Obion County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Obion County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Obion County, Tennessee, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state databases, and online portals. ObionRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by Obion County government agencies. Requestors may find records pertaining to court proceedings, property ownership, vital statistics, tax assessments, and law enforcement activity, subject to applicable exemptions under state law.
Available record categories include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
- The Obion County official website provides access to various county department resources and online portals.
- Property assessment data is accessible through the Tennessee Property Viewer, maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
- The Tennessee Sex Offender Registry is available online through TNMap for public lookup statewide, including Obion County residents.
- Court-related public records policies are published on the Obion County Courts page.
- No registration is required to access most online county portals, though certain databases may require account creation for full functionality.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant county office. The Obion County Clerk's Office is located at 2 Bill Burnett Circle, Union City, TN 38261. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought and the approximate date range when visiting in person.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, custodians are required to respond promptly, and in no event later than seven business days from receipt of the request.
Phone/Email:
- Obion County Clerk: (731) 885-3831
- Obion County Circuit Court Clerk: (731) 885-0470
The public records request form is available on the county website for written submissions.
What Are Public Records in Obion County?
Public records in Obion County are defined by Tennessee state law as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files and output, films, sound recordings, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental entity. This definition is drawn directly from the county's own public records policy, which mirrors the language of Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-301.
The following record types are maintained by Obion County government offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Probate and family court records | Probate Court / Chancery Court |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Register of Deeds |
| Property tax assessments | County Assessor of Property |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Tennessee Department of Health |
| Marriage and divorce records | County Clerk / Circuit Court Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Commission / County Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | County Mayor's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Obion County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Department |
Property assessment data for Obion County parcels is searchable through the Tennessee Comptroller's statewide property assessment viewer.
Is Obion County an Open Records County?
Obion County fully complies with Tennessee's open records laws, which mandate public access to government documents. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state and local government records are presumed open to public inspection unless a specific exemption applies. Tennessee's Public Records Act is among the broadest in the nation, establishing a strong presumption of openness.
The Tennessee Attorney General has stated that "the policy of this state is that government records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee." This principle is reflected in Obion County's own adopted public records policy, which affirms the county's commitment to transparency and timely response to records requests.
Obion County has adopted a formal public records policy that governs how requests are processed, which offices serve as custodians, and how disputes are resolved. The policy is consistent with the Tennessee Open Records Act and the Tennessee Sunshine Law, which governs open meetings of governmental bodies under Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-44-101 et seq.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Obion County?
Members of the public may inspect public records at no charge; fees apply when copies are requested. The current fee structure for Obion County public records is as follows:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal) | $0.15 per page |
| Color copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Certified copies (County Clerk documents) | $5.00 per document |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Actual cost of media/transmission |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
- Fees for certified vital records copies may differ and are set by the Tennessee Department of Health.
- The Register of Deeds charges recording fees established by state statute.
- Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order at most county offices; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
- Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, fees charged for copies may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
- Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Tennessee law, though individual custodians retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances.
Does Obion County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the relevant county office during normal business hours. Tennessee law requires that custodians allow in-person inspection of public records without charge; fees are assessed only when physical or electronic copies are produced.
Free online resources currently available include:
- The Tennessee Property Viewer, which provides free access to property assessment data for all Tennessee counties, including Obion County, without registration.
- The Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, which is freely accessible online and includes registrant information for Obion County.
- The Obion County official website, which publishes meeting agendas, minutes, budgets, and other government documents at no cost.
- The Tennessee Secretary of State's business entity search portal, which provides free access to business registration records statewide.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to view records at no cost, but reproduction of those records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Obion County?
Any citizen of Tennessee may request public records held by Obion County government agencies. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, residency in Obion County is not required; any Tennessee resident is entitled to inspect and obtain copies of public records. Non-residents of Tennessee do not have a statutory right of access under the Tennessee Public Records Act, though custodians retain discretion to accommodate such requests.
Requestors are not required to:
- Provide identification in most circumstances
- State the purpose of the request
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought
Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Law enforcement records related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and sealed court documents require the requestor to demonstrate a legal basis for access. Individuals seeking their own records—such as personal court files or tax records—follow the same request process as any other requestor, though additional verification of identity may be required for records containing sensitive personal information.
The Obion County Courts page notes that individuals with disabilities requiring assistance with court records access may contact the Court ADA Coordinator at (731) 507-0999.
What Records Are Confidential in Obion County?
Not all government records in Obion County are subject to public disclosure. Tennessee law establishes specific categories of exempt records that custodians are required to withhold from public inspection. The following records are currently exempt from disclosure:
- 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 Code Annotated § 37-1-153.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent disclosure would compromise the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Tennessee Department of Children's Services regulations.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt with limited exceptions for names, titles, salaries, and dates of employment of public employees.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504 enumerates specific categories of confidential records and governs the balancing of public interest against privacy concerns when custodians evaluate disclosure requests.
Obion County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Obion County Register of Deeds
2 Bill Burnett Circle, Suite 103
Union City, TN 38261
(731) 885-2397
Obion County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Obion County Clerk's Office
2 Bill Burnett Circle
Union City, TN 38261
(731) 885-3831
Obion County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Obion County Circuit Court Clerk
2 Bill Burnett Circle
Union City, TN 38261
(731) 885-0470
Obion County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Obion County Sheriff's Office
1 Sheriff's Complex
Union City, TN 38261
(731) 885-2121
Obion County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; dispatch available 24 hours
Obion County Assessor of Property
2 Bill Burnett Circle
Union City, TN 38261
(731) 885-2040
Obion County Assessor of Property
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM