Records Inspection
There are two ways to gain access to Wilson County Chancery & Probate Courts’ records:
- On-Site Inspection
- Records Sent by Mail
Case files and records of recent and pending cases are stored on-site in the Chancery and Probate Courts. Older records are stored off-site in the Wilson County Archives. With the exception of Sealed Records and Confidential Information, the Clerk & Master, pursuant to Tennessee law, readily makes such records available for inspection during regular business hours to all Tennessee residents. Proof of identification may be required. A case number (also called a “docket number”) is required to access court records. If you do not have a case number, please have ready the full names of the parties to the litigation.
On-site Inspection:
On-site Inspection Individuals wishing to inspect Chancery Court and/or Probate Court records are strongly encouraged to call in advance of the desired time for inspection. Older records may take longer to retrieve from archives. Please be aware that, depending on the date of filing, or location and size of the record, the Clerk & Master may be unable to immediately fulfill requests made for the first time at the Clerk & Master’s Office. In some cases, a requesting party who has not called ahead of time may have to return at a later date when such a request can be fulfilled. The removal of any documents from any court file is strictly forbidden.
Records Sent by Mail:
Requests for copies of records are subject to all of the requirements and restrictions discussed above.
To request copies by mail, please print the attached Public Records Request form and submit same to:
Kelly Clemmons, Public Records Request Coordinator
Wilson County Clerk Master’s Office
P. O. Box 1557
Lebanon, TN 37088-1557
Redaction of Confidential Information:
Confidential information in unsealed records must be redacted if an inspection is requested by an individual who is not an attorney of record or named party to the action.
Adoption Records:
All adoption records are required by statute to be sealed. The confidentiality of all adoption records is strictly maintained by the Clerk & Master pursuant to Tennessee law. Access may be gained to such records pursuant only to a statutory exception or court order.
Sealed Records:
Sealed records, either by statute, court order, or local practice, are not open to public inspection. Unless a statutory exception applies, access to sealed records is by court order only. In some cases, attorneys of record and named parties may inspect the contents of a sealed record upon presentation of proper identification.
RECORDS REQUEST FEE SCHEDULE
- $0.50 per page for 8-½ x 11 and 11 x 14 black and white copies
- $1.00 per page for 8-½ x 11 and 11 x 14 color copies
- The actual cost of any other medium upon which a record/information is being produced
- Labor when time exceeds one (1) hour
- If an outside vendor is used, the actual costs assessed by the vendor
Payment is to be made in cash, check, or money order payable to Millie Sloan, Clerk.
*Payment in advance will be required when costs are estimated to exceed $10.00.