact the Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk.
How to Obtain Putnam County Civil Court Case Records
The Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains and provides access to Putnam County civil court case records upon request. Individuals interested in these documents can obtain them in person or online. Although, civil court case documents protected by law are restricted from public view. For online requests, requesters can use the Lookup a Case portal. The portal allows requesters to search cases using the party names or case numbers. On the other hand, requesters can contact the office location for walk-in requests:
Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk
421 E. Spring Street
Room 1C, Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
How to Obtain Putnam County Criminal Court Records
Interested persons can obtain Putnam County criminal court records at the Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk's office. The Clerk's office is the record custodian for all criminal court cases in Putnam County. Requesters can access these records in person or online. The Clerk's office provides public access to documents not protected by law via its Lookup a Case portal. Users can access information on the page using the party name or case number search options. Also, interested individuals can visit the office location to obtain the records in person:
Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk
421 E. Spring Street
Room 1C, Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
What are Putnam County Vital Records?
Putnam County vital records are documents that contain important life events such as birth records, death records, marriage records, and divorce records. Typically, government bodies are responsible for generating and maintaining vital records. Individuals interested in Putnam County vital records must submit a record request to the appropriate office. In addition, requesters must provide a clear description of the desired record and the correct fees. However, some Putnam County vital records are not available for public view.
Where and How to Obtain Putnam County Divorce Records
The Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk is responsible for maintaining and providing access to divorce documents in the county. Interested persons who wish to obtain Putnam County divorce records can access them in person or online. The Court Clerk office makes provision for online requests through its Lookup a Case portal. In addition, requesters can obtain or inspect copies of Putnam County divorce records in person. Such persons must visit the office location at:
Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk
421 E. Spring Street
Room 1C, Suite 49A
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-1508
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
Where and How to Get Public Putnam County Marriage Records
Requesters can get copies of Putnam County marriage records at the Putnam County Clerk's office. The Clerk's office serves as the repository for all marriages in the county. Individuals interested in Putnam County marriage records must provide the record officials with adequate information to aid the search. Also, they must provide valid photo identification when submitting a record request. The office location is open to requesters from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Putnam County Clerk
121 S. Dixie Avenue
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 526-7106
Where and How to Find Putnam County Birth Records
The Putnam County Health Department is responsible for maintaining and issuing copies of birth records from 1949 till the present. Interested persons can visit the office location to obtain copies of Putnam County birth records. Although, according to state law, birth records are only available to eligible applicants. An eligible applicant may include the registrant, parent, legal guardian, legal representative, and more. Such persons must provide valid photo identification. Some of the acceptable photo identification include passports, driver's license cards, voter registration cards, military IDs, and more.
Birth records in Putnam County cost $15 each. Requesters who wish to obtain copies of birth records must provide the appropriate fees and relevant information about the desired records.
Putnam County Health Department
701 County Services Drive
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-2531
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where and How to Find Putnam County Death Records
Requesters can find Putnam County death records at the Putnam County Health Department. The department is the county repository for all death records within its purview. In compliance with state law, a certified death record is only available to the next of kin, informant, or legal representative. Eligible applicants must provide valid photo identification to back their claim. The health department charges $15 for each death record. Examples of acceptable valid photo identification include driver's license card, passport, voter registration card, and more. Interested individuals can obtain copies of Putnam County death records in person. Such persons must visit the office location with the correct fees and requirements.
Putnam County Health Department
701 County Services Drive
Cookeville, TN 38501
Phone: (931) 528-2531
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
