Cocke County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Cocke County?

Public records in Cocke County, Tennessee, are defined under the Tennessee Public Records Act 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. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are presumed open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

Members of the public may access a broad range of record types maintained by various Cocke County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Cocke County Circuit Court Clerk and the General Sessions Court Clerk.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments are filed with the Cocke County Register of Deeds. Property assessment data is maintained by the Cocke County Property Assessor.
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued through the Tennessee Department of Health. Marriage and divorce records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk and the County Clerk.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are processed through the Cocke County Clerk's office.
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Cocke County Trustee and the Property Assessor.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Cocke County Election Commission.
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Commission meeting minutes, board agendas, and related documents are available through the County Mayor's office and published on the Cocke County official website.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audit reports, and financial statements are available through the County Mayor's office and the Tennessee Comptroller's office.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Cocke County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use decisions are maintained by the Cocke County Planning and Zoning office.

Is Cocke County an Open Records County?

Cocke County fully adheres to Tennessee's statewide open records framework. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-503, all governmental entities in Tennessee — including county offices — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying during normal business hours. The Tennessee Public Records Act establishes a strong presumption of openness, placing the burden on the government to demonstrate that a record is exempt from disclosure rather than on the requester to justify access.

Key provisions of the Act currently in effect include the requirement that custodians respond to records requests promptly and, in most cases, within seven business days. Tennessee also maintains an Open Records Counsel within the Comptroller's office, which provides guidance to both citizens and government entities on records access matters. Members of the public may submit public records requests to the Tennessee Comptroller for records held at the state level, while county-level requests are directed to the appropriate Cocke County office custodian. Tennessee's Open Meetings Act, codified at T.C.A. § 8-44-101 et seq., further ensures that deliberations of public bodies are conducted transparently and that meeting records remain accessible.

How to Find Public Records in Cocke County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Cocke County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

In person — Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours and submit a verbal or written request to the records custodian. Staff are required to assist requesters in identifying the correct office for the records sought.
By mail — Submit a written request describing the records sought, including sufficient identifying information such as names, dates, and case or parcel numbers, to the relevant office's mailing address.
By telephone — Contact the relevant office directly to inquire about record availability and request procedures before submitting a formal request.
Online — Court records may be searched through the Tennessee Court Information system. The Cocke County Circuit Court Clerk's office provides access to online court records and court fee payment through its official portal at the Circuit Court Clerk's page.
Written requests — While Tennessee law does not require requests to be submitted in writing, doing so creates a clear record of the request and the date it was received. Requesters should include their name, contact information, and a specific description of the records sought.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cocke County?

Current fees for public records in Cocke County are governed by state statute and individual office fee schedules. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-506, custodians may charge for the actual cost of producing copies, which typically includes the following:

Standard paper copies — Generally $0.15 per page for standard black-and-white copies, consistent with state guidelines.
Certified copies — Fees for certified copies vary by record type; certified court documents and vital records carry higher fees set by statute.
Electronic records — Fees for electronic copies are limited to the actual cost of the medium used (e.g., USB drive or CD) when records are provided in digital format.
Extensive requests — When a request requires more than one hour of staff time to fulfill, custodians may charge for the actual cost of labor beyond the first hour.
Court filing fees and copies — The Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains its own schedule of fees for certified court documents and case filings.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as for indigent requesters or when the disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodian.

Does Cocke County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Tennessee law. Custodians are required to allow in-person inspection of non-exempt records at no charge during regular business hours. Fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection — Any member of the public may inspect records at the relevant Cocke County office without charge.
Online court records — Basic court record searches are available at no cost through the Tennessee Court Information system, accessible via the Cocke County Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Property assessment data — The Cocke County Property Assessor provides online access to property assessment records at no charge.
County government information — Meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and other county government documents are published on the Cocke County government portal and are freely accessible online.

Who Can Request Public Records in Cocke County?

Any person may request public records in Cocke County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Tennessee Public Records Act does not restrict access to Tennessee residents; non-residents retain the same right of access as residents under current law.

Requesters are generally not required to:

Establish residency in Cocke County or Tennessee
Provide government-issued identification (except where required for specific sensitive record types)
State the purpose for which the records are sought

Certain record types carry additional access requirements. For example, records containing personal identifying information, sealed court files, or records subject to statutory confidentiality provisions may require the requester to demonstrate a qualifying interest or legal entitlement. Individuals seeking their own criminal history records or requesting expungement of charges from their record may do so through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; information on the expungement and criminal record process is available through the TBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, with relevant provisions codified at T.C.A. § 40-32-101.

What Records Are Confidential in Cocke County?

Not all government records in Cocke County are open to public inspection. Tennessee law identifies numerous categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. The following record types are currently exempt or restricted under T.C.A. § 10-7-504 and related statutes:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Tennessee law.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would compromise the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released records.
Medical records — Health and medical information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records of the Department of Children's Services relating to child abuse and neglect investigations are confidential.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain categories of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected from disclosure.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records relating to the security of public buildings, utilities, and critical infrastructure are exempt.

When a custodian withholds a record or portion of a record, the requester is entitled to a written explanation citing the specific statutory basis for the exemption. Tennessee courts apply a balancing test in certain circumstances to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interests protected by the exemption.

Cocke County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Cocke County Register of Deeds serves as the principal recorder of property-related instruments, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Additional offices maintain other categories of public records as noted below.

Cocke County Register of Deeds 111 Court Avenue, Suite 104, Newport, TN 37821 (423) 623-8791 Cocke County, Tennessee Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Cocke County Circuit Court Clerk 111 Court Avenue, Newport, TN 37821 (423) 623-1285 Circuit Court Clerk – Cocke County Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Cocke County Sheriff's Office 150 Justice Center Drive, Newport, TN 37821 (423) 623-8047 Cocke County, Tennessee Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Cocke County Trustee 111 Court Avenue, Suite 107, Newport, TN 37821 (423) 623-3061 Cocke County, Tennessee Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury – Open Records Counsel 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 401-7891 Public Records Requests – Tennessee Comptroller