Divorce records in Carter County, Tennessee, can be accessed through several channels. CarterCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Carter County. You can also obtain records directly from the court that issued the decree, the county clerk's office, or the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. The Carter County Circuit Court Clerk maintains court-filed divorce documents, while the state vital records office issues divorce certificates for divorces granted anywhere in Tennessee.
Carter County Divorce Records Search
In Carter County, divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office. The Circuit Court handles divorce cases, child support matters, custody disputes, and adoptions. The clerk's office keeps the official case files, which typically include:
- Divorce decrees (final judgments)
- Petitions for divorce
- Settlement and property division agreements
- Custody and parenting plan orders
- Motions and related filings throughout the case
The Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, also maintains divorce certificates for divorces finalized statewide since July 1945. These certificates confirm that a divorce occurred but do not include the full details found in court files.
Carter County Circuit Court Clerk
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Carter County
Tennessee law assigns divorce jurisdiction to the Chancery Court and Circuit Court. In Carter County, divorce cases are handled through the Circuit Court. Once a judge signs a final decree of divorce, the decree is filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk at the Carter County Courthouse.
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records receives a report of each divorce from the court and issues divorce certificates. These are statistical records — they verify that a divorce took place, list the parties and the date, but do not include property settlements or custody terms.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce decree, settlement agreements, or custody orders — Contact the Carter County Circuit Court Clerk.
- Divorce certificate (verification that a divorce occurred) — Contact the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.
Carter County Circuit Court Clerk
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503), court records are generally open to the public. However, certain records involving minors or sealed by court order may be restricted. If you're unsure whether a specific filing is accessible, ask the Circuit Court Clerk before submitting a request.
Carter County requires that public records requests be submitted in writing using the county's Public Records Request Form.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Carter County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (Tennessee Office of Vital Records) | $15 per copy | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Court record copies (Circuit Court Clerk, per page) | $0.50 per page | Varies; in-person requests may be same day |
| Certified court document copy | Contact clerk for current fee | Varies |