Knox County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Knox County?

Public records in Knox County encompass a wide range of official documents, files, and information maintained by county government agencies that are accessible to the public pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). These records document government activities, transactions, and decisions that affect Knox County residents. The following categories of public records are maintained and provided by Knox County government offices:

Property Records: Assessment records, deeds, mortgages, liens, property tax information, and plat maps maintained by the Knox County Property Assessor.
Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited access), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees processed through the Knox County Clerk's Office.
Court Records: Civil and criminal case files, court dockets, judgments, and legal proceedings from Knox County Circuit and Chancery Courts.
Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest records, jail records, and certain investigative files maintained by the Knox County Sheriff's Department.
Voter Registration Records: Voter rolls, election results, and campaign finance reports available through the Knox County Election Commission.
Financial Records: County budgets, expenditure reports, tax collection data, and financial statements managed by the Knox County Trustee.
Health Department Records: Environmental health inspections, certain health statistics, and public health program information from the Knox County Health Department.
Geographic Information: Property boundaries, zoning maps, and geographic data available through Knox County GIS.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and certain regulatory compliance documents.
Meeting Records: Minutes, agendas, and recordings of public meetings held by the Knox County Commission and other public bodies.

Is Knox County an Open Records County?

Knox County operates as an open records county in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503), which establishes the presumption that government records shall be open for inspection by any citizen of Tennessee. The Knox County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 2, further codifies the county's commitment to transparency and public access to government records.

The Tennessee Public Records 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." This statutory framework establishes Knox County's legal obligation to maintain open records.

Knox County's Public Records Policy, adopted pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(g), outlines the procedures for requesting and accessing public records. The policy affirms that "providing timely and unfettered access to government records promotes transparency and accountability in the actions of county officials."

The Knox County Mayor's Office has designated Records Custodians within each department who are responsible for facilitating public access to records. These designations reflect the county's institutional commitment to open government and compliance with state open records laws.

How Do I Find Public Records in Knox County in 2025

Members of the public seeking Knox County records in 2025 may utilize several established methods to locate and access the information they need. The county has implemented a multi-channel approach to facilitate public records access:

Online Portal Access

The Knox County Public Records Portal serves as the centralized request system for many county departments.
Users may submit requests electronically, track status updates, and receive documents digitally when available.
The portal requires basic contact information and specific details about the records being requested.

Department-Specific Websites

Many Knox County departments maintain searchable online databases for frequently requested records:
- Property information through the Property Assessor's website
- Court case information via the Circuit Court Clerk's portal
- Geographic and property data through KGIS mapping system

In-Person Requests

Records may be requested in person at the appropriate county office during regular business hours.
Requestors should be prepared to complete a records request form specifying the documents sought.
For specialized records, visiting the specific department housing those records is recommended:

Knox County City-County Building
400 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 215-2000

Written Requests

Written requests may be submitted via mail to the appropriate department.
Requests should include specific information about the records sought, contact information, and preferred delivery method.
Response times are governed by T.C.A. § 10-7-503, which requires prompt access to public records.

Telephone Inquiries

Initial inquiries about record availability may be made by telephone to the relevant department.
Staff can provide guidance on the appropriate request method for specific record types.
Formal requests typically require written documentation for processing.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Knox County?

The cost structure for obtaining public records in Knox County is established pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503) and the county's Schedule of Reasonable Charges adopted in accordance with state guidelines. Fees are designed to recover the actual cost of providing records without creating barriers to public access.

Standard Copy Fees

Black and white copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14"): $0.15 per page
Color copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14"): $0.50 per page
Oversized documents or specialized formats: Actual production cost

Electronic Records

Records provided electronically (when available): No charge for email delivery
CD/DVD media: $5.00 per disc
USB drive: $10.00 per device (requestor may provide their own device)

Labor Charges

First hour of labor: No charge (waived)
Labor exceeding one hour: Hourly rate of the employee(s) reasonably necessary to produce the requested records
Labor charges apply only when time exceeds one hour for production, redaction, and compilation

Specialized Records Fees

Certain records have statutorily defined fees:
- Certified copies of vital records: $15.00 for first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
- Criminal background checks: $29.00 per name search
- Property record copies from Register of Deeds: $1.00 per page plus $5.00 per document

Payment Methods

Cash, check, or money order accepted at all county offices
Credit/debit card payments accepted at most locations (3% convenience fee may apply)
Online payments available for certain record types through department websites

The Knox County Records Custodian will provide a detailed estimate of charges when costs are expected to exceed $10.00, and requestors must agree to pay estimated charges before record production begins.

Does Knox County Have Free Public Records?

Knox County provides several categories of public records at no cost to requestors, balancing public access with resource constraints. The following records are generally available without fees:

No-Cost Online Records

Property assessment information through the Knox County Property Assessor
Basic court case docket information via the Knox County Courts website
Voter registration verification through the Election Commission portal
County Commission meeting minutes and agendas
County budget documents and financial reports
Geographic information system (GIS) basic map viewing through KGIS

Free In-Person Inspection

All public records may be inspected at no charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
Inspection must occur under the supervision of the records custodian
Requestors may take notes or photographs of records during inspection at no cost

Fee Waivers

The Knox County Records Custodian may waive fees when:
- The request is from another governmental entity
- The total charges would be less than $5.00
- The request serves a public interest and is not for commercial purposes
- Waiver is authorized by the department head for good cause shown

Reduced-Cost Options

Electronic delivery of existing digital records (when available)
Viewing records on public access terminals at county facilities
Consolidated requests that reduce labor time for production

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i), Knox County does not assess a charge for inspection of public records unless otherwise required by law.

Who Can Request Public Records In Knox County?

Access to public records in Knox County is governed by the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503), which establishes specific eligibility criteria for requestors. The following individuals and entities may request public records:

Tennessee Citizens

Any citizen of the State of Tennessee has a statutory right to inspect and receive copies of public records
Proof of Tennessee citizenship may be required through:
- Valid Tennessee driver's license or photo ID
- Utility bill showing Tennessee address
- Voter registration card
- Other documentation establishing Tennessee residency

Business Entities

Tennessee-based businesses may request records through an authorized representative
Business must provide documentation of Tennessee registration or incorporation
Representative must demonstrate authorization to act on behalf of the business

Government Agencies

Federal, state, and local government agencies may request records for official purposes
Requests should be submitted on official letterhead or through formal channels
Intergovernmental requests often receive expedited processing

Non-Tennessee Residents

While the Tennessee Public Records Act limits access to Tennessee citizens, Knox County may, at its discretion, provide records to non-residents
Such discretionary access is not guaranteed by statute
Non-residents may be required to pay additional fees for record production

Media Organizations

News media organizations based in Tennessee have the same access rights as other Tennessee citizens
Out-of-state media organizations may be granted access at the county's discretion
Media requests for time-sensitive information may receive priority handling

The Knox County Records Custodian may require verification of eligibility before processing requests, consistent with the Tennessee Court of Appeals ruling in McBurney v. Cuccinelli (2012), which upheld citizenship requirements for public records access.

What Records Are Confidential In Knox County?

Knox County maintains certain records as confidential pursuant to Tennessee state law, primarily under T.C.A. § 10-7-504 and other applicable statutes. These confidential records are exempt from public disclosure to protect privacy, security, and other compelling interests. The following categories of records are generally not available for public inspection:

Personal Information

Social Security numbers, personal financial information, and bank account details
Driver's license numbers and state ID numbers
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA and state law
Juvenile records except as specifically authorized by T.C.A. § 37-1-153
Personal email addresses and phone numbers of county employees

Law Enforcement Records

Active criminal investigation files
Information that would identify confidential informants
Certain law enforcement personnel records as specified in T.C.A. § 10-7-504
Records that would reveal undercover operations
Certain victim information, particularly in domestic violence and sexual assault cases

Security Information

Building security plans and vulnerability assessments
Computer security information including passwords and security protocols
Emergency response plans and security procedures
Utility system maps and critical infrastructure details

Legal and Administrative Records

Records protected by attorney-client privilege
Records subject to court-ordered seals or protective orders
Pending procurement and contract negotiation documents
Certain economic development records during active recruitment
Academic records protected under FERPA

Other Protected Records

Adoption records except as provided by court order
Certain tax information protected by state and federal law
Records specifically designated as confidential by state statute
Military discharge records (DD-214) except to specific authorized parties
Certain library patron records protected under T.C.A. § 10-8-101

Knox County Records Custodians are required to redact confidential information from records before release when the confidential portion can be separated from public information. Requestors seeking access to records that may contain confidential information should specify the public portions they seek to facilitate appropriate redaction.

Knox County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Knox County Register of Deeds serves as the official recorder for Knox County, maintaining and providing access to property records and other official documents. The office operates under the authority granted by Tennessee Code Annotated and Knox County ordinances.

Knox County Register of Deeds
City-County Building
400 Main Street, Suite 225
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 215-2330
Knox County Register of Deeds

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases
Maintenance of property ownership records
Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
Preservation of historical property records
Military discharge recording (DD-214 forms)
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings

Document Recording Requirements:

Original documents must be submitted for recording
Documents must be signed and notarized as required by law
Legal descriptions must be complete and accurate
Recording fees must be paid at time of submission
Documents must meet formatting standards per T.C.A. § 66-24-101

Remote Access Options:

Online search of indices available through subscription service
Electronic recording (e-recording) available for authorized submitters
Telephone assistance for basic information during business hours

The Register of Deeds maintains records dating back to the formation of Knox County in 1792, with computerized indices available for records from 1969 to present. Earlier records are available through in-person research or staff assistance.