About 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 Register of Deeds, officially known as Bedford County Register of Deeds, maintains land records at the Justice Center complex.
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 Clerk's office, located at 1 Public Square, Suite 203, Shelbyville, TN 37160, handles vital records, court records, and various licensing functions.
Bedford Property 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.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Bedford County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Bedford County. It patrols the unincorporated areas, manages Bedford County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is dedicated to community safety and offers various programs, including crime prevention initiatives and community outreach.
Police Departments
In addition to Bedford County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Bedford County is provided by municipal police departments, including the Shelbyville Police Department and the Bell Buckle Police Department. These agencies have jurisdiction within their respective city limits and work in coordination with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and investigations. The collaboration between these agencies ensures full law enforcement coverage across Bedford County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Bedford County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1 Katy Blevins Blvd, Shelbyville, TN 37160, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Bedford County.
- 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.
Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Shelbyville Police Department serving Bedford County Seat, along with smaller departments in Bell Buckle, Normandy, and Wartrace. Arrest records in Bedford County are public records subject to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 and § 10-7-504, which establish the Tennessee Public Records Act.
Some third-party websites also aggregate booking photos from Bedford County, though official records should always be verified through the Sheriff's Office.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Bedford County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks through the TBI's online portal, which offers detailed criminal history information for people in Bedford County.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Bedford County are maintained by Bedford County Sheriff's Office. Residents and attorneys can request these records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. An arrest record typically includes the individual's name, the charges filed, and the date of arrest. The process for obtaining these records is governed by the Tennessee Public Records Act, which ensures transparency and public access to governmental records.
Jail & Inmate Records
Bedford County Jail, located in Shelbyville, is the primary detention facility in Bedford County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Bedford County. Inmates can be searched through an online inmate lookup system provided by the Sheriff's Office. Visitation rules are specific to this facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance. The bond and bail process follows Tennessee state law, allowing for the release of inmates upon payment of bail, which can be arranged through the jail's administrative office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Bedford County are taken and retained by Bedford County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by submitting a formal request. Tennessee does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can petition for removal if the charges are dropped or if they are acquitted.
Courts & Case Records
Bedford County's judicial system is served by the 17th Judicial District, which includes Circuit Court, General Sessions Court, Chancery Court, and Juvenile Court. Bedford County Circuit Court, located at 1 Public Square in Shelbyville, handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $25,000, and appeals from lower courts. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Bedford County General Sessions Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal offenses, civil cases up to $25,000, preliminary hearings for felonies, and serves as Bedford County's criminal court of limited jurisdiction.
- 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.
Bedford County Chancery Court handles equity matters including divorces, adoptions, estate settlements, and land disputes. Bedford County Juvenile Court has exclusive jurisdiction over delinquency and unruly conduct cases involving minors, as well as dependency and neglect matters. Court records in Bedford County are accessible under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 20, which governs public access to judicial records, and Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 et seq.
The Tennessee court system maintains an online case lookup system through TnCourts.gov, though not all Bedford County records may be fully digitized. In-person record searches can be conducted at Bedford County Clerk & Master's office for chancery records and the Circuit Court Clerk's office for criminal and civil filings. Case information is also available by contacting the respective court clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records in Bedford County are maintained by Bedford County Register of Deeds, located at the Justice Center, 1 Katy Blevins Blvd, Shelbyville, TN 37160 The Register of Deeds office preserves and provides access to property deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, releases, easements, right-of-way documents, plat maps, subdivision plans, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings.
- 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
Vital records for Bedford County, Tennessee, are managed through multiple offices depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates from June 1949 forward are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, Central Services Building, 421 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243. Earlier birth and death records may be available through Bedford County Archives or the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
- 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.
Marriage licenses in Bedford County are issued by Bedford County Clerk's office at 1 Public Square, Suite 203, Shelbyville, TN 37160 Tennessee eliminated the waiting period for marriage licenses, and couples can obtain a license and marry the same day. Both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification and social security numbers.
Marriage records are maintained permanently by the County Clerk and are public records accessible under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504. Divorce records and decrees are maintained by Bedford County Clerk & Master's office as part of chancery court proceedings. The Tennessee Office of Vital Records also offers online ordering through VitalChek for birth and death certificates with credit card payment and expedited shipping options.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Bedford County are maintained by several agencies depending on the type of business activity. Bedford County Clerk's office at 1 Public Square, Suite 203, Shelbyville, TN 37160, handles assumed name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) for businesses operating under fictitious names in Bedford County. These filings are public records searchable at the County Clerk's office during regular business hours.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, filings are made with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The Tennessee Secretary of State maintains a full online business search portal at tnbear.tn.gov where citizens can search registered business entities, view formation documents, check registered agent information, and examine annual report filings free of charge. The database includes active, inactive, and dissolved entities dating back many years.
Local business licenses may be required by individual municipalities within Bedford County, including the City of Shelbyville, which administers its own business tax and licensing program. Contact Shelbyville City Hall at 201 North Spring Street, Shelbyville, TN 37160 for city-specific business licensing requirements. Tennessee state sales tax permits and resale certificates are issued by the Tennessee Department of Revenue and can be applied for online through the TNTAP system.
Professional and occupational licenses for regulated trades (contractors, electricians, plumbers, cosmetologists, healthcare providers) are administered by the relevant Tennessee state licensing boards. Building permits, zoning approvals, and development permits in unincorporated Bedford County are handled by Bedford County Codes Department and Planning Commission. The Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 North Cannon Boulevard, Shelbyville, TN 37160, provides resources for new and existing businesses and maintains information on local economic development initiatives.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Bedford County, Tennessee, are administered by Bedford County Election Commission, located at 200 Dover Street, Suite 5, Shelbyville, TN 37160. The commission can be reached at and operates under the authority of the Tennessee State Election Commission and Tennessee Code Annotated Title 2, which governs election procedures.
- Citizens can request copies of election related public records by submitting written requests to Bedford County Election Commission pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act.
Voter registration in Bedford County can be completed online through the Tennessee Online Voter Registration system at GoVoteTN.gov, in person at the Election Commission office, at Tennessee Department of Safety driver's license facilities, or by submitting a paper application. The registration deadline is 30 days before any election. Tennessee requires voters to present valid photo identification at polling places, including Tennessee driver's licenses, U.S.
Passports, military IDs, or Tennessee photo IDs issued for voting purposes. Bedford County voters can find their assigned polling location by using the precinct finder tool at GoVoteTN.gov or by contacting the Election Commission directly. Bedford County operates multiple voting precincts distributed across municipalities and rural areas to serve the electorate.
Early voting is available for all Tennessee elections during a specified period (typically 20 days before Election Day through the Thursday before Election Day) at designated early voting locations announced by the Election Commission. Absentee voting by mail is available for Tennessee voters who meet specific criteria including age 60 or older, hospitalization, caretaker responsibilities, students outside Bedford County, election workers, candidates, or persons with disabilities preventing polling place access. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to Bedford County Election Commission with supporting documentation where required.
Election records that are public under Tennessee law include voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted), candidate filings, campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the Registry of Election Finance, precinct-level election results, and Election Commission minutes. Bedford County typically sees voter turnout ranging from 55-65% in presidential election years, 35-45% in midterm congressional elections, and 15-25% in local-only elections. In the 2024 general election, Bedford County reported turnout consistent with Tennessee's rural county patterns.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and will include Tennessee's U.S. House of Representatives seats, one U.S. Senate seat, Tennessee gubernatorial race, state legislative seats, and various county offices.
The commission maintains historical election results and can provide precinct-level vote tallies for researchers and interested citizens.
Economy & Demographics
Bedford County's economy is diversified across agriculture, manufacturing, equine industries, and service sectors, with a labor force of approximately 22,000 workers. Bedford County's median household income is estimated at $56,000-$62,000, somewhat below the Tennessee state average but reflecting the rural character and cost of living advantages of Bedford County. Agriculture remains foundational to Bedford County's economic identity, with significant production of cattle, hay, corn, soybeans, and particularly Tennessee Walking Horses.
The equine industry generates substantial economic activity through breeding operations, training facilities, showing events, and the annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, which attracts thousands of visitors and generates millions in economic impact each summer. Manufacturing is a major employment sector, with facilities producing automotive components, industrial equipment, food products, and consumer goods. Major employers include Calsonic Kansei, producing automotive parts; Ingredion (formerly National Starch), a corn wet-milling facility; and Tyson Foods operations.
The Shelbyville area has attracted distribution and logistics operations due to its proximity to Interstate 24 and Nashville. Retail and healthcare sectors provide substantial employment, with Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital acting as a significant healthcare employer. The unemployment rate in Bedford County typically tracks slightly above the Tennessee state average, ranging between 3.5% and 5.5% in recent years depending on economic conditions.
Economic development initiatives focus on industrial park expansion, workforce development partnerships with Tennessee College of Applied Technology and Motlow State Community College, and promotion of tourism related to the Walking Horse industry and historic town centers like Bell Buckle and Wartrace. Bedford County has seen steady residential growth as Nashville's metropolitan area expands southward, bringing new residents seeking more affordable housing while maintaining reasonable commuting distance to urban employment centers.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (TnCourts.gov) | Property: Yes: Free Search Online | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: State Office/In-Person | Business: Yes: Online (State Portal) | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 8/10, Bedford County provides strong digital access to property records, jail rosters, and election information, with court records accessible through state systems and vital records requiring state-level processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Bedford County
Explore public records for 5 cities and communities in Bedford County, Tennessee.