OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know
How to use this page: Pick the record type you need below. Each section names the agency that holds those records and links to the official source — no aggregators, no third-party services. For criminal history, remember that TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) is the records agency, not the Highway Patrol.

What You Can Find Here

⚖️ Court case records through county clerks and TN Courts portals
🔍 Arrest records from county sheriffs and municipal police
📋 Criminal history checks through TBI
🏛️ Vital records, property records, and open-records requests
Have this ready before you start:
  • Full name of the person or business
  • Case number, if you have one
  • The county where the record was created

How Records Work in Tennessee

Tennessee's court and arrest records span state, county, and arresting-agency levels. The state judiciary under the Tennessee Supreme Court maintains appellate records. TBI holds statewide criminal history, while the Highway Patrol handles traffic enforcement (not records). Most of what people need — trial-court files, arrest reports, deeds, marriage licenses — lives at the county level.

Tennessee has 95 counties, three of which are consolidated city-counties: Nashville-Davidson (the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County), Hartsville-Trousdale, and Lynchburg-Moore. In consolidated governments, city and county functions are merged into one agency, so a records request that would go to two separate offices elsewhere only goes to one. Larger counties tend to have better online access; older records and specialized filings typically require a clerk's office visit.

Counties in Tennessee

Tennessee has 95 counties (includes 3 consolidated city-counties: Nashville-Davidson, Hartsville-Trousdale, Lynchburg-Moore). Select one below to find local court, arrest, and court and arrest records.

What this page does not show: Not every record is online. Tennessee has no unified statewide trial-court search, so trial records generally require contacting the county clerk directly. Online availability varies dramatically by county. When in doubt, call the clerk's office.

This page is a guide to help you find official records — it is not the official database. All information comes from government sources. Verify details directly with the agency that holds the records.

Last updated: April 24, 2026