Records of divorce in Rutherford County, Tennessee, are available through several channels. RutherfordCourt.us allows you to find publicly available information about divorce records in the county. Additionally, you can contact the court that issued the divorce decree, the office of the county clerk, or the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Each of these institutions maintains different types of documents, and the choice depends on the specific document you need.
Rutherford Divorce Records Search
In Rutherford County, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court, and all case materials are stored by the Circuit Court Clerk — the office of the county court clerk. This is where divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and other related documents are located.
Separate from court materials, a divorce certificate is issued by the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. This document confirms the fact of divorce but does not contain case details.
The collection of divorce records includes:
- Divorce decrees (divorce decree / final decree)
- Divorce certificates (through the state)
- Settlement agreements regarding property division
- Custody and child support orders
- Related motions and court orders
Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk
To obtain a divorce certificate, contact the state office of vital records:
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Rutherford
In the state of Tennessee, divorce cases are filed and heard in the Circuit Court or Chancery Court of the county where one of the parties resides. In Rutherford County, the vast majority of divorce cases go through the Circuit Court. Once the judge signs the final decree, it is recorded in the office of the county court clerk and becomes part of the court archive.
Within ten days after the decree is issued, the court reports the divorce to the Tennessee Office of Vital Records, which creates a corresponding record in the statewide registry. Therefore, there are two different types of documents, and you need to contact different institutions depending on your purpose:
| What you need | Where to contact |
|---|---|
| Full text of the court decree, settlement agreement, custody order | Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk |
| Divorce certificate (for confirmation) | Tennessee Office of Vital Records |
| Information on court schedule | Circuit Court Calendar |
Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
General information about county court services is also available on the official website. Divorce records are generally public under the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503), although certain documents in the case may be restricted by a judge's order — for example, financial statements or documents concerning minors.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Rutherford
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (Circuit Court Clerk) | $0.50 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court decree | $6.00 per document | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate (Tennessee Vital Records) | $15.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Search in Vital Records registry (if exact date unknown) | $15.00 (includes one copy) | 2–4 weeks |
| Expedited processing through Vital Records | Additional $10.00 plus courier delivery cost | 5–7 business days |