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How to Find Public Records in Scott County in 2026
ScottTNRecords.org provides publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Scott County, Tennessee. Members of the public may access a range of records through official county offices, state repositories, and authorized online portals. Available record categories include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax and financial records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access: The Tennessee Secretary of State maintains online portals for business entity records and certain official filings. Property assessment data for Scott County is accessible through the Tennessee property assessment viewer, a public service provided by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts offers case lookup tools for court records. Some records require user registration or identity verification prior to access.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Scott County Clerk's Office or the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to inspect records during regular business hours. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and specify the records sought. Staff will direct requestors to the appropriate department if records are maintained by a separate office.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, custodians are required to respond promptly, and in no event later than seven business days from receipt of the request.
Phone/Email:
- Scott County Clerk: (423) 663-2476
- Scott County Circuit Court Clerk: (423) 663-2476 (main county line)
What Are Public Records in Scott County?
Public records in Scott County are defined under Tennessee state 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 Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-301, the term "public record" encompasses a broad range of materials held by state and local government bodies.
The following record types are maintained by Scott County government offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk / TN Vital Records |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | Assessor of Property |
| Voting and election records | County Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Commission / County Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | County Mayor's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Scott County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Office |
The Scott County fiscal year 2023 annual financial report, published by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, is an example of a publicly available financial document maintained at the state level.
Is Scott County an Open Records County?
Scott County operates in full compliance with Tennessee's open records laws, which mandate public access to government records. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, all government records are presumed open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. As stated by the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel, "All state, county, and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee."
The Tennessee Attorney General has affirmed that the burden of proof rests with the government agency to demonstrate that a record falls within a recognized exemption. Scott County government offices are required to maintain records in a manner that facilitates public access and to designate a records custodian for each department. The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel provides guidance to both citizens and government entities on compliance with the Public Records Act.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Scott County?
The current fee structure for public records in Scott County follows the schedule established under Tennessee state law and applicable county resolutions. Fees vary by record type and the office maintaining the records.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.15 per page |
| Certified copies (vital records) | $15.00 per document |
| Certified copies (court records) | Varies by document type |
| Electronic format copies | Actual cost of media |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
- Inspection of public records is provided at no cost during regular business hours.
- Copy fees are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, which limits charges to the actual cost of producing copies.
- Certification fees for vital records are set by the Tennessee Department of Health.
- Payment is accepted in the form of cash, check, or money order at most county offices. Individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records requested for specific legal proceedings, subject to the discretion of the records custodian.
Does Scott County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any citizen of Tennessee at Scott County government offices during regular business hours, as required by state law. The right to inspect records without charge is distinct from the right to obtain copies, for which standard fees apply.
The following resources provide free access to certain Scott County records:
- The Tennessee property assessment viewer provides free online access to property assessment data, parcel information, and ownership records for Scott County, as a public service of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
- The Tennessee Secretary of State's online portal provides free access to business entity registration records.
- The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts offers free online case lookup for certain court records.
- The Scott County Election Commission provides free access to voter registration and election result records.
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas are available for free inspection at the County Clerk's Office and, where posted, on the county's official website.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review original records at no cost, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the applicable fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Scott County?
Any citizen of Tennessee may request access to public records maintained by Scott County government offices. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, residency within Scott County is not a prerequisite for submitting a records request. Non-residents of Tennessee retain the right to inspect records, though certain statutory provisions specifically reference Tennessee citizens.
- Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most public records.
- Providing a government-issued photo identification is standard practice when requesting records in person, though it is not universally mandated for all record types.
- Requests for records containing sensitive personal information, such as sealed court files or juvenile records, are subject to additional eligibility requirements.
- Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal vital records or court case files, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship to the subject of the record.
- Attorneys, legal representatives, and authorized agents may request records on behalf of clients, subject to presentation of appropriate authorization documentation.
- Law enforcement agencies and certain government entities may access records under separate statutory provisions.
What Records Are Confidential in Scott County?
Certain records maintained by Scott County government offices are exempt from public disclosure under Tennessee law. The Tennessee Public Records Act and related statutes identify specific categories of records that are not subject to public inspection.
The following record types are currently exempt from disclosure:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Tennessee law.
- 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 numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly released records.
- Medical records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are not subject to public disclosure.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected from disclosure.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure are withheld.
As stated by the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel, "The fact that a record may contain some information that is confidential does not necessarily make the entire record confidential." Agencies are required to redact exempt information and release the remainder of the record where practicable.
Scott County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Scott County Register of Deeds
282 Court Square, Suite 101
Huntsville, TN 37756
(423) 663-2588
Scott County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Scott County Clerk's Office
282 Court Square
Huntsville, TN 37756
(423) 663-2476
Scott County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
282 Court Square
Huntsville, TN 37756
(423) 663-2476
Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Scott County Assessor of Property
282 Court Square
Huntsville, TN 37756
(423) 663-2401
Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury – Property Assessment
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Scott County Sheriff's Office
85 Jail Drive
Huntsville, TN 37756
(423) 663-2255
Scott County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week for law enforcement services. Records requests are processed during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.