How to Search Davidson County Court Records
Davidson County is a multi-portal county. The Circuit Court Clerk runs CaseSearch for Circuit, Probate, and General Sessions-Civil cases. The free version, at caselink.nashville.gov, gives basic case lookup by party name. It does not show document images. CaseLink, the paid subscription, adds detailed filings, images, case alerts, and online payment for $25 per month.
Before you start, decide the case type and gather what you know. A case number gives the most exact result. A full party name works when you have no number. For old or offline files, you contact the clerk with names and a filing year.
The CaseSearch FAQ explains coverage and the search filters that narrow your results.
Read the coverage notes before you assume a missing case does not exist. Some matters are simply not in the free tool.
- Identify the court that matches your case type.
- Open the matching portal at its official address.
- Enter a party name, or a case number for a precise hit.
- Filter by office or party type to cut the list down.
- Ask the clerk for a certified copy when you need one for court.
Davidson County Court Records Search Fields
CaseSearch keeps the form short. Party name is the primary field. Two optional filters refine the results. The CaseSearch FAQ lists parties' names as the main criteria, with party type and office as the optional filters. The table below shows the fields you will use on the free public search.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Party name | Text | Yes | The primary search criterion. |
| Party type | Dropdown | No | All; Plaintiff/Petitioner Only; Defendant/Respondent Only. |
| Office | Dropdown | No | General Sessions; Circuit; Probate. |
Note: Sealed and order-of-protection searches return "No Records Accessible" in CaseLink, which is not proof that no case exists.
CaseSearch vs CaseLink for Davidson County Records
People mix these two up. CaseSearch is the free basic lookup. CaseLink is the paid subscription. They share an entry page but do very different jobs. CaseSearch tells you whether a case exists and shows basic status. CaseLink shows the filings, the document images, and adds tools attorneys use, like case alerts and online billing. If you only need to confirm a case, start free. If you need the actual papers, expect a subscription or a direct copy request from the clerk.
| Feature | CaseSearch (free) | CaseLink (paid) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $25/month, prepaid |
| Case lookup | Yes, by party name | Yes, with detail |
| Document images | No | Yes |
| Case alerts and billing | No | Yes |
Types of Davidson County Court Records
Davidson County court records cover the full range of trial court work. Each type ties to a court and a clerk. Civil and family cases run through Circuit Court. Equity and business cases go to Chancery. Criminal matters split between General Sessions and the Criminal Court. Probate sits in its own division. Traffic and Metro ordinance cases land in General Sessions.
The clerk that holds the file controls how you get a copy. The categories below are the ones people search most.
- Civil records - contracts, torts, condemnations, and workers' comp in Circuit Court.
- Chancery records - equity, injunctions, tax, and business disputes from May 1846 forward.
- Criminal records - charges and dispositions in General Sessions and the Criminal Court.
- Probate records - wills, estates, conservatorships, and name changes.
- Divorce records - domestic relations cases in Circuit Court.
What Davidson County Court Records Show
A case file is built from filings and docket entries. The fields are steady across courts. A record opens with the case number, court, and filing date. From there it lists the parties, the claim or charges, the events along the way, and the final outcome. The table shows the core fields returned by a Davidson County court records search.
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Case Number | The unique number the clerk assigned to the case. |
| Filing Date | The date the case was opened. |
| Parties and Counsel | Plaintiff or petitioner, defendant or respondent, and attorneys. |
| Docket Entries | The dated list of filings and court events. |
| Hearing Date | Date, time, and courtroom for a scheduled hearing. |
| Disposition | The outcome of the case or a charge, if concluded. |
Public Access Framework for Davidson County Court Records
Tennessee law starts with open access. The Tennessee Public Records Act, found at T.C.A. ยง 10-7-503, gives Tennessee citizens the right to inspect open public records during business hours. Court records add a layer through Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34, which sets public access to court records unless a record is excepted, sealed, or protected.
For ordinary court filings, the fastest route is the clerk and a case number, not a formal records request. A clerk may ask for proof of Tennessee citizenship and payment for copies. There is no fee just to inspect open records.
Note: Searching a case portal, requesting a clerk copy, and filing a public records request are three different paths; pick the one that matches your need.
Records That Are Sealed or Confidential in Davidson County
Some records are closed. Chancery states that any file marked sealed by law or by order of the court is not open to public inspection. Adoption records need a court order. Juvenile records are restricted far more than adult cases. Expunged criminal charges are removed from the public search, and republishing them can be a criminal offense. Sensitive identifiers like Social Security numbers and financial accounts are redacted from public copies.
To view a sealed record, a party or attorney of record can ask the court with proper ID. Most others need a court order. The clerk cannot lift a seal on its own.
Older Davidson County Court Records
Old files do not always sit online. The Chancery Clerk and Master keeps records from May 1846, but only records from about 1997 forward are searchable on the web. Pre-1997 Chancery records require a call to the File Room, and older files may be on microfilm stored off site. Criminal records before 1980 also require direct office contact.
The Chancery file room page explains the copy process and the wait times for older material.
Request older files in advance. Copies from microfilm can take up to a week.
Copy Fees for Davidson County Court Records
Copy fees are set by statute and run about the same across the main clerk offices. The Circuit Court Clerk charges per page for plain copies and adds a flat fee to certify. Chancery uses the same per-page rate with its own seal fees. The amounts below were listed on the official pages at research time. Confirm the current charge before you pay.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Circuit plain copy per page | $0.50 |
| Circuit certified copy | $5 certification + $0.50/page |
| Chancery certified document | $5 seal + $0.50/page |
| Chancery exemplified document | $10 seal + $0.50/page |
Note: A certified copy is required for most legal proceedings; an uncertified print from a portal is not accepted as proof in court.
In-Person Court Record Requests
You can view and copy most civil records in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the Historic Courthouse. Bring a photo ID and a case number if you have one. Office hours run weekday mornings and afternoons; the contact details are below.
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
1 Public Square, Suite 302
Nashville, TN 37201
615-862-5181
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.