Claiborne County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Claiborne County?

Public records in Claiborne County are defined under Tennessee law as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files, and other material made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental entity. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are presumed open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

The following categories of records are currently maintained and available through various Claiborne County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Claiborne County Circuit Court & Sessions Court
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are held by the Register of Deeds and may be searched through the Tennessee Property Viewer maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued through the Tennessee Department of Health; marriage and divorce records are maintained locally by the County Clerk
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and related filings are processed through the Claiborne County Clerk's office
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are maintained by the County Trustee and Assessor of Property
Voting and election records — Maintained by the Claiborne County Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Commission and board meeting records are available through the County Clerk's office
Budget and financial documents — Maintained by the County Mayor's office and Finance Department
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — Maintained by the Claiborne County Planning and Zoning office

Historical records including marriage, probate, deeds, tax, wills, merchants licenses, bonds, and circuit court documents are preserved at the Claiborne County Archives.

Is Claiborne County an Open Records County?

Claiborne County fully complies with Tennessee's open records framework, which establishes a broad public right of access to government documents. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-505, governmental entities are required to make public records available for inspection during normal business hours and must respond to records requests promptly. The Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA) affirms that all records created or received by county offices in the course of official business are presumed open to any member of the public.

Key provisions of the TPRA currently in effect include:

Governmental entities must respond to a public records request within seven business days of receipt
Agencies may not require a requester to state a reason or purpose for inspecting public records
Inspection of records in person is available at no charge during regular office hours
Agencies must provide a written explanation if a record is withheld, citing the specific statutory exemption

The Tennessee Comptroller's Office of Open Records Counsel provides authoritative guidance on the TPRA and publishes frequently asked questions about Tennessee public records access for both requesters and governmental entities. Claiborne County does not maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance that supersedes state law; all access rights and procedures are governed by the TPRA.

How to Find Public Records in Claiborne County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Claiborne County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office maintains the record in question. Court records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk; property and deed records by the Register of Deeds; vital and business records by the County Clerk; and historical documents by the County Archives.
Submit a request in person. Members of the public may appear during regular business hours at the appropriate office and request to inspect records on-site. No written request is required for in-person inspection under current law.
Submit a written request. For records that require copying or involve a large volume of documents, a written request submitted by mail, email, or in person is recommended. Requests should identify the record with reasonable specificity.
Use online resources. Property assessment data is currently accessible through the Tennessee Property Viewer, which allows members of the public to search parcel data statewide without visiting a county office.
Contact the County Archives. For historical records predating modern digital systems, the Claiborne County Archives maintains physical collections of marriage, probate, deed, tax, and court records.
Allow for processing time. Under the TPRA, agencies have up to seven business days to respond to a records request. Complex or voluminous requests may require additional time, and the agency must notify the requester of any delay.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Claiborne County?

Current fees for public records in Claiborne County are governed by state statute and individual office fee schedules. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-506, governmental entities may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records, provided those fees do not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies: Typically $0.15 to $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies, consistent with state guidelines
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; certified copies of court documents and vital records generally carry higher fees set by the issuing office
Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies may reflect the cost of the medium used (e.g., CD or USB drive) and staff time for retrieval
Research fees: Some offices may assess a fee for staff time when a request requires extensive research, as permitted under state law
Register of Deeds recording fees: Fees for recording deeds and other instruments are set by state statute and are separate from public records copy fees

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting payment. Fee waivers are not broadly established by county ordinance; however, indigent individuals may petition the court for waiver of certain court-related fees.

Does Claiborne County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled to inspect public records at no cost during regular business hours at the custodial office. Under current Tennessee law, the right to inspect records in person is free of charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free access options are currently available:

In-person inspection at any county office during regular business hours, including the County Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, Register of Deeds, and County Archives
Tennessee Property Viewer — The statewide property assessment portal maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury provides free online access to property assessment and parcel data for Claiborne County
Claiborne County Archives — Members of the public may inspect historical county records, including marriage, probate, deed, and court records, at no charge during archive hours
County Clerk records — Basic business license and notary public records may be reviewed in person at the County Clerk's office without charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Claiborne County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is entitled to request and inspect public records maintained by Claiborne County governmental entities. The Tennessee Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the requester's identity or affiliation, as confirmed by public records guidance from the Circuit Court Clerk.

Specific eligibility provisions under current law include:

Residency: Requesters are not required to be Tennessee residents or Claiborne County residents to access public records
Identification: Governmental entities may not require a requester to provide identification as a condition of inspecting public records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain sensitive personal information
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state a reason or purpose for their request under the TPRA
Non-residents: Non-residents hold the same access rights as residents under state law
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to third parties, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records, upon providing appropriate identification
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain categories of records, including juvenile records, sealed court files, and adoption records, are restricted regardless of the requester's identity

What Records Are Confidential in Claiborne County?

Not all government records in Claiborne County are open to public inspection. Tennessee law establishes specific categories of exempt records, and governmental entities are required to withhold such records from public disclosure. The following records are currently exempt from public access under Tennessee statutes:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under T.C.A. § 37-1-153
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly disclosed records
Medical records — Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — Maintained as confidential to protect the privacy of minors and families involved
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records related to the security of public facilities and critical infrastructure are withheld in the interest of public safety

When a governmental entity withholds a record, it is required to provide the requester with a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption. Members of the public who believe a record has been improperly withheld may seek review through the Office of Open Records Counsel or pursue legal remedies in chancery court.

Claiborne County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The principal offices responsible for maintaining and providing access to public records in Claiborne County are listed below. Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours at each respective office.

Claiborne County Archives 415 Straight Creek Rd., New Tazewell, TN 37825 Phone: (423) 626-3283 Archives — Claiborne County

Claiborne County Clerk 415 Straight Creek Rd., New Tazewell, TN 37825 Phone: (423) 626-3283 County Clerk — Claiborne County

Claiborne County Circuit Court & Sessions Court 415 Straight Creek Rd., Suite 5, New Tazewell, TN 37825 Phone: (423) 626-5204 Circuit Court & Sessions Court — Claiborne County

Public counter hours for all principal county offices are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., local time. Hours may vary on state and federal holidays. Members of the public are advised to confirm current hours directly with the relevant office prior to visiting.