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Sevier County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Sevier County?

Public records in Sevier County are defined under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 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. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of record categories maintained by various county offices. The Sevier County government administers these records through multiple departments, each responsible for specific record types.

The following categories of public records are currently available through Sevier County offices:

  • Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family matters) — maintained by the Sevier County Circuit Court Clerk
  • Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments) — maintained by the Register of Deeds
  • Vital records (marriage licenses and related documents) — maintained by the County Clerk's office; birth and death certificates are issued through the Tennessee Department of Health
  • Business records (licenses, permits, and fictitious business names) — maintained by the County Clerk
  • Tax records (property tax and assessment records) — maintained by the Assessor of Property and Trustee's office
  • Voting and election records — maintained by the Sevier County Election Commission
  • Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission and boards) — maintained by the County Mayor's office and respective boards
  • Budget and financial documents — available through the County Finance Department
  • Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office
  • Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Sevier County Planning Commission

Is Sevier County an Open Records County?

Sevier County fully complies with Tennessee's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are presumed open for public inspection unless otherwise provided by state law. This statute requires that any governmental entity make its public records available for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee during normal business hours.

Tennessee's open records law, commonly referred to as the Tennessee Public Records Act, further mandates that custodians of records respond to inspection requests promptly and without delay. The Act also requires that if a record is not immediately available, the custodian must provide a response within seven business days indicating when the record will be available or explaining why access is being denied. The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury maintains a statewide resource for public records requests and provides guidance to both requestors and governmental entities on compliance with the Act. Sevier County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance that supersedes state law; all county offices operate in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act.

How to Find Public Records in Sevier County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Sevier County public records through several established channels. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a records request:

  1. Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk; business licenses and marriage records are held by the County Clerk.
  2. Submit a written or in-person request. Requests may be submitted in person at the relevant office during normal business hours, by mail, or, where available, by telephone or email. Written requests are recommended to create a clear record of the inquiry.
  3. Provide sufficient identifying information. Requestors should include the name of the record, the approximate date range, and any relevant case numbers, parcel numbers, or party names to assist staff in locating the document.
  4. Await confirmation. Under current Tennessee law, the custodian must acknowledge the request and provide access or a timeline within seven business days.
  5. Pay applicable fees. Upon retrieval, standard copying or certification fees may apply before documents are released.
  6. Access state agency records separately. For records held by state agencies rather than county offices, the Tennessee Comptroller provides a directory of state contacts for public record requests to direct requestors to the appropriate custodian.

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

Current fees for public records in Sevier County vary by record type and the office maintaining the document. Tennessee law permits governmental entities to charge reasonable fees for copies of public records, as outlined under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, which governs the assessment of charges for duplicating records.

Standard fees currently applicable in Sevier County include:

  • Standard paper copies: Typically $0.15 per page for black-and-white copies, consistent with state guidelines
  • Certified copies of court records: Fees set by the Circuit Court Clerk, generally ranging from $1.00 to $5.00 per document plus per-page charges
  • Recorded document copies (Register of Deeds): Fees per page as established by state statute for recorded instruments
  • Marriage license copies: Set fee per certified copy, payable to the County Clerk
  • Certification fees: An additional charge applies when an official seal or certification is required

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under Tennessee's public records statute; however, custodians retain discretion to waive fees in limited circumstances, particularly for records inspected in person without duplication.

Does Sevier County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled under Tennessee law to inspect public records free of charge during normal business hours without incurring a fee for the act of inspection itself. Fees apply only when copies or certified reproductions are requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to Sevier County records:

  • In-person inspection at the Register of Deeds, Circuit Court Clerk, and County Clerk offices — no charge for viewing records on-site
  • Online property and deed records — the Sevier County Register of Deeds provides access to recorded land instruments through its public search portal
  • Court case information — basic case status and docket information may be reviewed through the Circuit Court Clerk's public terminals
  • County government documents — meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are generally posted on the Sevier County official website at no cost

Who Can Request Public Records in Sevier County?

Any citizen of Tennessee is entitled to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by Sevier County governmental entities. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, eligibility requirements are minimal and designed to promote broad public access:

  • Residency: Requestors are generally required to be citizens of Tennessee; however, non-residents may access many records, particularly those available online or through court systems
  • Identification: Requestors may be asked to provide identification, particularly for records involving sensitive personal information or when identity verification is required by law
  • Statement of purpose: Tennessee law does not require requestors to state the reason for their request for most categories of public records
  • Requesting your own records vs. others' records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity; requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same general access rules, with exceptions for confidential categories

Non-residents of Tennessee retain the right to access records that are publicly available online and may submit written requests, though in-person inspection rights under the Tennessee Public Records Act are specifically extended to Tennessee citizens.

What Records Are Confidential in Sevier County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Sevier County are exempt from public disclosure under Tennessee law. Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504 enumerates specific exemptions to the general rule of public access, and additional exemptions are found throughout the Tennessee Code in subject-matter-specific statutes.

Records currently exempt from public inspection in Sevier County include:

  • Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
  • Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153
  • Ongoing criminal investigation records — investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes are exempt while an investigation is active
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released documents
  • 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 through court order
  • Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under Tennessee Department of Children's Services regulations
  • Personnel records — employee records are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain categories of public employees
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt when submitted to a governmental entity in confidence
  • Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

When a custodian denies access to a record, the requestor may seek review through the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel or pursue judicial review in the appropriate court.

Sevier County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Sevier County Register of Deeds serves as the principal recorder of land and property instruments for the county. The office records deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other documents as required or permitted by law.

Sevier County Register of Deeds 125 Court Ave, Suite 202 W, Sevierville, TN 37862 (865) 453-2758 Register of Deeds – Sevier County

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sevier County Circuit Court Clerk 125 Court Ave, Suite 106, Sevierville, TN 37862 (865) 453-4668 Circuit Court Clerk – Sevier County

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sevier County Clerk 125 Court Ave, Suite 202 E, Sevierville, TN 37862 (865) 453-5502 County Clerk – Sevier County

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury – Public Records Cordell Hull Building, 425 Rep. John Lewis Way N, Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 741-2501 Public Records Requests – Tennessee Comptroller

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