Maury County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Maury County?
Public records in Maury County are defined according to the Tennessee Public Records Act, codified under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, which states that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee. These records encompass all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data, and other materials prepared, owned, used, received, or possessed by government entities.
Maury County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers recorded by the Register of Deeds
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (older records maintained by county; recent records by state)
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps maintained by the Property Assessor's office
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Election Commission
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission, boards, and committees' official proceedings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County financial statements, budgets, and expenditure reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with statutory exemptions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
The Maury County Archives maintains historical records dating back to the county's formation in 1807, including original court minutes, marriage records, and other historical documents of significance.
Is Maury County an Open Records County?
Maury County fully adheres to the Tennessee Public Records Act as established under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503. This statute explicitly states that "all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours... be open for personal inspection by any citizen of this state, and those in charge of the records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen, unless otherwise provided by state law."
The Tennessee Public Records Act establishes a presumption of openness, with the burden of proof for denying access resting with the government entity. According to T.C.A. § 10-7-505(d), "The court shall construe this part liberally so as to give the fullest possible public access to public records."
Maury County has implemented specific procedures for handling public records requests in compliance with state law. The county follows the Tennessee Open Meetings Act, often called the "Sunshine Law," which requires that meetings of governing bodies be open to the public with adequate notice.
The Maury County Public Records Policy outlines the county's commitment to providing access to public records while establishing reasonable procedures for obtaining such records. This policy was adopted in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-503(g), which requires all government entities to establish written public records policies.
How to Find Public Records in Maury County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Maury County may follow these procedures to access various types of public information:
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Identify the Appropriate Department: Determine which county office maintains the records you seek:
- Property records: Register of Deeds
- Court records: Circuit Court Clerk
- Tax and assessment records: Property Assessor
- Historical records: Maury County Archives
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Submit a Records Request: Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically:
- In-person requests can be made during regular business hours at the appropriate office
- Written requests should include specific information about the records sought
- Some departments offer online request forms through the county website
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Complete Required Forms: Some records require specific forms:
- The Public Records Request Form is available for general requests
- Specialized forms exist for vital records, court documents, and property searches
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Pay Applicable Fees: Payment is required for copies and certain searches (see fee section below)
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Receive Records: Records may be:
- Inspected in person at no charge
- Received as paper copies
- Provided electronically when available
- Mailed upon request (additional fees may apply)
The county's Records Custodian must respond to requests within seven business days, pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(B), either by providing the records, denying the request with explanation, or indicating the time needed to produce the records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Maury County?
Maury County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act and the county's established fee schedule. Current standard fees include:
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General Document Copies:
- Black and white copies: $0.15 per page (standard size)
- Color copies: $0.50 per page (standard size)
- Oversized documents: Actual cost of reproduction
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Specialized Records:
- Certified copies of documents: $5.00 plus copy fees
- Recorded documents (Register of Deeds): $1.00 per page
- Court records: Varies by document type ($1.00-$5.00 per page)
- Maps and plats: $5.00-$25.00 depending on size
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Research and Labor Costs:
- First hour of research/retrieval: No charge
- Additional time: Hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task
- Computer and programming time: Actual cost
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Delivery Methods:
- Electronic delivery (when available): No additional charge
- Mailing: Actual postage costs
- Storage media (USB drives, CDs): Actual cost of media
Payment methods accepted by most county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some departments may accept credit/debit cards, though convenience fees may apply.
The fee structure is established pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i), which allows reasonable charges for copies and labor. Fees may be waived or reduced if determined to be in the public interest by the Records Custodian.
Does Maury County Have Free Public Records?
Maury County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A), which states that records shall "be open for personal inspection by any citizen of this state." No fee may be charged for viewing records, though fees apply for copies and certain specialized searches.
The following free public records resources are available:
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In-Person Inspection: All non-exempt public records may be inspected free of charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
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Online Resources:
- Maury County Property Data - Free property assessment information
- Maury County Commission Minutes - Free access to meeting agendas and minutes
- Circuit Court Case Information - Basic case information available online
- Maury County Archives Digital Collections - Selected historical records digitized for public access
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Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at several county offices for free public access to digital records, including:
- Register of Deeds Office - Property records search
- Circuit Court Clerk's Office - Court records search
- County Clerk's Office - Business licenses and marriage records
- Public Library - Various county records and resources
While inspection is free, requestors should note that extensive research by staff, copies, certified documents, and specialized searches may incur fees as outlined in the county's fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Maury County?
Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, specifically T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A), "all state, county and municipal records shall... be open for personal inspection by any citizen of this state." This establishes that Tennessee citizenship is the primary eligibility requirement for requesting public records in Maury County.
Key provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:
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Tennessee Residency: Requestors must be Tennessee citizens to have guaranteed access rights under state law
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Identification Requirements:
- Proof of Tennessee citizenship may be required (driver's license, voter registration, etc.)
- For in-person requests, photo identification may be requested
- For written requests, a statement affirming Tennessee citizenship may be sufficient
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Purpose Disclosure:
- Requestors are generally not required to state the purpose of their request
- Exception: Certain records (such as motor vehicle records) may require purpose disclosure under federal law
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Non-Residents: While the law specifically grants access rights to Tennessee citizens, Maury County may, at its discretion, provide records to non-residents
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Commercial Use: Records obtained may be used for commercial purposes, though some specialized records may have usage restrictions
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Requesting Your Own Records vs. Others' Records:
- Individuals have the right to access their own records
- Access to others' records is subject to privacy exemptions and confidentiality laws
- Certain records require proof of relationship or legal interest
Government entities, businesses, and organizations may request records through authorized representatives who are Tennessee citizens. Attorneys and legal representatives may request records on behalf of clients.
What Records Are Confidential in Maury County?
While Maury County operates under the presumption of openness established by the Tennessee Public Records Act, certain records are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-504 and other state and federal laws. These confidential records include:
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Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers, personal financial information, and bank account details
- Driver's license numbers and state ID information
- Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA)
- Employee personnel records (with limited exceptions)
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation files
- Confidential informant information
- Juvenile offender records (with limited exceptions)
- Victim information in certain cases (domestic violence, sexual assault)
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Court Records:
- Records sealed by court order
- Adoption proceedings
- Certain family court matters involving minors
- Mental health commitment proceedings
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Government Operations:
- Security plans and infrastructure vulnerability assessments
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Deliberative process materials prior to decision-making
- Trade secrets and proprietary information submitted to government
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Vital Records:
- Birth records less than 100 years old (restricted access)
- Death records less than 50 years old (restricted access)
- Certain marriage and divorce details containing sensitive information
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Other Protected Records:
- Child abuse and neglect investigations
- Library patron records
- Educational records protected under FERPA
- Records specifically designated as confidential by state statute
The determination of confidentiality follows the balancing test established in T.C.A. § 10-7-504, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy rights and government interests. When records contain both public and confidential information, the county will redact confidential portions and release the remainder when feasible.
Maury County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Maury County Register of Deeds
101 West 7th Street, 1st Floor
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 375-5061
Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Maury County Circuit Court Clerk
41 Public Square
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 375-1101
Circuit Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Maury County Archives
201 East 6th Street
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 375-1501
Maury County Archives
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Maury County Property Assessor
6 Public Square
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 375-1101
Property Assessor
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays