Shelby County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Shelby County?

Public records in Shelby County, Tennessee, 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 following record types are currently available through Shelby County government offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Shelby County Courts, including the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, Criminal Court, and General Sessions Court
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments are filed with the Shelby County Register of Deeds; assessment records are maintained by the Shelby County Assessor of Property
Vital records — birth and death certificates are issued by the Tennessee Department of Health's Shelby County office; marriage and divorce records are held by the Shelby County Clerk and Circuit Court Clerk, respectively
Business records — business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by the Shelby County Clerk's office
Tax records — property tax records and assessment data are administered by the Shelby County Trustee and Assessor of Property
Voting and election records — maintained by the Shelby County Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas — county commission meeting minutes, board agendas, and related documents are available through the Shelby County Administration
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are published by the Shelby County Division of Finance
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Shelby County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by Shelby County Land Use Control

Members of the public seeking to initiate a records request may access the county's official public records request portal, which provides both policy instructions and the official request form.

Is Shelby County an Open Records County?

Shelby 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 shall at all times be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee, and those in charge of such records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen unless otherwise provided by state law. This statute, commonly referred to as the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), forms the legal foundation for all public records access in Shelby County.

Key provisions of the TPRA currently in effect include:

Governmental entities must respond to public records requests promptly and without delay
Custodians of records must make records available for inspection during normal business hours
If a record cannot be produced immediately, the custodian must provide a written response within seven business days indicating when the record will be available or explaining any applicable exemption
Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request for most categories of records

Shelby County has adopted an internal public records policy that supplements the TPRA and designates specific records custodians within county departments. The county's policy is consistent with Tennessee's Sunshine Law, codified at Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-44-101, which requires that all meetings of governing bodies be open to the public and that minutes be maintained as public records.

How to Find Public Records in Shelby County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Shelby County public records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought.

Step 1 — Identify the Custodial Office Determine which county office maintains the record in question. Court records are held by the respective court clerk; property and deed records are held by the Register of Deeds; vital records are held by the Tennessee Department of Health or the county clerk.

Step 2 — Submit a Written Request Complete the official public records request form available on the Shelby County public records request page. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically through the designated county contact.

Step 3 — Access Online Databases Several record categories are searchable online at no cost. Civil and circuit court case information is accessible through the Shelby County CourtConnect portal, which allows members of the public to search case records by party name, case number, or filing date. Property deed records may be searched through the Register of Deeds online index.

Step 4 — Visit the Appropriate Office in Person Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant county office during normal business hours. Copies may be requested at the time of inspection.

Step 5 — Follow Up on Pending Requests If a response is not received within seven business days, requestors may follow up directly with the designated records custodian or the Shelby County Administration office.

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

Current fees for public records in Shelby County are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, which authorizes governmental entities to charge reasonable fees for producing copies of public records. Standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:

Paper copies — $0.15 per page for standard black-and-white copies (8.5" x 11")
Oversized copies — fees vary by format and are set by the custodial office
Electronic records — fees may apply for the cost of the medium (e.g., CD or USB drive) and staff time required to compile records
Certified copies — vital records and court documents requiring certification carry additional fees set by the issuing office; certified copies of deeds and recorded instruments are subject to fees established by the Register of Deeds
Research and retrieval fees — where extensive staff time is required to locate and compile records, additional charges may apply in accordance with state guidelines

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly available under current Tennessee law, though certain governmental entities and nonprofit organizations may qualify for reduced fees in specific circumstances. Requestors are advised to confirm current fee schedules directly with the custodial office prior to submitting a request.

Does Shelby County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under the Tennessee Public Records Act, which guarantees the right to personally inspect records without charge during normal business hours. Fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free online resources are currently maintained by Shelby County and state government offices:

CourtConnect — members of the public may search civil and circuit court case records at no cost through the Shelby County Circuit Court case search portal
Register of Deeds online index — property deed and instrument records may be searched online through the Shelby County Register of Deeds at no charge
County Courts portal — general information and links to court-specific resources are available through the Shelby County Courts directory
Shelby County Assessor of Property — property assessment data is publicly accessible through the county assessor's online search tool at no cost
Tennessee Secretary of State — business entity records and filings are searchable at no charge through the state's online business search database

Who Can Request Public Records in Shelby County?

Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, any citizen of Tennessee is entitled to inspect public records maintained by state and local governmental entities. At present, the statute's inspection right is expressly extended to Tennessee citizens; however, Shelby County's administrative practice generally accommodates requests from non-residents as well, particularly for records accessible online or through court systems.

Requestors are generally not required to:

Establish residency in Shelby County or Tennessee as a condition of access to most records
Provide government-issued identification for routine inspection requests, though identification may be required for certain sensitive record categories
State a purpose or reason for the records request for the majority of public record types

Certain record categories carry additional access requirements:

Vital records — certified copies of birth and death certificates are restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest
Sealed or expunged court records — access is limited to authorized parties by court order
Personnel records — access to employee records is subject to specific statutory limitations under Tennessee law

Members of the public requesting their own records may be required to provide proof of identity to ensure accurate retrieval and to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Shelby County?

Not all government records in Shelby County are subject to public disclosure. Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504 enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from public inspection. The following record types are currently classified as confidential or restricted under state law and county policy:

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 disclosed records
Medical and health 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 or specific statutory procedures
Child welfare and protective services records — records of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services are confidential
Personnel records — employee performance evaluations, disciplinary records, and certain personal information are exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements or statutory protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — records relating to the security of public buildings, utilities, and infrastructure are withheld in the interest of public safety

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. Tennessee courts apply a balancing test in disputed cases to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interests supporting exemption.

Shelby County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Shelby County Register of Deeds serves as the principal office for recording and maintaining real property instruments, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and related legal documents. Members of the public may inspect recorded instruments in person or through the office's online index.

Shelby County Register of Deeds 1075 Mullins Station Road, Suite W165, Memphis, TN 38134 (901) 222-8100 Register of Deeds / Archives

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official county holidays.

Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk 140 Adams Avenue, Room 324, Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 222-3802 CourtConnect – Circuit Court Case Search

Shelby County Administration (Public Records Requests) 160 North Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 222-2100 Shelby County Public Records

Shelby County Courts 140 Adams Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 222-3800 Shelby County Courts Directory

General business hours for most Shelby County offices are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Members of the public are advised to confirm hours with the specific office prior to visiting, as hours may vary by division or during official holidays.