Hamilton County, TN Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
Hamilton County is served by the trial courts of the Tennessee state court system, which include the Chancery, Probate, Circuit, and Criminal courts. The county court clerk keeps the court records, and court contact details should be confirmed through the official Tennessee courts website, TennesseeCourts.org.
Hamilton County had an estimated population of 390,833 in 2025, up 0.9% from 387,268 in 2024. That is 5.34% of Tennessee's 7,315,076 residents in 2025, when the state's population grew 0.9% from 7,251,291.
How to Search Hamilton County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search Hamilton County court records.
Online
Go to TennesseeCourts.org to find official Tennessee court information.
Ask the county court clerk whether case records can be searched online.
Confirm the clerk's contact details before you search.
Best for: Finding the right court or clerk contact
In Person
Go to the county court clerk's office and confirm the address first.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which office handles your case type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call the county court clerk to confirm what records you need.
Have the full name, case number, and approximate dates ready.
Ask the clerk how to request copies or documents.
Best for: Confirming what the clerk needs before a visit
Search by Name on TennesseeCourts.org
Go to TennesseeCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Hamilton County Court Statistics (FY 2024-25)
Trial courts in Hamilton County (Chancery, Circuit, Criminal and Probate where established) recorded 14,223 new filings in fiscal year 2024-25 and 12,991 dispositions, according to the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.
14,223
Total filings in FY 2024-25 (FY 2023-24: 12,468)
12,991
Total dispositions in FY 2024-25 (FY 2023-24: 12,078)
36.4
Filings per 1,000 residents (population 390,833)
+14.1%
Change in total filings vs FY 2023-24 (12,468)
| Metric | FY 2024-25 | FY 2023-24 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 14,223 | 12,468 | +14.1% |
| Total Dispositions | 12,991 | 12,078 | +7.6% |
| Criminal Filings (Criminal Court) | 7,808 | 6,375 | +22.5% |
| Civil Filings (Circuit and Chancery, excluding family and probate) | 3,449 | 3,268 | +5.5% |
| Family Law Filings (divorce, parenting, paternity and related) | 1,923 | 1,746 | +10.1% |
| Probate and Estate Filings | 1,043 | 1,079 | -3.3% |
The largest driver of the change was criminal filings (+1,433 filings), followed by civil and other (+181). Judge counts are not published by county in this report, so no per-judge figures are shown.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Hamilton County?
This table shows new filings and dispositions in the Chancery, Circuit, Criminal and Probate courts of Hamilton County for the last five fiscal years, from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts annual statistical reports.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024-25 | 14,223 | 12,991 | +14.1% |
| FY 2023-24 | 12,468 | 12,078 | +6.9% |
| FY 2022-23 | 11,664 | 13,397 | -14.1% |
| FY 2021-22 | 13,585 | 12,253 | +14.2% |
| FY 2020-21 | 11,901 | 11,316 | Base year |
Total filings changed +19.5% between FY 2020-21 and FY 2024-25, from 11,901 to 14,223. The largest annual change was +14.2% in FY 2021-22. The latest change, FY 2024-25, was +14.1%, led by criminal filings (+1,433).
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Hamilton County?
Criminal cases make up the largest share of Hamilton County filings at 54.9% of the 14,223 filed in FY 2024-25.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2024-25 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 7,808 | 54.9% | +22.5% |
| Civil and other | 3,449 | 24.2% | +5.5% |
| Family law | 1,923 | 13.5% | +10.1% |
| Probate and estates | 1,043 | 7.3% | -3.3% |
Criminal cases were the fastest-growing category at +22.5%, while probate and estates cases fell fastest at -3.3%. Case types are grouped from the report as: criminal (Criminal Court), family law (divorce, parenting, paternity and related), probate and estates, and other civil.
How Does Hamilton County Compare With Tennessee Overall?
Hamilton County accounted for 5.51% of the 258,104 trial court cases filed statewide in Tennessee in FY 2024-25, and its filings grew 14.1% while statewide filings grew 1.3%.
| Metric | Hamilton County | Tennessee | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 14,223 | 258,104 | 5.51% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | +14.1% | +1.3% | +12.7 points vs state |
| Filings per 1,000 residents | 36.4 | 35.3 | +3.1% vs state |
| Dispositions per 1,000 residents | 33.2 | 35.0 | -5.0% vs state |
| Criminal share of filings | 54.9% | 58.2% | -3.3 points vs state |
| Civil share of filings (excluding family and probate) | 24.2% | 19.6% | +4.7 points vs state |
| Family law share of filings | 13.5% | 14.1% | -0.6 points vs state |
Hamilton County's criminal share is lower than the statewide share and its family law share is lower.
Hamilton County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Tennessee statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Hamilton County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 18.1% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 99.6% of Tennessee's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
36,352
Violent crimes, Tennessee statewide, 2025
121,124
Property crimes, Tennessee statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
496.9
Violent crime rate per 100K, Tennessee statewide, 2025 (population 7,315,076)
-18.1%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Tennessee statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (157,476 vs 192,379)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 484 | 6.6 | 591 | -18.1% |
| Rape | 2,661 | 36.4 | 2,900 | -8.2% |
| Robbery | 3,060 | 41.8 | 4,289 | -28.7% |
| Aggravated assault | 30,147 | 412.1 | 35,757 | -15.7% |
| Violent crimes total | 36,352 | 496.9 | 43,537 | -16.5% |
| Burglary | 15,091 | 206.3 | 18,433 | -18.1% |
| Larceny-theft | 88,589 | 1211.0 | 105,082 | -15.7% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 16,693 | 228.2 | 24,488 | -31.8% |
| Property crimes total | 121,124 | 1655.8 | 148,842 | -18.6% |
Rates use the Tennessee 2025 population of 7,315,076. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Hamilton County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Hamilton County Courthouse Locations
Hamilton County court proceedings are held at the Hamilton County Circuit Court Clerk. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton County Circuit Court Clerk | 625 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402 | 423-209-6700 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Hamilton County?
Cases in Hamilton County, Tennessee are heard by General Sessions, Circuit, Criminal, Chancery, Juvenile, and Probate courts, depending on the matter and county.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Hamilton County General Sessions Court or the city municipal court | Traffic citations go to the court named on the ticket. |
| Parking ticket | City municipal court or the city that issued the ticket | Parking citations are handled by the issuing city. |
| Misdemeanor | Hamilton County General Sessions Court | General Sessions handles misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings. |
| Felony | Hamilton County General Sessions Court, then Circuit or Criminal Court | Felonies start with a preliminary hearing and move to the trial court after indictment. |
| DUI | Hamilton County General Sessions Court | DUI misdemeanors are handled here; felony-level cases go to Circuit or Criminal Court. |
| Domestic violence | Hamilton County General Sessions Court | Orders of protection are typically sought through General Sessions or Circuit Court. |
| Civil lawsuit | Hamilton County General Sessions Court or Circuit Court | The court depends on the amount in dispute; federal claims go to the U.S. District Court. |
| Small claims | Hamilton County General Sessions Court | Civil General Sessions handles small claims within its dollar limit. |
| Eviction | Hamilton County General Sessions Court | Eviction (detainer) cases are filed in General Sessions. |
| Divorce | Hamilton County Circuit Court or Chancery Court | Divorce is filed in the Circuit or Chancery Court, depending on the county. |
| Child custody or support | Hamilton County Juvenile Court or Circuit or Chancery Court | Juvenile courts often handle support and custody for unmarried parents. |
| Probate or estate | Hamilton County Probate Court or Chancery Court | Probate is handled by a Probate or Chancery Court, or the county's designated court. |
| Juvenile case | Hamilton County Juvenile Court | In many counties the General Sessions judge serves as juvenile judge. |
| Appeal | Tennessee Court of Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals | Appeals from trial courts go to the appropriate appellate court; federal matters go to the U.S. District Court. |
Are Hamilton County Court Records Public?
Access to Hamilton County court records depends on the type of record and on any law or court order that restricts it. Ask the county court clerk which records are open to the public before you request them.
Public records
Court records that are not restricted by law or by court order can be requested from the county court clerk. Confirm with the clerk which case files are available.
Restricted or confidential records
Some records are restricted by law or by court order. The clerk can explain which records are restricted and how to make a request.
Online access
Online access varies by record type and court. Go to TennesseeCourts.org for official information, and ask the clerk whether a specific case can be viewed online.
In-person access
Visit the county court clerk's office to view or request records. Call ahead to confirm which office holds your case.
How to Search Hamilton County Court Records Online
Case information for Hamilton County courts is mostly kept by local clerks, so check the clerk portal for the court that hears your case.
- Identify your case type (criminal, traffic, civil, family, probate, or juvenile).
- Pick the official portal that covers that court and county.
- Search by party name or case number.
- Review the case details, parties, and scheduled hearings.
- Contact the clerk to request documents that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk or General Sessions Clerk; see Tennessee Courts | Case status, charges, and court dates where the county offers online search. | There is no single statewide trial-court search; availability varies by county. Copies come from the clerk. |
| Traffic | Hamilton County General Sessions Clerk or the city municipal court | Ticket status and payment where offered. | Online options vary by court. |
| Civil | Hamilton County Circuit Court Clerk or General Sessions Clerk | Civil case information where the county provides it. | Document access usually requires a request to the clerk. |
| Small claims | Hamilton County General Sessions Clerk | Case status for civil warrants and small claims. | Often not searchable online; contact the clerk. |
| Family law | Hamilton County Circuit or Chancery Court Clerk | Family case information where available. | Sealed and confidential records are not public online. |
| Probate | Hamilton County Clerk and Master or Probate Clerk | Estate case information and filings. | Online access varies; request copies from the clerk. |
| Juvenile | Hamilton County Juvenile Court Clerk | Juvenile matters are generally confidential. | Juvenile records are not available through public online search. |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Hamilton County
Contact the county court clerk to learn how to pay fines, costs, and citations for Hamilton County cases, including the payment methods accepted and any deadlines.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them, not by the court.
Hamilton County Court Records FAQ
How do I search court records?
Start by contacting the Hamilton County court clerk and checking TennesseeCourts.org for official court information. Have the full name and case number ready if you have them.
Are Hamilton County court records public?
Access depends on the record type and on any law or court order that restricts it. Ask the county court clerk which records you can request.
How do I find a criminal case?
Contact the county court clerk with the defendant's full name and any case number you have, so the clerk can confirm which court holds the case.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket, notice, or summons for the date and court. If it is unclear, contact the county court clerk to confirm.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Contact the county court clerk to confirm the accepted payment methods and deadlines before your court date.
How many cases are filed in Hamilton County each year?
County filing counts are not published here, so this page does not report a yearly case total for Hamilton County.
What is the most common case type?
County case-type counts are not published here, so this page does not name a most common case type for Hamilton County.
Is crime in Tennessee rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 16.5% to 36,352 in 2025 from 43,537 in 2024, and property crimes fell 18.6% to 121,124 from 148,842, as reported to the FBI. These are Tennessee statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Hamilton County TN CourtHouseMore Info
| Address: | 625 Georgia Ave., Chattanooga, TN, 37402 |
| Phone Number: | 423-209-6700 |
| Fax: | 423-209-6701 |
| Website: | https://www.hamiltontn.gov/Courts.aspx |
Chattanooga City CourtMore Info
| Address: | 600 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN, 37402 |
| Phone Number: | (423) 643-6311 |
| Fax: | (423) 643-7587 |
| Website: | https://chattanooga.gov/city-court |
EastRidge Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 1517 Tombras Avenue, EastRidge, TN, 37412 |
| Phone Number: | (423) 867-2701 |
| Fax: | (423) 867-2712 |
| Website: | https://www.eastridgetn.gov/court.html |
Soddy-Daisy City CourtMore Info
| Address: | 9835 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN, 37379 |
| Phone Number: | 423-332-5323 |
| Website: | https://soddy-daisy.org/services/municipal-court/ |
RedBank City CourtMore Info
| Address: | 3105 Dayton Blvd, RedBank, TN, 37415 |
| Phone Number: | (423) 877-1103 |
| Website: | https://www.redbanktn.gov/court.html |
Useful Links
- Hamilton County Government - Open Government - Access comprehensive resources for residents, businesses, and visitors, as well as transparent government initiatives and services.
- Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts - Provides information on state courts, including dockets, forms, and rules to support public legal understanding.
- Circuit Court Clerk - Hamilton County - Access Circuit Court records, dockets, and payment services, offering support for civil and criminal cases.
- Criminal Court Clerk - Hamilton County - Access criminal case records, case searches, and dockets to aid in legal proceedings and public records access.
- Chancery Court Clerk and Master - Find details about Chancery Court operations, including probate matters, filings, and case management in Hamilton County.
- Tennessee Access to Justice Initiative - Promotes equal access to justice with resources and support for those unable to afford legal representation.
- Hamilton County Juvenile Court - Provides services and resources for families and children within the juvenile justice system to resolve legal matters.
- Hamilton County Chancellors - Information on Chancery Court operations, including judicial roles and responsibilities in managing civil and domestic cases.
- Public Case History - Tennessee Court Case Search - Search and access public case histories within Tennessee courts, offering transparency and public record availability.
- Tennessee Court Rules - State Rules and Procedures - Comprehensive source of Tennessee court rules and procedures to guide legal processes within different jurisdictions.
- Tennessee Bar Association - Offers legal resources, news, and advocacy tools for Tennessee lawyers, including updates on state Bar activities.
- Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services - Statewide nonprofit providing legal assistance and advocacy for underserved populations across Tennessee communities.
- Chattanooga Public Library - Research & Databases - Access legal databases, research tools, and public records, supporting community learning and legal information needs.
- Directory of Legal Resources in Tennessee - PDF directory of statewide legal services, offering contact information and resources for those seeking legal advice.
- Law Help Tennessee - Legal information and resources for low-income individuals and families in Tennessee, including guidance on various issues.
- ABA CLE Marketplace - Online Legal Education - Access continuing legal education (CLE) programs for legal practitioners, supporting ongoing professional development and competence.
- General Circuit Court Terminology - Reference guide on common court terms and phrases, aiding public understanding of legal documents and court proceedings.
- Tennessee Courts Legal Research - Provides access to legal opinions, attorney general reports, and other resources to support legal research and understanding.
- National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors - Resources and support for addressing mental health needs within court systems and other institutional settings.
Table of Contents
- Hamilton County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Hamilton County Court Records
- Hamilton County Court Statistics (FY 2024-25)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Hamilton County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Hamilton County?
- How Does Hamilton County Compare With Tennessee Overall?
- Hamilton County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Hamilton County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Hamilton County?
- Are Hamilton County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Hamilton County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Hamilton County
- Hamilton County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links