Anderson County Archives

Information provided by Mary Harris

The purpose of the Anderson County Archives is to receive, process, and preserve the noncurrent, permanent records, created by the Anderson County, Tennessee government, from 1802 to present. The Anderson County Archives provides information on the origins and history of the court systems, court records, genealogy, and history of Anderson County, Tennessee. The Archives provides public access to all holdings with the exception of the juvenile records. It provides local government sources material to court officials, genealogists, the legal profession, historians and the general public.

Most Requested Records and Information

• Anderson County Marriage Bonds, License, Application 1838 –
• Anderson County Divorce Records (Found in Circuit and Chancery Court)
• Anderson County Register of Deeds Indexes and Warranty Deeds: 1802 (Found in the Register of Deeds Office)
• Anderson County Probate Records, Wills, Estates: 1830 to present
• Anderson County Court Records: 1811
• Anderson County Chancery Court Records 1836 – 1991
• Anderson County Circuit Court records: 1868
• Anderson County Tax Records: 1886 – 1990

For Tennessee Birth and Death Records* Contact:

Tennessee Vital Records
421 5th Ave. North
Ceneral Services Building, 1st Floor
Nashville, TN 37247-0450

* Tennessee did not officially register birth and deaths until 1914

When making written requests to the above mailing address, Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Anderson County Archives Copy Charges

Non-certified Copies: One dollar for the first page; fifty cents for each additional page.

Certified Copies: Two dollars for the first page; fifty cents for each additional page.

Anderson County Archives
Patron Information and Policy Statement
Adopted April 10, 2000

The purpose of the Anderson County Archives is to receive, process, and preserve the noncurrent, permanent records created by the Anderson County Tennessee government, from 1802 to present. The Anderson County Archives provides information on the origins and history of the court systems, courts records, genealogy, and history of Anderson County, Tennessee. The Archives provides public access to all holdings with the exception of juvenile records. It provides local government sources material to court officials, genealogist, the legal profession, historians, and the general public.

1. The Guide to Records in the Anderson County Archives, located on the second floor of the Anderson County Courthouse (Vault) room 204. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. All state, county and municipal records and all records maintained by the Tennessee performing arts center management corporation, except any public documents authorized to be destroyed by the county public records commission in accordance with § 10-7-404, shall at all times, during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee, and those in charge of such records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen, unless otherwise provided by state law.
3. State and Federal laws prohibit access to juvenile and adoption records without court permission. Tennessee code restrict public access to specific birth and death records after 1900.
4. The Archives’ permanent records must be handled with care. Please keep all documents in the order in which you receive them.
5. When using original case files, please use pencil only and one notebook. Ink may permanently damage these irreplaceable records.
6. According to Tennessee State Law (T.C.A. 39-16-504) it is a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally destroy, conceal, remove, or impire the verity, legibility, or availability of a governmental record. Violators will be prosecuted.
7. The Archives staff is trained to assist patrons with their genealogical research, but the staff can not research a patron’s family history.
8. The Archives staff provides access to the Anderson County records. The staff is not responsible for the contents of the records or for records not transferred from the courts in a given series.
9. All microfilm and Photocopies of original documents will be certified by the staff. Certified copies are admissible in all federal, state and local courts. The certification fee is included in the copy fee. Please make all copy requests before 4:30 p.m.