Tennessee is one of the most transparent states in the nation when it comes to government accountability and public access to records. Whether you’re conducting a background check on a new neighbor, researching a potential business partner, reconnecting with a lost family member, or simply exercising your right to know, the Tennessee Public Records Act gives you broad legal access to a wide variety of government-held documents. From criminal histories maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to court filings, vital records, and property documents, the Volunteer State offers multiple pathways — both in-person and online — to locate the information you need.

This comprehensive 2026 guide walks you through every major category of public records in Tennessee, explains who maintains them, how to request them, and what legal limitations apply. We also cover online search tools that can help you compile information from multiple sources in one place. Whether you’re a Tennessee resident or researching someone who lives in the state, this guide is your definitive resource for navigating Tennessee’s public records landscape.

What Are Public Records in Tennessee?

Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503), all state and local government records are presumed to be open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The law defines “public records” broadly to include any document, paper, photograph, map, book, tape, film, computer file, sound recording, or other material made or received by a government agency in connection with its official duties.

Tennessee law gives citizens the right to inspect public records during normal business hours and to obtain copies for a reasonable fee. Agencies must respond to records requests promptly — typically within seven business days — and must cite a specific legal exemption if they deny access to any record.

What Records Are Exempt?

While Tennessee has broad disclosure requirements, certain records are protected by law. Common exemptions include:

• Records that would violate an individual’s right to privacy under T.C.A. § 10-7-504
• Ongoing criminal investigative records
• Juvenile court and delinquency records
• Medical and mental health records
• Social Security numbers and personal financial data
• Records sealed by court order
• Certain adoption records and sealed birth certificates
• Confidential informant information

How to Submit a Public Records Request

Tennessee does not require you to submit a written request, but doing so creates a paper trail. You can submit requests in person, by mail, by email, or through agency-specific online portals. You generally do not need to state a reason for your request. For state agency records, the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel (OORC) — reachable at tn.gov/opengov/open-records — provides guidance and handles disputes between requesters and agencies.

Criminal Records in Tennessee

Criminal history records in Tennessee are maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), which is the state’s central repository for fingerprint-based criminal history information. The TBI’s Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) system contains arrests, convictions, dispositions, and incarceration data contributed by law enforcement agencies and courts across all 95 Tennessee counties.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)

The TBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division manages criminal history checks for both individual requesters and authorized agencies. You can access TBI criminal record services at the official website: tn.gov/tbi/criminal-history-record-information-unit

Types of Criminal Record Searches Available

• Name-based search: Available to the general public through the TBI’s online portal for a fee of approximately $29 per search. Results are based on name and date of birth and may be less accurate than fingerprint-based searches.
• Fingerprint-based search: More comprehensive and required for certain professional licensing, employment in healthcare, education, and other regulated industries. These must be submitted through an authorized livescan provider.
• Volunteer background checks: Organizations that use volunteers in positions working with children or vulnerable adults can request TBI checks at a reduced or no cost.

Tennessee Sex Offender Registry

The TBI also maintains the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, which is publicly searchable online at tn.gov/tbi/general-information/tn-sex-offender-registry. Users can search by name, county, ZIP code, or proximity to a specific address. Tennessee law requires registered sex offenders to update their information regularly, making this one of the most up-to-date registries in the Southeast.

Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC)

For information on individuals currently incarcerated or recently released from state prison, the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) maintains an online offender search at apps.tn.gov/tomsapp/. This tool allows searches by name or TDOC ID number and provides current custody status, sentence information, and facility location.

Expungement of Criminal Records

Tennessee allows eligible individuals to petition for expungement of certain criminal records under T.C.A. § 40-32-101. Qualifying offenses include dismissed charges, certain misdemeanors, and — as of recent legislative updates — some non-violent felonies after a waiting period. Once a record is expunged, it is removed from public access, though it may remain accessible to law enforcement. Individuals should consult a Tennessee attorney or contact their local court clerk to determine eligibility.

Court Records in Tennessee

Tennessee’s court system is organized into several tiers, and records are generally maintained at the court where the case was filed. The state’s court structure includes the Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals, Circuit Courts, Chancery Courts, Criminal Courts, General Sessions Courts, Juvenile Courts, and Municipal Courts.

Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) oversees court operations statewide and provides public access tools at tncourts.gov. This is your starting point for finding court records at the state level.

Tennessee Court Case Management System

Many Tennessee courts participate in the TNCourts.gov Case Search portal, which allows users to look up civil and criminal case information online. Not all courts are connected to this system — particularly some rural counties — so in-person visits to the court clerk’s office may be necessary in some jurisdictions. The case search tool is available at tncourts.gov/courts/court-case-search.

Types of Court Records Available

• Criminal court records: Felony and misdemeanor case filings, charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing information
• Civil court records: Lawsuits, judgments, small claims cases, and civil disputes
• Chancery court records: Divorce decrees, property disputes, injunctions, and equity matters
• Probate records: Wills, estate inventories, and guardianship documents
• Bankruptcy records: Filed through U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Tennessee at pacer.uscourts.gov
• Appellate court opinions: Decisions from the Tennessee Supreme Court and appellate courts, searchable at tncourts.gov

Accessing Records In Person

If online records are unavailable, you can visit the courthouse in the relevant county and request access from the court clerk. Tennessee law requires clerks to allow public inspection during business hours. Copies typically cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies may carry additional fees depending on the document type.

Arrest Records in Tennessee

Arrest records in Tennessee are generally considered public records, though there are important distinctions between an arrest record and a criminal conviction. An arrest does not imply guilt, and Tennessee law provides mechanisms for individuals to have arrest records expunged if charges were dismissed or if the individual was found not guilty.

Where to Find Arrest Records

• Local sheriff’s offices and police departments: Most Tennessee law enforcement agencies maintain arrest logs that are accessible to the public. Major cities like Nashville (Metro Nashville Police Department), Memphis (Memphis Police Department), Knoxville (Knoxville Police Department), and Chattanooga (Chattanooga Police Department) publish recent arrest information online.
• County jails: Many Tennessee county jails maintain inmate lookup tools on their websites. For example, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office provides an online inmate search at davidsonco.com/sheriff.
• TBI criminal history system: Arrests with dispositions are included in TBI name-based and fingerprint-based searches.

Tennessee Mugshot Laws

Tennessee has taken legislative steps to address the proliferation of mugshot websites. Under state law, website operators who publish booking photographs must remove them upon request from individuals whose charges were dismissed or who were acquitted, without charging a removal fee. This law, sometimes called a “mugshot law,” is codified at T.C.A. § 47-18-5901 et seq.

Vital Records in Tennessee

Vital records in Tennessee — including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees — are managed by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records, which is part of the Tennessee Department of Health. The official website is tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/vital-records.

Birth Certificates

Tennessee birth certificates are restricted records. Only the individual named on the certificate (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, or individuals with a documented legitimate interest may obtain a certified copy. Requests can be submitted online through the VitalChek system, by mail, or in person at the Office of Vital Records in Nashville. The fee is $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Tennessee adoptees born before March 1951 or after January 1, 1996 have a right to access their original birth certificate under T.C.A. § 36-