Tennessee Public Records

When local, state, or federal government entities create, record, receive, file, maintain, or store any information related to the entity, that information is considered a public record. Therefore, public records are open for anyone to inspect or copy.

Each government entity is responsible for determining the availability, fees, retrieval, and other factors concerning public records required by state and federal law.

Public records can be emails, written communication, photographs, maps, electronic media, or any other material, regardless of physical form. Public records include business records, criminal records, vital records, driving records, and others, including government-related financial documents.

Generally speaking, individuals can access public records by mail, online, or in person. While public records are available for the general public to access, there are exemptions. In addition, accessing public records can be time-consuming, and often, there are fees associated with requesting documents.

Because requesting public records can be difficult, we have put together this comprehensive guide on Tennessee public records. Let’s start by defining federal and state laws that define public records.

Which federal laws apply to public records in the United States?

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) into law; a year later, in 1967, the FOIA went into effect. The FOIA provided the public with the right to request, copy, and inspect records from federal government agencies. The reason for this was to provide the citizens of the United States with an open and transparent government that they could have confidence in.

If a citizen makes a public records request, the FOIA states that the federal agency must promptly provide that information. In addition, if the information is exempt by law or otherwise not available, the agency must give the requester written documentation as to why the agency could not release the information.

How does Tennessee law define public records?

The Tennessee Public Records Act provides all Tennessee citizens with the right to access state, county, and municipal public records. However, only Tennessee citizens are allowed to request public records, although government entities can grant access to individuals who are not residents of the state.

Tennessee defines public records as documents, letters, papers, maps, books, microfilms, recordings, photographs, or any other material, regardless of physical characteristics or form, created or maintained by a government entity.

All government entities that fall under the Tennessee Public Records Act must have guidelines that clearly state the following regarding public records:

• Procedure for providing access to public records
• Procedure for replying to requests and completing the request.
• Any fees associated with obtaining copies of public records
• The Public Record Request Coordinator’s (PRRC) name and information for that specific government entity.

A PRRC is responsible for assisting with public records requests.

Government entities in Tennessee must provide public records immediately if the information is available. If not, the government office has seven business days to complete one of the following actions:

• Provide the requester with the requested records
• If there is a delay, inform the requester of when the records will be available
• If the request is denied, the government office must explain why it cannot release the information to the requester.

The Tennessee Public Records Act provides the following details regarding requests for public records:

• Government entities can require that a person requesting public records shows an approved government-issued photo ID.
• All requests must include as much information as possible about the specific records being requested. A government entity does not have to process a request that is lacking adequate information.
• A person can request public records by mail; they do not have to make a request in person.
• An employee of the government entity producing the documents is allowed to supervise a person who is inspecting records. However, they are not allowed to ask why the person is requesting the records, except in rare cases.

Tennessee Public Records Examples

Tennessee public records include, but are not limited to:

• Court records
• Criminal records
• Business records
• Driving records
• Government contracts
• Historical records
• Licensing records
• Vital records
• Voting records

Exemptions

Under Tennessee law, certain public records are considered confidential and are therefore exempt from the state’s Public Records Act.

• Medical records
• Records related to risk management within the Tennessee Claims Commission
• Judiciary Investigation Information
• Tennessee Department of Treasury investment records regarding retirement
• Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Emergency Communications Board Proprietary information
• Trade secrets
• Adoption, Vital records Tennessee Department of Health
• Vital records Tennessee Department of Health, State Registrar, County Clerks, Court Clerks, Other Authorized Custodians
• Applicant records, Medical records, Financial records, Confidential information Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Tennessee Athletic Commission
• Hospital records
• Inheritance tax, Tax returns, Tax information, Tax administration information Tennessee Department of Revenue
• Criminal history background check, Fingerprints, Licensure, Appraisers Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Real Estate Appraiser Commission
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) coal mining records
• Insurance information
• Student records
• Attorney-client privileged communications
• Jury details
• Law enforcement body camera video

For a complete list of exemptions with the corresponding code and responsible government entity, click here.

Where can I get Tennessee public records?

Tennessee does not have a central repository for public records. Each government entity is responsible for providing access to the public records it maintains.

To access public records, an individual will need to make a request to the appropriate government entity. The government entity defines how requests can be made. Typically a person can make a request in person, online, by mail, or by email.

Under Tennessee’s code, a government entity cannot charge a fee for the inspection of public records unless there are copying or labor fees associated with the request. Charges are as follows:

• $0.15 for one black and white copy (8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14)
• $0.50 for one color copy (8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14)
• An hourly wage for any associated labor for copying records (the first hour is free)

In the following sections, we will provide an overview of various government entities in Tennessee and how to request records from each of them.

Court Records

It’s helpful to understand how the courts in Tennessee work before requesting court records. Let’s take a quick look at the court function and overall structure.

Supreme Court

The Tennessee Supreme Court is the state’s highest court that hears appeals of criminal and civil cases from the state’s lower courts. The court of last resort also has jurisdiction over cases that are undecided by the Court of Criminal Appeals or Court of Appeals.

Five Supreme Court justices preside over these cases. The justices are also responsible for interpreting Tennessee and United States constitutions and laws.

In the Supreme Court, there are no testimonies, juries, or witnesses like there are in trial courts. Instead, attorneys can ask to present oral arguments before the Supreme Court. Once the Supreme Court justices review the case and hear oral arguments, they issue opinions or written decisions.

Once the Tennessee Supreme Court issues an opinion, it is final. However, if the issue concerns the federal constitution, it can be appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The US Supreme Court can agree to hear the appeal or not.

Tennessee state constitution requires that the Supreme Court meets in Jackson, Nashville, and Knoxville, although the court can convene elsewhere if needed.

Court of Appeals

The General Assembly created the Court of Appeals in 1925 to hear civil case appeals from trial courts, state commissions, and state boards.

The Court of Appeals is set up in three-judge panels, with 12 members total.

As with the Tennessee Supreme Court, the panels meet Jackson, Nashville, Knoxville, and other locations as needed. The panels meet once a month.

There are no juries, testimonies, or witnesses in a Court of Appeals hearing, as with the state’s other two appellate courts. However, attorneys can present written and oral arguments.

If granted permission, decisions made by the Court of Appeals can be appealed to the state’s Supreme Court.

Court of Criminal Appeals

In 1967, the Tennessee legislature established the Court of Criminal Appeals to hear appeals in misdemeanor and felony cases from the trial court.

There are 12 members that sit in panels of three. The panels meet once a month in Jackson, Nashville, Knoxville, and other locations as needed.

Except for capital cases, which are automatically appealed, all Court of Criminal Appeals decisions can be appealed to the state Supreme Court if granted permission.

As with the other two appellate courts, attorneys can present written and oral arguments. However, there are no juries, testimonies, or witnesses in a Court of Criminal Appeals hearing.

Appellate Court Clerk’s Office

The Appellate Court Clerk’s office has locations in Supreme Court buildings in Knoxville, Jackson, and Nashville, TN. The Office of the Appellate Court Clerk, which serves the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, and Tennessee Supreme Court, is responsible for the following:

• Processing and filing motions, briefs, and other documents for cases being appealed
• Scheduling oral arguments
• Filing issued opinions and orders
• Notifying all parties to appeals

Trial Courts

There are 95 counties in Tennessee, which are split into 31 judicial districts. There are Chancery and Circuit Courts in each district. Certain districts have established Probate and Criminal Courts.

• Circuit Courts: Tennessee’s Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases and appeals of decisions from Juvenile, General Sessions, and Municipal Courts.
• Chancery Courts: Tennessee’s Chancery Courts are courts of equity that hear issues such as adoption, lawsuits, divorces, contract disputes, and worker’s compensation.
• Criminal Courts: Tennessee Criminal Courts take on caseloads when the state’s circuit courts are overloaded. Criminal courts hear criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals from lower courts.
• Probate Courts: Tennessee’s Probate Courts have jurisdiction over estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and probate of wills.

General Sessions Court

General Sessions Court has limited jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. Jurisdiction varies by county.

• Civil jurisdiction: limited to specific types of actions and monetary limits
• Criminal jurisdiction: Criminal jurisdiction is limited to preliminary hearings in misdemeanor trials and felony cases. The defendant must relinquish the right to a grand jury investigation and trial by jury in Criminal or Circuit Court.

General Sessions judges preside over juvenile cases, except for counties with their own Juvenile Courts.

Juvenile and Family Courts

In Tennessee, there are 98 juvenile courts. Eighty-one of these courts are General Sessions Courts that have jurisdiction over juvenile matters. The other 17 juvenile courts are considered “Private Act” courts. There are 45 Magistrates and 109 juvenile court judges.

Tennessee defines a juvenile as a person under eighteen who hasn’t previously been transferred as an adult. Juvenile courts in Tennessee have jurisdiction over the following:

• Abortion authorization (no parental consent)
• Child support
• Children committed to the custody of the Department of Children Services.
• Custody determinations
• Dependent, neglected, abused, delinquent children, or children classified as “unruly.”
• Enforcement of any laws regarding school attendance
• Establishing visitation for parents that do not have custody
• Establishment of parentage
• A minor’s enlistment or employment with the armed services
• Medical consent for a minor when a parent or guardian cannot be there
• Parental right determination cases
• Removal of the age restrictions on a minor’s application for a marriage license
• Serious delinquency case requiring a transfer to criminal court to be tried as an adult
• The evaluation, treatment, and commitment of developmentally disabled or mentally ill children
• Traffic violations

Municipal Courts

Municipal courts, or city courts, hear cases concerning municipal ordinance violations, such as speeding tickets, traffic violations, or other code violations.

Court Clerks

Court clerks maintain records and dockets to ensure the smooth operation of Tennessee state courts.

• Appellate Court Clerks: The Supreme Court appoints the appellate court clerk, who serves 6-year-terms and is based out of Nashville. There are 32 employees who work for the appellate court’s offices in Knoxville, Jackson, and Nashville Supreme Court buildings.
• Circuit Court Clerks: Each county in Tennessee elects a circuit court clerk to serve a 4-year term. Circuit court clerks also serve the General Sessions courts in some counties.
• Chancery Court Clerk and Master: The Chancery Court judge, called the Chancellor, select a clerk and master for a 6-year term.

For a complete list of court clerks in Tennessee, click here.

Are court records public information?

Under the Tennessee code, court records are considered public records unless otherwise stated by law.

Search Court Records

There are several ways to search for court records in Tennessee. How you go about a search depends on the type of case.

The Appellate Court Clerk’s Office uses C-Track, a case management system, where you can access information regarding appellate court cases after 8/26/2013:

You can also access many orders filed before 8/26/2013 that the state moved to C-Track from the previous database.

To search for Court of Criminal Appeals, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court records, you can use an online tool called the Public Case History database. Enter any of the following information to search the database:

• Case Number: To search by the case number of the appeal, use the case’s sequence number.
• Case Style: Search by entering the entire or part of the name of the style.
• Name: To search by name, enter the party’s first or last name.
• Organization: To search by organization, enter the name of the organization party involved in the appeal.

A search will result in the following information:

• Case Overview Information: includes the internal case number, case style, trial court, trial court number, and trial court judge.
• Case Milestones: includes when and where the appeal was filed, the date the appellee and appellant’s briefings were completed, when the oral argument took place or was submitted, the panel of judges, the decision date and type, the disposition, whether there was an appeal to the Supreme Court, and the closing date.
• Parties Involved: includes the name of the parties, their role, and counsel information
• Case History: includes a list of dates, events, and the documents that were filed, which can be found in PDF format.
• Record Information: includes the volume type, number of volumes, and record type.

The database only includes appeals filed after September 1, 2006.

If you cannot find the court records that you are interested in, you can reach out to the Appellate Court Clerk’s Office that handled the case for guidance.

To access court minutes from the county, chancery, or circuit courts in Tennessee, you can search the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Below is a detailed list of where to find a specific court case, which depends on the type of case and the year the case was tried:

1824 to Present-day

• County Court: business matters, including disputes and other matters
• Circuit Court: law cases
• Chancery Court: equity cases

1822 to 1824

• Chancery Division of Supreme Court: larger equity cases
• Supreme Court: all appeals of cases

1809 to 1834

• Court of Pleas: minor matters
• Circuit Court: larger law cases
• Supreme Court: larger equity cases/check 1822-1834 as well
• Supreme Court: law case appeals

1796 to 1808

• Court of Common Pleas & Quarter Sessions: minor matters
• Superior Court of Law & Equity: larger matters and all appeals

For more information, click here.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives will search minutes spanning five years from Chancery, Circuit, County, or Quarterly Courts for a fee. It’s helpful to know what type of case each court handles to expedite your search for court minutes:

• Chancery Court (1836 to present day): equity cases, certain divorce records, private suits, and estate disputes
• Circuit Court (1809 to present day): criminal lawsuits, certain debt cases, divorces records, and offenses against the public.
• County or Quarterly Courts (only indexed cases are available): guardianships, estates, routine county business matters, and small court cases

To order court minutes, you will need to complete the following steps:

• Your request should include the 5-year date span, surname, and county.
• Each request must be submitted on separate forms.
• Include the appropriate fee. You must pay in advance of receiving the records. Fees are non-refundable. Acceptable forms of payment include credit cards, checks, and money orders.
• There is an additional fee to have your document certified. You must let the Library and Archives know if you would like your document to be certified when submitting your request.
• Mail your request and payment to the Research Department at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, 1001 Rep John Lewis Way N, Nashville, TN 37219
• Generally speaking, the Library and Archives will respond to your request within two weeks.

Other helpful resources include the Genealogical Fact Sheets About Tennessee Counties and the Index to County Microfilm Reels.

You can also inspect records in person at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The Library and Archives is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (CTE) Tuesday through Saturday.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in the state of Tennessee include misdemeanor and felony arrests. The information is based on fingerprints taken by an arresting agency.

This section on Tennessee criminal records provides detailed information regarding the following types of criminal records, which government agency maintains them, and how to search for them:

• Arrest records
• Warrant records
• Inmate, parole, and probation records
• Juvenile criminal records
• Sex offender records

Arrest Records

An arrest record is created by a law enforcement agency after an individual is apprehended and taken into custody. An arrest record typically includes the following information:

• Date and location of the arrest
• Arresting officer’s information
• Physical description of the arrested person
• Mugshot and fingerprints
• Personal information about the arrested person
• Details regarding the incident
• Witness information
• Criminal charges filed
• Interrogation details
• Bail amount
• Court date

Arrest records do not state whether or not the arrested person is guilty of the charges. Arrest records are often used in court.

Let’s take a quick look at Tennessee’s arrests as well as crime statistics based on 2019 FBI reports.

• Total arrests: 337,758
• Arrests for drug possession offenses: 78,566
• Arrests for drug sales offenses: 14,66
• Arrests for gambling offenses: 55
• Arrests for crimes against property: 51,785
• Arrests for prostitution violations: 1,006
• Arrests for crimes against society offenses: 238,040
• Arrests for crimes against person offenses: 47,933
• There were 595.2 violent crimes per 100,000 people in Tennessee, compared to 379.4 per 100,000 people in the US.
• There were 2,652.6 property crimes per 100,000 people in Tennessee, compared to 2,101.9 per 100,000 people in the US.

Search Arrest Records in Tennessee

The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), a division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), serves as the state’s central repository for information concerning an individual’s criminal history.

Tennessee code allows the general public to request a state background check on any other individual. CJIS provides criminal history information when someone submits a request by mail or online.

To request a name-based Tennessee background check online, follow these steps:

• Complete the Requester Information Form. This is your personal information, not the information of the person you are requesting a background check on.
• Fill out the Records Request form. You are required to know the subject’s first and last name, city, state, zip code, date of birth, race, and sex.
• Make sure to choose if you would like a notarized copy when completing the Records Request Form.
• The fee is $29.00 per request and is non-refundable. You can pay the fee online by credit card.

You will be notified whether the individual has a Tennessee criminal record or not. Requests are processed in the order in which they are received. Notarized copies take up to a week longer to process.

To appeal the results of a Tennessee criminal history check, you can request a fingerprint comparison. You must submit your fingerprints to the TBI along with a letter saying that you want to dispute the results of the background check. The fee is $24.00. You can pay by money order or cashier’s check.

The agency will compare the fingerprints and inform you of the results. If an error was made, the Biometrics Services Unit would make the necessary corrections.

Juvenile Criminal Records

A juvenile criminal record includes information about delinquents under the age of 18. Juvenile court records are considered confidential and are therefore not accessible by the general public, although there are extenuating circumstances.

According to Tennessee law, a juvenile record can be expunged if it meets the following requirements:

• The juvenile is at least 18 years old
• The juvenile has not been convicted as a minor or adult of a sexual offense
• Certain court recommendations
• A minimum of one year has passed since the last juvenile adjudication

If a juvenile court record is expunged, it may not change records on file. This includes photographs, fingerprints, and any other information about the juvenile’s alleged criminal offense.

Inmate, Parole, and Probation Records

There are 14 prisons across the state of Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) oversees ten of the prisons, and CoreCivic manages four private prisons.

The department is also over the Tennessee Correction Academy, which provides criminal justice training for employees.

West Tennessee Region

• Mark Luttrell Transition Center
• West Tennessee State Penitentiary
• Northwest Correctional Complex
• Women’s Therapeutic Residential Center

East Tennessee Region

• Bledsoe County Correctional Complex
• Northeast Correctional Complex
• Morgan County Correctional Complex

Middle Tennessee Region

• Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility
• Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center
• Riverbend Maximum Security Institution
• Turney Center Industrial Complex

Contract & Private Managed Locations

• South Central Correctional Facility
• Whiteville Correctional Facility
• Trousdale Turner Correctional Center
• Hardeman County Correctional Facility

Search Tennessee Inmate Records

The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) is responsible for creating and maintaining the state’s inmate records. Inmate records include information regarding an offender’s parole or probation status.

To search inmate records, you can use the state’s online Felony Offender Information (FOIL) portal or download the MyTN mobile app. There is no fee to access inmate information.

Information found within the database includes Tennessee felony offenders who are or were in the custody of the TDOC. You can search by name, TDOC ID, or state ID.

A search will result in the following inmate information:

• Name and any aliases
• Date of birth
• TDOC ID
• State ID Number (SID)
• Sex
• Race
• Height
• Complexion
• Weight
• Eye Color
• Hair Color
• Photo
• Current Status
• Supervision Status
• Assigned Location:
• Combined Sentence(s) Length
• Supervision/Custody Level
• Sentence beginning and ending date
• Release Eligibility Date
• Parole hearing date and results:

You can also find information regarding a Tennessee Bureau of Identification Background Check on this site.

Sex Offender Registry

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains the state’s sex offender registry.

The state of Tennessee defines sexual offenders and violent sexual offenders as described below:

• Sexual offender: An individual convicted of a sexual offense in Tennessee or has a conviction that falls under the category of a sexual offense under state law. Sexual offenders are required to report every year within a week before and after their birthdays. Sexual offenders can apply for termination from the registry if they meet certain conditions set forth by Tennessee law.
• Violent sexual offender: An individual convicted of a violent sexual offense in Tennessee or has a conviction that falls under the category of a violent sexual offense under state law. Violent sexual offenders must report quarterly in December, September, June, and March for life.

Search the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry

To search the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry online, enter any of the following information:

• Last Name (Also Searches Alias Last Name)
• First Name (First Name Search Requires the Last Name)
• City
• County
• Zip Code
• TID Number (Offender Unique ID)
• Secondary Residential Search (city, county, or zip code)

A Tennessee sex offender search will result in the following information:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Race
• Sex
• Height
• Weight
• Eye Color
• Hair Color
• Address and county of residence
• Supervision Site
• Parole/Probation Officer
• Secondary Address
• Date information was last updated
• Date of latest registration/report
• Status
• Classification
• TID number
• Driver license number and state
• Higher Education (university name)
• Workplace
• Scars, marks, and tattoos
• Alias information
• Offense details

You can also conduct a Tennessee Sexual Offender Registry Criminal History Search, find out a sex offender’s vehicle, or look up a sex offender’s employer information. You will need the offender’s name or Tid number.

Additionally, you can search for sex offenders in the state of Tennessee using a mapping tool. Search by first or last name or by location.

To receive email notifications regarding a specific sex offender in Tennessee, you will need to enter their Tid number. You can also choose to receive notifications based on a zip code.

Vital Records

The Tennessee Office of Vital Records is responsible for registering, reviewing, issuing, amending, and maintaining original certificates for the following events occurring in Tennessee: births, marriages, divorces, and deaths.

You can request certified copies of your own vital records. To obtain a certified copy of a vital record of another person, you must be one of the following to the person named on the record:

• Parent
• Child
• Spouse
• Legal guardian

If you are an authorized representative requesting certified copies of another person, you must submit the following information:

• A signed statement from the person listed on the certificate giving you authorization
• A photocopy of your signed government identification card
• A photocopy of a signed government identification card of the person listed on the certificate

Request Vital Records Online

The Tennessee Office of Vital Records does not have an online portal where you can request vital records. However, the Office of Vital Records has one official vendor, VitalChek, which can process online orders for birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates.

When using VitalChek, you must submit an Identity Verification Document.

The fees for requesting vital records from VitalChek are as follows:

• Birth certificate: $26.00 plus shipping
• Death certificate: $26.00 plus shipping
• Marriage certificate: $26.00 plus shipping
• Divorce certificate: $26.00 plus shipping

Birth and death certificates take 3-10 business days to process and are sent overnight if you choose Express Delivery. If you select regular mail, the processing time is 7-21 business days and will be delivered within 7-10 business days.

Marriage and divorce certificates take 5-7 business days to process and are sent overnight if you choose Express Delivery. If you select regular mail, the processing time is 7-10 business days and will be delivered within 7-10 business days.

Request Vital Records in Person

At this time, you have the following options if you would like to request certificates using a credit or debit card, cash, check, or money order:

• Customer Service Window: Complete a paper order form (available in the office). You will be required to show proper identification.
• Kiosk: You must pass an identity verification process to request a vital record. You can only use a credit or debit card at the kiosk. There is a $4.00 vendor fee in addition to standard order fees. Fees are non-refundable.
• Local County Health Department: You can request any birth or death certificate that occurred in Tennessee using the state’s electronic issuance system. You will be required to show proper identification.

Request Vital Records by Mail

If you would like to request vital records by mail, complete the following steps:

Complete and sign the Certified Copy of Certificate of Birth, Marriage, Divorce, or Death application.
Submit one of the following ID requirements: a photocopy of a signed government-issued identification card, a notarized application for a certified copy, or the mother’s copy of the birth certificate (alternative ID requirements here).
Include a money order or check made out to Tennessee Vital Records
Include the appropriate fee.

Application and Fee Details

A complete list of applications can be found here. Details regarding any associated fees can be found here.

Acceptable forms of ID

You must present one of the following items when requesting vital records:

• Current driver’s license or passport
• Employment authorization card
• Military ID card
• Citizenship ID card
• Certificate of Citizenship
• US Certificate of Naturalization
• Temporary, permanent, or alien resident card

Or you can submit two of the following items:

• Signed Social Security Card
• Application page of an insurance policy
• Bank statement, utility bill, or deposit slip with name and current address
• Current pay stub or W2
• Medical record
• Health care coverage card
• Voter Registration card
• Military Discharge (DD214)
• Vehicle registration with name and current address

If your ID was stolen and you need to request vital records, you must present an official document, such as a police report, as proof of your identity.

You are not required to show proof of ID in the following cases:

• If you present a signed and notarized application
• If the mother’s current and previous two years’ birth certificate copies are used as the application that is being mailed to a parent.

Business Records

Tennessee’s Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) maintains all business records and offers the following online services:

• Search to see if a Business Name is Available: You can search the database to check if a business name is available for use.
• Register or Form a New Business: You can file formation documents or register a new business.
• Search for and Update a Business Record: You can look up a business record to file certain reports, such as annual reports, using this link.
• Submit an Application for a Certificate of Existence: You can verify a Certificate of Existence or submit a request and pay to receive a Certificate of Existence using this link.
• Annual Report Filings: Prepare or file an Annual Report for a registered business entity.
• Download Tennessee’s Entire Business Entity Database: You can download the state’s entire database using this link.

Driving Records

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is the agency responsible for driving records, which are referred to as MVRs.

According to the Tennessee code, a person can only request their own MVR. You can only request someone else’s MVR if you have a notarized statement from them that authorizes you to do so.

An MVR is an official copy of your driving record. You can request a three-year or 10-year driving history record. Your address will not be displayed in your driving history record in order to protect your privacy.

There are several ways to request an MVR from the state of Tennessee:

Request an MVR Online

To request an MRV online, you will need to complete the following actions:

• Enter your information (name, driver’s license number, date of birth, and social security number)
• Pay the $5.00 fee via debit or credit card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, or Discover)

Once you have completed all steps, you can download your MRV.

Request an MVR in Person

You, or any authorized persons, can obtain a copy of your MVR at any Tennessee Driver Services Center.

To request an MVR in person, you will need to provide the following information:

• Name
• Birthdate
• Tennessee Driver License Number

The fee is $5.00.

Request an MVR by Mail

To request your Tennessee MVR by mail, you will need to mail your request to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Include Attn: MVR Request, and send it to PO BOX 945, Nashville, TN 37202. Include the fee of $5.00 (money orders and cashier’s checks made out to the Tennessee Dept. of Safety are accepted).

Make sure to include your name, your date of birth, and your Tennessee driver’s license number.

It typically takes two weeks to process MVR requests submitted by mail.

Property Tax Records

The state of Tennessee’s Comptroller of the Treasury offers real estate assessment information for 84 of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

Here you can find the following information regarding real estate:

• Property Owner
• Property Owner Mailing Address
• Property location, such as address and parcel information
• Value information, such as land market value or improvement value
• General information, including class, city, district, area, utilities, and zoning details
• Subdivision details
• Building information
• Extra features
• Sale information
• Land information

What do I do if there is an error with my public records in Tennessee?

If you think that your public record contains an error, it is best to contact the agency responsible for that particular record. Oftentimes, you can find information about what to do in the case of an error in the government agency’s FAQ section.

Tennessee Public Records by County