What are White County Public Records?
According to the Tennessee Public Records Act, all government records are available for public inspection. The act does not specify a particular format for the records, which means that they can be in paper or electronic form.
There are some exceptions to what is considered a public record, such as information that is confidential by law or court order. However, even if a record is exempt from disclosure, the agency must still provide a written explanation of why the information is being withheld.
White County public records include anything created or received by county government employees in the course of their work. This can include things like meeting minutes, emails, contracts, and financial documents.
To request a public record, interested members of the public can contact the county government directly. The process for doing so will vary depending on the agency, but generally speaking, requests can be made verbally or in writing.
There may be a fee associated with obtaining some public records, particularly if copies need to be made or if the request is for a large amount of information. However, many agencies will waive fees if the records are being used for a non-commercial purpose.
White County public records are an important part of keeping the government transparent and accountable. By requesting these records, members of the public can ensure that their county government is operating efficiently and effectively.
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 White County Criminal Records Public?
White County criminal records are documents of an individual's criminal history within the county’s jurisdiction. These records include reports about an individual's arrests, warrants, past criminal charges, current criminal charges as well as convictions and sentences. Unlike arrest records, criminal records indicate that the individual was found guilty of the allegations or offenses.
White County criminal records are public records unless sealed by state statute or court order. Concerned parties may obtain name-based background checks online from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI charges a non-refundable search fee of $29.00 for each background check. To use the service, create a profile on the search portal and perform an online request on your dashboard. For mail requests, direct the request to:
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Headquarters
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4000
How to Obtain White County Police Reports and Arrest Records
White County police reports and arrest records are documents containing information about individuals who have been arrested and/or charged with a crime. These records are maintained by law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels
In White county, police reports and arrest records are maintained by the County Sheriff's Office. Individuals can request copies of police reports and arrest records by sending a written request to the Sheriff's Office. The request must contain information regarding the record or report or interest such as the name of the individual, the date of the incident, and the case number. All requests may be addressed to:
White County Sheriff’s Office
111 Depot Street,
Suite 4,
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: (931) 836-2700
Fax: (931) 836-1524
How to Find Sex Offender Information in White County
In White county, sex offender information is maintained by the county sheriff's office as well as on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry. Interested members of the public may access the registry and conduct searches for offenders by name, address, county, city, or zip code. The TBI also offers a free app which can be downloaded onto iPhones and Androids which will also allow users to conduct searches of sex offender information. This can be very useful for keeping track of offenders in an area.
In order to view specific information on an offender, click on their name in the registry search results. The user will then be taken to their individual profile page which will list their name, address, physical description, offense(s) committed, and other relevant information. Interested persons can also sign up for email alerts on this page which will notify them if an offender moves into or out of a specified area.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation updates the sex offender registry on a daily basis in order to ensure that it is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. However, it is important to note that the information contained therein is only public information on offenders who have been convicted of certain sex offenses and who are required by law to register as sex offenders.
How to Find White County Inmate Records
Interested members of the public may obtain White County inmate records by querying the County Sheriff's Office or by using the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s (TBI) Offender Tracking System. The TBI is the central repository for all offender information in the state of Tennessee, and its website provides a searchable database of offenders as well as general information about the state’s criminal justice system. Inmate records typically contain the inmate’s name, date of birth, race, and sex, as well as the specific charges for which they are being held.
Queries to the county Sheriff's office may be made in person or via mail. To obtain the record of an inmate the requestor must provide the inmate's name and TBI number. The TBI number is a nine-digit number assigned to each offender in the state of Tennessee.
How to Visit an Inmate in White County Prison
Inmates in White County may be visited by friends and family members, but there are some rules and regulations that must be followed. Visitors must have an approved application on file with the Sheriff's office, and all visitors must submit to a search before entering the facility. Visitors must also present a valid photo ID. Inmates are allowed two one-hour visits per week, and visits are scheduled on a first-come first-serve basis. Visits are non-contact, which means that visitors and inmates are separated by glass during the visit.
Other visitation guidelines are as follows:
- Visitors must be 18 years of age or older, unless they are the spouse, child, parent, or legal guardian of the inmate.
- Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- All visitors must dress appropriately (no tank tops, short shorts, etc.)
- Visitors cannot bring any food or drinks into the facility.
- Visitors cannot bring any weapons or drugs into the facility.
Persons who would like to visit an inmate in White County may contact the Sheriff's office at (931) 836-2700 to schedule a visit.
What are White County Court Records?
White County is governed by a three-tiered judicial system. The county has a General Sessions Court, a Circuit Court, and a Chancery Court. Each court has its own jurisdiction and functions independently of the other courts.
The General Sessions Court is the county's trial court. This court has exclusive jurisdiction over criminal cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, as well as traffic offenses and ordinance violations. The Circuit Court is the county's appellate court. This court hears appeals from the General Sessions Court and has original jurisdiction over certain types of cases, including divorce, child custody, and wills. The Chancery Court is the county's probate court. This court has exclusive jurisdiction over matters relating to probate, guardianship, and conservatorship.
Location of All Courts in White County
The following are the addresses and contact information of the courts in White County:
White County Circuit Court
111 Depot Street,
Suite 1,
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: (931) 836-3205
Fax: (931) 836-3526
White County Chancery Court
1 East Bockman Way,
Room 303,
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: (931) 836-3787
Fax: (931) 836-2124
White County Criminal Court
111 Depot Street,
Suite 1,
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: (931) 836-3205
Fax: (931) 836-3526
White County General Sessions Court
111 Depot Street,
Suite 1,
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: (931) 836-3205
Fax: (931) 836-3526
White County Juvenile Court
111 Depot Street,
Suite 1,
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: (931) 836-3205
Fax: (931) 836-3526
Sparta City Court
6 Liberty Square,
P.O. Box 30,
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: (931) 836-3248
Fax: (931) 836-3941
Are White County Court Records Public?
According to the provisions of the Tennessee Open Records Act, all court records in White county are considered public information. This means that any member of the public has the right to view or request copies of these records.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, however. Some types of information contained in court records may be sealed or restricted from public view if they involve sensitive personal matters, such as child custody cases or juvenile offenders. In addition, certain law enforcement records may also be exempt from public disclosure under state law.
How to Obtain White County Court Case Records
Interested members of the public may access White county court case records by querying the office of the White County Circuit Court Clerk. To request these records from this office, the requesting party must prepare a written request stating the specific records they wish to view or obtain copies of and outlining the information needed to facilitate the record search, this includes the case number, names of the parties involved, and the date of the hearing. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office will then search their database for the requested records and provide the requested information to the requester.
Completed requests may be submitted in person or via mail to:
White County Circuit Court Clerk
111 Depot Street,
Suite 1,
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: (931) 836-3205
Fax: (931) 836-3526
What are White County Vital Records?
White County vital records are the official documents that record a person's vital statistics, such as their birth, death, marriage, and divorce. Vital records are kept at the local, state, and federal levels.
In White County, vital records are kept by the Register of Deeds or the County Clerk. To obtain a copy of a vital record from the County Clerk or the Register of Deeds, requestors must submit a request in writing along with the appropriate fee. Interested persons can also request copies of vital records from the Tennessee Department of Health.
Those who need a copy of a vital record for genealogical purposes may request them from the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The Archives has copies of all Tennessee births and deaths from January 1908, and marriages and divorces from January 1950. The Archives also has microfilm copies of some White County vital records dating back to the early 1800s.
To be eligible to access vital records, requestors must be a direct descendant of the person named on the record, or have a legal right to the record. Proof of relationship and identification are required. Fees for vital records vary depending on the type of record and how it is being requested.
Where and How to Get White County Divorce Records and Marriage Records
Interested members of the public may obtain White divorce records by querying the office of the Circuit court clerk or by sending a request to the office of Vital Records in the Tennessee DPH.
To obtain divorce records, the requesting party must download and complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Divorce Record form from the DPH website. The application is required to contain the full name of the husband, the full maiden name of the wife, the date of divorce, and the county where the divorce was granted. It must be notarized and a copy of valid photo identification must be attached. The completed form may be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax.
Similarly, requests for White county Marriage records may be made by downloading and completing the Application for a Tennessee Marriage Certificate
To request records by mail, send the completed form to:
Tennessee Vital Records Andrew Johnson Tower,
1st Floor 710
James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243
Faxed requests may be sent to: (615) 741-1679
There is a fee of $15 for the first copy of a Tennessee divorce record and $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Payment may be made by check or money order payable to "Tennessee Department of Health":
Where and How to Get White County Birth Records and Death Records
Interested members of the public may obtain White birth records and death records by querying the Office of Vital Records of the Tennessee Department of Health. To be eligible to access these records, the requesting party must be able to prove their relationship to the person named on the record. The requesting party must also submit a completed application form, which can be obtained from the Office of Vital Records or online, along with the required fees.
For birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old, only immediate family members may request copies of these records. For birth records older than 100 years and death records older than 50 years, these records are open to the public.
To request a birth record, requestors must download and complete the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate while death record requests may be made using the Death Certificate Request Form. Completed forms must be submitted along with the specified ID requirements or supporting documents in order for the request to be processed.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained 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. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
