Coffee County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Coffee County?

Public records in Coffee County 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. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of records maintained by county offices throughout Coffee County, Tennessee.

The following record types are currently available through various Coffee County offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Coffee County Circuit and General Sessions Courts
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and assessments maintained by the Coffee County Register of Deeds
Vital records — birth and death certificates maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health; marriage and divorce records maintained by the Coffee County Clerk
Business records — business licenses, permits, and assumed name (fictitious name) registrations maintained by the Coffee County Clerk
Tax records — property tax records and assessment data maintained by the Coffee County Trustee and Assessor of Property
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the Coffee County Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas — Coffee County Commission meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions maintained by the County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audit reports, and expenditure records maintained by the Coffee County Finance Department
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, maintained by the Coffee County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, permits, and variance applications maintained by the Coffee County Planning and Zoning Office

Is Coffee County an Open Records County?

Coffee County fully complies with Tennessee's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records shall at all times be open for personal inspection by any member of the public, and the custodian of such records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen unless the records are specifically exempt by law.

Key provisions of the Tennessee Public Records Act include the requirement that custodians respond to records requests promptly and that any denial of access be accompanied by a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption. The Act further provides that when a record contains both public and exempt information, the custodian must redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder.

Coffee County does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law; all offices operate in accordance with the statewide framework. The county is also subject to Tennessee's Open Meetings Act, commonly referred to as the Sunshine Law, codified at Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-44-101, which requires that all meetings of governing bodies be open to the public.

How to Find Public Records in Coffee County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Coffee County public records through several channels, depending on the record type and the office that maintains it.

In-person requests are accepted at the relevant county office during regular business hours. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, the approximate date range, and any known identifying information such as a case number, parcel number, or party name.

Written requests may be submitted by mail or email to the appropriate custodian. Under current law, no specific form is required, though requestors should include their name, contact information, a clear description of the records sought, and a preferred method of delivery.

Online access is available for select record types. Property records and tax information may be searched through the Coffee County Assessor's online portal. Court records may be accessed through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts case management system where available.

Steps to submit a public records request in Coffee County:

Identify the office that maintains the record type needed
Prepare a written or verbal description of the specific records requested
Submit the request in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate custodian
Await acknowledgment; custodians are required to respond promptly under state law
Pay any applicable fees upon notification of the records' availability
Receive records in the format requested, subject to available formats and applicable exemptions

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

Current fees for public records in Coffee County are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, which authorizes custodians to charge reasonable fees for copies of public records. Standard fees vary by office and record type.

Typical fee structures currently in effect include:

Standard paper copies — $0.15 per page for standard black-and-white copies at most county offices
Certified copies — fees vary by office; the County Clerk and Register of Deeds typically charge $1.00–$5.00 per certified document
Electronic copies — fees may apply for records provided on electronic media; some offices provide electronic copies at no charge when records are already in digital format
Oversized documents — maps, plats, and other oversized documents may carry higher reproduction fees
Research fees — some offices charge an hourly rate for extensive research requests requiring significant staff time

Accepted payment methods at most Coffee County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting payment.

Fee waiver provisions exist under state law for indigent requestors and, in certain circumstances, for members of the news media acting in the public interest. Requestors seeking a fee waiver should submit a written request to the custodian explaining the basis for the waiver.

Does Coffee County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the offices of the relevant custodian during regular business hours, consistent with the requirements of the Tennessee Public Records Act. No fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a record in person.

Several categories of records are currently available at no cost through official government sources:

Property and tax records — the Coffee County Assessor of Property provides free online access to property assessment data and ownership information
Court records — basic case information is available through the Tennessee Courts case lookup system at no charge
Election records — voter registration information and election results are available through the Tennessee Secretary of State at no cost
Meeting minutes and agendas — Coffee County Commission meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the county's official website at no charge
Vital records indexes — indexes to birth, death, and marriage records may be searched at no cost through the Tennessee Department of Health's online resources

Who Can Request Public Records in Coffee County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, may request public records in Coffee County under the Tennessee Public Records Act. The Act does not require requestors to be Tennessee residents, to provide identification, or to state the reason for their request as a condition of access to most public records.

Specific eligibility considerations include:

Residency — not required; non-residents have the same right of access as Tennessee residents
Identification — generally not required for most records; however, certain sensitive record types, such as vital records, may require proof of identity or a qualifying relationship to the subject of the record
Purpose — requestors are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests; custodians may not deny access based on the requestor's intended use of the records
Requesting your own records — individuals requesting records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to the subject, such as certain personnel or law enforcement records
Requesting records about others — access to records containing personal identifying information about third parties may be subject to redaction of exempt information

Certain record types, including adoption records, juvenile court records, and sealed court files, carry additional restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose.

What Records Are Confidential in Coffee County?

Not all government records in Coffee County are subject to public disclosure. Tennessee law identifies numerous categories of records that are exempt from public inspection. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted under state and federal law:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile court proceedings are confidential pursuant to 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 numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly disclosed records
Medical records — protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state law
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — records of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services are confidential
Personnel records — employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under a claim of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

These exemptions are codified primarily in Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504, which enumerates specific categories of records that custodians are prohibited from disclosing. When a record contains both public and exempt information, the custodian is required to separate and provide the non-exempt portions.

Coffee County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Coffee County Register of Deeds serves as the principal recorder of official documents in Coffee County, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other instruments affecting real property. The office also maintains UCC filings and military discharge records.

Coffee County Register of Deeds 1329 McArthur St, Suite 1, Manchester, TN 37355 (931) 723-5106 Coffee County Register of Deeds

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., local time. The office is closed on state and federal holidays.

Coffee County Clerk 1329 McArthur St, Manchester, TN 37355 (931) 723-5100 Coffee County Clerk

Coffee County Assessor of Property 1329 McArthur St, Suite 201, Manchester, TN 37355 (931) 723-5104 Coffee County Assessor of Property

Coffee County Trustee (Tax Records) 1329 McArthur St, Suite 107, Manchester, TN 37355 (931) 723-5130 Coffee County Trustee

Coffee County Sheriff's Office 3200 Hillsboro Blvd, Manchester, TN 37355 (931) 728-3591 Coffee County Sheriff's Office

Coffee County Election Commission 1329 McArthur St, Suite 104, Manchester, TN 37355 (931) 723-5108 Coffee County Election Commission