Public records in Tennessee are any information or documents that are made available to the general public by the government. These records may include things like court records, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and property records. In Tennessee, the law requires that most government records be available to the public, unless they are specifically exempt from disclosure.
The Tennessee Public Records Act is a state law that outlines the process for requesting and obtaining public records in Tennessee. Under this law, any person has the right to request access to public records held by the state or any of its agencies. This includes records held by the state government, as well as records held by local governments, such as city and county governments.
Birth records in Tennessee are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. To order by mail, you can download and complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate from the Tennessee Department of Health. You will need to provide the following:
- Full name of the person whose birth certificate you are requesting
- Date of birth
- Place of birth (county and city)
- Your relationship to the person whose birth certificate you are requesting
- A credit or debit card for payment (there is a fee for this service)
Mail the completed application, a copy of your government-issued identification, and a check or money order for the appropriate fee to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
You can also order in person at the above address. Tennessee has authorized VitalChek as their online provider of certified vital records. You can order a certified copy of a birth certificate though them.
Death records in Tennessee are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. To obtain a copy of a death record, individuals can visit the Office of Vital Records in person, or they can request a copy by mail or online.
Marriage and divorce records in Tennessee are maintained by the county clerk in the county where the marriage or divorce was granted. These records are available to the public and can be accessed by anyone who can provide the necessary personal information and identification. To obtain a copy of a marriage or divorce record, individuals can visit the county clerk's office in person, or they can request a copy by mail or online.
Criminal records in Tennessee are maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). These records are available to the public and can be accessed by anyone who can provide the necessary personal information and identification. To obtain a copy of a criminal record, individuals can visit the TBI in person, or they can request a copy by mail or online.
Court records in Tennessee are maintained by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). These records are available to the public and can be accessed by anyone who can provide the necessary personal information and identification. To obtain a copy of a court record, individuals can visit the AOC in person, or they can request a copy by mail or online.
Property records in Tennessee are maintained by the county assessor in the county where the property is located. These records are available to the public and can be accessed by anyone who can provide the necessary personal information and identification. To obtain a copy of a property record, individuals can visit the county assessor's office in person, or they can request a copy by mail or online.
To access public records in Tennessee, individuals can visit the relevant agency in person, or they can request a copy by mail or online. In most cases, individuals will need to provide personal information and identification to obtain a copy of a public record. Some agencies may charge a fee for copies of public records.
The Tennessee Public Records Act is important for helping to ensure government transparency and accountability. It allows the public to access information about the actions and decisions of their government, and helps to ensure that the government is accountable to the people it serves. If you have any questions about public records in Tennessee, or if you need help making a request, you should contact the government agency that holds the records you are seeking.