Vital Records & Certificates in Shelbyville, TennesseeBedford County Clerk

In Shelbyville’s tight-knit community, vital records support important life events from youth sports registration at the Recreation Center to passport applications for international horse show travel. Whether you’re enrolling children in Bedford County Schools, handling estate matters, or planning weddings at local venues, certified documents ensure smooth processing of life’s important transitions.

Bedford County residents can obtain birth certificates through the Bedford County Clerk’s office at 100 Public Square W Suite 104, conveniently located in the heart of downtown Shelbyville. Babies born at Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital or other Middle Tennessee medical facilities need certified birth certificates for everything from Little League registration at the Shelbyville Recreation Center to passport applications for international travel. The Bedford County Clerk maintains comprehensive birth records and can provide certified copies with proper identification. Processing typically takes 2-3 business days, though walk-in service may be available for urgent requests when the courthouse isn’t busy with Walking Horse Celebration activities.

Couples planning weddings at venues like the historic Fly Arts Center or outdoor ceremonies at Henry Horton State Park obtain marriage licenses from the Bedford County Clerk at the Public Square courthouse. Tennessee requires a 24-hour waiting period after license issuance before ceremonies can be performed, though this may be waived by the judge. The clerk’s office processes applications year-round, including during peak wedding seasons when the Walking Horse Hotel and other local venues host numerous celebrations.

Death certificates for Bedford County residents are issued through the County Clerk’s office on the Public Square. Families working with funeral homes like Doak-Howell or Hillcrest Memorial need certified copies for insurance claims, estate proceedings, and Social Security notifications. The clerk maintains death records and can provide copies to eligible family members or legal representatives with proper documentation.

Bedford County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk, also located in the courthouse complex on Public Square. Certified copies of divorce decrees are frequently needed for remarriage licenses, Social Security name changes, or property transactions. Court staff can locate records using case numbers or party names from divorce proceedings.

Visit the Bedford County Clerk at 100 Public Square W Suite 104, located in the historic courthouse building in downtown Shelbyville. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, though hours may vary during Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration week in late August. Free parking is available around the Public Square, with additional spaces near the courthouse annex. The clerk accepts cash, checks, and major credit cards for certificate fees.

The Bedford County Clerk is located on the west side of the Public Square in downtown Shelbyville, easily accessible from Highway 231 or Highway 82.