Wilson County, Tennessee Court Records
A file is opened and assigned a unique number once a case is filed in a court in Wilson County. As the case progresses, documents and information are added to the file. This collection of information constitutes the court record.
Wilson County court records differ from other public records, such as criminal history files and vital records. Although all are government records created and maintained by public agencies, they serve different purposes. In addition, they are maintained by separate agencies.
Yes. Per Rule 34, the public has the right to inspect court records in Tennessee. As a result, Wilson County court records are open to interested persons during regular court business hours.
However, Rule 32.2(c) exempts certain records and information from public access. These include unpublished drafts of judicial orders, written or electronic conference memoranda, notes, reports, and other related documents. Sensitive personal information and records sealed by a court order or another applicable law are also not available for public inspection.
What Information is Available in Wilson County Court Records?
Wilson County civil court records do not contain the same information as criminal court records. However, both record types may include similar basic case data, such as
General Information
- Case number
- Filing date
- Presiding judge
- Case status
- Case reference
- Balance due
- Last payment date
- Next hearing date
Party Information
- Names of the parties involved
- Roles of the parties
Civil court records occasionally also contain filing details (type, purpose, and filing date), attorney information, and fee records. Fee records may show the paying party, the fee code, the assessed amount, the amount paid, and the outstanding balance.
Wilson County Court Records Search
The available platforms for searching for Wilson County court records are
Online Access: Below is the remote platform where anyone can find digital copies of Wilson County court records.
- Official Resource: Tncrt, available on the Tennessee Public Court Records System website
- Limitations: The system may not include older records, some family law records, probate records, and case documents
- Applicable Fee: Searches may be conducted at no cost
In-Person Access: This involves visiting the courthouse where the case was handled or the clerk's office to request inspection of a court record or a copy of a case record
- Location: Courthouses in Wilson County
- Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday
- Available court records: Case information and documents
- Applicable fees: Inspection may be permitted at no cost. However, obtaining copies might incur copying fees
Mail: Requesters may send a written request to the court that handled the case or the clerk's office and receive a copy of the requested record, if available. The record will be returned in the self-addressed stamped envelope provided by the requester.
- Court mailing address: Contact information
- Applicable fees: A nominal fee as calculated by the clerk
- Payment methods: Credit or debit card, money order, or check
Most search options require a search parameter, such as a name or a case number. Older court records that are not available online or at the courthouse may be available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives
Fees for Court Records in Wilson County
When accessing Wilson County court records through any available option, fees may apply in some cases. However, most basic case searches or reviews are free. Requesters generally only need to provide sufficient case details to locate the desired record. Fees are typically charged when copies of records are requested or when requests are submitted by mail.
- Copies: 5 cents per page
- Certification: $5
These fees are authorized under Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401
Wilson County Courthouse Locations
Wilson County courts with the authority to adjudicate cases include
|
Wilson County Courts |
Jurisdiction |
Cases heard |
|---|---|---|
|
Circuit Court (Civil) |
General jurisdiction of civil matters |
Personal injury, adoption, domestic relations, medical malpractice, etc. |
|
Circuit Court (Criminal) |
General jurisdiction over criminal matters |
Felony cases, jury trials |
|
Chancery Court (Chancery and Probate Division) |
Broad jurisdiction |
Divorce, name change, wills, probate, workers' compensation |
|
Limited jurisdiction |
Preliminary felony hearings, misdemeanors, juvenile, traffic, landlord-tenant, recovery of personal property, executions on judgments | |
|
Limited jurisdiction (adult) |
Divorce, emergency mental health and substance abuse, probate of estates, child support, child custody | |
|
Limited (minors) |
Delinquency, paternity, unruly behavior, dependency, neglect, termination of parental rights | |
|
Limited Jurisdiction (specialized) |
Child support, family finance, custody, child safety, child protection, visitation | |
|
Watertown Municipal Court |
Municipal jurisdiction |
Violation of city ordinances and minor traffic offenses |
Wilson County Circuit Court
Wilson County Judicial Center
134 South College Street
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone: (615) 444-2042
Fax: (615) 449-3420
Wilson County Chancery Court
Wilson County Judicial Center
134 South College Street
Lebanon, TN 37088
Phone: (615) 444-2835, (615) 703-9769 (Chancery)
Phone: (615) 466-5311 (Probate)
Fax: (615) 549-6805 (Probate)
Wilson County Criminal Court
Wilson County Criminal Justice Center
115 East High Street
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone: (615) 444-1488
Fax: (615) 444-5889
Wilson County General Sessions Court Divisions I and II
Wilson County Criminal Justice Center
115 East High Street
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone: (615) 444-2045
Fax: (615) 443-1186
Wilson County General Sessions Court Division III - Family Court
Wilson County Judicial Center
134 South College Street
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone: (615) 444-2042
Fax: (615) 449-3420
Wilson County Juvenile Court
Wilson County Criminal Justice Center
115 East High Street
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone: (615) 444-2114
Fax: (615) 444-5889
Wilson County Juvenile and Child Support Court
134 South College Street
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone: (615) 444-2042
Municipal Courts in Wilson County
Lebanon Traffic Court
1017 Sparta Pike
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone: (615) 444-2323
Mount Juliet Municipal Court
1019 Charlie Daniels Parkway
Mount Juliet, TN 37122
Phone: (615) 754-2550
Fax: (615) 758-7076
Watertown Municipal Court
160 South Statesville Avenue
Watertown, TN 37184
Phone: (615) 206-4203
Fax: (920) 206-4225
Criminal Records Access in Wilson County
Searches can be conducted to locate Wilson County criminal records. Individuals may search for either criminal case records or criminal history records, each of which provides a different scope of information.
Wilson County Criminal Case Records
|
Definition |
Wilson County criminal case records contain information related to criminal proceedings heard by the county courts |
|---|---|
|
Record classification |
Open record |
|
Custodian |
Courts in Wilson County |
|
Level |
Local |
|
Search criteria |
Party name or case number |
|
Search option |
Online, in person, or by mail |
Wilson County Criminal History Check
|
Definition |
Wilson County criminal history records contain information about an individual's arrests, charges, convictions, and other interactions with the criminal justice system. |
|---|---|
|
Record classification |
Restricted in accordance with statutory provisions |
|
Custodian | |
|
Level |
State |
|
Search criteria |
Subject name or fingerprint |
|
Search option |
Search options vary depending on the requester's eligibility and purpose for obtaining the records |
Wilson County Probate Records
Wilson County courts, particularly the Wilson County Chancery Court, and Wilson County General Sessions Court Division III - Family Court, have jurisdiction over estates, conservatorships, guardianships, muniments of title, small estate affidavits, divorces (agreed and contested), adoptions and legitimation, child custody matters, name changes, appointments or removal of trustees, among other matters. Records of these proceedings are maintained as Wilson County probate records.
Most probate records are publicly accessible under Rule 34 of the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules. However, access to certain records may be restricted. Additionally, the method of access may vary by record type. For example, some Wilson County probate records or documents may be available only through in-person requests and not online, even when they are public records.
Wilson County Family Court Records
The Wilson County General Sessions Court, Division III - Family Court, has primary jurisdiction over domestic matters. However, the Circuit and Chancery Courts also have limited jurisdiction over certain family law cases. Family law matters include divorce, adoption, child visitation, child support, and domestic abuse cases.
The court that hears a family law case maintains the corresponding records. Therefore, records requests should be directed to the court that adjudicated the matter. Records may be accessed through
- In-person requestsfor certified copies, case documents, and records not available online
- Online searches for recent cases (when only basic case information is needed)
Federal Court Records in Wilson County
Federal records in Wilson County are filed and maintained by the federal court with jurisdiction over the county. When a case falls under federal jurisdiction, it is heard and adjudicated by the designated federal court: the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
- Cases Handled: Federal matters such as bankruptcy, workplace disputes, and fraud cases.
- Access Channels: In-person, by mail, or through the online Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.
- Record Accessibility: Public.
- Fee: May incur a nominal fee. PACER searches are assessed at 10 cents per page and $2.40 per audio file.
