Cumberland County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Cumberland County in 2026
CumberlandTNRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Cumberland County, Tennessee. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data across a range of record categories, including court filings, property documents, vital records, and law enforcement logs. The availability and completeness of individual records may vary depending on the custodial office and the nature of the request.
Record categories that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessments
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
Online Access: Members of the public may search property data through the Tennessee Property Viewer, a statewide tool maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury that allows users to look up parcel-level assessment information by county. The Cumberland County government website also provides access to select online databases. No registration is required to conduct basic property searches through the state viewer.
In-Person Requests: Records may be inspected in person at the relevant custodial office. The Cumberland County Clerk's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office are the primary points of contact for most public record categories. Requestors should present a written or verbal request identifying the record sought with reasonable specificity.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate office. Requests should include the requestor's name, a description of the record sought, and a preferred method of response. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, the custodian must respond promptly and no later than seven business days after receiving the request.
Phone/Email:
- Cumberland County Clerk: (931) 484-6165
- Cumberland County Circuit Court Clerk: (931) 484-6442
What Are Public Records in Cumberland County?
Public records in Cumberland 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 maintained by specific offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Tennessee Department of Health |
| Marriage and divorce records | County Clerk / Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property tax assessments | County Assessor of Property |
| Business licenses | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Commission / County Clerk |
| Law enforcement records | Cumberland County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Department |
The Tennessee Public Records Act governs the disclosure of these records and establishes the rights of the public to inspect and obtain copies of government documents.
Is Cumberland County an Open Records County?
Cumberland County operates in full compliance with Tennessee's statewide open records framework. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state and local government records are presumed open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Tennessee Public Records Act affirms 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 Office of Open Records Counsel, established under state law, provides guidance to both government agencies and members of the public regarding compliance with open records obligations. The office has stated that "the policy of the state of Tennessee is that government records be open and available to the public." Cumberland County agencies are required to designate a records custodian and respond to requests within the timeframes established by statute. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the limitations set forth in state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cumberland County?
The cost to obtain public records in Cumberland County depends on the type of record requested and the format in which copies are provided. Under Tennessee law, fees for public records must be reasonable and may not exceed the actual cost of producing the record.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies (per page) | $0.15 – $0.25 |
| Certified copies (per document) | $1.00 – $5.00 (varies by office) |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of media or transmission |
| Inspection (viewing only) | No charge |
| Search fees | Not permitted under Tennessee law |
- Vital record certified copies (birth, death, marriage) issued by the Tennessee Department of Health carry a standard fee of $15.00 per certified copy.
- The Register of Deeds charges recording and copy fees established by state statute.
- Accepted payment methods at most offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards.
- Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Tennessee law, though individual agencies may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.
Does Cumberland County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any citizen of Tennessee at the offices of the relevant custodial agency during regular business hours, as required by state law. Inspection does not require payment of any fee; charges apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to public records data:
- The Tennessee Property Viewer provides free online access to county property assessment data maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
- The Tennessee Secretary of State's business entity search portal allows free online lookup of registered business names and corporate filings.
- The Tennessee felony offender search tool, maintained by the Tennessee Department of Correction, provides free public access to information on felony offenders who are or have been in state custody.
- Court records may be inspected at no charge at the Circuit Court Clerk's public access terminals during business hours.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to view records at no cost, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Cumberland County?
Any citizen of Tennessee may request access to public records maintained by Cumberland County government agencies. Under current law, requestors are not required to be residents of Cumberland County specifically, but Tennessee's open records statute does limit the right of inspection to citizens of the state.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Identification: Requestors are not required to present identification to inspect most public records, though some offices may request it as a matter of administrative practice.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record categories.
- Non-residents: Individuals who are not Tennessee citizens may not have the same statutory right of inspection under § 10-7-503, though agencies may exercise discretion in responding to such requests.
- Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional verification may be required for certified vital records.
- Restricted records: Certain record categories, such as juvenile court records and sealed court files, are subject to additional access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
What Records Are Confidential in Cumberland County?
Certain records maintained by Cumberland County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Tennessee law. The following categories are currently treated as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and proceedings
- Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical and mental 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. Agencies applying exemptions are required to identify the specific statutory basis for withholding any record. 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.
Cumberland County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Cumberland County Register of Deeds
2 North Main Street, Suite 206
Crossville, TN 38555
(931) 484-6165
Cumberland County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Cumberland County Circuit Court Clerk
2 North Main Street
Crossville, TN 38555
(931) 484-6442
Cumberland County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Cumberland County Clerk
2 North Main Street, Suite 109
Crossville, TN 38555
(931) 484-6165
Cumberland County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Cumberland County Assessor of Property
2 North Main Street, Suite 302
Crossville, TN 38555
(931) 484-5745
Cumberland County Assessor of Property
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
50 Justice Center Drive
Crossville, TN 38555
(931) 484-6176
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week; administrative records requests handled Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM