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Knox County, Tennessee Public Records

Find the right office in Knox County. Court cases, deeds and parcels, sheriff and jail records, vital records and county filings, each linked to the office that keeps them, with addresses and phone numbers.

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Most requested Knox County records

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Vital records

Tennessee Death Row

Information from a non-profit resource about Tennessee death row inmates through the TN Dept. of Corrections.

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Local record guide

About public records in Knox County

Useful local context without burying the official record links above.

County profile

Knox County at a glance

State
Tennessee
County seat
Knoxville
Population
478,971
Area
526 sq mi
Founded
1792
Cities and towns
6

Knox County offices and records

Sheriff & Law Enforcement. Knox County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Knox County.

Police Departments. In addition to Knox County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Knox County, including the Knoxville Police Department, Farragut Police Department, and others serving smaller communities.

Law Enforcement & Arrests. Law enforcement in Knox County, Tennessee, is primarily provided by Knox County Sheriff's Office (KCSO), headquartered at 400 West Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Knox County Detention Facility, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates and provides an online inmate lookup system accessible through the KCSO website, allowing the public to search current inmates by name, booking number, or other identifiers.

Criminal Records. For an authoritative source, see Criminal Background Search<!-- --> | <!-- -->Knox County Criminal Court .

Arrest Records. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

• Phone: (888) 868-4631

Straight answers

Knox County public-records FAQs

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Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Knox County, Tennessee?

Mugshots or booking photos in Knox County, Tennessee, can be accessed through the Knox County Sheriff's Office. They provide an online portal where you can view recent bookings and their associated photographs. For official copies or further inquiries, you may need to visit the Sheriff's Office in person or contact them by phone.

How do I get a criminal background check in Knox County, Tennessee?

To obtain a criminal background check in Knox County, Tennessee, you should contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI provides background checks for the state, and you can request one online through their website. Local checks can be facilitated through the Knox County Sheriff's Office, which might require you to submit a formal request and pay a processing fee.

How can I look up sex offenders in Knox County, Tennessee?

You can look up sex offenders in Knox County, Tennessee, by using the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry. This registry is maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and provides detailed information about registered sex offenders, including their current residence and compliance status. The registry is accessible online and allows searches by name, location, or compliance status.

How do I register to vote in Knox County, Tennessee?

To register to vote in Knox County, you can use Tennessee's online voter registration system at ovr.govote.tn.gov, submit a paper application to the Knox County Election Commission at 1522 Downtown West Boulevard, Suite 200, Knoxville, TN 37919, or register at any Department of Motor Vehicles office. The registration deadline is 30 days before any election in Tennessee. You must be a U.S. Citizen, a resident of Tennessee and the area, and at least 18 years old by the next election. For questions about voter registration or absentee ballot requests, contact the Election Commission at (865) 215-2480.

How do I look up property records in Knox County, Tennessee?

Property records in Knox County can be searched online through two main resources: the Knox County Register of Deeds website at www.knoxcounty.org/register for recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens, and the county Property Assessor's website at www.knoxcounty.org/assessor for tax assessment information, property characteristics, and GIS mapping. Both online search systems are free to use and allow searches by owner name, address, or parcel number. For certified copies of recorded documents, contact the Register of Deeds office at (865) 215-2370; fees are $13.00 for the first page and $6.00 for each additional page.

How do I get a birth or death certificate in Knox County, Tennessee?

Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Knox County can be obtained from the Knox County Health Department at 140 Dameron Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917, phone (865) 215-5000, or from the Tennessee Department of State Vital Records Office in Nashville. The fee is $15.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for additional copies of the same record. You must be the person named on the certificate, an immediate family member, or have legal authority to request the record, and you'll need to provide valid photo identification. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with additional processing fees, and processing typically takes 10-15 business days.

How do I find business license records in Knox County, Tennessee?

Business records in Knox County are available through multiple sources depending on the type of record. For assumed name registrations (DBAs), contact the Knox County Clerk's Office at (865) 215-2385 or visit 400 Main Street, Suite 101, Knoxville. For formal business entity registrations (LLCs, corporations, partnerships), use the Tennessee Secretary of State's free online Business Entity Search at tnbear.tn.gov. City of Knoxville business licenses are maintained by the City Business License Office at (865) 215-2069. Most searches are available online at no charge, though certified copies and new filings require fees.

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Cities, towns and neighboring counties

Use the city page when a record was created by a municipal police department or city office; use the county page for courts, deeds, vital records and jail custody.