Shelby County Public Records /Shelby County Court Records

Shelby County Court Records

What Is Shelby County Court Records

Court records in Shelby County encompass the official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute the formal written history of legal actions and include a broad range of materials:

Case files — the complete collection of documents filed in a particular matter
Dockets — chronological logs of all filings and court events in a case
Pleadings and motions — complaints, answers, petitions, and written requests submitted by parties
Orders and judgments — official rulings issued by presiding judges
Transcripts — verbatim written records of court proceedings
Exhibits — physical or documentary evidence admitted during hearings or trials
Sentencing records — documentation of penalties imposed in criminal matters

Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained in Shelby County. Property records are held by the Shelby County Assessor of Property and the Register of Deeds, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the Tennessee Department of Health. Court records are exclusively generated through judicial proceedings and maintained by the clerk of the relevant court.

Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all public records are presumed open for inspection unless a specific exemption applies. The courts maintaining records in Shelby County currently include the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, Criminal Court, General Sessions Court, Probate Court, Juvenile Court, and the Municipal Courts serving Memphis and other incorporated municipalities. These courts collectively handle civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters, as well as small claims proceedings heard within General Sessions Court.

Are Court Records Public In Shelby County

Court records in Shelby County are presumptively open to the public under Tennessee law. Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 establishes that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee, and that the custodian of such records may not discriminate among citizens requesting access. This statutory presumption of openness applies broadly to judicial records maintained by court clerks throughout the state.

The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection in Shelby County:

Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
Final judgments and court orders
Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
Hearing schedules and calendars
Probate filings, including wills admitted to record

Members of the public should note that federal court records — including those from the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee — are governed by federal law and accessed through the federal PACER system, which operates separately from the Shelby County court system. State court records in Shelby County are subject to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 26, which governs access to court records and identifies specific categories of information that may be restricted or redacted, such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and records involving minors. The Shelby County Courts portal provides access to information about each court division and its respective clerk's office.

How To Find Court Records in Shelby County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Shelby County may obtain them through several established channels. The process varies depending on the court in which the case was filed and the format in which records are needed.

In-Person Requests Individuals may visit the clerk's office of the relevant court during regular business hours. Clerks are authorized to provide access to case files for inspection and to furnish certified or uncertified copies upon payment of applicable fees. Requestors should bring the case number, party names, or approximate filing date to facilitate retrieval.

Written or Mail Requests Written requests may be submitted to the appropriate clerk's office. Requests should identify the case by name, number, or other identifying information and specify whether certified copies are required. Fees for copies are established pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-21-401, which sets the schedule of fees applicable to court clerks statewide.

Online Access Several Shelby County courts currently offer online case lookup portals, described in detail in the section below.

Third-Party Research Services Members of the public may also engage licensed researchers or attorneys to retrieve records on their behalf, though official records are only certified when obtained directly from the clerk's office.

How To Look Up Court Records in Shelby County Online?

Shelby County currently maintains multiple online portals through which members of the public may search case information without visiting a courthouse in person.

Chancery Court — CourtConnect The Shelby County Chancery Court Clerk's Office provides online case information through the Shelby County CourtConnect portal. This system allows users to search chancery court cases by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal includes docket entries, filing dates, and case status information for matters handled in the 30th Judicial District.

Circuit Court — ACS CourtConnect The Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains a separate online search system. Members of the public may access Shelby County Circuit Court case records through the ACS CourtConnect platform. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system returns docket information, hearing dates, and case disposition data.

Search Steps for Online Portals:

Navigate to the applicable portal for the court type (Chancery or Circuit)
Select the search type: party name, case number, or attorney
Enter the available identifying information in the search fields
Review the list of results and select the relevant case
Access the docket sheet and available case documents

Additional court divisions, including Criminal Court and General Sessions Court, may have separate or limited online access; members of the public are advised to contact the relevant clerk's office directly for current availability.

How To Search Shelby County Court Records for Free?

Tennessee law guarantees the right of citizens to inspect public records at no charge. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, the custodian of public records shall make records available for personal inspection without imposing a fee for the act of inspection itself. Fees may be assessed only when copies are requested.

The following Shelby County court systems currently offer free online case searches:

Chancery Court CourtConnect — free case lookup available at the Shelby County case information portal; no registration required for basic docket searches
Circuit Court ACS CourtConnect — free public query system accessible through the Circuit Court's online search platform

In-person inspection of physical case files at any clerk's office is also free of charge. Fees apply only when the requestor asks for printed or certified copies of documents.

What's Included in a Shelby County Court Record?

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documentation:

Civil Case Records

Initial complaint or petition and summons
Defendant's answer and any counterclaims
Motions filed by either party and corresponding responses
Court orders on motions and interlocutory matters
Final judgment or decree
Post-judgment filings, including motions to enforce or modify

Criminal Case Records

Charging instrument (indictment, information, or warrant)
Arrest and booking information (where maintained by the court)
Arraignment and plea records
Pre-trial motions and rulings
Trial transcripts (where prepared)
Verdict and sentencing orders
Probation or supervision conditions

Probate Records

Petition for probate and will (if any)
Letters testamentary or letters of administration
Inventory of estate assets
Accountings and final settlement orders

Family Court and Juvenile Records

Divorce petitions and decrees
Child custody and support orders
Adoption records (generally sealed under Tennessee law)
Dependency and neglect case files (access restricted)

Traffic Records

Citation information
Disposition and fine records
License suspension orders

How Long Does Shelby County Keep Court Records?

Shelby County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Tennessee State Library and Archives and applicable state statutes. Retention periods vary by record type and court division.

Permanent retention — final judgments, decrees, orders, and case files in felony criminal matters are generally retained permanently
Civil case files — typically retained for a minimum of ten years following final disposition, with many records kept permanently
Misdemeanor criminal records — retained for a minimum of five years following case closure
Traffic case records — generally retained for five years
Probate records — retained permanently due to their significance in establishing property rights and lineage
Juvenile records — subject to special retention and sealing rules under Tennessee law; access is restricted for most categories

The Tennessee State Library and Archives publishes the official General Records Schedule for County Governments, which governs minimum retention periods for all county-level public records, including those maintained by court clerks. Individual courts may retain records beyond the minimum periods specified in the schedule.

Types of Courts In Shelby County

Shelby County operates a multi-tiered court system serving the 30th Judicial District. The hierarchy proceeds from courts of limited jurisdiction at the base through trial courts of general jurisdiction, and then to the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court at the appellate level.

Shelby County Chancery Court 140 Adams Avenue, Room 308 Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 222-3900 Shelby County Chancery Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Shelby County Circuit Court 140 Adams Avenue, Room 324 Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 222-3802 Shelby County Circuit Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Shelby County Criminal Court 201 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 222-3200 Shelby County Criminal Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Shelby County General Sessions Court 201 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 222-3500 General Sessions Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Shelby County Probate Court 140 Adams Avenue, Room 124 Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 222-3800 Shelby County Probate Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Shelby County Juvenile Court 616 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38105 (901) 222-4300 Shelby County Juvenile Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Memphis City Court (Municipal Court) 201 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 636-4000 Memphis Municipal Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

What Types of Cases Do Shelby County Courts Hear?

Each court within the Shelby County system exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of legal matters.

Chancery Court hears equity matters, including contract disputes, real property actions, injunctions, declaratory judgments, and certain domestic relations matters such as divorce and property division.

Circuit Court exercises general civil jurisdiction over cases involving damages above the jurisdictional threshold of General Sessions Court, as well as appeals from lower courts. The Circuit Court also hears certain criminal matters.

Criminal Court has exclusive jurisdiction over felony criminal prosecutions, including violent crimes, drug offenses, property crimes, and white-collar matters. Grand jury proceedings are also conducted within this division.

General Sessions Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters with claims up to $25,000, small claims, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony matters. General Sessions Court also conducts eviction (unlawful detainer) proceedings.

Probate Court administers the estates of deceased persons, including testate and intestate proceedings, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health commitment hearings.

Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over delinquency matters involving minors, dependency and neglect cases, child support enforcement, and adoption proceedings.

Memphis Municipal Court adjudicates violations of city ordinances, traffic infractions occurring within city limits, and other matters arising under municipal law.

How To Find a Court Docket In Shelby County

A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access Shelby County court dockets through the following methods:

Online Docket Search

Chancery Court dockets are searchable through the Shelby County CourtConnect system, which provides real-time docket entries by case number or party name
Circuit Court dockets are available through the ACS CourtConnect platform, accessible to the public at no charge

In-Person Docket Inspection Members of the public may visit the clerk's office of the relevant court and request to inspect the docket for any non-restricted case. Clerks are required under Tennessee law to make docket information available for inspection during regular business hours.

Telephone Inquiry Each clerk's office maintains a public telephone line through which basic case status and next hearing date information may be obtained. Telephone numbers for each court are listed in the Types of Courts section above.

Steps for Online Docket Search:

Identify the court in which the case is pending (Chancery, Circuit, Criminal, etc.)
Navigate to the appropriate online portal
Enter the case number, party name, or attorney name
Select the case from the results list
Review the docket entries displayed, which include filing dates, document descriptions, and hearing information

Which Courts in Shelby County Are Not Courts of Record?

A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in permanent records, and whose judgments carry a presumption of validity. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings as a matter of course, and appeals from such courts are typically heard as trials de novo — meaning the appellate court conducts an entirely new hearing rather than reviewing a transcript.

Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-1-102, courts of record in Tennessee include the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals, Circuit Courts, Chancery Courts, Criminal Courts, and Probate Courts. General Sessions Courts in Tennessee are currently classified as courts not of record. This means that:

General Sessions Court proceedings are not transcribed verbatim as a matter of standard practice
Appeals from General Sessions Court to Circuit Court are heard as trials de novo
Judgments from General Sessions Court, while enforceable, do not carry the same precedential weight as judgments from courts of record

Memphis Municipal Court similarly operates as a court not of record for most matters within its jurisdiction. Appeals from Municipal Court are taken to Circuit Court and are also heard de novo. Members of the public seeking to preserve a formal record of proceedings in these courts should consult with legal counsel regarding the implications for any potential appeal.