Bedford County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Bedford County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through BedfordCountyRecords.us as well as through official county and state government offices. Bedford County, Tennessee maintains a range of government-generated documents that may be inspected or obtained by members of the public, subject to applicable state law. Records that may be available include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, financial reports, and law enforcement logs, among others. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the custodial office, the nature of the document, and any applicable exemptions under Tennessee law.

Record categories that members of the public may seek 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
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
Land use, zoning, and planning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The Bedford County Government website provides access to department directories, public hearing notices, and downloadable forms.
The county documents and forms portal offers access to audits, budgets, and other public documents through an online Document Center.
Property assessment data is available statewide through the Tennessee Property Viewer, maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
The Tennessee Department of Correction operates the felony offender information lookup for individuals who are or have been in state custody.
No registration is required to access most online county portals, though some document retrieval systems may require account creation.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Bedford County Archives and Records Center, the Register of Deeds, or the Circuit Court Clerk's office depending on the record type sought. Staff at each office can assist with locating and retrieving documents. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to describe the record with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the record sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, the custodian must respond promptly and, in most cases, within seven business days.

Phone/Email: Contact information for individual offices is listed in the contact section below. Members of the public are encouraged to call ahead to confirm record availability and any applicable fees before visiting in person.

What Are Public Records in Bedford County?

Public records in Bedford County are defined under Tennessee law as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files, and other documentary materials made or received in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental entity. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-301, public records are broadly defined to encompass materials regardless of physical form or characteristics.

The following record types are maintained by Bedford County offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Court Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Register of Deeds
Historical and archived records	Bedford County Archives
Property tax assessments	County Assessor of Property
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Tennessee Office of Vital Records
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk
Meeting minutes and budgets	Bedford County Government
Financial and audit reports	Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury
Felony offender records	Tennessee Department of Correction

The Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains records of all criminal and civil cases in Circuit Court and General Sessions Court. The Register of Deeds preserves instruments affecting real property, including deeds, deeds of trust, and plats. County audit reports and financial documents are accessible through the Tennessee Comptroller's audit reports portal.

Is Bedford County an Open Records County?

Bedford County operates in full compliance with Tennessee's open records statutes, which establish a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state and local government records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by state law.

The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel has stated: "The Tennessee Public Records Act reflects the General Assembly's recognition that government is the servant of the people and not the master of them." This principle guides the operations of all Bedford County custodial offices.

The Tennessee Public Records Act does not require a requestor to provide a reason for seeking records, and custodians may not condition access on the disclosure of the requestor's purpose. Bedford County offices are required to respond to public records requests promptly and to provide access during normal business hours. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all access obligations.

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

The cost to obtain public records in Bedford County varies by record type and the office maintaining the document. Tennessee law permits custodians to charge reasonable fees for copies but prohibits fees for the inspection of records.

Standard fees that may apply include:

Paper copies: Typically $0.15 to $0.25 per page for standard letter or legal-size documents, consistent with state guidelines
Certification fees: Certified copies of court records and deeds carry additional fees set by statute; deed certifications at the Register of Deeds are subject to state recording fee schedules
Electronic copies: Fees for electronic records are assessed at the actual cost of duplication
Search fees: Tennessee law does not permit custodians to charge a search fee for locating records unless the request requires an extraordinary amount of labor
Vital records: Certified copies of birth and death certificates are subject to fees set by the Tennessee Department of Health

Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, money order, or credit card. Members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under Tennessee law, though individual offices may exercise discretion in limited circumstances.

Does Bedford County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Bedford County government offices during normal business hours. Tennessee law expressly provides that no fee may be charged for the inspection of public records; charges apply only when copies are requested.

Free access to records is available through the following resources:

The Bedford County documents and forms portal provides no-cost access to audits, budgets, and public documents online.
The Tennessee Property Viewer allows free online inspection of property assessment data statewide, including Bedford County parcels.
The Tennessee felony offender lookup is available at no charge to members of the public seeking information on individuals in state correctional custody.
The Bedford County Archives is open to the public for in-person inspection of historical records at no charge during regular business hours.
County audit reports are accessible without charge through the Tennessee Comptroller's county audit reports database.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review records at no cost, but obtaining physical or electronic copies may incur the fees described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Bedford County?

Any citizen of Tennessee may request public records held by Bedford County government offices. Under current Tennessee law, residency in Bedford County is not required; any Tennessee resident has standing to submit a public records request. Non-residents of Tennessee do not have a statutory right of access under the Tennessee Public Records Act, though individual offices may exercise discretion in responding to such requests.

Requestors are not required to:

State the purpose for which the records are sought
Provide identification as a condition of inspection (though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types)
Demonstrate a personal interest in the records

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. For example, individuals seeking their own criminal history records may be required to submit a notarized request or appear in person with valid identification. Attorneys and authorized representatives may access records on behalf of clients subject to applicable court rules. Juvenile records and sealed court documents require a court order for access regardless of the requestor's identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Bedford County?

Not all government records maintained by Bedford County are subject to public disclosure. Tennessee law establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from inspection. The Tennessee Public Records Act, codified at Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504, enumerates the following exemptions, among others:

Sealed court records: Documents sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly disclosed records
Medical records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state law is not subject to public disclosure
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed under Tennessee law
Child welfare records: Records maintained by the Department of Children's Services are confidential
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt with limited exceptions, such as name, title, and compensation of public employees
Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected
Security and infrastructure plans: Documents detailing vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure are withheld from public disclosure

The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel has noted: "When a records custodian believes a record is exempt from disclosure, the custodian bears the burden of demonstrating that the exemption applies." Custodians are required to provide a written explanation when access to a record is denied.

Bedford County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Bedford County Register of Deeds
1 Public Square, Suite 102
Shelbyville, TN 37160
(931) 684-1694
Register of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

The Register of Deeds' office is commissioned by state law to record and preserve documents that provide public notice of property ownership, including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and plats.

Bedford County Archives and Records Center
Bedford County Courthouse, Suite 105
1 Public Square
Shelbyville, TN 37160
Bedford County Archives

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Circuit Court Clerk
1 Public Square
Shelbyville, TN 37160
(931) 684-1610
Circuit Court Clerk