Washington County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Washington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Washington County, Tennessee, may access a wide range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. The directory at WashingtonTNRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating relevant records. Washington County maintains records across multiple departments, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law. Records that may be accessible include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, business licenses, and meeting minutes, among others.
Online Access:
Members of the public may search property records and tax information through the Washington County Assessor of Property online portal. The Washington County, Tennessee official website provides access to department directories, agendas, and select public documents. Court records may be searched through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts case management system. Some records require account registration or in-person verification before full access is granted.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Washington County Clerk's Office to inspect or obtain copies of public records. The office is located at 100 E. Main Street, Suite 203, Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and any known identifying information to facilitate retrieval.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted to the Washington County Clerk's Office at 100 E. Main Street, Suite 203, Jonesborough, TN 37659. Requests should 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, the custodial office must respond promptly, and in no event later than seven business days from receipt of the request.
Phone/Email:
Washington County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (423) 753-1621. Requestors are encouraged to call in advance to confirm record availability and any applicable fees before submitting a formal request.
What Are Public Records in Washington County?
Public records in Washington County are defined under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-301 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 categories are maintained by various county offices:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family): Maintained by the Washington County Circuit Court Clerk and General Sessions Court Clerk
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats): Maintained by the Washington County Register of Deeds
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce): Birth and death certificates are issued by the Tennessee Department of Health; marriage and divorce records are held by the County Clerk and Circuit Court Clerk, respectively
- Business records (licenses and permits): Maintained by the Washington County Clerk
- Tax and assessment records: Maintained by the Washington County Assessor of Property and Trustee; the Tennessee Comptroller's reappraisal schedule governs county property reappraisal cycles
- Voting and election records: Maintained by the Washington County Election Commission
- Meeting minutes and agendas: Published by the Washington County Commission and available through the county website
- Budget and financial documents: The Washington County Annual Comprehensive Financial Report is published by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted): Maintained by the Washington County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records: Maintained by the Washington County Planning and Zoning Department
Is Washington County an Open Records County?
Washington County operates in full compliance with Tennessee's open records statutes, which establish a broad public right of 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 statutory exemption applies. The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel states that "it is the legislative intent that public records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee," reflecting the state's strong commitment to government transparency.
The Tennessee Public Records Act serves as the primary legal framework governing access to government records in all 95 counties, including Washington County. The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel provides guidance to both government entities and members of the public regarding rights and obligations under the Act. Washington County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; the Tennessee Public Records Act governs all public records requests submitted to county offices.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Washington County?
The fee structure for public records in Washington County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Standard fees currently applicable include:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $0.15 per page (black and white) |
| Certified copies (County Clerk) | $5.00 per document |
| Certified copies (Register of Deeds) | $1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Varies by office |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
The Tennessee Public Records Act permits custodians to charge reasonable fees for copies but prohibits charging for the inspection of records. Fees for labor may be assessed when a request requires more than one hour of staff time to fulfill, pursuant to state guidelines issued by the Office of Open Records Counsel. Accepted payment methods at Washington County offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Tennessee law but may be granted at the discretion of the custodial office in limited circumstances.
Does Washington County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the custodial office during regular business hours, as required by the Tennessee Public Records Act. No fee may be charged solely for the act of reviewing records in person. The following resources provide free access to certain Washington County records:
- The Washington County official website provides free access to commission meeting agendas, minutes, and select county documents
- The Washington County Assessor of Property offers free online access to property assessment data through the county's online portal
- The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides free case status information through its public access system
- The Tennessee Secretary of State offers free online access to business entity filings and registered agent information
Free inspection differs from free copies. While inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain personal records, such as an individual's own vital records, are not automatically provided free of charge under Tennessee law; standard certification fees apply.
Who Can Request Public Records in Washington County?
Any citizen of Tennessee may request public records under the Tennessee Public Records Act. The Act does not require requestors to be residents of Washington County specifically, but the statutory right of inspection is expressly extended to Tennessee citizens. As the Office of Open Records Counsel has noted, "any citizen of Tennessee has the right to inspect public records," and custodians may not require requestors to state a reason for their request as a condition of access.
Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect most public records, though identification may be required for records that contain sensitive personal information or for records subject to restricted access. Non-residents of Tennessee do not hold the same statutory right of inspection under the Tennessee Public Records Act, though many offices extend access as a matter of practice. Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, follow the same process as any other requestor, with additional identity verification required for certified copies of vital records.
Certain record types impose additional eligibility requirements. Access to juvenile records, sealed court files, and law enforcement investigative records may be restricted to parties of record, legal representatives, or individuals with a demonstrated legal interest.
What Records Are Confidential in Washington County?
Tennessee law identifies numerous categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. The following records are currently withheld from public inspection under applicable state and federal law:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personal identifying information embedded in otherwise public documents
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records (sealed by court order)
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records of government employees, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
The Tennessee Public Records Act provides that when a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian must redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder. Custodians bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific statutory exemption applies before withholding any record from public inspection.
Washington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Washington County Register of Deeds
100 E. Main Street, Suite 101
Jonesborough, TN 37659
(423) 753-1631
Washington County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Washington County Clerk
100 E. Main Street, Suite 203
Jonesborough, TN 37659
(423) 753-1621
Washington County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Washington County Circuit Court Clerk
100 E. Main Street, Suite 301
Jonesborough, TN 37659
(423) 753-1681
Washington County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Washington County Assessor of Property
155 N. Boone Street
Johnson City, TN 37601
(423) 753-1674
Washington County Assessor of Property
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Washington County Trustee (Tax Records)
100 E. Main Street, Suite 215
Jonesborough, TN 37659
(423) 753-1603
Washington County Trustee
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM