Tennessee Family Court Forms and Filing Resources

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Tennessee publishes its own official family law forms, filing instructions, and self-help materials, but they are spread across several government sites. This page organizes the official Tennessee sources in one place so you can go straight to the right court page for forms, e-filing, rules, and locations.

Tennessee's core family statutes live in the Tennessee Code Title 36 - Domestic Relations. In most Tennessee counties, people without lawyers file divorce and custody papers on paper with the Circuit or Chancery Court clerk.

How the Tennessee court system handles family cases

Family cases in Tennessee are heard in the Chancery or Circuit Court. A Tennessee divorce can be filed in either Chancery Court or Circuit Court; some counties also have a juvenile court for custody.

Tennessee's 95 counties are grouped into judicial districts.

Appeals from a family case generally go first to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, and the state's highest court is the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Besides the judge, a Magistrate / Commissioner may handle parts of a family case. Besides the judge, a magistrate, commissioner, or referee may hear temporary orders, child support, and uncontested matters - usually subject to a judge's review.

Tennessee lets you file a divorce in either Chancery Court or Circuit Court depending on the county and the case.

Official Tennessee resources

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Tennessee state courts website (Tennessee judicial branch): The official home of the Tennessee court system, with statewide news, rules, and links to every court. https://www.tncourts.gov

Tennessee family law forms (Tennessee judicial branch): The official statewide collection of family law forms published for Tennessee cases. Start here when you need the current version of a form. https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/self-represented-litigants/forms

Tennessee self-help resources (Tennessee courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Tennessee family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/self-help-center

County-run e-filing (Multiple): Tennessee has no statewide e-filing yet. Some counties such as Davidson, Shelby, and Rutherford run their own systems, so check with your county clerk; a single statewide system is being built but is not live as of mid-2026.

Find a Tennessee courthouse (Tennessee judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your county, with locations and contact details. https://www.tncourts.gov/courthouse

Tennessee rules of procedure (Tennessee judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Tennessee. https://www.tncourts.gov/rules

Tennessee mediation and dispute resolution (Tennessee judicial branch): Official information on mediation and alternative dispute resolution options for Tennessee family cases. https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/mediation

Tennessee financial affidavit and disclosure forms (tncourts.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Tennessee family cases ask for. https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/self-help-center/forms

Tennessee child support guideline resources (tncourts.gov): Official Tennessee child support guideline materials, worksheets, or calculators. https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-support-services/child-support-guidelines.html

County trial courts (no statewide trial search) (Tennessee courts): Look up existing case records. Access is listed as mixed and the system is organized county-by-county. https://www.tncourts.gov/directory

Frequently used official Tennessee forms

These links open official Tennessee government form documents directly. Courts revise forms, so if a direct link stops working, use the statewide forms collection above to find the current version.

Complaint for Divorce With Minor Children (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/docs/final_div_forms_with_kids_effective_2018.01.11%20TN.pdf

Child Support Worksheet (Child Support), official document: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/Tennessee_Child_Support_Worksheet.pdf

Filing fees: Divorce filing fee: ~$184-$300.

E-filing link data for Tennessee was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find official Tennessee family court forms?

The official statewide source is the Tennessee judicial branch forms collection linked on this page. Always download forms from the official site so you have the current version, and check whether your county adds local forms or cover sheets.

Can I e-file my own family case in Tennessee?

Tennessee has no statewide e-filing yet. Some counties such as Davidson, Shelby, and Rutherford run their own systems, so check with your county clerk; a single statewide system is being built but is not live as of mid-2026. In most Tennessee counties, people without lawyers file divorce and custody papers on paper with the Circuit or Chancery Court clerk.

How much does it cost to file a family case in Tennessee?

Divorce filing fee: ~$184-$300. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.

Which court hears family cases in Tennessee?

Family cases in Tennessee are heard in the Chancery or Circuit Court. A Tennessee divorce can be filed in either Chancery Court or Circuit Court; some counties also have a juvenile court for custody.