Shelby County, Tennessee court records are available through several channels. ShelbyCourt.us allows quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official online court portals, directly at the court clerks' offices, or via public terminals in court buildings in Memphis.
Shelby Court System & Jurisdictions
Shelby County is part of the 30th Judicial District of Tennessee and has an extensive court system, primarily located in Memphis. Each court handles specific categories of cases.
Criminal Court — serious criminal offenses (felonies). The Criminal Court Clerk maintains case records and accepts fine payments through payit901. To search for criminal case information, you need to register on the Shelby County CJS portal.
Circuit Court handles civil lawsuits, divorce cases, and child custody matters. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office is located at:
Online case search is available through CourtConnect for Circuit Court.
Chancery Court deals with equity-related cases — real estate disputes, trusts, conservatorships, and some divorces. Information about Chancery Court cases can be found through CourtConnect for Chancery Court.
General Sessions Court is the court of first instance for:
- Civil lawsuits up to $25,000
- Misdemeanors and municipal ordinance violations
- Preliminary hearings in criminal cases
- Traffic violation cases
A complete list of county courts is available on the official Courts page. Juvenile Court handles cases involving minors — these records are typically closed to public access. Probate Court in Shelby County functions as a division of Chancery Court.
Shelby Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date and time of a specific case hearing, use one of the online portals depending on the court type:
- Circuit Court — open CourtConnect (Circuit), enter the party's name or case number, and the system will show scheduled hearing dates.
- Chancery Court — use CourtConnect (Chancery) to view the schedule and case status.
- Criminal Court — log in to the CJS portal and use the Smart Search tool to find courtroom schedules and hearing dates.
The General Sessions Court schedule is usually posted directly in the courthouse. Contact the General Sessions Clerk's Office by phone or in person to confirm the hearing time for today or the coming days.
If you are unsure which court is handling your case, start with the general county courts page — it has links to each court separately.
How to Get a Copy of a Shelby Court Document
Copies of court documents can be obtained in several ways — online, in person, or by mail. The type of copy determines the procedure.
Certified and Uncertified Copies
A certified copy has an official stamp and the clerk's signature — it is needed for legal procedures, immigration applications, or document changes. An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
Copies of Divorce Decrees
Before requesting, you need to know:
- Whether the divorce was filed in Shelby County
- Through which court — Circuit or Chancery
- The approximate date of the decree
- The full names of the parties
Detailed instructions and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Divorce Copies and Copies of Public Records pages.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the relevant court office in Memphis. Bring identification and the case number, if known.
- By Mail — send a written request including the full names of the parties, case number, document type, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate fee. Address for Circuit Court requests:Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk
- Online — for some types of records, search is available through CourtConnect, but downloading certified copies usually requires an in-person visit or mail request.
For public records from other county divisions, use the form on the Public Records page.
Shelby Court Records Fees & Payment
The fee amount depends on the document type and court. Below are approximate rates set according to Tennessee state law (T.C.A. § 8-21-401 and other applicable statutes). Confirm the exact amount with the specific court office, as fees may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Case search (by name) | Free through CourtConnect |
| Uncertified document copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $5.00 – $6.00 |
| Certified divorce decree copy | Depends on the court; check with the office |
| Criminal court fine payment | Through payit901 |
Payments at offices are usually accepted in cash, money order, or credit/debit card. For mail requests, send a money order or cashier's check — personal checks are not always accepted. Online payments through payit901 may include an additional service fee.
For records related to real estate, contact the Register of Deeds — a separate fee schedule applies for document registration and copying.