Tennessee Public Records: A Complete Research Guide

Last Updated on March 21, 2026 by Editorial Staff

Tennessee public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to citizens of Tennessee under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-501 et seq. The law establishes a strong presumption of openness — all state, county, and municipal records shall at all times during business hours be open for personal inspection by any citizen of the state — and courts are directed to construe the law as broadly as possible to give citizens “the fullest possible public access to public records.”

Residents frequently perform a Tennessee public records search — sometimes called a Tennessee TPRA request, Tennessee open records search, or Tennessee government records lookup — to locate court filings, property ownership data, criminal history information, business registrations, vital records, inmate records, and other government documents. The TPRA covers all state agencies, counties, and municipalities across Tennessee’s 95 counties.

Public records in Tennessee are distributed across state agencies and 95 county governments. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) provides a public online criminal history search through the TORIS system, and the state maintains a Felony Offender Information Lookup for free conviction searches. Understanding which agency maintains each record type is the key to researching public records effectively in Tennessee.

Quick Answer: Where to Search Tennessee Public Records

The most important free and low-cost government databases for researching Tennessee public records include:

• TBI TORIS Criminal History (tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov) — statewide online criminal history search; $29/search; arrests and convictions
• Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) — free online search of felony convictions; no fee
• TBI Sex Offender Registry (tnsorpublic.tbi.tn.gov) — free statewide sex offender registry
• TN DOC Felony Offender Lookup (apps.tn.gov/foil) — Tennessee Department of Correction inmate and offender search; free
• Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts Public Case History (tncourts.gov) — appellate court case search; free
• County Register of Deeds portals — deeds, mortgages, and recorded property documents by county
• County Assessor of Property portals — property ownership, valuation, and tax records by county
• Tennessee Secretary of State Business Search (sos.tn.gov/bsd) — corporations, LLCs, and business registrations; free
• Tennessee DOH Vital Records (tn.gov/health/vital-records) — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates; $15/copy
• Office of Open Records Counsel (comptroller.tn.gov/orc) — free guidance and training on TPRA compliance; exceptions database

These systems provide access to the majority of publicly searchable government records in Tennessee.

⚠️ Legal Notice

Tennessee public records law is governed primarily by the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA, Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-501 et seq.). While the presumption is that all government records are open, Tennessee has over 700 statutory exceptions that protect specific categories of records from disclosure. Common exemption categories include TBI investigative files, student records, certain voter information, medical records of patients in state institutions, personnel records, and active law enforcement investigative materials. The Comptroller of the Treasury’s Office of Open Records Counsel maintains a public database of all exceptions at the TPRA Exceptions Database online. Tennessee is also one of several states that restricts TPRA access to its own citizens — out-of-state requesters do not have a statutory right of access under the TPRA.

This guide explains lawful public records research methods and does not constitute legal advice.

Why This Guide Is Reliable

This guide is written by the research team at inet-investigation.com and based directly on the text of the TPRA (Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-501 et seq.), the Office of Open Records Counsel’s official publications and annual reports, official agency websites including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Courts, and the Tennessee Secretary of State. We cite specific statutory provisions so readers can verify our statements independently. We update our guides when laws or agency procedures change. We do not accept payment from agencies, databases, or third-party vendors to shape our content.

Why Tennessee Public Records Law Is Distinctive

Tennessee restricts TPRA access to state citizens, and agencies have discretion on whether to honor out-of-state requests. Like Virginia, Tennessee limits the statutory right of public records inspection to “citizens of this state.” The Tennessee Attorney General has opined that agencies may — but are not required to — deny requests from non-residents. This means access for out-of-state researchers depends on the individual agency’s policy. Many agencies will process non-resident requests as a courtesy; others will require proof of Tennessee citizenship. Tennessee’s TPRA policy requirement mandates that every governmental entity’s public records policy specify whether the entity will respond to non-citizen requests.

The Office of Open Records Counsel (OORC) provides free guidance but issues non-binding opinions. Tennessee’s Comptroller of the Treasury operates the OORC (comptroller.tn.gov/orc), which assists citizens, media, and government officials with TPRA questions, provides training, and issues informal guidance. Unlike Illinois’s Public Access Counselor (which issues binding opinions) or New Jersey’s Government Records Council (which issues binding rulings), the OORC’s guidance is non-binding. However, courts may consider OORC guidance when determining whether a government entity “willfully” refused access — making OORC opinions practically significant even without binding authority.

Tennessee has over 700 statutory exceptions to public records access — the most of any state in this series. The 26 new or amended exceptions added in the 2024 legislative session brought Tennessee’s total well beyond 700. These exceptions are scattered throughout the Tennessee Code Annotated, federal statutes, and court rules. The OORC maintains an online Exceptions Database that catalogs all known exceptions — an essential resource for researchers who encounter denials. The sheer volume of exceptions means that a government entity denying a request has a large statutory library to draw from.

Tennessee’s criminal history system (TORIS) is publicly accessible for a fee and shows both arrests and convictions. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) at tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov allows any person to search Tennessee criminal history by name for $29 per search. Unlike Virginia (no public search at all), Arizona (no public DPS search), or New Jersey (convictions only through PROMIS/Gavel), Tennessee’s TORIS returns both arrests and convictions. Tennessee also maintains a separate free Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) that shows felony convictions without charge. These two tools together make Tennessee one of the more accessible states for public criminal history research.

Tennessee’s seven-business-day response deadline applies only when prompt production is not practicable. The TPRA’s primary standard is “promptly” — records must be made available promptly to Tennessee citizens. The seven-business-day deadline is a fallback for when prompt production is not practicable; in those cases, agencies have seven days to respond or advise when records can reasonably be made available. For most routine records requests, agencies are expected to produce records faster than seven days if they can. This “prompt + 7-day fallback” structure is similar to Washington State’s PRA framework.

Tennessee’s Register of Deeds is the sole recorder for property instruments in each county — a single-office system. Unlike states where property recording and property tax assessment are handled by separate offices, Tennessee’s Register of Deeds records all property instruments (deeds, mortgages, liens, plats) in each county. Property tax assessment is handled by the separate County Assessor of Property. Tennessee requires a Real Estate Transfer Tax on recorded deeds calculated on the consideration (sale price), and the affidavit disclosing the consideration is a public record — making sale prices generally determinable from recorded documents.

The Legal Framework

Tennessee Court Records

Tennessee’s court system has five levels: the Tennessee Supreme Court (appellate), the Court of Appeals (intermediate civil appeals), the Court of Criminal Appeals (intermediate criminal appeals), the Circuit and Chancery Courts (trial courts of general jurisdiction), and the General Sessions Courts (limited jurisdiction for civil and criminal matters). Tennessee has 95 counties, each with its own trial courts. Court records in Tennessee are generally public records subject to the TPRA, with specific exceptions for juvenile records, sealed cases, and certain sensitive proceedings.

Appellate Courts — Online Case History (Free)

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides free public access to appellate court case history through the Public Case History tool at tncourts.gov. This system covers the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals, providing case status, procedural history, and PDF access to motions, orders, and opinions filed after August 26, 2013. Cases are searchable by case number, case style, or party name.

Trial Courts — County-Level Records

Tennessee does not have a comprehensive statewide online portal for trial court records (circuit courts, chancery courts, and general sessions courts). Trial court records are maintained at the individual county level by the county court clerk. Researchers must contact — or visit in person — the clerk of the specific court where a case was filed. Many Tennessee counties provide limited online access to case dockets; major counties such as Shelby (Memphis), Davidson (Nashville), Knox (Knoxville), and Hamilton (Chattanooga) have online court record search tools through their respective clerk’s offices.

Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) — Free

The Tennessee Department of Correction maintains the Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) at apps.tn.gov/foil. This free tool is searchable by name and provides information on individuals convicted of felonies in Tennessee, including current incarceration status, sentence information, and offense details. FOIL is distinct from the TBI’s TORIS system — FOIL covers DOC felony conviction records; TORIS covers the broader criminal history repository maintained by law enforcement.

Federal Court Records

Tennessee has three federal judicial districts. The Western District of Tennessee (Memphis), the Middle District of Tennessee (Nashville), and the Eastern District of Tennessee (Knoxville and Chattanooga). Federal case records are available through PACER (pacer.gov) at $0.10 per page after a $30 quarterly free threshold.

Sealed and Juvenile Records

Juvenile court records in Tennessee are confidential under Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-153 and are not publicly accessible. Adult criminal records may be expunged or sealed by court order for qualifying offenses. Tennessee expanded its expungement eligibility in 2017 to allow certain convicted individuals to petition for expungement after completing their sentences. Expunged records are removed from public access.

Tennessee Criminal Records

TBI TORIS — Public Online Criminal History ($29)

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains the central statewide criminal history database through the Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) system at tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov. Any person may search Tennessee criminal history by name online. Each search costs $29 per check (non-refundable). TORIS returns both arrest records and conviction records based on fingerprint submissions by arresting agencies. Results include the subject’s name, date of birth, physical description, and a list of offenses with dispositions. Expunged records and juvenile records are excluded.

Because TORIS results are based on fingerprint submissions, gaps may exist if an arresting agency failed to submit prints to the TBI. For a complete picture, county-level court clerk records may contain additional case information not reflected in TORIS.

Felony Offender Information Lookup — Free

Tennessee also maintains the free FOIL database through the Department of Correction at apps.tn.gov/foil. This is searchable by name and returns felony conviction information, current incarceration status, and offense details for DOC-supervised felony offenders. FOIL is a useful free complement to the paid TORIS system for researchers focused specifically on felony conviction history.

Sex Offender Registry

The TBI maintains the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry at tnsorpublic.tbi.tn.gov. The registry is free and searchable by name, alias, county, or zip code. Tennessee requires sex offenders to register with the appropriate law enforcement agency in the county where they reside. The public registry includes photographs, addresses, offense information, and registration tier.

Tennessee Property Records

Tennessee property records are maintained at the county level across two offices: the Register of Deeds (recorded property instruments — deeds, mortgages, liens) and the Assessor of Property (property ownership, valuation, and tax records). Tennessee has 95 counties, each with its own Register of Deeds and Assessor. There is no statewide consolidated property records portal, though the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury maintains some statewide assessment data.

Register of Deeds — Recorded Instruments

The Register of Deeds in each Tennessee county is the official recorder of all real property instruments. Deeds, deeds of trust (mortgages), liens, releases, plats, easements, and other property documents are recorded here when property is sold or transferred. Tennessee imposes a Real Estate Transfer Tax calculated on the consideration (sale price) — the transfer tax affidavit disclosing the consideration is a public record, making Tennessee effectively a disclosure state where sale prices are generally determinable from recorded deed documents. Many Tennessee county registers of deeds provide free or low-cost online searching of recorded documents. Shelby County, Davidson County, Knox County, Hamilton County, and most other large counties maintain online deed search portals.

Assessor of Property — Ownership and Valuation

The County Assessor of Property maintains current property ownership, assessed values, and property classification records. Tennessee law requires property to be assessed at a percentage of its appraised (market) value. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Division of Property Assessments (comptroller.tn.gov/property-assessments) provides statewide oversight and a directory of county assessor websites. Most county assessor websites provide free online property searching by owner name, address, or parcel number. The Tennessee Comptroller also maintains a statewide assessment data system with aggregate property data.

Tennessee Business Records

The Tennessee Secretary of State’s Division of Business Services maintains business entity records at sos.tn.gov/bsd. The free online Business Entity Search covers corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and other registered entities. Entity status, registered agent, principal office address, and annual report filing history are available in the free search. The Secretary of State also maintains UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statement filings, which are publicly searchable.

Tennessee requires most business entities to file annual reports. Entities that fail to file are administratively dissolved, and this status is visible in the public search. The business search is a useful tool for verifying whether a Tennessee entity is currently in good standing.

Tennessee Vital Records

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Office of Vital Records in Nashville maintains statewide birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Tennessee. Tennessee vital records are not fully public — birth records are restricted until 100 years after the event, and death records are restricted until 50 years after death. Marriage records and divorce records also have access restrictions.

Fees and Ordering

The fee for certified vital records is $15 per copy for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Records may be ordered by mail through TDH, in person at any Tennessee local health department, or online through VitalChek (an authorized vendor, with additional service fees). Any Tennessee local health department can issue certified birth certificates for any birth that occurred anywhere in Tennessee — researchers do not need to go to the county of birth. Similarly, any Tennessee local health department can issue death certificates for deaths that occurred anywhere in Tennessee. TDH’s Nashville office can be reached at (615) 741-1763.

Who Can Obtain Certified Copies

Certified copies of birth certificates are issued to the registrant (person named on the certificate), parents, spouse, adult children, legal guardians (with documentation), and those with a notarized statement from the registrant. Death certificates within the 50-year restriction window are issued to parents, spouses, or children of the decedent, or to others with documented eligibility. Government-issued photo ID is required for all in-person requests.

Historical Access

Tennessee birth records become public after 100 years; death, marriage, and divorce records become public after 50 years. The Tennessee State Library and Archives (sos.tn.gov/tsla) holds historical vital records transferred from TDH — as of January 2026, records through 1925 for births and through 1975 for deaths, marriages, and divorces were transferred to the Archives and are being made publicly accessible. Historical records are also available through genealogical databases including Ancestry and FamilySearch. Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1908/1913 (deaths had a gap in 1913 — the “dead year”). Marriage records vary by county; many counties began recording marriages before statewide registration requirements.

Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage licenses in Tennessee are issued by the County Clerk in the county where the license is obtained. Certified copies of marriage records within the restriction period are available from TDH; historical records from the County Clerk or State Archives. Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit or Chancery Court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. TDH also maintains statewide divorce records and can issue certified divorce certificates.

Tennessee Inmate and Corrections Records

The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) maintains a free public Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) at apps.tn.gov/foil. The database covers individuals currently incarcerated in Tennessee state correctional facilities, individuals on community supervision, and individuals who have been released. Results include offense information, sentence details, and facility or supervision status.

County jail records are maintained by individual county sheriff’s offices. Most Tennessee county sheriffs maintain online inmate rosters or jail lookups. Shelby County, Davidson County, Knox County, Hamilton County, and other major counties provide online jail search tools through their sheriff’s office websites.

Professional License Records

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is the primary licensing authority for the majority of regulated professions in Tennessee at tn.gov/commerce. TDCI oversees licensing for insurance agents, real estate agents, contractors, and many other professions. The free online license lookup at tn.gov/commerce/section/online-license-verification is searchable by name or license number and includes current license status and any public disciplinary actions.

Health professions in Tennessee are licensed through various boards under the Tennessee Department of Health (tn.gov/health) — including the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (physicians), Tennessee State Board of Nursing, Tennessee Board of Dentistry, and others. Each board maintains a public license verification tool. The Tennessee Supreme Court maintains the official attorney roster through tncourts.gov, searchable by name or bar number.

Charity and Nonprofit Records

Charitable organizations soliciting contributions in Tennessee are required to register with the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Division of Business Services (sos.tn.gov). The Secretary of State’s Charitable Solicitations database provides free public access to registration status and annual financial reports for registered organizations. Tennessee requires registration for organizations soliciting more than $30,000 annually from Tennessee donors or that employ paid fundraisers.

For federal tax-exempt organizations (501(c)(3) and related entities), the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (apps.irs.gov/app/eos) provides free access to Form 990 returns and exemption status. ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer (projects.propublica.org/nonprofits) also provides searchable Form 990 data for Tennessee nonprofits.

How to Submit a Tennessee Public Records Request

Tennessee citizens have the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records from state, county, and municipal agencies. Agencies have some flexibility in how they structure their request processes — each agency is required to have a written public records policy that specifies procedures, fees, and the designated Public Record Request Coordinator.

Step 1 — Confirm Tennessee Citizenship and Identify the Agency

The TPRA provides access rights to citizens of Tennessee. If you are a Tennessee resident, you are entitled to access. Non-residents should check the specific agency’s public records policy before submitting — many agencies process non-resident requests as a courtesy, but they are not statutorily required to do so. Identify which specific agency created or maintains the records you need — TPRA requests must go to the custodian at the relevant agency.

Step 2 — Review the Agency’s Public Records Policy

Every Tennessee government entity is required to have a written public records policy. This policy will tell you: whether written requests are required, whether a specific form must be used, how to submit a request, what fees apply, and the name and contact of the Public Record Request Coordinator. Find this policy on the agency’s website or request a copy from the agency. The Comptroller’s Office maintains a directory of state and local TPRA contacts at comptroller.tn.gov/orc.

Step 3 — Submit Your Request

Submit your request to the agency’s Public Record Request Coordinator per their policy — by email, mail, in person, or through an online request portal if available. Agencies may require a written request or a specific form. Describe the records you want with enough specificity to allow the custodian to identify and locate them. Note that in-person inspection (without making copies) is generally free of charge under Tennessee law.

Step 4 — Track the Response Timeline

The TPRA requires records to be made available “promptly.” For simple requests of readily available records, prompt often means the same day or next day. If production is not practicable immediately, the agency has seven business days to either produce records or advise you when records can reasonably be made available. Keep a copy of your request and note the submission date.

Step 5 — Appeal Through OORC or Court If Denied

If your request is denied, the agency should identify the specific exemption relied upon. You may seek informal guidance from the Office of Open Records Counsel (OORC) at comptroller.tn.gov/orc — their guidance is free and non-binding, but courts may consider it in determining whether a denial was willful. For binding enforcement, file a petition in chancery or circuit court. The burden of proof is on the agency to justify the denial. If the court finds the agency willfully refused access to a public record it knew was public, it may award attorney’s fees to the requester.

Free Government Databases for Tennessee Public Records

Common Mistakes When Researching Tennessee Public Records

Assuming non-residents have a statutory right to Tennessee records. The TPRA explicitly grants access rights to “citizens of this state.” The Tennessee Attorney General has opined that agencies may deny requests from non-residents, and individual agency policies vary. Non-Tennessee researchers who submit TPRA requests without understanding this limitation may find their requests denied or ignored by agencies with restrictive policies. Non-residents should check each agency’s public records policy before submitting and be prepared to provide Tennessee citizenship documentation.

Relying only on TORIS for criminal history without understanding its limitations. TORIS results are based solely on fingerprint submissions by arresting agencies. If an arrest occurred but fingerprints were not submitted to the TBI — which happens, especially for older or minor offenses — that record will not appear in TORIS. Additionally, disposition data may be incomplete if courts did not report final outcomes back to TBI. For a complete picture, researchers should supplement TORIS results with county court clerk records, particularly for older cases or cases where TORIS shows an arrest without a recorded disposition.

Searching for trial court records statewide when no statewide trial court portal exists. Tennessee does not have a comprehensive statewide online portal for circuit, chancery, or general sessions court records. The online Public Case History at tncourts.gov covers only appellate courts. Researchers expecting to find all Tennessee trial court records through a single online search will be disappointed. For circuit and chancery court records, contact the clerk of the specific court in the relevant county. Major counties like Shelby, Davidson, Knox, and Hamilton have their own online portals.

Not knowing that inspection (without copying) is free. Under the TPRA, a Tennessee citizen who wishes to inspect public records in person — reviewing documents without requesting copies — cannot be charged a fee unless another law specifically requires it. Many researchers assume they will always be charged, but in-person inspection is free. If you only need to review records without obtaining copies, this can save significant costs particularly for voluminous requests.

Overlooking the OORC’s Exceptions Database when dealing with a denial. Tennessee’s 700+ statutory exceptions are scattered throughout the Tennessee Code, federal law, and court rules — there is no single master list in the TPRA itself. When an agency denies a request, it should cite the specific exception. If the citation seems unfamiliar or suspicious, researchers should check the OORC’s online Exceptions Database (tncot.cc/exceptions) to verify whether the cited exception exists and whether it applies to the type of record requested.

Ordering vital records without understanding that any local health department can issue them statewide. A common misconception is that Tennessee birth or death certificates must be obtained from the county where the event occurred. In fact, any Tennessee local health department can issue certified copies for any birth or death that occurred anywhere in Tennessee. This means a Nashville-area researcher looking for a birth certificate from Shelby County (Memphis) can simply visit their nearest Nashville health department rather than traveling to Memphis or waiting for a mail order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Tennessee public records open to anyone?

The TPRA grants access rights specifically to “citizens of this state.” Non-residents do not have a statutory entitlement to Tennessee public records, though many agencies will process non-resident requests as a courtesy. The Tennessee Attorney General has opined that agencies may (but are not required to) deny requests from non-residents. Individual agency policies govern whether they will honor non-citizen requests. Many of Tennessee’s public online portals — TORIS, FOIL, sex offender registry, Secretary of State business search, court records — are accessible to anyone regardless of residency without a formal request process.

Does Tennessee have a FOIA law?

Tennessee does not call its open records law “FOIA” — the federal Freedom of Information Act applies only to federal agencies. Tennessee’s state open records law is the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA, Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-501 et seq.). The law is generally considered strong in its presumption of openness, with courts directed to construe it “as broadly as possible” to give citizens “the fullest possible public access.” However, Tennessee’s 700+ statutory exceptions and its residency requirement are significant practical limitations.

Are Tennessee criminal records public?

Tennessee criminal history is publicly accessible through the TBI’s TORIS system (tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov) for $29 per name search. TORIS shows both arrests and convictions based on fingerprint submissions from arresting agencies. A separate free tool — the Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) at apps.tn.gov/foil — provides free access to felony conviction records. Juvenile records are confidential. Expunged records are removed from public access.

Where are Tennessee property records searched?

Tennessee property research requires two offices in the correct county. The Register of Deeds maintains recorded property instruments — deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, and liens — for the county where the property is located. The Assessor of Property maintains current ownership, assessed value, and property classification. Tennessee’s Real Estate Transfer Tax affidavit typically discloses the sale price, making sale prices generally determinable from recorded deed documents. The Tennessee Comptroller maintains a directory of all county assessor websites at comptroller.tn.gov/property-assessments.

Are Tennessee arrest records public?

Arrest records are generally accessible through the TBI’s TORIS system ($29/search) and through individual county court clerks and law enforcement agencies. TORIS is based on fingerprint submissions — arrests where fingerprints were not submitted to TBI may not appear. Juvenile arrest records are confidential. Expunged records are sealed by court order. For recent bookings, county sheriff jail rosters are typically available online and are generally accessible as public records under the TPRA.

Can a Tennessee public agency charge fees for records?

Tennessee agencies may charge for copies of public records but may not charge for in-person inspection (viewing without copying) unless required by another law. For copies, the OORC’s Schedule of Reasonable Charges governs: $0.15 per black-and-white page, $0.50 per color page, plus labor costs for production when applicable. Agencies may also charge for postage and any extraordinary search or retrieval costs. Fee waivers are permitted only if the agency has an adopted written policy authorizing waivers. Requesters have the right to receive an estimate of charges before the agency begins fulfilling the request.

Final Thoughts

Tennessee’s public records framework is built on a strong openness presumption — the “fullest possible public access” mandate is one of the more emphatic expressions of open government policy among the states in this series. The TORIS criminal history system is more accessible than many comparable states (it’s public, online, and shows arrests as well as convictions), and the combination of TORIS and the free FOIL database gives researchers two complementary tools for criminal history research.

The main challenges in Tennessee are the sheer volume of statutory exceptions (700+), the citizen-only access rule, and the absence of a comprehensive statewide trial court portal. Property records are county-by-county with no central statewide system, though the Tennessee Comptroller’s property assessment data provides a useful statewide baseline. For vital records, Tennessee’s $15 fee and the practical convenience of being able to order from any local health department (regardless of county of event) make the system more accessible than many peers.

For the most common research tasks: start criminal history at TORIS ($29/search) or the free FOIL for felony convictions; for court records, use the appellate Public Case History for appellate matters and contact the relevant county court clerk for trial-level records; for property records, identify the county and search both the Register of Deeds (recorded instruments) and Assessor of Property (ownership and valuation); for vital records, visit any Tennessee local health department for $15/copy. When submitting TPRA requests, review the agency’s specific public records policy first and confirm that you qualify as a Tennessee citizen.

Related Guides

• Georgia Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• North Carolina Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Virginia Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Florida Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Michigan Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• How to Search Property Records Step by Step
• How FOIA Requests Work
• Best Government Databases for Background Research

Disclaimer

This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Public records laws and agency procedures change over time. Always verify current law and agency requirements directly with the relevant government office or a licensed Tennessee attorney before relying on this information for legal or official purposes.