About Humphreys County
Humphreys County is located in Middle Tennessee along the Tennessee River, established in 1809 and named after Congressman Parry Wayne Humphreys. The county seat is Waverly, which sits approximately 60 miles west of Nashville. Humphreys County encompasses approximately 532 square miles and has a population of around 18,500 residents according to recent Census estimates. The county is bordered by the Tennessee River to the north and east, creating unique geographic features and recreational opportunities.
Major landmarks include Mousetail Landing State Park, Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park, and the Johnsonville State Historic Park, site of a significant Civil War naval battle. The county experienced devastating flooding in August 2021 when historic rainfall caused catastrophic damage to Waverly and surrounding communities. Key government offices serving the public include the Humphreys County Clerk located at 102 Thompson Street in Waverly, the Humphreys County Register of Deeds at the same address in the courthouse complex, and the Humphreys County Trustee's Office which handles property tax collections.
The Humphreys County Assessor of Property, responsible for property valuations, maintains offices at 102 Thompson Street. The county's economy historically centered on agriculture, timber, and river commerce, though manufacturing and tourism have become increasingly important. The courthouse square in Waverly serves as the governmental center for the county.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Humphreys County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. This office is tasked with patrolling rural regions, managing the county jail, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records. The Sheriff's Office also engages in community outreach and crime prevention programs specific to the needs of Humphreys County residents. Notable divisions within the office include the patrol division, criminal investigations, and a dedicated narcotics unit.
Police Departments
In addition to the Humphreys County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in the county is supported by municipal police departments. The Waverly Police Department serves the city of Waverly, while the New Johnsonville Police Department covers New Johnsonville. These city departments handle law enforcement within their respective jurisdictions and coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and investigations. This collaboration ensures comprehensive coverage and response to incidents across the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Humphreys County Sheriff's Office, led by the elected Sheriff, provides law enforcement services throughout the county and operates the Humphreys County Jail located at 102 Thompson Street in Waverly. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (931) 296-2201 for non-emergency matters. The agency handles patrol operations, criminal investigations, civil process service, and detention operations.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written or in-person request to the Humphreys County Sheriff's Office or the respective municipal police department.
- There may be fees associated with copying records.
- Mugshots and booking photographs are generally considered public records in Tennessee and can be requested from the jail or law enforcement agency that made the arrest.
- Processing times for records requests vary depending on the complexity and volume of the request.
Inmate information for the Humphreys County Jail can typically be obtained by calling the jail directly or visiting the Sheriff's Office in person, though online inmate rosters may be available through third-party platforms. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Waverly Police Department, which serves the county seat and can be contacted at (931) 296-2101. McEwen, another incorporated county in Humphreys County, also maintains its own police department.
Arrest records and incident reports are public records under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 and § 10-7-504, which establish the Tennessee Public Records Act. The Sheriff's Office maintains records of all bookings, arrests, and inmate housing at the county detention facility.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Humphreys County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. The Humphreys County Sheriff's Office maintains local criminal records, while the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides statewide background checks. Residents can request a background check through the TBI, which includes a comprehensive history of criminal activity within Tennessee. The sex offender registry is also managed by the TBI, providing public access to information about registered offenders in Humphreys County.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Humphreys County are maintained by the Humphreys County Sheriff's Office. These records document the circumstances of an arrest, including charges, arresting officer, and booking details. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, following the guidelines set forth by the Tennessee Public Records Act. A Humphreys County arrest record typically includes personal information about the arrestee, the nature of the charges, and court dates if applicable.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Humphreys County Jail, located in Waverly, serves as the primary detention facility for the county. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county, where they are photographed and fingerprinted. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing residents to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to this facility, with scheduled times and regulations that must be adhered to.
- The bond and bail process in Tennessee allows for the release of inmates pending trial, and this can be arranged through the jail or local bail bond agents.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Humphreys County are taken and retained by the Humphreys County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by direct request. Tennessee does not have specific mugshot removal laws, so these images remain part of the public domain unless otherwise ordered by a court. Mugshots may also appear in local media reports of recent arrests.
Courts & Case Records
Humphreys County judicial proceedings are handled by several courts with different jurisdictions. The Humphreys County Circuit Court and Chancery Court, located at 102 Thompson Street in Waverly, TN 38485, handle felony criminal cases, major civil litigation, divorces, and equity matters. The court clerk's office can be reached at (931) 296-7671. The Humphreys County General Sessions Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings for felonies, civil cases under $25,000, and serves as the county's juvenile court.
- Online case lookup may be available through the Tennessee Court system's website, though not all rural counties have complete online dockets.
- Fees for copies of court documents typically range from $0.50 to $1.00 per page, with certified copies costing additional fees.
- Requests for older archived records may require additional processing time and potential retrieval fees.
Court records in Tennessee are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 et seq., which generally makes court records public unless specifically exempted by law or court order. Citizens can search court records by visiting the Humphreys County Clerk and Master's Office in person at the courthouse. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains records of all Circuit and Criminal Court cases, while the Clerk and Master maintains Chancery Court records.
The court clerk's office is open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding county holidays. Probate matters are handled by the Chancery Court in Humphreys County.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Humphreys County are maintained by the Humphreys County Register of Deeds, located at 102 Thompson Street, Waverly, TN 38485. The Register of Deeds office can be contacted at (931) 296-2571 and is responsible for recording and maintaining deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, easements, right-of-way documents, plat maps, and other land-related instruments. These records are public under Tennessee law and date back to the county's founding in 1809. The office maintains both historical paper records and modern electronic filing systems.
- The Register of Deeds charges fees for certified copies of recorded documents, typically $1.00 per page with a minimum fee.
- Recording fees for new documents vary by document type and number of pages.
- Citizens can request records in person, by mail, or by phone, with payment required before copies are released.
Property tax information and assessment records are handled by the Humphreys County Assessor of Property at (931) 296-7694, also located at 102 Thompson Street. The Assessor maintains property valuations, ownership information, parcel maps, and assessment data. Property tax bills and payment information are available through the Humphreys County Trustee's Office at (931) 296-7695.
Some Tennessee counties provide online property record searches through the Comptroller of the Treasury's website or through county-specific systems, though availability varies by county. A GIS mapping system may be available for viewing parcel boundaries and basic property information.
Vital Records
Vital records for Humphreys County residents are available through multiple sources depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Humphreys County can be requested from the Humphreys County Clerk's Office at 102 Thompson Street, Waverly, TN 38485, phone (931) 296-7671. The County Clerk maintains records for events that occurred locally, though availability may be limited to recent decades.
- Birth certificate requests require valid government-issued photo identification and proof of eligibility (direct family member or legal representative).
- The fee for a certified birth or death certificate is $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
- Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks by mail, though expedited service may be available for additional fees.
For certified copies of birth and death certificates from anywhere in Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records is the central repository, located at 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Tennessee vital records are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-3-101 et seq. Marriage licenses are issued by the Humphreys County Clerk's Office, and both parties must appear in person with valid identification and payment of the marriage license fee (approximately $98.50 including optional pre-marital certificate waiver).
There is no waiting period or blood test required in Tennessee. Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk and Master of Humphreys County Chancery Court. Online ordering of vital records may be available through VitalChek or the Tennessee Department of Health website for state-held records.
Business & Licensing
Business records and licensing in Humphreys County involve both county and state agencies depending on the business type and activities. The Humphreys County Clerk's Office at 102 Thompson Street, Waverly, handles the registration of trade names, assumed names, and doing-business-as (DBA) filings for businesses operating in the county. These filings are public records and can be searched by visiting or calling the County Clerk at (931) 296-7671.
- Their online business search is available at tnbear.tn.gov, where the public can search for registered business entities, view officers and registered agents, and access annual reports.
- The Humphreys County Chamber of Commerce, though not a government agency, provides business support services and economic information for the area.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other registered entities, the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services maintains the central registry. Sales tax permits and seller's certificates are issued by the Tennessee Department of Revenue and are required for most retail businesses. Professional licenses (contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, etc.) are regulated by the appropriate Tennessee state licensing boards.
Building permits, zoning approvals, and certificates of occupancy are handled by the Humphreys County Building and Codes Department or Planning and Zoning Office. Commercial construction and development may require site plan approval from county planning officials. County business personal property tax returns must be filed annually with the County Assessor's Office.
Beer permits and certain alcohol-related licenses may be issued at the county level depending on local ordinances.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Humphreys County are administered by the Humphreys County Election Commission, located at 102 Thompson Street, Waverly, TN 38485. The Election Commission can be reached at (931) 296-7679 for information regarding voter registration, polling locations, absentee voting, and election results. Voter registration in Tennessee requires applicants to be United States citizens, residents of Tennessee and Humphreys County, and at least 18 years old by the next election.
- Tennessee offers online voter registration through the Tennessee Secretary of State's website at ovr.govote.tn.gov, where eligible citizens can register or update their registration information.
- These records can be requested from the Humphreys County Election Commission under the Tennessee Public Records Act.
- The 2024 general election saw typical turnout for a rural Tennessee county, generally ranging between 55-65% of registered voters in presidential election years.
- Election transparency in Tennessee allows citizens to observe polling places, review election materials, and request copies of public election records, ensuring accountability in the democratic process.
The voter registration deadline is 30 days before any election. Humphreys County voters can find their assigned polling place by contacting the Election Commission or checking the Tennessee Secretary of State's voter information lookup at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup. Several precincts serve different areas of the county, with locations typically in community centers, fire stations, and government buildings.
Election records that are public in Tennessee include voter registration lists (excluding certain protected information), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political action committees, candidate qualification documents, and precinct-level election results. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, potential U.S.
Senate races depending on the cycle, Tennessee state legislative seats, county offices, and local ballot measures. Absentee voting by mail is available for Tennessee voters who meet specific criteria including age 60 or older, hospitalization, caretaker responsibilities, election day employment obligations, or military/overseas status. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Humphreys County Election Commission with specific deadlines before each election.
Early voting is available at designated locations in Humphreys County for approximately two weeks before each election, providing convenient access without requiring an excuse.
Economy & Demographics
Humphreys County's economy is diverse, blending traditional agricultural production with manufacturing, tourism, and service industries. The county's location along Interstate 40 and the Tennessee River provides strategic transportation advantages. Agriculture remains important with cattle operations, row crops including soybeans and corn, and timber production contributing significantly to the rural economy. Manufacturing employers in the area include auto parts suppliers, metal fabrication facilities, and food processing operations that serve regional and national markets.
- Median household income in Humphreys County is approximately $45,000 to $50,000, somewhat below the Tennessee state average.
- The Tennessee River provides recreational opportunities that support marinas, guide services, and hospitality businesses.
Major employers include the Humphreys County School System, county government, healthcare providers, and several manufacturing facilities located in or near Waverly and McEwen. Tourism contributes to the local economy through state parks including Mousetail Landing State Park and Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park, which attract visitors for camping, fishing, boating, and hunting. Retail and service businesses concentrated in Waverly serve as the commercial center for the county.
The county experienced significant economic disruption following the devastating floods of August 2021, but recovery and rebuilding efforts have been ongoing with state and federal assistance. Economic development initiatives focus on attracting new industry, supporting existing businesses, and leveraging the county's natural amenities. Unemployment rates in Humphreys County typically track slightly above Tennessee's state average, fluctuating with seasonal factors and economic conditions.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ⚠️ Limited Online | Property: ⚠️ In-Person/Phone | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person Required | Business: ✅ State Online Available | Elections: ⚠️ In-Person/Phone | Overall Score: 5/10 — Humphreys County provides traditional public records access primarily through in-person and telephone requests, with limited digital infrastructure for online searches.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Humphreys County
Explore public records for 4 cities and communities in Humphreys County, Tennessee.
Nearby Counties
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