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How to Find Public Records in Rhea County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Rhea County, Tennessee may access publicly available information through RheaRecords.us as well as through official county and state government channels. This resource aggregates data related to a broad range of record categories that Tennessee law designates as open to public inspection. The types of records that may be found through official sources include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, chancery, and probate)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Arrest logs and incident reports
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and budgets
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
Members of the public may use the Tennessee Property Viewer maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury to search property assessment data by county. The Tennessee Sex Offender Registry is available online through TNMap and does not require registration. The Rhea County Courts page provides contact information for chancery and circuit court clerks who maintain civil and criminal case records.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Rhea County Clerk and Master (Chancery Court) at 7824 Rhea County Hwy, Dayton, TN 37321 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the record sought by name, date range, or case number and submit the request directly to the clerk on duty.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate clerk's office. The request 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, custodians are required to respond promptly and no later than seven business days after receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- Rhea County Clerk and Master (Chancery Court): 423-775-7806
- Rhea County Sheriff's Department: 423-775-7837
The Rhea County Public Records Request Coordinator is listed through the Tennessee Comptroller's Office and may be contacted for guidance on submitting formal public records requests to county departments.
What Are Public Records in Rhea County?
Public records in Rhea County are defined under Tennessee state law 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 Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are presumed open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.
The following record types are currently maintained by Rhea County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk, 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 | Rhea County Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and budgets | County Mayor's Office |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Rhea County Sheriff's Department |
| Land use and zoning records | Rhea County Planning Department |
The Rhea County Courts page identifies the specific clerks responsible for chancery, circuit, and general sessions court records. Property assessment data is accessible through the Tennessee Comptroller's statewide property viewer.
Is Rhea County an Open Records County?
Rhea County fully complies with Tennessee's open records framework. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, T.C.A. § 10-7-503, all governmental records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by state law. The statute establishes a strong presumption of openness, placing the burden on the government to justify any denial of access.
As stated in the Tennessee Public Records Act, "All state, county and municipal records shall at all times, during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee, and those in charge of the records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen, unless otherwise provided by state law."
Rhea County has designated a Public Records Request Coordinator, as required by the Tennessee Open Records Counsel. The coordinator's contact information is published through the Tennessee Comptroller's local government contacts directory. The Tennessee Open Records Counsel, operating under the Office of the Attorney General, provides guidance to both citizens and government entities on the application of the Public Records Act.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Rhea County?
The fee structure for public records in Rhea County is governed by state law and the policies of the individual custodial office. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-506, fees charged for copies of public records must be reasonable and may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
Standard fees currently applicable include:
- Paper copies: $0.15 per page (standard letter or legal size), as established by the Tennessee Comptroller's model fee schedule
- Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; court-certified documents typically carry a per-page certification fee set by the clerk
- Electronic records: Provided at no charge when already maintained in electronic format and transmittable without programming; labor costs may apply for custom data extraction
- Inspection: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of records during regular business hours
- Search fees: Not permitted under state law unless specifically authorized by statute for a particular record type
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order made payable to the relevant county office. Individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods when submitting a request. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Tennessee law, though individual offices retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances.
Does Rhea County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any citizen of Tennessee at the office of the custodian during regular business hours, at no charge. This right is established under state law and applies to all non-exempt records maintained by Rhea County offices.
The following free resources are currently available:
- In-person inspection: Any member of the public may inspect non-exempt records at the relevant county office without paying a fee
- Tennessee Property Viewer: The statewide property assessment database is available at no cost online, providing parcel data, ownership information, and assessed values for Rhea County properties
- Tennessee Sex Offender Registry: The sex offender registry is freely accessible online through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's TNMap portal
- Court docket information: Basic case status information may be available for inspection at the clerk's public counter without charge
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining paper or electronic copies of records may involve reproduction charges as described in the fee schedule above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Rhea County?
Any citizen of Tennessee may request access to public records maintained by Rhea County government offices. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-503, the right of inspection is extended to all Tennessee citizens without restriction based on residency within the county. Non-residents of Tennessee do not hold the same statutory right of inspection under the Tennessee Public Records Act, though individual offices may exercise discretion in responding to out-of-state requests.
Requestors are not required to:
- State the purpose for which the records are sought
- Provide identification in most circumstances (though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types)
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records
Certain record categories carry additional access requirements. For example, individuals requesting records that contain personal identifying information about themselves may be required to provide proof of identity to ensure the information is released only to the subject of the record. Attorneys, licensed investigators, and other credentialed professionals may access certain restricted records upon presentation of appropriate credentials. Juvenile records, sealed court files, and other exempt categories are subject to separate access procedures regardless of the requestor's identity.
What Records Are Confidential in Rhea County?
Not all government records in Rhea County are open to public inspection. Tennessee law identifies numerous categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. The Tennessee Public Records Act and related statutes establish the following as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under T.C.A. § 37-1-153
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records
- Medical and health 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: Maintained as confidential under state child protection laws
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure with limited exceptions, such as name, title, and compensation of public employees
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety
As stated by the Tennessee Open Records Counsel, "The Tennessee Public Records Act creates a presumption that records are open. The burden is on the government to show that a record is exempt from disclosure." Requestors who believe a denial of access is improper may seek review through the Tennessee Open Records Counsel or pursue relief in chancery court.
Rhea County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Rhea County Clerk and Master (Chancery Court)
7824 Rhea County Hwy
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: 423-775-7806
Rhea County Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Additional Offices:
Rhea County Sheriff's Department
7800 Rhea County Hwy
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: 423-775-7837
Rhea County Sheriff's Department
The Sheriff's Department maintains arrest logs and incident reports subject to applicable exemptions. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the department during regular business hours. Emergencies should be directed to 9-1-1.
Rhea County Public Records Request Coordinator
Contact information is published through the Tennessee Comptroller's Office.
Local Government Public Records Contacts – TN.gov
The coordinator serves as the designated point of contact for formal public records requests submitted to Rhea County government departments and can direct requestors to the appropriate custodial office for each record type.