McNairy County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in McNairy County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through McNairyRecords.us, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by McNairy County, Tennessee, and its various government offices. The site may provide access to records that include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax and financial records
- Voting and election records
- Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
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 access certain records through the Tennessee Secretary of State's online portal, which provides business filings and related documents. Property assessment data is available through the Tennessee Property Viewer, a public service maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. No registration is required to conduct basic property searches.
In-Person Requests: In-person requests may be submitted at the McNairy County Clerk's Office, located at 170 W Court Ave, Selmer, TN 38375. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought and may be asked to complete a standard request form.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the McNairy County Clerk's Office at 170 W Court Ave, Selmer, TN 38375. Requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, custodians are required to respond promptly, with a reasonable response period not to exceed seven business days.
Phone/Email: The McNairy County Clerk's Office may be reached by phone at (731) 645-3511. Email inquiries may be directed through the county's official contact channels as listed on the county's government website.
What Are Public Records in McNairy County?
Public records in McNairy 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. The following record types are maintained by various county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit and General Sessions Court Clerk |
| Probate and family court records | Chancery Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | McNairy County Register of Deeds |
| Property tax assessments | McNairy 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 | McNairy County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | McNairy County Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | McNairy County Commission |
| Budget and financial documents | McNairy County Finance Office |
| Law enforcement records | McNairy County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | McNairy County Planning and Zoning |
County audit and financial records are also accessible through the Tennessee Comptroller's county audit reports, which publishes local government audit findings as a matter of public accountability.
Is McNairy County an Open Records County?
McNairy County follows Tennessee's open records laws, which mandate broad public access to government documents. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by state law. The Tennessee Public Records Act establishes the framework under which all county offices, including those in McNairy County, must operate.
As stated by the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel, "All state, county and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee, and those in charge of such records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen, unless otherwise provided by state law." This provision reflects the state's commitment to government transparency at every level of public administration.
McNairy County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance that supersedes state law. All public records requests are processed in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act, and the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel provides guidance to both citizens and government entities on compliance with these requirements.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in McNairy County?
The fee structure for public records in McNairy County is governed by state law and the policies of the individual office maintaining the records. Under current law, fees are limited to the actual cost of producing the records and may not be used as a barrier to access.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.15 per page (standard rate per state guidance) |
| Certified copies (vital records) | $15.00 per certified copy (Tennessee Department of Health) |
| Certified copies (court records) | Varies by court; contact the relevant clerk's office |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of duplication |
| Search fees | Not permitted for standard inspection requests |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, fees for copies shall not exceed the actual cost of producing the records. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the records custodian.
Does McNairy County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in McNairy County, as required by Tennessee state law. Any citizen may inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours at the office of the records custodian. The right to inspect does not automatically include the right to free copies.
The following resources provide free access to certain public records:
- Tennessee Property Viewer: The statewide property assessment tool maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury allows members of the public to search property assessment data for McNairy County at no cost.
- Tennessee Secretary of State Business Search: Business entity filings and registration records are searchable at no charge through the Tennessee Secretary of State.
- McNairy County Clerk's Office: Members of the public may inspect records in person at no charge during regular business hours.
- Tennessee Comptroller's Office: County financial and audit records are available at no cost through the local government audit reports portal.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection is free, reproduction of records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in McNairy County?
Any citizen of Tennessee may request public records in McNairy County under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Under current law, requestors are not required to be residents of McNairy County specifically, but the statute does reference Tennessee citizenship as the baseline eligibility standard. Non-residents of Tennessee may also have access to certain records, particularly those maintained in electronic databases or accessible through online portals.
Requestors are not required to:
- State the purpose of their request for most record types
- Provide identification for general inspection requests (though identification may be required for certain sensitive records)
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought
Restrictions apply to specific record categories. Requests for records containing personal identifying information, sealed court documents, or records subject to statutory exemptions may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal basis for access. Individuals requesting their own records—such as personal court files or vital records—may be required to provide government-issued identification to verify identity. Third-party requests for records pertaining to another individual are subject to applicable privacy protections under state and federal law.
What Records Are Confidential in McNairy County?
Certain records maintained by McNairy County offices are exempt from public disclosure under Tennessee law. Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504 enumerates specific categories of records that are confidential and not subject to public inspection. These include:
- Sealed court records: Records 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 related to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly released documents.
- Medical records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are not subject to public disclosure.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies may be withheld.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records related to the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt.
When a records custodian determines that a record is exempt from disclosure, the custodian is required to notify the requestor of the specific statutory basis for the denial. The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel provides guidance on the application of exemptions and the balancing of public interest against privacy concerns.
McNairy County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
McNairy County Register of Deeds
170 W Court Ave, Selmer, TN 38375
(731) 645-3511
McNairy County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
McNairy County Clerk's Office
170 W Court Ave, Selmer, TN 38375
(731) 645-3511
McNairy County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
McNairy County Circuit Court Clerk
170 W Court Ave, Selmer, TN 38375
(731) 645-3591
McNairy County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
McNairy County Sheriff's Office
635 Mulberry Ave, Selmer, TN 38375
(731) 645-9212
McNairy County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week for law enforcement services; administrative records requests are processed during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
McNairy County Assessor of Property
170 W Court Ave, Selmer, TN 38375
(731) 645-3961
McNairy County Assessor of Property
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fiscal and debt-related contacts for McNairy County municipal entities are maintained by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. Members of the public and government representatives may access the local government fiscal contacts directory for current contact information pertaining to McNairy County's municipal financial officers.