Fayette County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Fayette County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Fayette County, Tennessee, may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. FayetteCountyRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in the county. Records that may be available include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable exemptions under state law.
Online Access:
Several official portals currently provide digital access to Fayette County records:
- The Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service maintains guidance on county-level record access across the state.
- Property assessment data is searchable through the Tennessee Comptroller's property assessment portal, which allows users to look up parcel information by county.
- The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides access to case information through the Tennessee Court System online portal.
- No registration is required to search most publicly available online databases, though some court case details may require in-person review.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant custodial office. The Fayette County Clerk's Office, located at 16755 Highway 64, Suite 105, Somerville, TN 38068, accepts walk-in requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the record type and provide sufficient identifying information to allow staff to locate the document.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the record sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, custodians are required to respond promptly, with a reasonable response period not to exceed seven business days for most requests.
Phone/Email:
- Fayette County Clerk: (901) 465-5213
- Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk: (901) 465-5216
What Are Public Records in Fayette County?
Public records in Fayette County are defined under Tennessee state law as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files, and other documentary materials made or received in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental entity. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Circuit and General Sessions Court Clerk
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats maintained by the Fayette County Register of Deeds
- Vital records — birth and death certificates maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health; marriage and divorce records held by the County Clerk and Circuit Court Clerk respectively
- Business records — business licenses and permits issued through the County Clerk's Office
- Tax records — property tax and assessment records maintained by the Fayette County Assessor of Property and Trustee
- Voting and election records — maintained by the Fayette County Election Commission
- Meeting minutes and agendas — county commission and board records available through the County Mayor's Office
- Budget and financial documents — maintained by the Fayette County Finance Department
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports available through the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Fayette County Planning and Zoning Office
Is Fayette County an Open Records County?
Fayette County operates in full compliance with Tennessee's open records framework. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state and local government records are presumed open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Tennessee Public Records Act establishes that "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's Office has further clarified that custodians bear the burden of demonstrating that a requested record falls within a recognized exemption. The Tennessee Attorney General's open government guidance provides detailed information on the rights of requestors and the obligations of government agencies. Fayette County does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance beyond the requirements established by state law; the Tennessee Public Records Act governs all access requests submitted to county offices.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Fayette County?
The standard fee structure for public records in Fayette County follows the schedule established under state law and applicable county resolutions. Members of the public are not charged a fee to inspect records in person; fees apply only when copies are requested.
| Record Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (standard size) | $0.15 per page |
| Certified copies (vital records) | $15.00 per document |
| Certified copies (court records) | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of media or transmission |
| Deed copies (Register of Deeds) | $0.50 per page |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Under Tennessee law, fees for copies may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute for standard public records requests, though indigent requestors may petition the relevant office for consideration on a case-by-case basis.
Does Fayette County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any citizen of Tennessee at the custodial office during regular business hours, as required by the Tennessee Public Records Act. No fee is charged for in-person review of documents that are not exempt from disclosure.
The following resources currently provide free online access to certain Fayette County records:
- The Tennessee Comptroller's property assessment viewer allows free searches of property assessment data statewide, including Fayette County parcels.
- The Tennessee felony offender information lookup provides free public access to felony offender records maintained by the Tennessee Department of Correction.
- The Tennessee Court System's online case search tool provides free access to certain court case information.
- The Fayette County Election Commission makes voter registration and election result data available at no cost.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, reproduction of records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Fayette County?
Any citizen of Tennessee may request access to public records maintained by Fayette County government offices. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, residency within the county is not a prerequisite for submitting a request; Tennessee citizenship is the applicable standard for most record types.
Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for the majority of public records. Identification is not mandated for inspection of most records, though some offices may request identification as a matter of administrative practice. Non-residents of Tennessee retain access rights to certain records, particularly those available through online portals or federal databases.
Restrictions apply to specific record categories. Access to certain law enforcement records, juvenile records, and sealed court documents is limited by statute regardless of the requestor's identity. Individuals seeking their own records — such as personal vital records — may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship to the subject of the record. Third-party requests for records containing personal identifying information are subject to additional scrutiny under applicable privacy statutes.
What Records Are Confidential in Fayette County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Tennessee law. Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504 enumerates specific exemptions applicable to state and county records. The following record types are currently treated as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
- Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings
- Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers embedded in otherwise public 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 — maintained as confidential by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services
- Personnel records — employee records of government agencies, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety
When a custodian withholds a record or portion of a record, the requestor may seek review through the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel or pursue judicial relief in the appropriate court.
Fayette County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Fayette County Register of Deeds
16755 Highway 64, Suite 103
Somerville, TN 38068
(901) 465-5217
Fayette County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Fayette County Clerk's Office
16755 Highway 64, Suite 105
Somerville, TN 38068
(901) 465-5213
Fayette County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk
16755 Highway 64, Suite 101
Somerville, TN 38068
(901) 465-5216
Tennessee Court System
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fayette County Assessor of Property
16755 Highway 64, Suite 201
Somerville, TN 38068
(901) 465-5226
Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fayette County Sheriff's Office
705 Highway 64 Bypass
Somerville, TN 38068
(901) 465-3456
Fayette County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Records Division)