Greene County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Greene County in 2026
GreeneTNRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Greene County, Tennessee. Members of the public may find case numbers, party names, filing dates, and final decree information through official court and state resources. Record categories available through official channels include divorce decrees, dissolution petitions, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and court orders. Availability and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and whether any portions have been sealed by court order.
Records may be searched through the Greene County Circuit Court Clerk's office, the Tennessee Court System's online portal, the Tennessee Department of Health's vital records division, public access terminals at the courthouse, and authorized third-party research tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records.
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. Obtaining copies of filed documents requires payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Tennessee Courts online portal provides a consolidated search interface covering multiple jurisdictions across the state. Users may search by party name, case number, or filing date to locate divorce proceedings filed in Greene County or any other Tennessee county.
3. State Vital Records
The Tennessee Department of Health maintains divorce records for proceedings finalized in the state. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-3-501, the Office of Vital Records registers divorce certificates and issues certified copies upon request. These certificates confirm the fact of divorce but contain less detail than the full court case file.
Tennessee Department of Health – Vital Records
710 James Robertson Pkwy, Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-1763
Tennessee Vital Records
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court – Greene County Circuit Court:
Members of the public may inspect divorce case files in person at the Greene County Circuit Court Clerk's office. Staff can assist with locating case files, viewing documents, requesting certified copies, and using public access terminals.
Greene County Circuit Court Clerk
101 S. Main Street, Suite 201
Greeneville, TN 37743
Phone: (423) 798-1748
Greene County Tennessee
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person include:
- Searching case files by party name or case number
- Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
- Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating archived or older records
By Mail
Written Request:
Mail requests to:
Greene County Circuit Court Clerk
101 S. Main Street, Suite 201
Greeneville, TN 37743
Phone: (423) 798-1748
Greene County Tennessee
Written requests should include:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of the request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Processing time for mailed requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on case volume and whether records require retrieval from archive storage.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
The Greene County Circuit Court Clerk may be reached at (423) 798-1748. Staff can confirm whether a case exists in the system, provide the case number, confirm case status, and verify the filing date. Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or any information classified as confidential under court rules.
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Tennessee may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents through appropriate court motions, and obtain certified copies. The Tennessee Bar Association's lawyer referral service can assist members of the public in locating qualified family law counsel for complex records requests or cases involving sealed materials.
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 known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Greene County
- Names of children, if applicable
- 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 should search Greene County records only if one or both spouses resided there at the time the petition was filed. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-4-105, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Tennessee for six months prior to filing, and the action is filed in the county of that spouse's residence.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces: Cases finalized within the past several weeks may not yet appear in online search systems. Members of the public should allow processing time after the final hearing before searching electronically.
Older Divorces: Records predating electronic filing systems may be stored in physical archives and may not be digitized. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and a written request to the Clerk's office.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a record may not appear in search results include:
- Searching the wrong county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case is still pending and has not been finalized
- Very old records stored in off-site archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Members of the public experiencing difficulty locating a record may try alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, check the Tennessee Department of Health's vital records database, or consult the Circuit Court Clerk's office directly.
What Are Greene County Divorce Records?
Greene County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Greene County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the permanent court file and are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk as the primary custodian. Divorce records document the legal dissolution of a marriage and encompass all pleadings, orders, financial disclosures, and judgments entered in the case.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the full set of documents filed with the court, such as:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits from both parties
- Parenting plans and child support worksheets
- Settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution
Final Decree of Divorce is the official court order ending the marriage. It serves as legal proof of divorce and establishes:
- The date the marriage was legally 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
- Any court-ordered name restoration
Supporting Documents filed in the case may include marriage certificates, property appraisals, business valuations, financial disclosure statements, parenting plan modifications, and post-judgment enforcement orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:
- Providing proof of marital status for remarriage
- Supporting name change documentation
- Facilitating property transfers and estate planning
- Documenting eligibility for Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
- Supporting immigration proceedings requiring proof of prior marriage dissolution
- Enabling genealogical and family history research
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in Tennessee are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-4-101 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, residency requirements, and procedural rules. The Tennessee Public Records Act, codified at Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, establishes the presumption that court records are open to public inspection unless a specific statutory or court-ordered exception applies.
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides guidance on public access to court records statewide.
Are Greene County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Greene County Circuit Court are public court records subject to the Tennessee Public Records Act. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose. However, certain categories of information within divorce files are restricted, redacted, or sealed to protect sensitive personal and financial data.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status and disposition
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings under federal and state privacy rules
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed tax returns may be filed under seal or with restricted access
- Certain financial statements may have limited public availability
Children's Information:
- Names and addresses of minor children may be partially redacted
- Schools children attend and medical information are protected
- Child custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports are frequently sealed by court order
- Psychological evaluations of children are restricted
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations, evidence, and victim addresses may be sealed
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are protected under state and federal law, including HIPAA
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders may be withheld
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.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requestor | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents, docket entries, final orders |
| Parties to the case | Full access to their own case file |
| Attorneys of record | Full case file access; may petition for sealed records |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to restricted records |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or in violation of any protective order issued in the case.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Greene County?
The Greene County Circuit Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Tennessee law. The following fee structure currently applies:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $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 copies (if available) | Varies; confirm with Clerk's office |
| Search fee | No separate search fee for in-person requests |
Fees for certified divorce certificates obtained through the Tennessee Department of Health Vital Records office are currently $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time, as established under the Tennessee vital records fee schedule.
Accepted payment methods at the Greene County Circuit Court Clerk's office include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the Greene County Circuit Court Clerk. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods by contacting the Clerk's office directly before submitting a mail request.
Fee waivers are not broadly available for divorce record copies. Parties who are indigent and represented by legal aid may be eligible for reduced fees in connection with active proceedings, but fee waivers for records requests by third parties are not standard practice under current Tennessee law.
Members of the public may view documents at public access terminals in the Clerk's office at no charge. Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Greene County
A complete Greene County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the Circuit Court from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The contents of a typical divorce case file are organized as follows.
Basic Case Information:
- Case caption including case number, court name, and division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge assigned to the case
- Attorneys of record for each party
- Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis
Initial Pleadings:
The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce (Tennessee recognizes both fault-based and irreconcilable differences grounds under Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-4-101), information about minor children, property claims, and the relief requested. The Response or Answer contains the respondent's position, admissions or denials, and any counterpetition for relief.
Financial Affidavits filed by both parties disclose:
- All sources of income
- Monthly living expenses
- Real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and personal property
- All liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt
- Standard of living during the marriage
Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and answers under oath, requests for production of financial records, tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements, retirement account statements, and business financial records if a party owns a business interest.
Property-Related Documents:
The marital asset inventory identifies and values all real property, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property. The debt inventory lists all marital liabilities. Appraisals and expert valuations for real estate, businesses, and personal property of significant value are filed as exhibits.
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
The Parenting Plan is a required document in all Tennessee divorces involving minor children. It establishes legal custody (decision-making authority), physical custody and primary residence, the regular parenting time schedule, holiday and vacation schedules, transportation arrangements, and provisions for relocation. The Child Support Worksheet calculates the support obligation based on both parents' incomes, the number of overnights with each parent, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses.
Custody evaluations ordered by the court, guardian ad litem reports, and psychological assessments of children may be included in the file, though these documents are frequently sealed or restricted from public access.
Settlement Documents:
The Marital Settlement Agreement is a comprehensive written agreement resolving all contested issues, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions. If the parties participated in mediation, a mediation agreement may be incorporated into the settlement agreement. Mediation communications themselves are confidential and are not filed with the court.
Court Orders and Judgments:
Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case may address temporary custody, temporary support, temporary use of marital property, and restraining orders. The Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage is the court's definitive order ending the marriage. It contains findings of fact, conclusions of law, the date of dissolution, all property and debt division determinations, spousal support orders, child custody and support orders, and any court-ordered name restoration. If retirement accounts are divided, a separate Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is prepared and filed to instruct the plan administrator.
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
After entry of the final judgment, the case file may be supplemented with petitions to modify custody or support, court orders on modification requests, contempt motions alleging non-compliance, income deduction orders for support enforcement, and lien filings.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted from all public filings)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details and victim location information
- Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
- Sealed custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports
- Trade secrets contained in business valuations
- Mediation communications
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Greene County?
Proof of divorce in Greene County is obtained through either a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage from the Circuit Court Clerk or a certified divorce certificate from the Tennessee Department of Health Vital Records office. Each document serves as legally recognized proof that a marriage was dissolved.
Certified Copy from the Circuit Court Clerk:
Members of the public may obtain a certified copy of the final divorce decree by:
- Visiting the Greene County Circuit Court Clerk's office in person at 101 S. Main Street, Suite 201, Greeneville, TN 37743
- Submitting a written mail request to the same address with the party names, approximate divorce date, case number if known, and payment of applicable fees
- Requesting the document through the Tennessee Court Case Management System if electronic ordering is available for the specific case
A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the Clerk's certification, making it acceptable for legal, governmental, and financial purposes including remarriage, name change applications, Social Security claims, and immigration proceedings.
Greene County Circuit Court Clerk
101 S. Main Street, Suite 201
Greeneville, TN 37743
Phone: (423) 798-1748
Greene County Tennessee
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Certified Divorce Certificate from Tennessee Vital Records:
The Tennessee Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates for divorces finalized in Tennessee. These certificates confirm the names of the parties, the county of filing, and the date of dissolution. They are available by mail or in person.
Tennessee Department of Health – Vital Records
710 James Robertson Pkwy, Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-1763
Tennessee Vital Records
Online orders for vital records certificates may be placed through the Tennessee vital records online ordering system.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Greene County?
Divorce proceedings in Greene County are presumptively public under the Tennessee Public Records Act; however, specific portions of a case file or, in limited circumstances, an entire case may be made confidential by court order.
Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:
- Domestic violence cases: Addresses, contact information, and identifying details of domestic violence victims may be withheld from public records to protect victim safety under Tennessee's address confidentiality program
- Sealed financial records: Tax returns, detailed financial statements, and account information may be filed under seal upon motion and court approval
- Children's records: Custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, psychological assessments of minor children, and children's residential and school information are routinely restricted or sealed
- Mental health and medical records: Records protected under HIPAA and Tennessee mental health confidentiality statutes are not publicly accessible even when filed as exhibits
- Mediation records: All mediation communications are confidential by statute and are never part of the public court record
- Court-ordered sealing: Any party may petition the court to seal specific documents or the entire file upon a showing of good cause; the court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests at stake
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the Greene County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. The Tennessee Courts rules on public access govern these proceedings.
How Long Does Greene County Keep Divorce Records?
Greene County Circuit Court divorce records are retained for extended periods in accordance with Tennessee court records retention schedules established by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts and state law.
Current retention periods for divorce-related records include:
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the permanent court record; these documents are never destroyed
- Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 10 years after the case is closed, with many records kept permanently due to their legal significance
- Complete case files (uncontested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 10 years after closure under current Tennessee records retention guidelines
- 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
- Post-judgment modification 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
Older records that have exceeded active retention periods may be transferred to archive storage. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and a written request to the Circuit Court Clerk. The Tennessee State Library and Archives maintains historical court records transferred from county courts and may be a resource for very old divorce records predating modern filing systems.
Members of the public seeking records from cases closed many years ago should contact the Greene County Circuit Court Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.