Records of divorce in Shelby County, Tennessee, are available through several channels. ShelbyCourt.us allows you to quickly start searching for publicly available divorce information. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the court that issued the decision — Circuit Court or Chancery Court — as well as through the County Clerk of Shelby County and the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Below is a practical guide on how to search, request, and obtain copies of such documents.
Shelby Divorce Records Search
In Shelby County, divorce cases are handled by two courts — Circuit Court and Chancery Court. It is the offices of these courts that maintain complete case files: divorce decrees, settlement agreements, child custody orders, and related procedural documents. To find your case, you need to know which court issued the decision and the approximate date.
Online search is available through the CourtConnect Chancery Court portal and CourtConnect Circuit Court. Both tools allow you to search by party name or case number. Separately, the Tennessee Office of Vital Records maintains a registry of divorce certificates for divorces filed in the state since 1945.
Chancery Court Clerk's Office (Clerk and Master)
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Shelby
In Tennessee, a divorce lawsuit can be filed in either the Circuit Court or the Chancery Court — the choice belongs to the plaintiff. Once the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce, it remains in the office of the court that handled the case. This means that to obtain a full copy of the decree, you need to contact that specific office.
As for the divorce certificate — it is a separate, abbreviated document. It is maintained by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records at the state's Department of Health. The certificate confirms the fact of divorce but does not contain details of the agreement or court decision.
Where to contact depending on your needs:
- Full copy of the court decree, settlement agreement, custody order — the office of the Circuit Court or Chancery Court where the case was handled. The Divorce Copies page on the county's website explains what information you need to prepare.
- Divorce certificate — Tennessee Office of Vital Records.
- General public records request — can be submitted through the Public Records page of Shelby County.
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Shelby
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of divorce decree — court office | $0.50 per page (regular copy) | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of decree — court office | $6.00 for certification + copying cost | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate — Tennessee Vital Records | $15.00 | 3–6 weeks by mail |