Sullivan County court records in Tennessee are available through several channels. SullivanCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the official websites of the county courts, directly at the clerks' offices in Blountville, and through public terminals installed in the Sullivan County Justice Center building.
Sullivan Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Sullivan County, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding jurisdiction will help determine which court to search for the desired record.
Circuit Court — a court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal cases (felonies), civil lawsuits over $25,000, and appeals from the General Sessions Court. The Circuit Court Clerk also manages documentation for the Law Court and the General Sessions and Juvenile Court system.
Criminal Court exclusively handles criminal cases allocated from the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court, primarily serious crimes.
General Sessions Court operates in several divisions and covers the broadest range of everyday cases:
- Civil lawsuits up to $25,000
- Preliminary hearings in criminal cases
- Traffic violations
- Orders and warrant hearings
Chancery Court — a court of equity. Clerk and Master Katharine Jennelle handles cases related to probate (the process of estate administration), guardianship, divorces, and real estate disputes.
Juvenile Court handles cases involving minors: offenses, custody issues, and termination of parental rights. Records of this court are generally closed to public access.
Sullivan Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, contact the office of the relevant court directly. There is currently no single online calendar available for all county courts.
Here's what you can do:
- Call the Circuit Court Clerk's office at (423) 279-2752 — they can provide the schedule for the Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, and Juvenile Court.
- For Chancery Court cases, contact the Clerk and Master's office at the address provided below.
- Visit the Sullivan County Justice Center in person — the hearing schedule is usually posted on information boards near the courtrooms.
Some divisions of the General Sessions Court, specifically Division II and III serving the Kingsport area, may have separate schedules. Verify information with the Kingsport Police Department or the relevant division's office.
How to Get a Copy of a Sullivan Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: certified and uncertified. A certified copy has the clerk's seal and legal force — it is required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or employers. An uncertified copy is suitable for personal review.
Ways to obtain:
- In person — visit the Sullivan County Justice Center. Bring identification and know the case number or the full name of the party.
- By mail — send a written request specifying the case name, case number (if known), type of document, and include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
For Circuit, Criminal, and General Sessions cases:
For Chancery Court and Probate cases:
Records in juvenile cases are usually closed. Access is possible only by court order or for individuals who are parties to the case.
Historical government documents of the county are stored in the Sullivan County Archives Department. If you need old records that are no longer stored in active court systems, start your search there.
Sullivan Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Tennessee are regulated by state law (Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 21). Specific amounts may vary slightly depending on the type of court and document. Below are the approximate fees charged by the Sullivan County Circuit Court Clerk's office.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (per request) | Check with the office |
| Regular copy of a document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $5.00 – $6.00 |
| Certified judgment copy | From $5.00 |
| Document issuance by mail | Additional postal costs |
Payment is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order payable to the Circuit Court Clerk. The possibility of card payment should be confirmed in advance by phone.
For state-level criminal history checks, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation offers a separate service with its own fees. Information about felony offenders who were under the supervision of the Department of Correction can be checked for free through the Tennessee Felony Offender Information database.