Court records in Carter County, Tennessee can be found through several channels. CarterCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also access records through official court resources such as the Circuit Court Clerk's office, in person at the clerk's counter in the Carter County Courthouse, and at public terminals where available. The method you use will depend on the type of record and whether you need a certified copy.
Carter Court System & Jurisdictions
Carter County operates several courts, each handling distinct case types. Knowing which court manages your case is the first step to finding the right docket.
- Circuit Court – Handles civil cases including divorce, child support, custody, adoptions, and civil lawsuits. The Circuit Court also hears appeals from General Sessions Court in civil matters.
- Criminal Court – Covers felony convictions, appeals, and bindovers from General Sessions Court. If a felony case was initially heard in General Sessions and bound over for trial, the Criminal Court docket is where it will appear.
- General Sessions Court – Manages preliminary hearings for criminal cases, misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes under a certain dollar threshold, and traffic violations. This is often the first court of record for many cases in Carter County.
- Juvenile Court – Addresses cases involving minors, including delinquency proceedings, dependency and neglect, and unruly child petitions. Juvenile records are generally confidential under Tennessee law.
- Chancery Court – Handles probate matters, estate administration, conservatorships, guardianships, and certain equity cases. If you are searching for a will or estate filing, this is the court to check.
All of these courts are housed in or near the Carter County Courthouse in Elizabethton. The Circuit Court Clerk serves as the custodian of records for Circuit, Criminal, and General Sessions courts, while the Chancery Court Clerk maintains probate and equity filings separately.
Carter Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's or this week's court schedule in Carter County, contact the appropriate clerk's office directly. Court calendars in Tennessee are typically set by the presiding judge and may not always be posted online.
How to check the calendar:
- Call the clerk's office for the court division you need:
- Circuit Court Clerk: (423) 542-1835
- General Sessions Court: (423) 542-1825
- Juvenile Court: (423) 542-1829
- Criminal Court Clerk: (423) 542-1872
- Visit the courthouse in person – Docket sheets for upcoming hearings are often posted near courtroom entrances or available at the clerk's window.
- Check for public notices – The county posts certain legal notices on its Public Notices page, which may include scheduling information for special proceedings.
If you are a party to a case or an attorney of record, your hearing date and time should appear on any summons, subpoena, or order issued by the court. When in doubt, call the clerk before traveling to the courthouse to confirm that a hearing has not been continued or rescheduled.
How to Get a Copy of a Carter Court Document
Carter County court documents can be obtained in person, by mail, or through a written public records request. The process differs slightly depending on whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and signature. They are required for most legal purposes — filing with another court, proving a divorce, or submitting to a government agency.
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions without a seal. These work for personal reference or informal review.
Steps to request a document:
- Identify the court that handled the case (Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, Chancery, or Juvenile).
- Provide case details – At minimum, you'll need the parties' names and approximate filing date. A case number speeds things up significantly.
- Submit your request – You can visit the clerk's office in person, or submit a written request by mail. Carter County requires that public records requests be submitted in writing using the county's Public Records Request Form.
- Pay applicable fees – See the fee section below. Payment is typically due when the copies are provided.
Mailing address for the Circuit Court Clerk:
Restricted records: Juvenile court records, sealed cases, expunged records, and certain adoption files are not available to the general public. Grand jury proceedings are also confidential. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503 et seq.), most other court records are generally accessible, though specific exceptions may apply.
For felony offender information at the state level, you can search the Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL). Official background checks are available through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for a fee. The Carter County Sheriff's Office inmate search shows current jail bookings and charges.
Carter Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record copies in Tennessee are set by statute (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401 et seq.) and may vary slightly based on the document type. The following table reflects standard Tennessee clerk fees commonly applied in Carter County. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current amounts before submitting payment.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard photocopy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification fee (per document) | $5.00 |
| Certified copy of court order or judgment | $5.00 certification + $0.50/page copy fee |
| Search fee (per name, per court division) | Contact clerk for current amount |
| Duplicate subpoena or summons | Contact clerk for current amount |
| FOIL search (state felony records) | Free (online) |
| TBI background check | Varies; contact TBI |
Payment details:
- Accepted methods: Contact the clerk's office to confirm which payment methods are accepted. Many Tennessee clerk offices accept cash, money orders, and certified checks. Personal checks and credit cards may or may not be accepted.
- Mail requests: Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment with your written request. Call ahead to confirm the total so your request is not delayed.
- Public Records Request Coordinator: For general county records questions, the coordinator is Heather Yates, reachable through the Carter County public notices page.
Fees are subject to change. Always verify the current fee schedule with the appropriate clerk's office before submitting payment, especially for mail-in requests.