Tennessee's criminal history system runs through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and its TORIS public search portal. TORIS (Tennessee Open Records Information Services) allows name-based searches of Tennessee criminal records for $29 per search and returns arrests, charges, and convictions -- unlike some states where only convictions are in the public system. Tennessee's expungement law under TCA 40-32-101 is meaningful in two directions: dismissed charges, acquittals, nolle prosequi, and No True Bill outcomes are eligible for free expungement with no waiting period; and Tennessee explicitly defines expungement to mean actual record destruction, not just sealing. When an expungement order is granted, TBI removes the record from TORIS, TDOC removes it from its system, and all receiving agencies must follow independent expungement procedures. This guide covers the full system.
What Makes Tennessee Arrest Records Public
Tennessee's public records framework is governed by the Tennessee Public Records Act at TCA 10-7-503, which provides that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee during regular business hours unless otherwise provided by state law.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is the central repository for criminal history information for the state under TCA 38-6-109. Law enforcement agencies are required to submit arrest information to TBI within established timeframes. TBI maintains criminal history records based on fingerprint submissions by arresting agencies.
Exemptions include juvenile records under TCA 37-1-153, sealed and expunged records, and records related to ongoing investigations.
What a Tennessee Arrest Record Contains
An arrest record is a booking document. It reflects the facts of an arrest at the time of booking and carries no presumption of guilt.
A TORIS criminal history record includes personal identifying information, arrests (misdemeanor and felony), charges filed, and conviction information. Unlike some states where only conviction data appears in the public system, TORIS includes arrest and charge information along with convictions. Results are name-based and reflect official records but do not certify the identity of the individual with certainty due to the possibility of name-based matching errors.
Local law enforcement records at county sheriff offices and police departments include full booking information: name, DOB, date and time of arrest, location, arresting agency, charges, bail amount, court date, and booking photograph.
How to Search Tennessee Arrest Records
TORIS at the TBI website provides the primary public name-based criminal history search. The online fee is $29 per search, payable by credit card. TBI also accepts requests via mail and fax. For mail or fax requests, submit the Tennessee Criminal History Information Request Form with the subject's full legal name, gender, race, and date of birth, along with the applicable fee. TBI headquarters: 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216-2639. Fax: 615-744-4289.
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides a public case search tool that covers court records from participating counties. This tool is useful for case-level charge and disposition information from Tennessee's court system. Access through the Tennessee Courts website at tncourts.gov.
County sheriff offices maintain booking records for recent arrests. Tennessee has 95 counties and each county sheriff manages the local jail. Most county sheriff offices publish online inmate rosters or booking information.
The TDOC (Tennessee Department of Correction) maintains a free Felony Offender Information Search for persons currently or formerly in the state prison system. This is accessible through the TDOC website at tn.gov/correction.
For broader multi-source searches that aggregate public record data across Tennessee's 95 counties and other jurisdictions, TruthFinder is a practical option.
VINELink at vinelink.com connects to the TDOC system and many county facilities and provides free real-time custody status and notification registration.
County Jail Records in Tennessee
Tennessee has 95 counties and each county sheriff manages the local jail. County jails hold people recently arrested, those awaiting trial, and individuals serving shorter sentences.
When someone is convicted and sentenced to state prison, they enter the Tennessee Department of Correction system. TDOC provides the Felony Offender Information Search at tn.gov/correction, which covers current and former inmates in state facilities.
Federal Arrests in Tennessee
Federal arrests in Tennessee are made by agencies including the FBI, the DEA, U.S. Marshals, the ATF, and Homeland Security Investigations. Tennessee is home to U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Tennessee.
The BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the official free tool for locating anyone serving a federal sentence. Search by name or BOP register number. Federal court records are available through the PACER system at pacer.gov.
Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the TBI TORIS system.
Arrest Records Versus Conviction Records
An arrest record documents that law enforcement took someone into custody. A conviction record documents a court's finding of guilt. Tennessee's TORIS system includes both arrest and conviction data -- dismissed charges, nolle prosequi entries, and non-conviction outcomes appear in TORIS until expunged.
This is an important distinction from states where only conviction records are public. In Tennessee, an arrest that ended in dismissal or acquittal will show up in TORIS until the person petitions for and receives expungement under TCA 40-32-101.
Tennessee Expungement Under TCA 40-32-101
Tennessee's expungement statute at TCA 40-32-101 defines expungement as a court-ordered process where the legal record of certain criminal cases is erased in the eyes of the law. When a Tennessee court grants an expungement order, the practical effect is:
All public records of the arrest, charge, trial, conviction (where applicable), and sentence are destroyed or removed from public access. TBI removes the records from TORIS. TDOC removes the records from its system. The arresting agency, county jail, and all other agencies that received the expungement order must follow their own independent expungement procedures to eliminate the records.
After expungement, the person may legally answer "no" to questions about arrests and convictions on employment, housing, educational, and financial aid applications without providing a false statement.
Free expungement categories: Dismissed charges; acquittals; nolle prosequi outcomes; No True Bill returns; charges dropped due to mistaken identity. These qualify immediately after resolution with no waiting period and no filing fee.
Diversion completions: Pretrial and judicial diversion completions are eligible for expungement after satisfying program terms, subject to clerk fees (approximately $350).
Conviction expungements: Effective July 1, 2017, Tennessee expanded expungement eligibility to certain convictions. Most misdemeanors and Class C, D, and E felonies not on the ineligible list qualify -- after a 5-year waiting period for no more than two qualifying offenses, or a 10-year waiting period depending on offense class and number of convictions. DUI convictions, Class A and B felonies, and specifically enumerated ineligible offenses do not qualify.
The petition is filed at the court clerk's office in the county where the case originated. For dismissed and not-guilty cases, the process is straightforward. For conviction expungements, TBI certifies eligibility before the court enters the order.
InmateAid's guides on expungement cover Tennessee's framework in more detail. Mugshot removal from third-party sites after expungement is addressed in InmateAid's resources on that topic.
Frequently asked questions
Are Tennessee arrest records public?
Yes, under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TCA 10-7-503). Arrest records, charges, and conviction information are public and available through the TBI's TORIS system. Unlike some states where only convictions are public, TORIS includes arrest and charge information along with convictions. Juvenile records, sealed records, and expunged records are exempt from public access.
How do I search Tennessee arrest records?
TORIS (accessible through the TBI website) provides name-based searches for $29 per search (online) or by mail/fax to TBI at 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216-2639, fax 615-744-4289. For court case records, use the TN Courts public case search at tncourts.gov. For recent arrests, check the relevant county sheriff's website. For TDOC state prison inmates, use the Felony Offender Information Search at tn.gov/correction. For multi-source results, TruthFinder aggregates public record data. For custody notifications, VINELink at vinelink.com is free.
What does a Tennessee arrest record contain?
A TORIS criminal history record includes personal identifying information, arrests (misdemeanor and felony), charges filed, and conviction information. This is broader than many state systems -- TORIS includes arrest and charge data along with convictions. Local law enforcement records include name, DOB, arrest date/time/location, charges, bail, court date, and booking photograph.
Is an arrest the same as a conviction in Tennessee?
No. An arrest documents that someone was taken into custody. A conviction reflects a court's finding of guilt. Tennessee's TORIS includes both arrest and conviction data -- dismissed charges and non-conviction outcomes remain in TORIS until expunged under TCA 40-32-101. This is different from states where only convictions are in the public criminal history.
How do I find someone in a Tennessee county jail?
Check the county sheriff's website where the arrest occurred. Tennessee's 95 counties each operate county jails and most publish online booking rosters. VINELink at vinelink.com connects to many Tennessee facilities and provides free notification registration. For someone in state prison, use the TDOC Felony Offender Information Search at tn.gov/correction.
Can I search federal arrest records in Tennessee?
Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.gov. For someone serving a federal sentence, the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the free official tool. Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the TBI TORIS system.
How long does an arrest stay on record in Tennessee?
Tennessee arrest records remain in TBI TORIS and court records indefinitely unless expunged under TCA 40-32-101. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and nolle prosequi outcomes can be expunged immediately at no cost. Certain conviction expungements require 5 or 10 years depending on offense class and number of qualifying offenses. Once expunged, records are destroyed.
Who qualifies for expungement in Tennessee?
Under TCA 40-32-101: dismissed charges, acquittals, nolle prosequi, and No True Bill outcomes qualify immediately at no cost. Pretrial and judicial diversion completions qualify after program completion (approximately $350 clerk fee). Most misdemeanor and Class C/D/E felony convictions not on the ineligible list qualify after a 5-year waiting period (for up to two qualifying offenses meeting the criteria). Class A and B felonies, DUI convictions, and other specifically enumerated offenses are not eligible.
Does Tennessee expungement destroy the records?
Yes. Tennessee defines expungement as a court-ordered process that erases the legal record. Upon grant of an expungement order, TBI removes the records from TORIS, TDOC removes them from its system, and all receiving agencies -- the arresting agency, county jail, and others -- must independently eliminate the records following the order. The person may legally answer "no" to arrest and conviction questions on most applications after expungement.
Why does my record show an arrest but no conviction?
Tennessee's TORIS includes arrest and charge information along with convictions, so dismissed cases and non-conviction arrests appear in TORIS until expunged. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and nolle prosequi outcomes qualify for free expungement immediately under TCA 40-32-101 -- file at the court clerk's office in the county where the case originated. ---
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