Tennessee divorce records are official legal documents maintained by state and county agencies that provide proof of divorce, including vital records certificates and complete court records containing detailed information about the dissolution of marriage. These records serve essential purposes from verifying marital status for remarriage to accessing court-ordered settlement terms, with availability depending on record age, type, and the requester's relationship to the divorce.
What Are Tennessee Divorce Records?
Tennessee divorce records encompass several types of documents that verify and detail the legal dissolution of marriages in Tennessee.
Types of Tennessee Divorce Records
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records reviews, registers, amends, issues, and maintains original certificates of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that occur in Tennessee in accordance with the Tennessee Code Annotated. Tennessee began requiring that divorce records be kept statewide on July 1, 1945. For divorces before that date, search county records. Divorces were approved by the Tennessee General Assembly from 1796 to 1850.
Divorce Verification Letters vs. Certified Copies
Verification letters are not considered legal substitutes for marriage licenses or divorce decrees. It is strongly recommended that you make sure a verification letter will satisfy your intended use before ordering. Verification letters of divorce are available for divorces that occurred from 1968 to the present.
Certified copies of divorce decrees are only available from the county clerk (marriage) or district clerk (divorce) in the county or district in which it was obtained. These certified copies contain complete legal documentation of the divorce terms.
Where Tennessee Divorce Records Are Held
Different types of Tennessee divorce records are maintained by different agencies depending on the age of the record and the type of documentation needed.
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records maintains divorce records that are 50 years old or less. Divorce records are confidential for 50 years under state law. For recent divorces, records must be requested from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.
Tennessee State Library & Archives
The Tennessee State Library & Archives holds divorce records that are older than 50 years. Records older than 50 years transition from the Office of Vital Records to the state archives. Items continue to be added to this collection as they are digitized.
County Courts
Two types of courts in Tennessee counties have concurrent jurisdiction over divorce proceedings: Circuit Courts and Chancery Courts. Most divorce decrees are issued by divisions of Circuit Court set up as domestic relations courts. However, other divisions of Circuit Court may also handle divorce cases.
Divorce requests for certified copies of complete court records must be made through the county court where the divorce was finalized. Each county maintains its own divorce records at the courthouse.
How to Obtain Tennessee Divorce Records
The process for accessing Tennessee divorce records depends on what type of record you need and when the divorce occurred.
Online Orders Through TN.gov
For fast, affordable service, order marriage verification or divorce verification letters through TN.gov, the official eGovernment site for the State of Tennessee. Anyone who orders from Tennessee.gov must be ordering a record delivered within the United States, U.S. territories, U.S. commonwealths, or U.S. military addresses (APO, FPO), and have a valid credit card.
If you do not meet these criteria, you cannot use TN.gov, but you can make the request by following the alternative instructions provided by the issuing agency.
Ordering Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the exclusive online partner of over 450 governing agencies for vital records. The ordering process works through secure steps: submit your application online, VitalChek validates your request through electronic identity verification using LexisNexis technology, the appropriate government agency processes your request via PCI-compliant security standards, and your order is shipped directly from the agency to you with tracking available.
Next-day shipping allows you to track your package from the agency to your door, with recommended shipping rates about 50% cheaper than standard overnight shipping.
Requesting from the Tennessee State Library & Archives
If you need a certified copy of a divorce record older than 50 years, visit the Tennessee State Library & Archives services page for ordering records. The archives use indexes with the Soundex system, a code using the first letter of the last name and three digits based on the way a name sounds rather than the way it's spelled.
Requesting from County Courts
For certified copies of divorce decrees showing complete settlement terms, contact the Circuit Court or Chancery Court clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized. Each county maintains its own procedures and fees for providing certified copies of divorce decrees.
Record Availability by Time Period
Tennessee divorce records availability varies significantly based on when the divorce occurred.
Modern Records (1968-Present)
Verification letters of divorce are available for divorces that occurred from 1968 to the present through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. These verification letters confirm that a divorce occurred but don't contain detailed settlement information.
Statewide Records (1945-1967)
Tennessee began requiring divorce records to be kept statewide on July 1, 1945. Records from 1945 through 1967 are available, though verification letters are only available from 1968 forward. For divorces in this period, you may need to request records directly from county courts or the state archives, depending on the record's age.
Historical Records (1796-1945)
For divorces before July 1, 1945, search county records. Divorces from 1796 to 1850 were approved by the Tennessee General Assembly. To find a divorce from that era, search the Acts of Tennessee 1796-1850 available through the Tennessee State Library & Archives.
Confidentiality and Access Restrictions
Tennessee divorce records are subject to specific confidentiality rules protecting sensitive information.
50-Year Confidentiality Rule
Divorce records are confidential for 50 years under state law. Records 50 years old or less are held by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records, and access is restricted to authorized parties. After 50 years, records are transferred to the Tennessee State Library & Archives, where they become available for genealogical and historical research.
Who Can Access Recent Records
For divorce records less than 50 years old, only certain parties can obtain certified copies, including the divorced parties themselves, their legal representatives, individuals with court orders, and others specifically authorized under Tennessee law.
County-Specific Resources
Some Tennessee counties provide specific guidance for accessing divorce records filed in their jurisdictions.
Knox County
Two courts in Knox County have concurrent jurisdiction over divorce proceedings: Circuit and Chancery Courts. Most divorce decrees are issued by the Fourth Division of Circuit Court, which was set up as a domestic relations court. However, the other three divisions of Circuit Court have also handled divorce cases. Divorce requests must be made through one of these courts.
Shelby County
Shelby County maintains divorce records and provides information about obtaining copies through the county clerk's office. Specific procedures and fees apply for accessing Shelby County divorce records.
Other Counties
Each Tennessee county maintains its own divorce records and may have specific procedures for requesting copies. Contact the Circuit Court clerk or Chancery Court clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized for county-specific guidance.
Court-Approved Divorce Forms
Tennessee provides court-approved forms for certain divorce situations.
Uncontested Divorce Forms
The Tennessee courts provide approved forms for divorces where both spouses agree on all parts of the divorce, there are no minor or dependent children involved, and the spouses do not own any real property. Real property includes houses, land, buildings, mobile homes permanently attached to the ground, and condominiums.
These forms are available through the Tennessee Courts website, but it's important to read the instructions carefully and make sure the forms fit your specific situation.
Using Tennessee Divorce Records
Verification letters confirm divorce occurred for purposes like applying for benefits, updating records with government agencies, or demonstrating eligibility for remarriage. These letters provide basic confirmation without revealing sensitive settlement details.
Legal and Financial Matters
Certified copies of divorce decrees contain complete information about property division, support obligations, custody arrangements, and other court-ordered terms. These certified copies are necessary when enforcing divorce terms, modifying orders, or addressing legal disputes arising from the divorce.
Genealogical Research
Historical divorce records older than 50 years available through the Tennessee State Library & Archives provide valuable information for family history research. Researchers can access digitized records and indexes to trace family connections and document family trees.
Moving Forward with Tennessee Divorce Records
Remember that verification letters are available for divorces from 1968 to the present through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Records less than 50 years old are confidential with restricted access, records older than 50 years are available through the Tennessee State Library & Archives, and certified copies of divorce decrees must be obtained from the county court where the divorce was finalized. Understanding these distinctions helps you request the right type of record from the appropriate agency, saving time and ensuring you receive documentation that meets your specific needs.