Scott County Public Records /Scott County Divorce Records

Scott County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Scott County in 2026

ScottTNRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Scott County, Tennessee. Members of the public may find case numbers, party names, filing dates, and final decrees through official court resources. Record categories available through official channels include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, parenting plans, and property settlement agreements. Access and completeness may vary depending on the age of the record and whether any portion has been sealed by court order.

Records may be searched through the Scott County Circuit Court Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by the Tennessee court system.

Multiple Search Methods:

Online Searches:

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the Tennessee Court Case Search portal, which allows members of the public to search circuit court case records by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for obtaining copies of documents.

2. State Court System Portal

The Tennessee Courts portal provides a consolidated statewide database for searching court records across jurisdictions, including family law and dissolution of marriage cases filed in Scott County Circuit Court.

3. State Vital Records

Tennessee does not issue divorce certificates through the vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates. The Tennessee Department of Health maintains a Divorce Index for statistical purposes, but certified legal proof of divorce is obtained directly from the Circuit Court Clerk where the case was filed.

In-Person Searches:

Clerk of Court — Scott County Circuit Court:

Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
88 Court Square, Suite 1
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2476
Scott County Circuit Court Clerk

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating records

By Mail:

Written Request:

Mail to: Scott County Circuit Court Clerk, 88 Court Square, Suite 1, Huntsville, TN 37756
Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and mailing address
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately one to two weeks, depending on volume and whether records require retrieval from archive storage.

By Phone:

Limited Information:

Clerk of Court: (423) 663-2476
Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information

Through Attorneys:

An attorney licensed in Tennessee may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed documents through proper motion practice, and obtain certified copies for use in legal proceedings. Members of the public seeking legal representation may use the Tennessee Bar Association's lawyer referral service to locate qualified family law counsel.

Information Needed for Search:

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing year
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior addresses in Scott County
Names of minor children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County:

Divorce proceedings in Tennessee are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless one spouse also resided there at the time of filing.

Residency Requirement:

Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-4-104, at least one spouse must have been a bona fide resident of Tennessee for six months prior to filing for divorce. The petition is filed in the county of that spouse's residence.

Time Considerations:

Recent Divorces:

Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing
Allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final order is entered
Contacting the Clerk's office directly provides the most current status

Older Divorces:

Records predating electronic filing may be stored in physical archives
Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
Not all historical records have been digitized

What If You Can't Find a Record:

Common Issues:

Record filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
Case still pending and not yet finalized
Very old records held in off-site storage
Case sealed or restricted by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk's office at (423) 663-2476
Attempt alternate name spellings
Search under both spouses' names
Check the Tennessee Department of Health Divorce Index
Engage a professional record search service
Consult a licensed Tennessee attorney

What Are Scott County Divorce Records?

Scott County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Scott County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the permanent family law case file maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and are subject to Tennessee's public records laws.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files:

Petition for divorce or dissolution of marriage
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and child custody agreements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings, if prepared
Final judgment of divorce

Final Decree:

The final decree of divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It serves as the primary legal proof of divorce and establishes:

The date the marriage was legally dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal support terms, if any
Child custody and parenting time arrangements, if applicable
Child support obligations, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Circuit Court Clerk's office.

Supporting Documents:

Original marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit
Financial disclosure statements
Real and personal property inventories
Post-judgment modification orders
Income deduction orders for support enforcement

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Legal Purposes:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Documenting name changes with government agencies
Supporting immigration proceedings and visa applications
Verifying eligibility for Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
Facilitating property transfers and title changes
Estate planning and beneficiary designations

Personal Purposes:

Genealogical and family history research
Personal recordkeeping and verification of divorce terms
Confirming compliance with prior court orders

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

Clerk of Court:

The Scott County Circuit Court Clerk is the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The Clerk maintains complete case files, provides certified copies, and indexes records by the names of both parties.

State Vital Records Office:

The Tennessee Department of Health Vital Records maintains a statistical Divorce Index but does not issue certified divorce decrees. Certified legal proof of divorce is obtained exclusively from the Circuit Court Clerk.

Legal Framework:

Divorce proceedings in Tennessee are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-4-101 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, procedural requirements, and the court's authority to divide marital property and award support. Public access to court records is governed by the Tennessee Public Records Act, codified at Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, which establishes a presumption that court records are open to inspection by any member of the public.

Are Scott County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Scott County Circuit Court are public court records under Tennessee law. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, any member of the public may inspect and obtain copies of public court records. However, certain categories of information within divorce files are subject to restriction, redaction, or sealing by court order.

Public Access Policy:

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of both parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Scheduled court hearing dates
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings under court rules
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be filed under seal or with restricted access
Certain income and asset details may be subject to protective orders

Children's Information:

Residential addresses of minor children
Names of schools children attend
Medical and psychological records pertaining to children
Child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order
Guardian ad litem reports are typically restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Sexual abuse allegations and related evidence

Sealed Records:

Cases sealed by specific court order
Cases involving documented domestic violence or abuse
Confidential mediation communications, which are protected from disclosure under Tennessee law
High-profile cases where a court finds compelling reason to restrict access

Privacy Protections:

State-Specific Protections:

Tennessee Supreme Court Rules governing redaction of personal identifiers
Domestic violence victim address confidentiality programs
Child protection statutes restricting disclosure of minors' information

Federal Protections:

HIPAA protections for medical records submitted as exhibits
Federal domestic violence protections under the Violence Against Women Act
Children's privacy protections applicable to records involving minors

Who Can Access Records:

General Public:

May access most case information and public documents
May view docket entries and case summaries
May obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees
May be required to present identification at the Clerk's office

Parties to the Case:

Have full access to their own case file, including restricted portions
May obtain all documents filed in their case
Are not subject to the same access restrictions as third parties

Attorneys:

Have access to case files on behalf of clients
May file motions to access sealed records upon a showing of good cause
Are subject to professional responsibility obligations regarding confidential information

Researchers and Media:

Have access to public portions of divorce records
Must seek court permission to access sealed records
First Amendment considerations apply to media access requests

Restrictions on Use:

Prohibited uses of divorce record information include stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, and any use that violates an existing protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting protected by the First Amendment, and personal verification of one's own records.

Obtaining Confidential Records:

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Circuit Court demonstrating good cause. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test between the public interest in transparency and the privacy interests of the parties. Certain entities, including law enforcement agencies, child protective services, and court-appointed evaluators, may be entitled by statute to access otherwise restricted records.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Scott County?

The Scott County Circuit Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Tennessee law. Current fees applicable to divorce record requests are as follows:

Service	Current Fee
Plain paper copies (per page)	$0.50 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$5.00 per document plus $0.50 per page
Certification seal/stamp	Included in certification fee
Electronic copies (if available)	Varies; contact Clerk's office
Search fee	No separate search fee currently assessed

Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Accepted payment methods at the Scott County Circuit Court Clerk's office include cash, money order, and checks made payable to the Scott County Circuit Court Clerk. Members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods prior to submitting a mail request.
Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances for indigent requestors; members of the public seeking a fee waiver must submit a written request to the Clerk's office with supporting documentation.
Fees for certified copies used in legal proceedings, immigration matters, or Social Security applications are the same as standard certification fees.
The Tennessee Public Records Act, codified at § 10-7-503, governs the framework under which fees are assessed and limits fees to the actual cost of producing copies.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Scott County

Comprehensive Divorce Case File Contents:

Basic Case Information:

Case Caption:

Assigned case number
Court name: Scott County Circuit Court
Petitioner and respondent names
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record for both parties

Filing Information:

Date the petition was filed
Filing fees paid and receipts
Case type designation (divorce/dissolution of marriage)
Basis for jurisdiction

Initial Pleadings:

Petition for Divorce:

Petitioner's identifying information
Respondent's identifying information
Date and location of marriage
Date of separation, if applicable
Grounds for divorce, which in Tennessee include irreconcilable differences (no-fault) and fault-based grounds such as adultery, abandonment, and cruel and inhuman treatment under § 36-4-101
Information regarding minor children, including names and dates of birth
Claims regarding marital property and debts
Requests for spousal support and child support
Relief requested from the court

Response/Answer:

Respondent's admissions or denials
Counterpetition, if filed
Respondent's independent requests for relief

Financial Affidavits:

Both parties' income from all sources
Monthly living expenses
Complete asset inventory including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and personal property
Complete liability inventory including mortgages, loans, and credit card debts
Standard of living established during the marriage

Discovery Documents:

Financial Disclosure:

Recent tax returns
Pay stubs and employer verification
Bank and investment account statements
Retirement account statements
Credit card and loan statements
Business financial statements, if applicable

Interrogatories:

Written questions submitted by each party
Sworn answers to interrogatories
Background, financial, and custody-related information

Requests for Production:

Document requests and responses
Property inventories
Financial records produced in discovery

Property-Related Documents:

Marital Asset Inventory:

Real property descriptions, legal descriptions, and estimated values
Vehicles and current market values
Bank and investment account balances
Retirement and pension account values
Business interests and valuations
Personal property, jewelry, art, and collectibles

Debt Inventory:

Mortgage balances and lender information
Vehicle loan balances
Credit card debt by account
Personal and business loans
Tax obligations and arrearages

Appraisals and Valuations:

Licensed real estate appraisals
Business valuations prepared by certified professionals
Personal property appraisals
Expert reports submitted to the court

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting Plan: Tennessee law requires a permanent parenting plan in all divorce cases involving minor children. The parenting plan includes:

Designation of primary residential parent
Parenting time schedule for regular weeks, holidays, and school breaks
Transportation and exchange arrangements
Decision-making authority for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities
Relocation restrictions and notification requirements

Child Support:

Child support worksheet calculated under Tennessee Child Support Guidelines
Income information for both parents
Number of parenting overnights
Health insurance and childcare cost allocations
Ordered support amount and payment schedule
Income deduction order, if applicable

Custody Evaluations (if ordered):

Reports prepared by court-appointed psychologists or evaluators
Home study findings
Parenting assessments and recommendations
Child interview summaries (may be sealed)

Guardian ad Litem Reports (if appointed):

Attorney for the children's findings
Best interests analysis and recommendations

Support Documents:

Alimony/Spousal Support:

Type of alimony awarded (transitional, rehabilitative, periodic, or lump sum)
Amount and duration of support
Payment schedule and method
Conditions for modification or termination
Tax treatment provisions

Settlement Documents:

Marital Settlement Agreement:

Comprehensive written agreement resolving all contested issues
Real and personal property division
Debt allocation between parties
Spousal support terms
Child-related provisions
Attorney fee allocation
Signatures of both parties and notarization

Mediation Agreement (if applicable):

Terms reached through mediation
Incorporation into the marital settlement agreement
Mediator identification

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary Orders:

Temporary custody and parenting time
Temporary support obligations
Temporary use and possession of marital property
Temporary restraining orders or injunctions

Final Judgment of Divorce:

Court's official order dissolving the marriage
Date of legal dissolution
Findings of fact and conclusions of law
Complete property division
Spousal support orders
Child custody, parenting time, and support orders
Name restoration, if requested
Judge's signature and court seal

Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO):

Separate order dividing retirement plan benefits
Instructions to plan administrator
Alternate payee designation

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Modifications:

Petitions to modify custody or support
Evidence of changed circumstances
Court orders on modification requests

Contempt and Enforcement:

Motions for contempt for non-compliance
Income deduction orders
Liens filed against property
Court orders on enforcement actions

What's Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
Residential addresses and schools of minor children
Domestic violence details and supporting evidence (may be sealed)
Mental health evaluations and records
Substance abuse treatment records
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Scott County?

Proof of divorce in Scott County is obtained through a certified copy of the final decree of divorce issued by the Scott County Circuit Court Clerk. A certified copy bears the official court seal and the Clerk's certification, making it acceptable for legal, governmental, and personal purposes including remarriage, name changes, immigration proceedings, and Social Security applications.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

In Person: Visit the Scott County Circuit Court Clerk's office at 88 Court Square, Suite 1, Huntsville, TN 37756, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Provide the names of both parties and the approximate year of divorce. Pay the applicable certification fee.
By Mail: Submit a written request to the Clerk's office including the names of both parties, the approximate divorce date, the case number if known, the requestor's return address, and a money order or check for the applicable fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Online: Members of the public may initiate a search through the Tennessee Court Case Search to locate the case number, then contact the Clerk's office to arrange for a certified copy.

Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
88 Court Square, Suite 1
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2476
Scott County Circuit Court Clerk

For individuals who need proof of divorce for immigration purposes, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services accepts certified copies of final decrees issued directly by the court. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website provides guidance on acceptable documentation formats.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Scott County?

Divorce proceedings in Scott County are presumptively public under Tennessee law; however, specific portions of a case file may be sealed or restricted under defined legal circumstances.

Sealed by Court Order: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of a case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in open records against the privacy interests of the parties. Sealing is not granted as a matter of course and requires a specific legal basis.
Domestic Violence Cases: Where a party demonstrates a risk of harm, the court may restrict access to addresses, contact information, and other identifying details under Tennessee's domestic violence protections.
Children's Information: Information identifying the residential location, school, or medical condition of minor children is routinely restricted from public access.
Financial Identifiers: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar personal financial identifiers are redacted from all publicly accessible filings pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rules.
Mediation Records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public court record.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Records: Records pertaining to mental health treatment or substance abuse are restricted from public disclosure.

The legal framework governing confidentiality in Tennessee family law cases is found within the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure and the Tennessee Public Records Act.

How Long Does Scott County Keep Divorce Records?

Scott County Circuit Court divorce records are maintained for extended periods in accordance with Tennessee court records retention schedules established by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.

Permanent Retention: Final judgments of divorce, final decrees, and permanent orders are retained permanently as part of the official court record. These documents do not expire and remain accessible indefinitely.
Complete Case Files: Full divorce case files, including all pleadings, financial affidavits, and supporting documents, are retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case under current Tennessee court records retention guidelines.
Post-Judgment Modification Files: Records of post-judgment modifications to custody, support, or property orders are retained as part of the original case file and follow the same retention schedule.
Archived Records: Older case files that have exceeded active retention periods may be transferred to archive storage. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and should be requested directly through the Clerk's office.
Electronic Records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's electronic case management system and are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records.
Destruction: Records subject to destruction following the applicable retention period are handled in accordance with procedures established by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.

Members of the public seeking records from older cases are encouraged to contact the Scott County Circuit Court Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.