Rutherford County, Tennessee court records can be accessed through several channels. RutherfordCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, official court resources, including the Court Services page on the county's website, clerks' offices, and public terminals in the courthouse in Murfreesboro, are all additional access points for case materials, hearing schedules, and court documents.
Rutherford Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Rutherford County, each handling specific categories of cases.
- Circuit Court — the main court of general jurisdiction. It handles civil claims for significant amounts, divorce cases, child custody, and other family matters. Circuit Court Clerk Melissa Harrell is responsible for registering all documents in this court.
- Circuit Criminal Court — deals with all criminal cases (felonies and misdemeanors) referred to the Grand Jury. The Criminal Court Office maintains session records and collects court fees.
- General Sessions Court — the court of first instance for minor civil disputes, preliminary hearings in criminal cases, and traffic violations. Most residents with traffic fines or small claims end up here.
- Chancery Court — handles cases related to equity law: real estate disputes, probate of wills (inheritance processing), guardianship, and conservatorship.
- Juvenile Court — cases involving minors: offenses, dependency, neglect, and parental rights issues.
If you are unsure which court your case belongs to, consult the Court Services section on the county's official website or call the appropriate office.
Rutherford Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or the week, use the Circuit Court online calendar. It shows the hearing schedule in a monthly calendar format with the ability to view specific dates.
For other courts (General Sessions, Chancery, Juvenile), the schedule is usually published separately or available upon request from the respective court office. Steps to follow:
- Go to the Calendar page on the county's website.
- Select the desired date.
- View the scheduled cases and start times of the hearings.
- If your case is not displayed, contact the court clerk by phone — the number is listed on the respective office's website.
Be on time. Children are generally not allowed in the Circuit Criminal Court hearing room.
How to Get a Copy of a Rutherford Court Document
You can obtain a copy of a court document in several ways — depending on the type of case and the required format.
Certified and Regular Copies
A certified copy contains the official seal and signature of the clerk, confirming the document's authenticity. It is required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or employers. A regular (uncertified) copy is suitable for personal review.
Channels for Obtaining
- In-person — visit the clerk's office in the courthouse in Murfreesboro. You will need the case number or the full name of the party.
- By mail — send a written request specifying the case details, document type, and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- Online — some documents, including real estate records, can be searched through the Title Search page of the Register of Deeds. For state-level criminal cases, the Tennessee Felony Offender Information search is available.
Contact Information for Circuit Court Clerk
For Register of Deeds documents, contact separately:
Note: The Register of Deeds does not perform title searches and does not guarantee that the property is free from encumbrances. It is recommended to engage a licensed professional for title verification.
Rutherford Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Tennessee are regulated by state law (T.C.A. Title 8, Chapter 21, and other relevant statutes). Specific amounts may vary depending on the type of document. Below are the approximate fees typically applied in county offices:
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular document copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 – $6.00 |
| Registry search (by name) | Depends on the office |
| Document registration (Register of Deeds) | From $10.00 for the first pages |
Check the exact fee amounts directly with the respective court office, as they change periodically. Payment is usually accepted by money order or cashier's check; some offices also accept credit cards for in-person requests. For mail requests — only a money order payable to the respective clerk.
You can verify current fee information and request forms on the official Rutherford County website in the Public Records Policy and Clerk Forms sections.