Best Practice
Direct requests to the records custodian. The law has no mandatory response deadline, but agencies should respond promptly.
Back to jurisdictions
Tennessee (TN)
Law: Tennessee Open Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 10-7-501–10-7-515)
Notes: Direct requests to the records custodian. The law has no mandatory response deadline, but agencies should respond promptly.
Generate a Request for TennesseeJurisdiction Facts
Sourced from the jurisdiction registry. Not legal advice.
Statutory Response Deadline
7 business days under T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(B).
Observed Average Response
126 days (MuckRock observed average, not a statutory deadline).
Fee Waivers / Intake
No statutory fee waiver. Schedule of reasonable charges published by the Office of Open Records Counsel.
Appeals
Appeal to the Office of Open Records Counsel (OORC), which mediates disputes. May file suit in chancery court.
Primary legal sources
Direct links to the governing statute, official requester guidance, and central portal for this jurisdiction.
- Statute: Tennessee Open Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 10-7-501–10-7-515)
- Official guidance: Requester guidance
Common Agencies
City of Knoxville
Email: [email protected]
Mail: City of Knoxville, Attn: Public Records Request, 400 Main St., Knoxville, TN 37902
Fees & notes
Download the Public Records Request Form, fill it out, and email it with a scanned copy of your government-issued photo ID showing Tennessee residency.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
City of Memphis
Portal: Submit online
Mail: City of Memphis, Attn: Public Records Request Coordinator, 125 N. Main St., Memphis, TN 38103
Fees & notes
Requests must include proof of Tennessee citizenship. Use the online form or contact the specific department that holds the records. Police Department records should be directed to MPD Central Records.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Clarksville-montgomery County School System
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24
Hamilton County Government
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Hamilton County Attorney's Office, 625 Georgia Ave., Suite 401, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Fees & notes
New online public records request system launched August 2025 via NextRequest for 24/7 submission and real-time status tracking. Sheriff's Office requests via email. 9-1-1 records at hamiltoncotn911.nextrequest.com. Acknowledged within 7 business days.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Knox County Government
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Knox County Records Management, City County Building, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
Fees & notes
Online Public Records Request Form is the quickest method. Written requests must include a copy of Tennessee photo ID. A schedule of fees is published on the website.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Metropolitan Clerk's Office, 1 Public Square, Suite 205, Nashville, TN 37201
Fees & notes
Preferred method is the online Metro Public Records Request Form. Proof of Tennessee citizenship required. Centralized departments use the online portal; other departments have separate contacts. MNPD records use Form 720.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Nashville Metropolitan Police Department
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Central Records, 811 Anderson Lane, Suite 100, Madison, TN 37115
Fees & notes
MNPD uses an online form for public records requests; body-worn camera footage must be requested separately. MuckRock users report that a specific form and photo ID are required.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Shelby County Government
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Shelby County Attorney's Office, 160 N. Main St., Suite 850, Memphis, TN 38103
Fees & notes
All public records requests must be submitted to the Shelby County Attorney's Office. Online form available on the Shelby County website. Valid Tennessee photo ID required. Sheriff's Office requests to the Sheriff's Public Records division.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)
Portal: Submit online
Mail: TBI Headquarters, Attn: Public Records Request, 901 R.S. Gass Blvd., Nashville, TN 37216
Fees & notes
Download and complete TBI's request form. Criminal history checks are $29.00 per request through TORIS (tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov). Tennessee Open Records Information Services: (615) 744-4057. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or via the online form.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury — Office of Open Records Counsel
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Office of Open Records Counsel, 425 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville, TN 37243
Fees & notes
Phone: (615) 401-7891. The OORC advises citizens and government officials on the TPRA, publishes the Schedule of Reasonable Charges, and informally mediates disputes. It is not a clearinghouse for records requests.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS)
Email: [email protected]
Fees & notes
Public records requests may be made in accordance with DCS Rules, Chapter 0250-6-1. Use the Public Records Request form available on the DCS website.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI)
Mail: TDCI, 500 James Robertson Pkwy., Davy Crockett Tower, Nashville, TN 37243-0565
Fees & notes
Phone: (615) 741-2241. All public records requests must be made to the Public Records Request Coordinator (PRRC). Media requests should be directed to the Communications Director.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC)
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Tennessee Department of Correction, Attn: Public Records Request Coordinator, 320 6th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37243-0465
Fees & notes
Offender records requests require the full name of the offender, TOMIS #, date of birth, and SSN. Requests can be submitted through the online web portal or in writing. Inmate records are generally open for public inspection per T.C.A. § 4-6-140.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Education
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Tennessee Department of Education, 710 James Robertson Pkwy., Nashville, TN 37243
Fees & notes
Requests may be made orally for inspection, or in writing using the Public Records Request form. For educator licensure records, email [email protected] with educator name and license #.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
Mail: TDEC, Attn: Public Records Request Coordinator, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., Nashville, TN 37243
Fees & notes
Requests must be in writing using the Public Records Request Form or substantially similar form and submitted to the PRRC. Inspection-only requests may be made orally. The Schedule of Reasonable Charges published by the OORC applies.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Health
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Tennessee Department of Health, Attn: Public Records Request Coordinator, 710 James Robertson Pkwy., Nashville, TN 37243
Fees & notes
Submit requests via the fillable form at tnhealth.link/datarequest. Vital records (birth/death certificates) must be requested from the Office of Vital Records. Patient records from Regional Mental Health Institutes must be directed to the facility's Health Information Manager.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Human Resources (DOHR)
Portal: Submit online
Mail: DOHR, Attn: Public Records Request Coordinator, 312 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN 37243
Fees & notes
Requests must include a Public Records Request form (Policy 12-042). Submit via the online portal, by mail, or by other written media.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS)
Email: [email protected]
Mail: TDHS, Attn: Public Records Request Coordinator, 505 Deaderick St., Nashville, TN 37243
Fees & notes
Requests should be submitted using the Department's Public Records Request form. Client and case-specific records are generally confidential.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Mail: Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, 220 French Landing Dr., Nashville, TN 37243
Fees & notes
Employers and government officials: call (615) 741-3170 for the proper release form. Claimants requesting benefit verification letters: call (615) 442-7009.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Tennessee Department of Revenue, Attn: Public Records Request Coordinator, 500 Deaderick St., Nashville, TN 37242
Fees & notes
Tax returns and tax administration information are broadly exempt from the TPRA. For public administrative records, complete the form and send to [email protected]. Taxpayer's own records: (615) 253-0600 or [email protected].
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Attn: Public Records Request Coordinator, 1150 Foster Ave., Nashville, TN 37243
Fees & notes
Requests may be made by phone at (615) 251-5166, in person, or in writing using Form SF-1565. Fox requests accepted. Inspection-only requests may be made orally.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
Email: [email protected]
Mail: TDOT Legal Division, 505 Deaderick St., Suite 1000, Nashville, TN 37243
Fees & notes
Phone: (615) 741-2941. Inspection requests may be made orally; copy requests must be in writing using the Public Records Request Form or other written communication. Communications Office: [email protected].
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Tennessee General Assembly — Public Records Act Statute
Portal: Submit online
Fees & notes
The official text of the Tennessee Public Records Act. Right of access is limited to Tennessee citizens. Agencies must respond within 7 business days for written requests; inspection requests may be made orally. Fees are governed by the Schedule of Reasonable Charges established by the Office of Open Records Counsel.
Source Reviewed 2026-05-21
Tennessee State University
Email: [email protected]
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24
University of Tennessee, Knoxville Police
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24