Hickman County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Hickman County in 2026
HickmanRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Hickman County, Tennessee. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other official documents may locate relevant records through a combination of county offices, state databases, and online portals. The availability and completeness of records varies by record type, custodial office, and the date the record was created.
Records available through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and property assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: Members of the public may search certain Hickman County records through the Tennessee Property Viewer, maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, which provides parcel-level property assessment data. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts also maintains an online case information portal for circuit and general sessions court records.
In-Person Requests: Requests for records may be submitted in person at the relevant custodial office. The Hickman County Clerk's Office, located at 114 N. Central Ave., Centerville, TN 37033, accepts walk-in requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requester's full name, a description of the record sought, the approximate date range, and a return mailing address. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, custodians are required to respond promptly to public records requests.
Phone/Email: The Hickman County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (931) 729-2621. Requesters are encouraged to call in advance to confirm record availability and any applicable fees before submitting a formal request.
What Are Public Records in Hickman County?
Public records in Hickman County are defined under Tennessee state law as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files, and other material made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental entity. The following record types are maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Probate and estate records | Probate Court / County Clerk |
| Property deeds and liens | Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Tennessee Department of Health |
| Marriage records | County Clerk |
| Property tax assessments | Property Assessor |
| Business licenses | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Commission / County Clerk |
| Law enforcement records | Hickman County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Office |
The law and court services page on the official county website provides guidance on accessing court-related records and legal resources maintained by Hickman County.
Is Hickman County an Open Records County?
Hickman County operates in full compliance with Tennessee's open records statutes, which establish a broad public right of access to government documents. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by state law.
As the Tennessee Attorney General's Office has stated, "The Public Records Act reflects a legislative policy that the public is entitled to the fullest possible information regarding the affairs of government." This principle governs the operations of all Hickman County offices that maintain official records.
The Tennessee Public Records Act does not require requesters to provide a reason for their request, and custodians are obligated to respond promptly. Hickman County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; the provisions of the Tennessee Public Records Act apply uniformly to all county offices. The official Hickman County government website provides departmental contact information for offices that serve as records custodians.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Hickman County?
The fee structure for public records in Hickman County is governed by state statute and varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under current law, custodians may charge reasonable fees for producing copies of public records.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal) | $0.15 per page |
| Color copies | Varies by office |
| Certified copies (deeds, vital records) | $5.00–$15.00 per document |
| Electronic copies | Varies; may be provided at no charge |
| Search fees | Not permitted under Tennessee law for standard requests |
- Inspection of records is available at no charge at the custodial office.
- Certification fees for vital records and recorded instruments are set by statute and may differ from standard copy fees.
- Payment methods accepted at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards.
- Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Tennessee law, though individual offices may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.
Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506 governs the fees that custodians may charge for producing public records and limits charges to the actual cost of producing the copies.
Does Hickman County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at the custodial office during regular business hours. Tennessee law guarantees citizens the right to inspect public records without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to certain Hickman County records:
- Tennessee Property Viewer: The statewide property assessment database maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury allows members of the public to search parcel data, ownership information, and assessed values at no cost.
- Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts: The state court case information portal provides free online access to circuit and general sessions court case summaries.
- County Clerk's Office: Members of the public may inspect marriage records, business license filings, and commission minutes in person at no charge.
- Register of Deeds: Deed and lien records may be inspected at the Register of Deeds office without a fee; copies are subject to standard per-page charges.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may view records at the custodial office at no cost, obtaining paper or electronic copies requires payment of applicable fees.
Who Can Request Public Records in Hickman County?
Any citizen of Tennessee holds the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by Hickman County offices, pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act. The statute does not require requesters to be residents of Hickman County specifically; Tennessee citizenship is the threshold requirement for most record types.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Identification: Requesters are not required to present identification to inspect most public records, though some offices may request identification as a matter of administrative practice.
- Statement of purpose: Under Tennessee law, requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types.
- Non-residents: Persons who are not Tennessee residents may access certain records, particularly court records and property records, though the statutory right of inspection under § 10-7-503 is expressly extended to Tennessee citizens.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as criminal history or vital records, may be subject to additional identity verification requirements to protect personal information.
- Restricted record types: Certain categories of records, including juvenile court records and sealed court files, are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or by court order.
What Records Are Confidential in Hickman County?
Not all government records maintained by Hickman County offices are subject to public disclosure. Tennessee law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the public inspection requirement. The following record types are currently treated as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and proceedings
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers and personal financial account information
- Medical and mental health records (protected under both state law and HIPAA)
- Adoption records (sealed by court order)
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records of government employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
As the Tennessee Attorney General has noted, "The Public Records Act does not require disclosure of records that are confidential under any other statute." This principle reflects the balancing test applied when a record may implicate both transparency interests and privacy or security concerns.
Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504 enumerates specific categories of confidential records and governs the conditions under which custodians may withhold documents from public inspection. Requesters who believe a record has been improperly withheld may seek review through the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel.
Hickman County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Hickman County Register of Deeds
114 N. Central Ave., Suite 101
Centerville, TN 37033
(931) 729-4504
Hickman County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Additional Offices:
Hickman County Clerk's Office
114 N. Central Ave.
Centerville, TN 37033
(931) 729-2621
Hickman County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Hickman County Circuit Court Clerk
114 N. Central Ave.
Centerville, TN 37033
(931) 729-2935
Law and Court Services – Hickman County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Hickman County Property Assessor
114 N. Central Ave.
Centerville, TN 37033
(931) 729-3486
Tennessee Property Viewer – Hickman County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Hickman County Sheriff's Office
109 College St.
Centerville, TN 37033
(931) 729-3302
Hickman County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; emergency dispatch available 24 hours