Rutherford County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Rutherford County?
Public records in Rutherford County 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 prepared, owned, used, received, or possessed by Rutherford County government entities.
Rutherford County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers maintained by the Rutherford County Register of Deeds
- Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited to 1881-1912), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps maintained by the Rutherford County Property Assessor
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Rutherford County Election Commission
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission, boards, and committees' official proceedings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County financial statements, budgets, and expenditure reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
Each record type is maintained by specific county departments, with the Rutherford County government providing centralized access through their official county portal. Property records, which are among the most frequently requested documents, can be accessed through the county's property data search system.
Is Rutherford County an Open Records County?
Rutherford County fully complies with the Tennessee Public Records Act § 10-7-503, which establishes the fundamental 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."
Rutherford County has implemented specific policies to ensure compliance with state transparency laws. The county maintains an Open Records Policy that outlines procedures for requesting public records. This policy was developed in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act and provides clear guidelines for both county officials and the public.
Additionally, Rutherford County adheres to Tennessee's Open Meetings Law, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law" (Tennessee Code § 8-44-101), which requires that meetings of governing bodies be open to the public with adequate notice provided.
The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online resources, which provide direct access to many public records through the official Rutherford County government website. The county has designated Public Records Request Coordinators within various departments to facilitate the records request process.
How to Find Public Records in Rutherford County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Rutherford County records may utilize several methods to obtain the information they need. The county provides multiple pathways for accessing public records:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the Rutherford County government website. Interested parties may access:
- Property records through the Real Property Search portal
- Court case information through the Circuit Court Clerk's office
- Meeting minutes and agendas through the County Commission section
- Tax information through the Property Assessor's database
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In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records. No appointment is necessary for general record inspection, though complex requests may benefit from scheduling in advance.
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Written Requests: For records not readily available online, individuals may submit a Public Records Request Form to the relevant department. The form is available on the county website or at county offices.
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Department-Specific Procedures:
- For property records: Contact the Register of Deeds office
- For court records: Contact the Circuit Court Clerk
- For tax information: Contact the Property Assessor
- For vital records: Contact the County Clerk
When making a request, individuals should:
- Provide specific information about the records sought
- Include contact information for follow-up
- Specify preferred format (electronic or paper copies)
- Be prepared to pay any applicable fees
The county is required to respond to records requests within seven business days, pursuant to Tennessee Public Records Act. This response may include providing the records, denying the request with explanation, or requesting additional time if needed.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Rutherford County?
Rutherford County assesses fees for certain 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 Rutherford County are as follows:
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Photocopies or Printouts:
- Black and white (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14"): $0.15 per page
- Color copies: $0.50 per page
- Larger formats: Actual cost of reproduction
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Digital Records:
- Records provided electronically: No charge for transmission
- CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
- USB drive: Actual cost of the device
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Specialized Records:
- Certified copies: Additional $1.00 per document
- Maps and plats: Varies by size ($5.00-$20.00)
- Recorded documents (Register of Deeds): $1.00 per page plus $5.00 per document
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Labor Charges:
- First hour: No charge
- Additional time: Hourly rate of the employee(s) reasonably necessary to produce the requested records
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, and credit/debit cards (where available). Some departments may charge a convenience fee for credit card payments.
Fee waivers may be granted when:
- The request is made by a governmental entity
- The request is for a public purpose and benefits the general welfare
- The request is minimal and requires negligible resources to fulfill
The Tennessee Public Records Act stipulates that fees must be assessed uniformly and must not be used as a barrier to access. Requestors have the right to receive an estimate of costs before records are produced when charges are expected to exceed $10.00.
Does Rutherford County Have Free Public Records?
Rutherford County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Tennessee state law. The Tennessee Public Records Act guarantees the right to inspect public records at no charge, though fees may apply for copies or extensive searches.
Records available for free inspection include:
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In-Person Inspection: All non-confidential public records may be viewed at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. This includes court records, property records, meeting minutes, and other government documents.
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Online Resources: Rutherford County offers several free online databases:
- Property assessment data through the Tennessee Comptroller's Office
- Basic property ownership information through the Real Property Search portal
- County Commission meeting agendas and minutes
- Budget documents and financial reports
- Election results and voter information (excluding confidential voter data)
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Government Publications: Annual reports, planning documents, and informational materials produced by county departments are typically available at no cost.
The Rutherford County Register of Deeds office maintains public terminals where citizens can search property records without charge, though printing copies incurs standard fees. Similarly, the Circuit Court Clerk provides public access terminals for reviewing court cases, with fees applying only to printed copies.
For records not available online, citizens may visit the appropriate county office during business hours to inspect records without charge. County staff will provide reasonable assistance in locating and retrieving requested records for inspection.
Who Can Request Public Records in Rutherford County?
Under the Tennessee Public Records Act § 10-7-503, any citizen of Tennessee has the legal right to inspect and request copies of public records maintained by Rutherford County government offices. 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, Rutherford County typically processes requests from non-residents as a matter of practice, though priority may be given to Tennessee citizens during periods of high request volume.
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Identification Requirements: Requestors may be asked to present identification to verify Tennessee citizenship. Acceptable forms include a Tennessee driver's license, state ID card, or other documentation establishing state residency.
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Purpose Disclosure: For most public records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request or explain how the information will be used. However, certain specialized records may require purpose disclosure under specific state laws.
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Commercial Use: While commercial use of public records is permitted, some departments may inquire about intended use to determine applicable fees or restrictions.
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Requesting Personal Records: Individuals requesting their own records (such as personal court records) may need to provide additional identification to verify their identity.
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Requesting Others' Records: When requesting records about another individual, access may be limited based on confidentiality laws. For example, certain personal identifying information may be redacted.
The Tennessee Public Records Act does not restrict access based on age, though minors requesting records may need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian depending on county policy.
What Records Are Confidential in Rutherford County?
While Rutherford County strives to provide open access to government records, certain documents are protected from disclosure under Tennessee Code § 10-7-504, which establishes specific exemptions to the Public Records Act. The following categories of records are considered confidential and not subject to public inspection:
- Personal Information: Social Security numbers, bank account information, credit/debit card numbers, and other personal financial information
- Medical Records: All medical records and information protected under HIPAA regulations
- Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors, except in limited circumstances prescribed by law
- Sealed Court Records: Records that have been sealed by court order
- Ongoing Investigations: Records related to pending criminal investigations by law enforcement agencies
- Child Abuse Records: Reports and investigations of child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse
- Adoption Records: All records pertaining to adoptions
- Personnel Records: Certain employment information including home addresses, personal phone numbers, and performance evaluations of government employees
- Attorney-Client Communications: Privileged communications between county officials and legal counsel
- Security Information: Records regarding security systems, emergency response plans, and infrastructure vulnerabilities
- Educational Records: Student records protected under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
- Library Records: Information revealing the identity of library patrons and their specific borrowing history
- Proprietary Business Information: Trade secrets or confidential commercial information submitted to government agencies
When a record contains both public and confidential information, Rutherford County will redact the confidential portions and provide access to the remainder of the document. The county must cite the specific legal authority for any denial of access to records.
The Tennessee Public Records Act requires custodians to apply a "balancing test" in certain circumstances, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy interests or potential harm from disclosure.
Rutherford County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Rutherford County Register of Deeds
County Courthouse, Suite 401
16 Public Square North
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 898-7850
Rutherford County Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
The Register of Deeds office serves as the official custodian of property records for Rutherford County. This office is responsible for recording, maintaining, and providing access to various documents related to real property transactions within the county. Services provided include:
- Recording deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other property-related documents
- Issuing certified copies of recorded documents
- Maintaining historical property records
- Providing public access terminals for record searches
Additional county offices that maintain public records include:
Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk
Judicial Center
116 W. Lytle Street, Room 200
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 898-7800
Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk
Rutherford County Clerk
County Courthouse, Room 105
16 Public Square North
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 898-7800
Rutherford County Clerk
Rutherford County Property Assessor
County Courthouse Annex
319 N. Maple Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 898-7750
Rutherford County Property Assessor
Visitors are advised to call ahead for complex research needs or to confirm availability of specific records. Many records can also be accessed through the county's online portals, reducing the need for in-person visits.