Divorce records in Sumner County, Tennessee, are available through several channels. SumnerCourt.us allows you to quickly start searching for publicly accessible divorce information in the county. Additionally, complete court cases are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office, and divorce certificates are issued by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person.
Sumner Divorce Records Search
In Sumner County, divorce cases are handled in both the Chancery Court and Circuit Court—both courts have jurisdiction over marriage dissolution under Tennessee law. The Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains the original court cases: divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related procedural documents.
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records, a division of the state Department of Health, maintains a registry of divorce certificates starting from July 1945. This is a brief document confirming the fact of divorce but does not contain details of property settlement or custody. According to the Tennessee Public Records Act, court documents are generally open, although certain materials may be sealed by the court.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Sumner
The filing structure in Tennessee separates court cases and vital records between different institutions. Below is where to go depending on what you need.
Divorce Court Cases
The Chancery Court and Circuit Court of Sumner County handle divorce petitions. Once a decree is issued, the Circuit Court Clerk's office registers it and maintains the full case file—including the petition, response, settlement agreement, and final court order. If you need a copy of the decree itself or any document from the case, contact them directly.
Divorce Certificate (Vital Record)
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records issues divorce certificates—a concise document listing the parties' names, date, and county of divorce. This document is often required for remarriage, name changes, or immigration procedures. It can be ordered by mail or through the state Department of Health's online portal.
In short: for case details, contact the county court clerk; for official divorce confirmation, contact the state's Vital Records.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Sumner
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce Certificate (Vital Records, first copy) | $15.00 | 3–6 weeks (by mail) |
| Additional certificate copy (in the same request) | $5.00 | With the first copy |
| Copy of court document (Circuit Court Clerk, per page) | $0.50 | 1–5 business days |
| Certified copy of court decree (Circuit Court Clerk) | $5.00–$6.00 | 1–5 business days |
| Vital Records registry search (if exact date unknown) | $15.00 | 4–8 weeks |