Blount County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Blount County?
Public records in Blount County, Tennessee are defined according to the Tennessee Public Records Act § 10-7-503, which states that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee during business hours. These records encompass all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data, and other materials made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental agency.
Blount County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that includes:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
- Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards)
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed)
- Land use and zoning records
The Blount County Circuit Court Clerk maintains court records including civil, criminal, juvenile, and general sessions cases. Property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, are maintained by the Blount County Register of Deeds. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the Blount County Health Department, while marriage and divorce records are kept by the County Clerk's office.
The Blount County collection of records provides information about the various types of records maintained by different county departments and how to access them. Each department is responsible for maintaining specific record types according to state law and county policies.
Is Blount County an Open Records County?
Blount County is an open records county that adheres to the Tennessee Public Records Act § 10-7-503, which establishes the right of Tennessee citizens to access public records. The Act specifically states that "all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours... be open for personal inspection by any citizen of this state, and those in charge of the records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen, unless otherwise provided by state law."
Under this statute, Blount County is required to provide access to public records promptly and efficiently. The law specifies that records custodians must make requested records available for inspection within seven business days. If records cannot be made available within this timeframe, the custodian must provide the requestor with a reason for the delay and an estimated date when the records will be available.
Blount County has established a formal public records request process in compliance with state law. The county has designated records custodians in various departments who are responsible for facilitating access to public records.
Additionally, Blount County complies with Tennessee's Open Meetings Act, often referred to as the "Sunshine Law" (§ 8-44-101), which requires that meetings of governing bodies be open to the public, with adequate notice provided, and minutes recorded and made available as public records.
How to Find Public Records in Blount County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Blount County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county provides multiple avenues for accessing public records:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online court records search portal. This system allows users to search for court records filed from August 1, 2019 to the present. Users can search by case number, party name, or citation number.
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records in person. Records custodians are available to assist with locating specific documents.
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Written Requests: The county accepts formal written requests for records. To submit a request for general county records, citizens may use the official public records request form available on the county website.
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Department-Specific Requests: Different types of records are maintained by specific departments:
- Court records: Circuit Court Clerk's Office
- Property records: Register of Deeds
- Vital records: Health Department and County Clerk
- Tax records: Trustee's Office
- Voting records: Election Commission
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Records Request Tracking: Once submitted, requests are processed according to state law requirements. Custodians must respond within seven business days, either by providing the records or explaining why additional time is needed.
For specialized records such as septic tank permits or environmental records, requestors should contact the specific department that maintains those records. The county's website provides guidance on which department maintains each record type.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Blount County?
Blount County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act § 10-7-503 and the county's established fee schedule. The current standard fees for public records in Blount County are as follows:
- Black and white copies: $0.15 per page (standard letter/legal size)
- Color copies: $0.50 per page (standard letter/legal size)
- Certified copies: Additional $1.00 per document
- Large format documents (maps, plats, etc.): Actual cost of reproduction
- Electronic records: Actual cost of media (CD, DVD, flash drive)
Additional fees may apply for specific record types:
- Court records: Filing fees and certification fees vary by case type
- Property records: Recording fees as established by state law
- Vital records: Birth certificates ($15), Death certificates ($15), Marriage licenses ($10)
- Research fees: $25 per hour may be charged for requests requiring more than 1 hour of staff time to locate, retrieve, and redact records (first hour is typically free)
Payment methods accepted by Blount County offices include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
It is important to note that pursuant to Tennessee law, fees are waived for inspection of records. Charges only apply when copies are requested. Additionally, the county may waive fees when the request is deemed to be in the public interest or when the total cost is minimal.
Fee schedules are subject to periodic review and adjustment by the county commission in accordance with state guidelines. Requestors are advised to confirm current fees at the time of their request.
Does Blount County Have Free Public Records?
Blount County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Tennessee state law. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A), citizens have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Fees are only assessed when copies of records are requested.
The following free public records services are currently available in Blount County:
- In-person inspection of public records during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
- Access to online court records through the county's web portal
- Viewing of county commission meeting minutes and agendas on the county website
- Public access terminals at the Register of Deeds office for property record searches
- Viewing of public notices and announcements on the county's official bulletin boards
The Blount County Public Library also provides free access to certain historical records and genealogical resources. Additionally, the county's Geographic Information System (GIS) offers free online access to basic property information and maps.
It should be noted that while inspection is free, specialized searches requiring significant staff time may incur research fees as permitted by state law. Furthermore, while the inspection of records is free, obtaining copies of these records typically involves fees as outlined in the county's fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Blount County?
Under the Tennessee Public Records Act § 10-7-503, any citizen of Tennessee has the legal right to request and inspect public records maintained by Blount County. The law specifically states that records shall be open "for personal inspection by any citizen of this state."
Key eligibility requirements and considerations include:
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Tennessee Residency: Unlike some states with completely open records laws, Tennessee limits the statutory right to access public records to state citizens. However, in practice, Blount County often processes requests from non-residents as well.
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Identification Requirements: Records custodians may request proof of Tennessee citizenship, such as a valid Tennessee driver's license or other appropriate identification. This requirement is authorized under § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A)(vi).
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Purpose Disclosure: For most public records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request. However, certain specialized records may require purpose disclosure if mandated by specific statutes.
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Requesting Your Own Records vs. Others' Records: When requesting records about oneself, proper identification is required. When requesting records about others, access may be limited for confidential or protected records.
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Commercial Use: While commercial use of public records is generally permitted, some specialized records may have restrictions on commercial use or may be subject to different fee structures for commercial purposes.
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Representatives: Attorneys or other authorized representatives may request records on behalf of Tennessee citizens, provided they can demonstrate their authorization.
The county has established a standardized public records request process to ensure fair and consistent handling of all requests, regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose.
What Records Are Confidential in Blount County?
While Blount County strives to provide access to public records, certain records are confidential under Tennessee law and exempt from public disclosure. The Tennessee Public Records Act § 10-7-504 establishes numerous categories of records that are confidential and not subject to public inspection. These exemptions include:
- Medical records and protected health information (in accordance with HIPAA)
- Personnel records containing personally identifying information of government employees
- Juvenile records, including court proceedings and law enforcement records
- Records of child abuse investigations and child welfare cases
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers, bank account information, and other personal financial data
- Library records revealing the identity of library patrons and their specific borrowing history
- Military discharge records (DD-214) except under specific circumstances
- Certain attorney-client privileged communications and work product
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security information, including building security systems and emergency response plans
- Records related to vulnerable infrastructure (water systems, electrical grid, etc.)
- Adoption records and related court documents
- Mental health commitment proceedings and records
- Certain educational records protected under FERPA
Additionally, Tennessee law employs a balancing test for certain records where the public interest in disclosure must be weighed against privacy interests or potential harm from disclosure. In such cases, records custodians may redact confidential information while providing access to the remainder of the record.
Persons seeking access to records that may contain confidential information should be prepared for potential redactions or partial denials in accordance with these statutory exemptions.
Blount County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Blount County Register of Deeds
345 Court Street
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 273-5830
Blount County Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Blount County Circuit Court Clerk
926 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 273-5700
Blount County Circuit Court Clerk
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Blount County Clerk
345 Court Street
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 273-5800
Blount County Clerk
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Blount County Archives
1006 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 273-5840
Blount County Archives
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays