Waverly, Tennessee Public Records

The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, divorces, and appeals from General Sessions Court. The Humphreys County Chancery Court, also at 102 Thompson Street (phone: 931-296-7671), handles probate matters, guardianships, land disputes, and equity cases. Tennessee provides statewide court record access through the Tennessee Supreme Court's Public Case History portal at tncourts.gov, though coverage and searchability vary by county and court type. The Humphreys County Circuit Court Clerk's office (phone: 931-296-7671) maintains physical court records and can provide case information, dockets, and certified copies. Standard fees for certified copies of court documents are typically $5.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus any applicable search fees. Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 requires that court records be open to public inspection unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute.

The Humphreys County Register of Deeds, also located at 102 Thompson Street (phone: 931-296-7098), records and maintains all property transfer documents including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, easements, and UCC financing statements. Tennessee Register of Deeds offices operate under Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-13-101 et seq. The Humphreys County Register of Deeds provides online access to recorded land records through a subscription-based system; some basic searches may be available free through the county website at humphreyscountytn.gov. Recording fees vary by document type, typically $12.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page for most deed instruments. The county also maintains a GIS mapping system accessible through the Tennessee Comptroller's website, allowing users to view parcel boundaries, ownership information, aerial imagery, and assessment data for properties throughout Waverly and Humphreys County.

Agriculture remains significant to the regional economy, with farms in Humphreys County producing cattle, soybeans, corn, and tobacco. Retail businesses centered around the Public Square and along State Route 13 serve both local residents and visitors to Kentucky Lake. The median household income in Humphreys County is approximately $48,000, slightly below the Tennessee state average. The devastating August 2021 floods had significant economic impact on Waverly, destroying homes and businesses, but federal disaster assistance and community rebuilding efforts have spurred economic recovery and infrastructure improvements. Waverly's location approximately 60 miles west of Nashville provides some connection to the broader Middle Tennessee economy, though the town maintains its distinct character as a rural county seat. Tourism related to Kentucky Lake fishing, boating, and recreation contributes seasonal economic activity, with visitors accessing the lake via nearby marinas and recreation areas in Humphreys County.

The Waverly Police Department, located at 114 East Main Street, Waverly, TN 37185 (phone: 931-296-2101), serves as the primary law enforcement agency within the city limits. Citizens can request police reports and incident records by visiting the department in person or calling during business hours; requests are processed under Tennessee's Public Records Act (Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 et seq.), which requires agencies to respond to public records requests promptly. The Humphreys County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 102 Thompson Street, Waverly, TN 37185 (phone: 931-296-2621), provides law enforcement services for unincorporated areas of the county and operates the county jail facility. The Sheriff's Office website (humphreyscountytn.gov) provides information on services and contact details. To search for current arrests and jail bookings, the Humphreys County Jail maintains an inmate roster accessible through the Sheriff's Office or by calling the jail directly at 931-296-2621. Booking information typically includes the inmate's name, booking date, charges filed, bond amount, and scheduled court appearances. Mugshots may be available upon request. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504, law enforcement agencies must provide access to arrest logs, incident reports (with some redactions for ongoing investigations), and jail booking records within a reasonable timeframe. Fees may apply for copies of reports, typically ranging from $0.15 to $0.50 per page for standard photocopies, with additional charges for certified copies.

Processing typically takes 2-3 weeks for mail requests and can be expedited for an additional fee. Only immediate family members, legal representatives, and individuals with a tangible interest can obtain certified copies, and valid government-issued photo ID is required. Tennessee has birth records dating back to 1908 and death records to 1949 in statewide databases, with some earlier records available. Marriage licenses are issued by the Humphreys County Clerk's Office, 102 Thompson Street, Waverly, TN 37185 (phone: 931-296-7671). The fee for a marriage license in Tennessee is approximately $97.50, and there is no waiting period or blood test requirement. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and social security numbers. Divorce records are maintained as court records by the Humphreys County Circuit Court Clerk at the same address. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-1-101 et seq., vital records are confidential and restricted to authorized individuals, with certain exceptions for genealogical research for records over 100 years old.

For businesses operating in unincorporated Humphreys County, county business tax licenses may be required through the Humphreys County Clerk's Office at 102 Thompson Street, Waverly, TN 37185 (phone: 931-296-7671). Fictitious business name (DBA) registrations in Tennessee are filed with the Humphreys County Register of Deeds at the same courthouse address; fees are typically $20.00 for filing. At the state level, corporations, limited liability companies, and other business entities must register with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The state maintains a free online business entity search at tnbear.tn.gov where users can search for registered corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and nonprofits, view status, registered agents, filing dates, and officer information. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are also filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State and searchable online. Commercial property tax assessments for Waverly businesses can be researched through the Humphreys County Assessor's Office or online at tnmap.tn.gov/assessment. Tennessee does not have a state income tax on wages, though businesses may be subject to franchise and excise taxes depending on structure and revenue.

Elections for Waverly residents are administered by the Humphreys County Election Commission, located at 102 Thompson Street, Suite 5, Waverly, TN 37185 (phone: 931-296-2101). The office manages voter registration, maintains voter rolls, coordinates polling places, and certifies election results for all federal, state, county, and municipal elections in Humphreys County. Tennessee residents can register to vote online at ovr.govote.tn.gov, the official state voter registration portal maintained by the Tennessee Secretary of State. The voter registration deadline is 30 days before any election. To register, applicants must be U.S. citizens, Tennessee residents, at least 18 years old by election day, and provide a valid Tennessee driver's license or ID number. Waverly holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions; the City of Waverly operates under a mayor-council form of government with elections typically held in even-numbered years. Waverly residents can find their assigned polling location using the Tennessee Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup or by contacting the Humphreys County Election Commission directly. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 2-1-101 et seq., voter registration lists are public records available for inspection, though they cannot be used for commercial purposes. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are filed with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance and searchable at tn.gov/tref. Precinct-level election results for Humphreys County are posted by the Election Commission after certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Humphreys County reported approximately 65% voter turnout with roughly 5,800 ballots cast out of approximately 9,000 registered voters; the county voted heavily Republican, consistent with regional trends. The November 3, 2026 general election will include Tennessee's gubernatorial race (Governor Bill Lee's second term expires in 2027 and he is term-limited, making this an open seat), Tennessee's Class I U.S. Senate seat currently held by Marsha Blackburn (up for reelection in 2024, not 2026), all of Tennessee's nine U.S. House seats including the 7th Congressional District representing Humphreys County, Tennessee State Senate District 22, Tennessee State House District 71, and county-level offices including Humphreys County Mayor, County Commission seats, Sheriff, Register of Deeds, Trustee, and Circuit Court Clerk. Waverly voters will also decide local city council and mayoral races if scheduled for 2026. Tennessee offers absentee voting by mail for voters who meet specific criteria under Tennessee Code Annotated § 2-6-201, including those age 60 or older, hospitalized or ill, full-time students outside the county, election workers, and military/overseas voters. Absentee ballot requests must be submitted to the Humphreys County Election Commission, with applications available at sos.tn.gov/elections. Early voting is available to all Tennessee voters for approximately two weeks before each election at locations designated by the Election Commission.