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Shelby County Probate Court Case Search, 2026 Fees, Small Estates & Records
Find the correct Shelby County probate case system, format a docket number for document search, check 2026 filing fees, understand the new small-estate procedure, request copies, use current forms and contact the Probate Court Clerk in Memphis.
Shelby County is unusual because older and newer probate files use separate case-search routes, while document viewing requires the exact docket number in a specific eight-character format.
Where Is Shelby County Probate Court in Memphis?
Shelby County Probate Court Clerk’s Office is at 140 Adams Avenue, Room 124, Memphis, Tennessee 38103. The main Probate Clerk number is 901-222-3750 and office business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The court handles wills and estates, guardianships, conservatorships, name changes, birth-certificate corrections and judicial hospitalization matters. Probate Court has two judicial divisions, so do not confuse Room 124 with Circuit Court or Chancery Court offices in the same courthouse.
Choose the Shelby County Probate Task You Need
Case lookup, document viewing, small estates, claims, forms and certified copies use different processes. Select your goal before opening an official portal.
Search a current or post-2013 probate case
Open cases or files closed on or after October 1, 2013.
Use Case Information II / the current Probate Court Clerk search.
Save the exact docket number before trying to view documents.
Which Shelby County Probate Case Search Should You Use?
Shelby County separates probate case information according to whether a file was closed before September 30, 2013 or remains open / was closed on or after October 1, 2013.
Files closed before September 30, 2013
Case InformationUse the older Probate Case Information system for qualifying archived files.
Open Older SearchOpen files or files closed October 1, 2013 onward
Case Information IIUse the current Probate Court Clerk search for newer and still-open cases.
Open Current SearchChoose the correct filing period
Use the matching older or newer search system first.
Search using strong identifiers
Use the exact case number when known, or the decedent, estate, fiduciary, guardian or party name.
Copy the complete docket number
You will need it for document viewing and many copy requests.
Format a Shelby County Probate Docket Number Correctly
Shelby County document-search instructions require the docket number to be entered as eight total characters, including its letter prefix. Add leading zeroes before the numeric portion when needed.
Docket Number Formatter
Enter the docket as shown on the case—for example PR-1111.
Formatting examples
A0001111PR001111PR011111D0014544Workflow: find the case → copy the docket number → format it correctly → choose View Documents.
Wills are not available through the online document viewer. For will-copy help, call 901-222-3760.
Shelby County Small Estate Petition Rules for 2026
Shelby County’s 2026 small-estate materials use specific value, waiting-period, document, consent and filing requirements.
$50,000 or less. Real estate is excluded from this personal-property calculation.
The deceased must have resided in Shelby County.
Generally 45 days after death.
A certified death certificate is required.
If there is a will, the original may be required.
Current materials require qualifying heir and beneficiary consents in applicable cases.
$341.50
Current materials list $341.50 for a Small Estate Petition with or without a will.
In person
The January 2026 procedure says Small Estate Petitions must be filed in person.
Verify before filing
Confirm accepted payment methods and current filing cost before visiting.
Walk-in timing: current 2026 guidance gives specific Monday-through-Thursday presentation times. Verify the current procedure before visiting.
Shelby County Probate Court Filing Fees
Verify the official fee schedule immediately before filing because additional services and later filings can add costs.
How to File a Claim Against a Shelby County Estate
Confirm the estate is open
Use Probate Court case information to find the estate and docket number.
Complete the official claim form
Use the current Probate Forms page.
Prepare the filing correctly
Follow current notarization, copy and supporting-document requirements.
Check the deadline
Creditor deadlines are legally important and depend on applicable Tennessee probate rules.
2026 filing fee: the current schedule lists a creditor claim at $50 and an exception to claim at $100.
Which Shelby County Probate Forms Are Available?
Estate Forms
Estate oaths, inventory forms, notices, claims and related estate documents.
Accounting Forms
Estate status, accounting, property-management and related fiduciary material.
2026 Small Estate Packet
Petition, procedure, consents and additional asset/debt sheets.
Guardian / Conservator Forms
Oaths, inventories, notices and continuing fiduciary filings.
Name Change & Birth Correction
Adult/minor name-change and birth-certificate correction forms.
Representative Guidance
Information for executors, administrators, guardians and conservators.
Can You E-File a Shelby County Probate Matter?
Shelby County provides an eFlex filing system, but filing eligibility depends on the exact court matter and document.
Do not assume every Probate Court filing can be submitted through eFlex. Confirm the filing route with Probate Court Clerk at 901-222-3750.
Small Estate Petitions: current 2026 procedure specifically requires in-person filing.
Shelby County Guardianship and Conservatorship Cases
New petition
The 2026 fee schedule lists a Petition for Conservatorship or Guardianship at $341.50.
Forms
Use current Probate Court oaths, inventories, notices and fiduciary forms.
Record access
Sensitive or sealed information may not be available through public record systems.
How Much Are Shelby County Probate Copies?
Copy orders: probate.copies@shelbycountytn.gov.
Shelby County Probate Court Judges
Judge Kathleen N. Gomes
Probate Court Division I.
Judge Joe Townsend
Probate Court Division II.
Eddie S. Jones, Jr.
Probate Court Clerk.
Shelby County Probate Court Visit Checklist
Bring or know
- Exact docket number if a case already exists.
- Full legal name of the decedent or protected person.
- The exact filing or document you need.
- Current official forms.
- Original documents when required.
- Current filing fee.
Confirm first
- Whether an attorney is required.
- Whether your matter is walk-in or scheduled.
- Whether filing must be in person.
- Which Probate Court division is involved.
- Whether records can be viewed online.
- Whether the court is open that day.
Official Shelby County Probate Court Links
Shelby County Probate Court Address, Phone and Hours
Probate Court Clerk’s Office
140 Adams Avenue
Room 124
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-222-3750
Fax: 901-222-3756
Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Useful contacts
- Main Probate Clerk: 901-222-3750
- Will copy help: 901-222-3760
- Division I: 901-222-3761
- Division II: 901-222-3767
- Copy orders: probate.copies@shelbycountytn.gov
Map to Shelby County Probate Court
140 Adams Avenue, Room 124, Memphis, TN 38103
Shelby County Probate Terms to Know
Case Information
The older Shelby County probate case-search route for qualifying archived files.
Case Information II
The current system for open files and files closed from October 1, 2013 onward.
Docket Number
The Probate Court case identifier used for records and document searches.
Limited Letters of Authority
Authority issued through a qualifying Tennessee small-estate proceeding.
Muniment of Title
A separate probate petition type in the current fee schedule.
Creditor Claim
A claim filed against an open probate estate.
Shelby County Probate Court FAQs
Where is Shelby County Probate Court in Memphis?
Shelby County Probate Court Clerk’s Office is at 140 Adams Avenue, Room 124, Memphis, TN 38103.
What is the Shelby County Probate Court phone number?
The main Probate Court Clerk number is 901-222-3750.
What are Shelby County Probate Court office hours?
The Clerk’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays and closures.
Which Shelby County probate case search should I use?
Use the older Case Information system for qualifying files closed before September 30, 2013 and the current system for open cases or files closed on or after October 1, 2013.
How do I view Shelby County Probate Court documents?
First obtain the docket number, then use the document-search system with the required eight-character docket format.
Can I view a Shelby County probate will online?
No. For will-copy assistance, call 901-222-3760.
What qualifies as a small estate in Shelby County in 2026?
Current materials use a $50,000-or-less personal-property limit, excluding real estate from that personal-property total. Other requirements apply.
How much is a Shelby County Small Estate Petition in 2026?
The current filing fee is $341.50 with or without a will.
Can I mail a Shelby County Small Estate Petition?
Current 2026 procedure requires Small Estate Petitions to be filed in person.
How much is a certified Shelby County probate copy?
The 2026 fee schedule lists certification at $5 plus 50¢ per page for copies supplied by the court.
Independent Guide Legal Disclaimer
ProbateCourtUSA.org is an independent informational website. It is not Shelby County Probate Court, the Shelby County Probate Court Clerk’s Office, Shelby County Government, the State of Tennessee, a government agency, law firm or official court filing service.
Verify current forms, fees, filing methods, deadlines and case-specific requirements directly with Shelby County Probate Court or a qualified Tennessee probate attorney before taking legal action.