Divorce records in Hawkins County, Tennessee can be accessed through several channels. HawkinsCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Hawkins County. You can also obtain records directly from the court that issued the divorce decree, the Chancery Court Clerk & Master's office, or the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Each office provides different types of documents depending on whether you need a full court file or a vital record certificate.
Hawkins County Divorce Records Search
In Hawkins County, divorce records are maintained by two primary offices. The Hawkins County Chancery Court Clerk & Master keeps the official court case files for divorces granted through Chancery Court, which is the court that handles most divorce cases in this county. The Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains records for cases heard in Circuit Court, including some contested divorce matters.
These records typically include:
- Divorce decrees (final judgments)
- Divorce petitions and complaints
- Settlement agreements and marital dissolution agreements
- Custody and parenting plan orders
- Property division orders
- Related motions and filings
The Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, also maintains divorce certificates — shorter documents that confirm a divorce occurred but do not include the full case details. Older, inactive Hawkins County records may be held at the Hawkins County Archives.
Hawkins County Chancery Court — Clerk & Master
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Hawkins County
Tennessee law assigns divorce jurisdiction primarily to Chancery Court and Circuit Court. In Hawkins County, most divorce cases — both contested and uncontested — are filed in Chancery Court within the 3rd Judicial District. The Clerk & Master's office processes and stores these case files. Some divorce cases may be filed in Circuit Court, where the Circuit Court Clerk maintains those records.
After a judge signs the final decree of divorce, the decree is filed with the clerk of the court that heard the case. The court also reports the divorce to the Tennessee Office of Vital Records, which creates a divorce certificate for state-level recordkeeping.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce case file (decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, property division) — Contact the Chancery Court Clerk & Master or Circuit Court Clerk where the case was filed.
- Divorce certificate (confirmation that a divorce occurred, with names and date) — Contact the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.
- Uncontested divorce filing information — Hawkins County provides details on uncontested divorce filings, including required documents and costs.
Hawkins County Chancery Court — Clerk & Master
Hawkins County Circuit Court Clerk
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, divorce records are generally public. However, certain details — such as sealed records involving minors, financial account numbers, or Social Security numbers — may be redacted or restricted. Some exceptions to the Public Records Act may apply depending on the case. A government-issued photo ID may be required when requesting records in person.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Hawkins County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontested divorce filing (with children) | $299.50 | Varies by court schedule |
| Uncontested divorce filing (without children) | $224.50 | Varies by court schedule |
| Divorce certificate (Tennessee Vital Records) | $15.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |