Henry County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Henry County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Henry County, Tennessee, may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county offices, state databases, and online portals. HenryTNRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating records maintained by local and state agencies. Available record categories include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessments
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and budgets
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
The Henry County government portal provides access to public records requests, Register of Deeds documents, and departmental information. The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury operates the TN Property Viewer, which allows members of the public to search property assessment data statewide, including Henry County parcels. The Tennessee Felony Offender Information database, maintained by the Tennessee Department of Correction, provides searchable records on felony offenders currently or previously in state custody. Some online tools require no registration; others may require account creation for full access.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Henry County Clerk's Office or the Register of Deeds to inspect records in person. The primary county offices are located at 101 Court Square, Paris, TN 38242. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to describe the record sought with reasonable specificity.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the applicable department at 101 Court Square, Paris, TN 38242. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, custodians are required to respond promptly, with a reasonable response period not to exceed seven business days.
Phone/Email:
The Henry County main line is (731) 642-2412. Departmental email contacts are listed on the official county website.
What Are Public Records in Henry County?
Public records in Henry County are defined by Tennessee state law as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files, and other documentary materials made or received in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental entity. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-301, the term "public record" encompasses a wide range of materials held by county and state agencies.
The following record types are maintained by Henry County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit and General Sessions Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Register of Deeds |
| Property tax assessments | County Assessor of Property |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Tennessee Department of Health / County Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | Henry County Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and budgets | County Commission / County Mayor's Office |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Henry County Sheriff's Department |
| Land use and zoning records | Henry County Planning and Zoning |
The Henry County official website provides departmental contact information and links to online records portals for several of these categories.
Is Henry County an Open Records County?
Henry County operates in full compliance with Tennessee's open records laws, which establish a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, codified at Title 10, Chapter 7 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, all public records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by state law.
As stated in the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury's guidance on public records: "Tennessee's Public Records Act reflects the General Assembly's recognition that government is the servant of the people and not the master of them." This principle underlies the county's obligation to make records available in a timely and accessible manner.
The Tennessee Attorney General's office further affirms that "the Public Records Act is to be broadly construed in favor of disclosure." Henry County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; the Tennessee Public Records Act governs all requests submitted to county offices. The county's compliance with Tennessee's Sunshine Law, codified at Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-44-101 et seq., ensures that meetings of governmental bodies are open to the public and that related records are accessible.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Henry County?
The current fee structure for public records in Henry County follows the schedule established under state law and applicable county policy. Fees vary by record type and the office maintaining the record.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (standard size) | $0.15 per page (black and white) |
| Certified copies of court records | $5.00 per document (varies by court) |
| Certified copies of deeds | $1.00 per page |
| Electronic copies | Varies; may be provided at no charge if no labor cost is incurred |
| Search fees | Not permitted for standard public records requests under state law |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to visiting. Under Tennessee law, fees for copies must reflect the actual cost of reproduction and may not be used as a barrier to access. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the records custodian.
Does Henry County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any citizen of Tennessee at the office of the custodian maintaining the records, at no charge. The right to inspect records without cost is established under the Tennessee Public Records Act and applies to all non-exempt records held by Henry County offices.
The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Henry County government portal provides free access to public records request forms, departmental directories, and select online documents.
- The TN Property Viewer, operated by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, provides free online access to property assessment data for all Tennessee counties, including Henry County.
- The Tennessee Felony Offender Information database provides free public access to records on felony offenders in the Tennessee Department of Correction system.
- The Tennessee State Library and Archives provides free access to historical public records, including older vital records and land records.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies may incur the fees described in the preceding section.
Who Can Request Public Records in Henry County?
Any citizen of Tennessee may request access to public records held by Henry County agencies. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, requestors are not required to be residents of Henry County specifically; Tennessee citizenship is the applicable standard. Non-residents of Tennessee do not have a statutory right of access under the state Public Records Act, though agencies retain discretion to accommodate such requests.
Requestors are not required to:
- State the purpose of their request
- Provide justification for seeking the records
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records
Requestors are required to provide sufficient identifying information to allow the custodian to locate the records sought. For certain sensitive record categories—such as records containing personal identifying information, sealed court files, or records subject to restricted access—additional verification of identity or legal standing may be required. Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal court files or tax records, follow the same general process but may be required to present valid photo identification to confirm identity.
What Records Are Confidential in Henry County?
Not all records maintained by Henry County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Tennessee law establishes specific categories of exempt records that are withheld from public access. The following record types are currently treated as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers and personal financial account information
- Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA and state law)
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records of government employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504 enumerates specific categories of records that are confidential by operation of law, including records of the Department of Children's Services, certain law enforcement investigative records, and personal identifying information embedded in otherwise public documents. Agencies applying exemptions are required to identify the specific statutory basis for withholding any record or portion thereof. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder.
Henry County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Henry County Register of Deeds
101 Court Square, Suite 200
Paris, TN 38242
(731) 642-2412
Henry County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Henry County Circuit Court Clerk
101 Court Square
Paris, TN 38242
(731) 642-5212
Henry County Circuit Court Clerk
Henry County Assessor of Property
101 Court Square
Paris, TN 38242
(731) 642-9426
Henry County Assessor of Property
Henry County Sheriff's Department
2106 Dobbins Pike
Paris, TN 38242
(731) 642-1672
Henry County Sheriff's Department
Henry County Election Commission
101 Court Square
Paris, TN 38242
(731) 642-4346
Henry County Election Commission
Office Hours (all principal offices):
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Offices are closed on officially observed state and federal holidays. Members of the public are advised to confirm hours directly with the relevant office prior to visiting, as schedules may vary during holiday periods or due to administrative closures.