shelby county tn public records guide for residents

What you can find

Shelby County maintains a broad catalog of records, including property deeds and plats, civil and criminal court filings, marriage and divorce records, business licenses, building permits, and historical maps. These materials support due diligence for homebuyers, journalists, and researchers alike.

Main benefits and trade-offs

Transparency and convenience let you verify ownership, check liens, or confirm a case status without leaving home. Many files are searchable online, saving time and travel. However, some items are restricted for privacy, older volumes may be incomplete or handwritten, and certified copies typically carry per-page fees.

How to access

Start with the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and the civil, criminal, or chancery courts. Use parcel numbers, case numbers, or exact names to narrow results, and be prepared for onsite review when archives are off-line.

• Search indexes by name, date span, or instrument number.
• Request certified copies for legal use; bring photo ID.
• Confirm fee schedules and accepted payments in advance.
• Retry with alternate spellings or prior addresses.
• Respect redactions protecting SSNs, juveniles, and victims.

For high-stakes matters, consider a title professional or attorney to reduce errors and keep transactions moving.