Tennessee criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Tennessee state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Circuit Court Clerk / Criminal Court Clerk in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Tennessee Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.
Multi-state / federal check (FBI Identity History Summary): Returns records contributed by federal, state, local, and tribal agencies through the FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III). See FBI Identity History Summary FAQs and Interstate Identification Index (III).
What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.
What Changed in 2026 — Tennessee Criminal Records
The 4-Step Tennessee Criminal Records Pathway
Five Things People Get Wrong About Tennessee Criminal Records
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov — Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) - CJIS — Official Tennessee criminal history portal
- fbi.gov — Identity History Summary — FBI fingerprint-based federal check ($18)
- fbi.gov — State ID Bureau listing — FBI listing of every state's repository
- ftc.gov — FCRA basics — Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules
- ftc.gov — Background Checks employer guide — FTC + EEOC employer guidance
- bjs.ojp.gov — Bureau of Justice Statistics — Federal stats on state criminal record systems
Related Criminal Records Resources
- Tennessee Court Records →
- Tennessee Property Records →
- Tennessee Vital Records →
- Tennessee Voter Records →
- Tennessee Wants & Warrants →
- Tennessee Licenses →
- Tennessee Recorded Documents →
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Criminal Records Databases
20 official Tennessee criminal records sources.
Criminal Records
Tennessee Counties
95 Tennessee counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run an official Tennessee background check?▼
Tennessee's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) - CJIS. Begin the request at tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Tennessee statute.
Are Tennessee criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Tennessee is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) - CJIS explains who can request what at tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Tennessee?▼
A state check from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) - CJIS (tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov) covers only criminal activity within Tennessee. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Tennessee criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) - CJIS. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) - CJIS documentation at tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a Tennessee criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Tennessee criminal history, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) - CJIS offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.