Roane County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Roane County?
Public records in Roane County are defined under the Tennessee Public Records Act as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files, and other material made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental entity. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are presumed open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.
The following categories of public records are currently maintained by various Roane County offices:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Roane County Circuit Court Clerk, which oversees Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, Juvenile, Traffic, and Collections Court divisions
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are held by the Roane County Register of Deeds; property assessment data is accessible through the Tennessee Property Viewer maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury
- Vital records — birth and death certificates are issued through the Tennessee Department of Health; marriage and divorce records are filed with the County Clerk and Circuit Court Clerk respectively
- Business records — business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are processed through the County Clerk's office
- Tax records — property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Roane County Assessor of Property and Trustee
- Voting and election records — maintained by the Roane County Election Commission
- Meeting minutes and agendas — county commission and board meeting records are available through the Roane County Government official website
- Budget and financial documents — maintained by the Roane County Finance Department and available for public inspection
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Roane County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Roane County Planning and Zoning Department
The Roane County Records & Archives office coordinates records management practices across all county offices and fulfills Tennessee Public Records Act requests on behalf of the county.
Is Roane County an Open Records County?
Roane County fully complies with Tennessee's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption of public access to government documents. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, any citizen of Tennessee has the right to inspect or obtain copies of any public record maintained by a state or local government entity. The law further provides that the custodian of records must promptly make records available for inspection and must respond to requests within seven business days.
Tennessee's open records law is commonly referred to as the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), and it operates in conjunction with the Tennessee Open Meetings Act — collectively forming the state's "sunshine laws." These statutes ensure that the business of government in Roane County is conducted transparently and that members of the public retain meaningful access to official records and proceedings.
Roane County's Records & Archives office currently coordinates compliance with the TPRA across all county departments, ensuring that records management practices align with state requirements. The county does not impose additional local ordinances that restrict access beyond what is permitted under state law.
How to Find Public Records in Roane County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Roane County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Present a written or verbal request to the records custodian identifying the record sought with reasonable specificity
- The custodian is required under state law to make records available promptly or provide a written explanation if additional time is needed
Written or Mail Requests:
- Submit a written request addressed to the relevant office, identifying the record type, date range, and any other descriptive information
- Include a return mailing address and indicate whether copies or in-person inspection is preferred
- No specific form is mandated under Tennessee law, though some offices provide optional request forms
Online Access:
- Property assessment records are currently searchable through the Tennessee Property Viewer
- Court records and filings may be accessible through the Circuit Court Clerk's online portal
- General county records and department information are available through the Roane County Government official website
By Telephone:
- Members of the public may call individual offices to inquire about record availability and request guidance on the appropriate submission process
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Roane County?
Current fees for public records in Roane County are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, which authorizes custodians to charge reasonable fees for producing copies of public records. Standard fees currently applicable include:
- Paper copies: Typically $0.15 per page for standard black-and-white copies, consistent with state guidelines
- Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; certified court documents and recorded instruments generally carry a per-page or per-document fee set by the issuing office
- Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies may reflect the actual cost of duplication, including staff time for records that require extensive retrieval or redaction
- Register of Deeds recording fees: Governed separately by state statute and vary based on document type and number of pages
Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly established under Tennessee law for standard public records requests, though indigent individuals seeking their own records may inquire with the relevant office regarding any available accommodations. Fees for records requiring significant staff time to compile or redact may be higher, and the custodian is required to provide an estimate in advance upon request.
Does Roane County Have Free Public Records?
Tennessee law guarantees the right to inspect public records at no charge. Members of the public may examine records in person at the custodian's office without incurring any fee, provided no copies are made. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
Several categories of Roane County records are currently accessible online at no cost:
- Property assessment data — available at no charge through the Tennessee Property Viewer, a public service provided by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury
- County government information and documents — accessible through the Roane County Government website, including meeting agendas, minutes, and departmental information
- Recorded land records — the Register of Deeds provides public access to recorded instruments, with all records in the office designated as public record under state law, with the exception of military discharges
- Court records — basic case information may be reviewed in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at no charge
Who Can Request Public Records in Roane County?
Under Tennessee's open records law, any citizen of Tennessee is entitled to inspect and obtain copies of public records. The statute does not require requestors to be residents of Roane County specifically, though Tennessee citizenship is the baseline eligibility standard established by § 10-7-503.
Key provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:
- Residency: Requestors are not required to be residents of Roane County; Tennessee citizenship is sufficient
- Identification: Custodians may request identification to verify Tennessee citizenship, but may not require requestors to state the purpose of their request for most record types
- Purpose: Members of the public are generally not required to explain why they are seeking records; however, certain sensitive record categories may require a demonstrated legal interest
- Non-residents: Individuals who are not Tennessee citizens may still access records that are publicly posted online or available through open portals, though in-person inspection rights under the TPRA are extended to Tennessee citizens
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves — such as their own court filings, tax records, or vital records — follow the same general process, though additional identity verification may be required for certified copies of vital records
Certain record types, including juvenile records, adoption records, and sealed court files, carry additional access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose.
What Records Are Confidential in Roane County?
Not all government records in Roane County are subject to public disclosure. Tennessee law identifies numerous categories of records that are exempt from inspection under the Tennessee Public Records Act. The following records are currently designated as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
- Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in juvenile court proceedings are confidential under Tennessee law
- Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would compromise the investigation
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly disclosed records
- Medical records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
- Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under Tennessee Department of Children's Services regulations
- Personnel records — employee records are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for information such as name, title, and compensation of public employees
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety
- Military discharge records (DD-214) — the Roane County Register of Deeds maintains these records but they are not open to general public inspection, consistent with state and federal protections
Exemptions are codified primarily under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504, which enumerates specific categories of records that government custodians are prohibited from disclosing. When a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Roane County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The Roane County Register of Deeds serves as the principal recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other instruments affecting real property. All records maintained by the Register's office are designated as public record under Tennessee law, with the exception of military discharge documents.
Roane County Register of Deeds 200 E. Race Street, Suite 7, Kingston, TN 37763 (865) 376-5556 Register of Deeds – Roane County Government
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Roane County Records & Archives 200 E. Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 (865) 376-5578 Records & Archives – Roane County Government
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Roane County Circuit Court Clerk 200 E. Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 (865) 376-5556 Circuit Court Clerk – Roane County Government
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Roane County Mayor's Office / General County Government 200 E. Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 (865) 376-5578 Roane County Government