Divorce records in Cocke County, Tennessee, are available through several channels. CockeCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for the county. You can also access records directly through the court that issued the divorce decree, the county clerk's office, or the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. The Cocke County Circuit Court Clerk maintains court filings related to divorce cases, while the state vital records office issues divorce certificates for divorces granted in Tennessee.
Cocke County Divorce Records Search
In Tennessee, divorce cases are handled at the county level by the Chancery Court or Circuit Court, depending on the jurisdiction. In Cocke County, the Circuit Court Clerk's office is responsible for filing and maintaining civil case records, which include divorce actions. The records maintained by this office typically include:
- Divorce petitions and complaints
- Final divorce decrees
- Settlement agreements and property division orders
- Custody and parenting plan orders
- Motions, responses, and other case filings
The Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, also maintains divorce certificates for divorces finalized statewide since July 1945. These certificates confirm that a divorce occurred but do not contain the full details found in court records. You can reach the Circuit Court Clerk's office for court-level divorce records at the contact information below.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Cocke County
Understanding where divorce records are filed in Cocke County depends on what type of document you need.
Court Records — Circuit Court Clerk
Divorce cases in Cocke County are heard in the Circuit Court or Chancery Court. Once a divorce decree is entered by the judge, the final decree and all related filings remain on record with the Circuit Court Clerk's office. If you need a copy of the actual divorce decree, settlement agreement, custody order, or any pleading filed in the case, contact this office. You can also check court dates and access some case information through the Tennessee Public Court Records system (tncrtinfo.com) by selecting Cocke County Circuit Court.
Vital Records — Tennessee Office of Vital Records
The Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, issues divorce certificates for divorces granted anywhere in the state from July 1945 forward. A divorce certificate is a summary document — it verifies the divorce took place and lists the parties and date, but it does not include the terms of the decree. If you need this type of verification, you can request it from the state office.
Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, court records are generally accessible to the public. However, certain records involving minors or sealed by court order may be restricted. Ask the clerk whether any portions of a specific divorce file are subject to confidentiality restrictions before requesting copies.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Cocke County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (Tennessee Office of Vital Records) | $15.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Court record copies (Circuit Court Clerk, per page) | $0.50 | Same day to several business days |
| Certified copy of court document (Circuit Court Clerk) | $5.00–$6.00 certification fee plus per-page copy cost | Same day to several business days |