DeKalb County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in DeKalb County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in DeKalb County, Tennessee, may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. DeKalbCountyRecords.us serves as a directory resource that may assist individuals in locating relevant record categories and connecting with the appropriate government offices. Available record types may include, but are not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
Business licenses and permits
Tax and financial records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted by law)
Land use and zoning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The DeKalb County Government website provides access to select public records and department contact information. Property assessment data is available through the Tennessee property assessment viewer, maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts offers case lookup tools for circuit and general sessions court records. No registration is required for basic property and court record searches.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the DeKalb County Clerk's Office or the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to inspect records during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and be prepared to describe the records sought with reasonable specificity.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office and must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, the custodian is required to respond promptly, and in no event later than seven business days from receipt of the request.

Phone/Email:

DeKalb County Clerk: (615) 597-5177
DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk: (615) 597-5241

What Are Public Records in DeKalb County?

Public records in DeKalb 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 pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of official business. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-301, public records are broadly defined to encompass materials created or maintained by any state or local government entity.

The following record types are maintained by specific offices within DeKalb County:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Court Clerk
Property deeds and mortgages	Register of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	State Office of Vital Records / County Clerk
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk
Property tax and assessment records	Assessor of Property / Trustee
Voting and election records	County Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Clerk / Commission
Budget and financial documents	County Mayor's Office
Law enforcement records	DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Planning and Zoning Office

The DeKalb County FY2023 Annual Financial Report, published by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, is an example of a publicly available financial document that members of the public may inspect at no charge.

Is DeKalb County an Open Records County?

DeKalb County fully complies with Tennessee's open records laws, which establish a broad public right of access to government documents. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, codified at Title 10, Chapter 7 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, all state and local government records are presumed to be open for 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." This provision reflects the legislature's intent that government transparency be the default standard for all public agencies operating within the state.

The Tennessee Attorney General's office has further affirmed that custodians of public records bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific statutory exemption applies before withholding any document from public inspection. DeKalb County offices are required to adhere to these standards and may not impose additional restrictions beyond those authorized by state law.

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

The fee structure for public records in DeKalb County is governed by state law and the policies of each custodial office. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Fee Type	Amount
Standard paper copies	$0.15 per page (standard)
Certified copies (vital records)	$15.00 per certificate (state schedule)
Certified copies (court records)	Varies by document type
Electronic records	Actual cost of duplication
Inspection of records	No charge

Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, fees for copies of public records may not exceed the actual cost of producing the copies. Custodians are prohibited from charging fees for the inspection of records. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records requested for specific public interest purposes, subject to the discretion of the custodial office.

Does DeKalb County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at all DeKalb County government offices during regular business hours, as required by Tennessee state law. Members of the public are entitled to inspect records in person at no cost; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following resources provide free online access to certain DeKalb County records:

The Tennessee property assessment viewer provides free access to property assessment data, ownership information, and parcel maps for all Tennessee counties, including DeKalb County.
The Tennessee Felony Offender Information portal, maintained by the Tennessee Department of Correction, provides free public access to felony offender records statewide.
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts offers free online case lookup for circuit and general sessions court records.
The DeKalb County Government website provides free access to meeting agendas, minutes, and select administrative documents.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may inspect public records at no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the applicable fee schedule.

Who Can Request Public Records in DeKalb County?

Any citizen of Tennessee is entitled to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by DeKalb County government offices, pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act. As affirmed by the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel, "Tennessee's Public Records Act gives citizens the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records."

At present, requestors are not required to:

Be a resident of DeKalb County or Tennessee to inspect most records
State the purpose of their request
Provide identification for inspection of non-restricted records

However, certain record types may require the requestor to demonstrate a legitimate interest or provide identification. For example, access to records containing personal identifying information, sealed court files, or records subject to statutory restrictions may require additional verification. Non-residents retain the right to inspect open public records, though some offices may require identification for administrative purposes. Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court files or vital records, may be required to present valid government-issued photo identification.

What Records Are Confidential in DeKalb County?

Certain categories of records maintained by DeKalb County are exempt from public disclosure under Tennessee law. The Tennessee Public Records Act and related statutes identify specific exemptions that custodians are authorized to apply. Confidential records include:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile court records and proceedings
Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
Adoption records
Child welfare and protective services records
Personnel records of government employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols

Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504 enumerates specific categories of records that are confidential by operation of law, including records of the Department of Children's Services, certain law enforcement investigative records, and records containing personal identifying information. Custodians who withhold records bear the burden of identifying the applicable statutory exemption. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder.

DeKalb County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

DeKalb County Register of Deeds
1 Public Square, Suite 103
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-5105
DeKalb County Register of Deeds