Madison County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Madison County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Madison County, Tennessee, may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. MadisonTNRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may relate to records maintained by government agencies in Madison County. Individuals may find information pertaining to the following record categories:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessments
- Vital records including birth, death, marriage, and divorce
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
- County commission meeting minutes and financial documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by the county and state.
Online Access: The Madison County Government website provides access to several online databases and portals. Property records and tax assessment data are searchable through the county's online systems. Some court records are accessible via the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts public case search tool. Registration is not required for basic record searches on most county portals.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Madison County Clerk's Office or the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to inspect records during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to describe the records sought with reasonable specificity.
Madison County Clerk's Office
100 E. Main Street, Suite 107
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 423-6022
Madison County Clerk
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, government entities are required to respond promptly to public records requests.
Phone/Email: The Madison County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (731) 423-6022. The City of Jackson also accepts public records requests; members of the public may submit an open records request to the City of Jackson through its official online portal.
What Are Public Records in Madison County?
Public records in Madison County are defined under Tennessee state law 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. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee.
The following record types are maintained by Madison County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Probate and family court records | Probate Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Register of Deeds |
| Tax assessments | County Assessor of Property |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Tennessee Department of Health |
| Marriage and divorce records | County Clerk / Circuit Court Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | Madison County Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and budgets | County Commission / County Mayor's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Madison County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Madison County Planning Department |
The Madison County Register of Deeds maintains property-related instruments, while the County Clerk handles business licenses and marriage records.
Is Madison County an Open Records County?
Madison County operates in full compliance with Tennessee's open records laws. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-501 et seq., all state, county, and municipal records are presumed open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.
As stated in the City of Jackson's official policy on public records access: "The TPRA provides that all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee." This standard applies equally to Madison County government offices.
The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel, established under state law, provides guidance to both government entities and the public regarding records access rights. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office also issues opinions on open records matters that inform county-level compliance. Madison County does not maintain a separate county ordinance that restricts access beyond what state law permits, meaning the TPRA governs all public records requests submitted to county offices.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Madison County?
The current fee structure for public records in Madison County follows the schedule established under Tennessee state law and individual office policies. Fees vary by record type and the office maintaining the records.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $0.15 per page (black and white) |
| Color copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies (vital records) | $15.00 per document (TDOH) |
| Certified copies (court records) | Varies by court |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of media or transmission |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
Under Tennessee law, agencies may charge for the actual cost of producing records, including staff time when a request requires more than one hour of labor to fulfill. The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury provides guidance on permissible fee structures for government entities.
Accepted payment methods at most Madison County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under state law, though individual offices retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances, such as requests from indigent individuals or nonprofit organizations.
Does Madison County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Madison County government offices during regular business hours. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting records in person. Members of the public may review documents at the relevant office without incurring a cost, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure.
Several categories of records are available at no cost through online government portals:
- Property assessment data is searchable at no charge through the Madison County Assessor of Property
- Court case information is accessible through the Tennessee Courts case search portal without a fee
- Election and voter registration information is available through the Madison County Election Commission
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas are posted publicly on the Madison County government website
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies of records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Madison County?
Any citizen of Tennessee may request public records from Madison County government offices. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, the right of inspection is extended to all Tennessee citizens without restriction based on residency within the county. Non-residents of Tennessee do not hold the same statutory right of inspection under the TPRA, though many offices extend access as a matter of practice.
Requestors are not required to:
- State the purpose of their request
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records
- Provide identification for general inspection (though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types)
Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or tax records, follow the same process as any other requestor. Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same access rights, except where specific exemptions apply. Attorneys, journalists, and researchers are subject to the same rules as members of the general public under state law.
Certain record types, such as adoption records, juvenile court records, and sealed court files, carry additional restrictions regardless of who is making the request.
What Records Are Confidential in Madison County?
Not all government records in Madison County are open to public inspection. Tennessee law enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. The following records are confidential under state and federal law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar information are redacted from disclosed records
- Medical records: Protected under 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: Maintained as confidential by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety
As noted by the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel: "The fact that a record may contain some confidential information does not necessarily make the entire record confidential. Agencies are required to redact confidential information and provide the remainder of the record."
Exemptions are codified throughout Tennessee law, with primary provisions found in Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-504, which enumerates specific categories of records that are not open for public inspection.
Madison County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Madison County Register of Deeds
100 E. Main Street, Suite 105
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 423-6022
Madison County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Madison County Circuit Court Clerk
100 E. Main Street
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 423-6022
Madison County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Madison County Assessor of Property
100 E. Main Street, Suite 108
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 423-6063
Madison County Assessor of Property
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Madison County Election Commission
1010 N. Highland Avenue
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 423-6063
Madison County Election Commission
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tennessee Department of Health – Vital Records
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-1763
Tennessee Vital Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM