Bedford County

Bedford County is located in south-central Tennessee, covering approximately 474 square miles of rolling hills and fertile farmland. Bedford County seat is Shelbyville, situated roughly 50 miles southeast of Nashville along the Duck River. As of the most recent census estimates, Bedford County has a population of approximately 50,000 residents. Established in 1807, Bedford County was named in honor of Thomas Bedford, a Revolutionary War officer and Tennessee legislator. Bedford County is renowned as the "Walking Horse Capital of the World," home to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration held annually in Shelbyville. Bedford County features several significant landmarks including the historic Bedford County Courthouse located at 1 Public Square in Shelbyville, the Wartrace historic district, and numerous antebellum structures. Bedford County Recorder, officially known as Bedford County Register of Deeds, maintains land records at the Justice Center complex. Bedford County Clerk's office, located at 1 Public Square, Suite 203, Shelbyville, TN 37160, handles vital records, court records, and various licensing functions. Bedford County Assessor of Property, responsible for property valuations and tax assessments, operates from the County Administrative Complex. Bedford County's economy has historically centered on agriculture, particularly horse breeding and training, alongside manufacturing and retail sectors. Bedford County includes several incorporated municipalities including Shelbyville, Bell Buckle, Normandy, and Wartrace, each contributing to Bedford County's unique character and heritage.

• Bedford Register of Deeds, officially known as Bedford County Register of Deeds, maintains land records at the Justice Center complex.

Bedford County Tennessee Court Address: 100 Public Square, Shelbyville, TN 37160\nPhone: 931-684-4525\nFax: 931-684-4526\nHours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm

Bedford County Tennessee court jurisdiction is located in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The address is 100 Public Square, Shelbyville, TN 37160. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• The website typically provides booking photos (mugshots), charges, bond amounts, and booking dates for people currently incarcerated.
• Citizens may request arrest reports, booking records, and incident reports by submitting written requests to the respective law enforcement agency.
• Mugshots and booking photographs are generally considered public records in Tennessee and can be obtained through direct requests to the jail or through the online inmate search portal.
• Processing times for arrest record requests vary, and agencies may charge reasonable copying fees as permitted under Tennessee law.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• Citizens can search circuit and criminal court cases online, though some sensitive records including sealed cases, adoption files, and certain juvenile matters are restricted.
• Copying fees are typically $0.50 per page for uncertified copies and $5.00 for certification, though fees are subject to change.

• Tennessee law requires all real property transfers and encumbrances to be recorded with Bedford County Register of Deeds to provide constructive notice under Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-26-101.
• Bedford County offers online property record searches through the Register of Deeds website, where users can search by grantor/grantee name, instrument number, or book and page reference.
• While index searches are typically free, viewing or printing document images may require subscription or per-page fees.
• The Assessor's office provides an online GIS mapping system and property search tool where citizens can look up parcel information, view tax maps, examine property sketches, and access sales history.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Register of Deeds for a statutory fee, typically $5.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus certification fees.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Birth certificates can be requested by eligible applicants including the individual named on the certificate (if 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives.
• The current fee is $15 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.
• Death certificates can be obtained by family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct interest, with the same fee structure.
• Processing time is typically 6-8 weeks for mail requests, though expedited service is available for an additional fee.
• The marriage license fee is approximately $97.50, though fees are subject to legislative changes.