Madison County Public Records /Madison County Divorce Records

Madison County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Madison County in 2026

MadisonTNRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Madison County, Tennessee. Members of the public may find case summaries, court filing dates, party names, and related family court documents through official channels. Record categories may include final decrees, dissolution orders, parenting plans, and support agreements. Availability and completeness of records vary by case age, filing method, and applicable confidentiality protections.

Divorce records in Madison County may be searched through the Madison County Circuit Court Clerk's office, the Tennessee Court System's online portal, the Tennessee Department of Health's vital records division, and authorized third-party public access terminals located at the courthouse. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce-related court documents.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the Tennessee Court Case Management System, which allows members of the public to search civil and family court cases by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; certified copies and full document retrieval require payment of applicable fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The Tennessee Courts online portal provides a consolidated database of court records across jurisdictions, including Madison County Circuit Court. Users may search across multiple counties and case types from a single interface.

3. State Vital Records

Tennessee does not issue divorce certificates through the vital records system in the same manner as birth or death certificates; however, the Tennessee Department of Health maintains a Divorce Index for statistical purposes. Certified verification letters confirming that a divorce occurred may be requested through the vital records office for a fee.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Circuit Court Division:

Madison County Circuit Court Clerk
100 East Main Street, Room 203
Jackson, TN 38301
Phone: (731) 423-6022
Madison County Circuit Court Clerk

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Case file searches by party name or case number
- Viewing of public court documents
- Requests for certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Public access computer terminals
- Staff assistance for locating archived records

Records Department:

Older and archived divorce case files may be maintained separately from active case files. Members of the public seeking records from cases filed prior to the court's electronic filing transition should inquire directly with the Circuit Court Clerk's office regarding retrieval timelines and any applicable archival fees.

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Madison County Circuit Court Clerk, 100 East Main Street, Room 203, Jackson, TN 38301
Include the following in the written request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or date range
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name, mailing address, and contact information
- Purpose of the request, if required by the clerk
- Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately one to two weeks, depending on case volume and record age.

By Phone

Limited Information Available:

Madison County Circuit Court Clerk: (731) 423-6022
Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- The assigned case number
- Current case status
- The original filing date
Staff are not able to provide:
- Detailed document contents over the phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted case information

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Tennessee may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed or restricted documents through proper court motion, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Tennessee Bar Association's lawyer referral service connects members of the public with licensed attorneys who handle family law matters.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or year of filing
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous residential addresses in Madison County
Names of minor children involved in the case
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Divorce proceedings in Tennessee are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.

Residency Requirement:

Under Tennessee law, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for a minimum of six months prior to filing for divorce, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-4-104. The divorce petition is filed in the county of the filing spouse's residence.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing
Members of the public should allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final order is entered
Court staff can confirm whether a case has been finalized and entered into the system

Older Divorces:

Cases filed prior to electronic record-keeping may exist only in paper format
Archived records may require additional retrieval time
Some older records may not be digitized and must be retrieved from physical storage
Members of the public should allow additional processing time for archival requests

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

The divorce was filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences or clerical errors in the original filing
The case has not yet been finalized and remains pending
Very old records stored in off-site archival facilities
The case has been sealed or designated confidential by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Circuit Court Clerk directly at (731) 423-6022
Attempt alternate name spellings for both parties
Search under both the petitioner's and respondent's names
Check the Tennessee Department of Health's Divorce Index
Engage a licensed Tennessee attorney for complex searches

What Are Madison County Divorce Records?

Divorce records in Madison County are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Madison County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the permanent family law case file maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and are subject to Tennessee's public records laws.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files

The complete case file for a divorce proceeding in Madison County may include:

Petition for divorce or dissolution of marriage
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and child custody agreements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and hearing notices
Transcripts of court proceedings
Final judgment of divorce or dissolution

Final Decree

The final decree of divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It serves as the primary legal proof of divorce and establishes:

The exact date the marriage was dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal support terms, if any
Child custody and parenting time arrangements, if applicable
Child support obligations, if applicable
Court-ordered name restoration, if requested

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Circuit Court Clerk's office upon payment of applicable fees.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents filed as part of a divorce case may include the original marriage certificate, financial disclosure statements, property inventories, business valuations, and any post-judgment modification orders entered after the original decree.

Purpose of Divorce Records

Legal Purposes:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Documenting name changes with government agencies
Supporting immigration proceedings and visa applications
Facilitating Social Security benefit determinations
Enabling property transfers and estate planning
Verifying legal status in civil and administrative proceedings

Personal Purposes:

Genealogical and family history research
Personal record-keeping and verification
Confirming the terms of prior court orders

Who Maintains Divorce Records

The Madison County Circuit Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The clerk's office indexes records by the names of both parties, assigns case numbers, and provides certified copies upon request. The Tennessee Department of Health maintains a separate statistical Divorce Index but does not hold complete case files.

Legal Framework

Divorce proceedings in Tennessee are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-4-101 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, procedural requirements, and the legal standards applied by courts in resolving property, support, and custody matters. Access to court records is governed by the Tennessee Public Records Act, which establishes a presumption of public access to government records while providing specific exemptions for sensitive personal information.

Are Madison County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Madison County Circuit Court are public court records under Tennessee law. Members of the public may access basic case information, court orders, and final decrees without demonstrating a specific need or purpose. Certain categories of information within divorce case files are subject to restriction or redaction under applicable state and federal law.

What Is Public

The following information is accessible to members of the general public:

Case number and original filing date
Full names of both parties as listed in the petition
Names of attorneys of record
Scheduled and completed court hearing dates
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries reflecting the chronological history of the case

What May Be Restricted

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed financial statements may be subject to limited access in certain cases
Tax returns filed with the court may be sealed or restricted

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside
Names of schools children attend
Medical and psychological information about children
Child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order
Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Personal addresses and contact information in cases involving protective orders

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Tennessee law and are not part of the public court record.

Legal Basis for Public Access

The presumption of public access to court records in Tennessee is established under the Tennessee Public Records Act and applicable court rules. Restrictions on access require a specific legal basis and are applied on a case-by-case basis, balancing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved.

Privacy Protections

State-Specific Protections:

Tennessee family law rules provide specific confidentiality protections for domestic violence victims
Child protection statutes restrict disclosure of information that could endanger minor children
Court rules require redaction of certain personal identifiers from all publicly filed documents

Federal Protections:

HIPAA governs the confidentiality of medical records submitted as evidence
Federal domestic violence statutes provide additional protections for victims

Who Can Access Records

General Public:

May access most case information and public documents
May view docket entries and case summaries
May obtain copies of public documents upon payment of fees
May be required to present valid identification at the clerk's office

Parties to the Case:

Have full access to their own complete case file
May obtain all documents, including those with restricted public access
Are not subject to the same access limitations as third parties

Attorneys:

Have professional access to case files on behalf of clients
May file motions to access sealed documents upon a showing of legitimate need

Researchers and Media:

Have access to the public portions of divorce case files
May seek court permission to access sealed records in appropriate circumstances
News reporting on matters of public concern is protected under the First Amendment

Restrictions on Use

Prohibited Uses:

Using divorce records to stalk, harass, or intimidate any party
Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
Violation of existing protective orders
Any use prohibited by applicable state or federal law

Permitted Uses:

Legal proceedings and background verification
Genealogical and academic research
News reporting on matters of public interest
Personal verification of divorce status

Obtaining Confidential Records

Members of the public seeking access to sealed or restricted portions of a divorce case file must file a written motion with the Madison County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test that weighs the requestor's stated need against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children. Certain government agencies, including child protective services and law enforcement, may be entitled to access restricted records by statute without filing a separate motion.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Madison County?

The Madison County Circuit Court Clerk's office charges fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records in accordance with the fee schedule established under Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-21-401, which governs fees charged by court clerks across the state.

Current Standard Fees:

Service	Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$0.50 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$5.00 per document (plus per-page copy fee)
Certification seal/stamp	Included in certification fee
Electronic copy (where available)	Varies; contact clerk's office
Search fee (if applicable)	Contact clerk's office for current schedule

Additional Fee Information:

Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours
Certified copies of the final decree of divorce are the most commonly requested documents and carry the standard certification fee
Fees for records retrieved from off-site archival storage may differ from standard copy fees; members of the public should confirm current rates with the clerk's office prior to submitting a request
Payment is accepted in the form of cash, money order, or personal check made payable to the Madison County Circuit Court Clerk; members of the public should confirm whether credit or debit card payments are accepted at the time of their request
Mail requests must include payment in the form of a money order or check; cash is not accepted by mail

Fee Waivers:

Tennessee law does not provide a general fee waiver for public records requests based solely on financial hardship. Parties who are proceeding in forma pauperis in an active case may be entitled to copies of their own case documents without charge pursuant to a court order; members of the public seeking records for purposes unrelated to an active proceeding are subject to standard copy fees.

What Is Available at No Charge:

In-person inspection of public divorce case files at the courthouse
Viewing of case docket entries and case status information through the Tennessee Court Case Management System online portal
Basic case information confirmed by phone, including case number and filing date

What's Included in Divorce Records in Madison County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Madison County Circuit Court Clerk contains all documents filed by the parties, their attorneys, and the court from the date of initial filing through the entry of the final decree and any subsequent post-judgment proceedings.

Basic Case Information

Case Caption:

Assigned case number
Name of the court and division
Full legal names of the petitioner and respondent
Name of the assigned judge
Names and bar numbers of attorneys of record

Filing Information:

Date the petition was originally filed
Filing fees paid and receipts
Case type designation (divorce/dissolution)
Basis for the court's jurisdiction

Initial Pleadings

Petition for Divorce:

Full identifying information for both parties
Date and location of the marriage
Date of separation, if applicable
Grounds for divorce as stated by the petitioner; Tennessee recognizes both fault-based and no-fault grounds, with irreconcilable differences being the most common no-fault ground under Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-4-101
Information regarding minor children, including names and dates of birth
Claims regarding marital property and debt
Requests for spousal support, child support, and custody arrangements

Response/Answer:

Respondent's admissions or denials of the petition's allegations
Counterpetition, if filed
Respondent's independent requests for relief

Financial Affidavits:

Both parties' sworn statements of income from all sources
Monthly living expenses
Complete asset inventories, including real property, vehicles, financial accounts, and personal property
Complete liability inventories, including mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card balances, and other debts

Discovery Documents

Discovery materials filed with the court may include interrogatories and sworn answers, requests for production of documents, responses to document requests, and deposition notices. Financial disclosure documents such as tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment account statements, and retirement account statements may be filed as exhibits and become part of the public case record, subject to applicable redaction requirements.

Property-Related Documents

Marital Asset Inventory:

Descriptions and estimated values of all real property
Vehicle descriptions and values
Financial account balances
Retirement and investment account information
Business interests and valuations
Personal property, jewelry, art, and collectibles

Debt Inventory:

Mortgage balances and lender information
Vehicle loan balances
Credit card and personal loan balances
Tax obligations
Other marital liabilities

Appraisals and Valuations:

Real property appraisal reports
Business valuation reports prepared by certified experts
Personal property appraisals
Expert witness reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents

Parenting Plan:

Tennessee law requires a permanent parenting plan in all divorce cases involving minor children. The parenting plan filed with the court specifies:

Legal custody and decision-making authority for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities
Primary residential parent designation
Detailed parenting time schedule, including regular weekly schedule, holiday schedule, summer schedule, and vacation provisions
Transportation arrangements between households
Communication protocols between parents and with the children
Relocation restrictions and notification requirements

Child Support:

Child support worksheet reflecting both parties' incomes
Number of parenting overnights allocated to each parent
Health insurance costs and coverage details
Childcare costs
Court-ordered support amount and payment schedule
Income deduction order, if applicable

Custody Evaluations:

Reports prepared by court-appointed psychologists or custody evaluators
Home study reports
Parenting assessments
Evaluator recommendations regarding custody and parenting time
These documents may be sealed or subject to restricted access by court order

Guardian ad Litem Reports:

Reports prepared by attorneys appointed to represent the interests of minor children
Best-interests findings and recommendations
Subject to restricted access in many cases

Support Documents

Alimony/Spousal Support:

Type of alimony ordered (temporary, rehabilitative, transitional, or long-term)
Monthly support amount and payment schedule
Duration of the support obligation
Conditions for modification or termination
Income information supporting the award

Settlement Documents

Marital Settlement Agreement:

Comprehensive written agreement resolving all contested issues
Detailed property division provisions for all marital assets and debts
Spousal support terms
Child custody and parenting time provisions
Child support terms
Tax filing and dependency exemption provisions
Attorney fee allocation
Signatures of both parties and notarization

Mediation Agreement:

Terms reached through mediation, if the parties participated in mediation
May be incorporated into the marital settlement agreement
Mediator's identifying information

Court Orders and Judgments

Temporary Orders:

Temporary custody and parenting time arrangements
Temporary support obligations
Temporary use and possession of marital property
Temporary restraining orders or injunctions, if issued

Final Judgment of Divorce:

The court's definitive order dissolving the marriage
Date of dissolution
Findings of fact and conclusions of law
Complete property division awards to each party
Debt allocation orders
Spousal support orders
Child custody and parenting time orders
Child support orders
Name restoration order, if requested
Judge's signature and court seal

Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO):

Separate court order dividing retirement plan benefits, if applicable
Instructions to the plan administrator regarding benefit division
Entered as a separate order from the final decree

Post-Judgment Documents

Modifications:

Petitions to modify child custody, parenting time, or support
Evidence of changed circumstances supporting modification
Court orders granting or denying modification requests

Contempt and Enforcement Actions:

Motions alleging non-compliance with court orders
Income deduction orders for support enforcement
Court orders on contempt findings
Liens filed against property for unpaid support

Miscellaneous Documents

Service of Process:

Summons issued by the clerk's office
Proof of service on the respondent
Acceptance of service, if applicable

Certificates and Notices:

Certificates of service confirming delivery of filings to opposing parties
Notices of hearings and depositions
Notices to creditors regarding property division, if applicable

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed

Social Security numbers, which are redacted from all publicly accessible documents
Bank account and financial account numbers
Residential addresses and school information for minor children
Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence, which may be sealed
Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
Mediation communications, which are confidential under Tennessee law and not part of the public record
Settlement negotiations conducted outside of court

How Information Is Organized

Documents within a divorce case file are maintained in chronological order of filing, with each document assigned a filing date and document number. The case docket serves as an index reflecting the complete filing history of the case. Recent cases filed electronically are maintained in digital format; older cases may exist in paper format or as scanned digital images of original paper documents.

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Madison County?

Proof of divorce in Madison County is obtained through the Madison County Circuit Court Clerk's office, which serves as the official custodian of all divorce case files and is authorized to issue certified copies of final decrees and other court orders.

Step 1: Identify the Correct Court

Confirm that the divorce was filed in Madison County Circuit Court. If the filing county is uncertain, members of the public may search the Tennessee Court Case Management System by party name to identify the county and case number.

Step 2: Obtain the Case Number

The case number is required for efficient retrieval of records. It may be obtained through the online case search system, by contacting the clerk's office by phone at (731) 423-6022, or by referencing prior correspondence related to the case.

Step 3: Request a Certified Copy

A certified copy of the final decree of divorce is the standard form of proof accepted by government agencies, financial institutions, and other organizations. Certified copies may be obtained:

In person at the Madison County Circuit Court Clerk's office, 100 East Main Street, Room 203, Jackson, TN 38301, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
By mail, by submitting a written request with the case number, names of both parties, approximate date of divorce, requestor's contact information, and payment of applicable fees to the same address
Through an attorney, who may obtain certified copies on behalf of a client

Step 4: Verify the Document

A certified copy of the final decree bears the clerk's official seal and signature, confirming that it is a true and accurate copy of the original court record. This document is accepted as legal proof of divorce for purposes including remarriage, name change applications with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Social Security Administration records updates, and passport applications.

Step 5: Request a Divorce Verification Letter (if needed)

For purposes requiring only confirmation that a divorce occurred rather than a full copy of the decree, members of the public may request a divorce verification letter from the Tennessee Department of Health Vital Records office. This letter confirms the existence of a divorce record in the state's statistical index but does not contain the full terms of the court's order.

Madison County Circuit Court Clerk
100 East Main Street, Room 203
Jackson, TN 38301
Phone: (731) 423-6022
Madison County Circuit Court Clerk

Tennessee Department of Health — Vital Records
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-1763
Tennessee Vital Records

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Madison County?

Divorce proceedings in Madison County are presumptively public under Tennessee law; however, specific portions of a case file or, in limited circumstances, an entire case may be designated confidential by court order.

Circumstances Under Which Divorce Records May Be Confidential:

Domestic violence cases: When a party to the divorce is a victim of domestic violence, the court may seal residential addresses, contact information, and related evidence to protect the safety of the victim and any minor children
Cases involving minor children: Custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and psychological assessments of children are subject to restricted access and may be sealed in their entirety
Sealed financial records: Tax returns, detailed financial statements, and records containing Social Security or account numbers are subject to mandatory redaction; courts may seal entire financial exhibits upon a showing of good cause
Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential under Tennessee law and are not filed with the court or made part of the public record
High-profile or sensitive cases: A court may seal all or part of a case file upon a written motion and a demonstrated showing that the privacy interests at stake outweigh the public interest in access
Confidential settlements: Settlement terms that the parties agree to keep confidential may be incorporated by reference into the final decree without being disclosed in the public record

Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a written motion with the Madison County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. The court evaluates such requests under the standards established by Tennessee court rules and applicable state statutes governing public access to court records.

How Long Does Madison County Keep Divorce Records?

Madison County Circuit Court divorce records are retained in accordance with the Tennessee State Library and Archives records retention schedules applicable to trial court records.

Retention Periods:

Final decrees and judgments: Retained permanently; these documents are never destroyed and remain part of the permanent court record
Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case, with many records retained permanently due to their legal significance
Complete case files (uncontested divorces): Retained for a minimum of ten years following entry of the final decree
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; may be purged from active storage after the retention period expires but are typically preserved in archival form
Post-judgment modification and enforcement records: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention schedule
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records

Members of the public seeking records from cases that have exceeded the active retention period should contact the Madison County Circuit Court Clerk's office directly to inquire about archival retrieval procedures. The Tennessee State Library and Archives, which oversees records management for state and local government agencies, provides guidance on retention schedules applicable to court records under the Tennessee Public Records Commission standards.

Tennessee State Library and Archives
403 Seventh Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-2764
Tennessee State Library and Archives