Tennessee became the 16th state to join the Union in 1796. The state is divided into 95 counties and 347 incorporated municipalities, all of which handle essential local government responsibilities including law enforcement, tax collection, property assessments, and recordkeeping.
Under Tennessee’s Open Records Act, most government records are accessible to the public. Any individual or business may request public information from state or local agencies for any reason—no explanation is required. These laws promote transparency and accountability across all levels of government.
Tennessee residents and businesses frequently request certified copies of records, including criminal histories, property documents, licenses, and vital records, either for official use or personal needs.
Background checks are a routine part of employment screening and are also used by individuals to review their own public history. In Tennessee, a comprehensive background check may include a review of:
Criminal records
Driving history
Civil court cases
Professional licenses
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) serves as the central repository for criminal records. The TBI offers two types of background checks:
Name-based background checks: Available to the general public for a fee.
Fingerprint-based background checks: Typically required for employment or licensing purposes.
The official TBI website provides detailed guidance and online access for conducting both types of checks.
Many residents and researchers rely on asset searches using publicly available records. One of the most commonly searched asset types is real estate. Property ownership records—including deeds, valuations, and legal descriptions—can be accessed through local county offices or the Tennessee Secretary of State.
The Division of Business Services offers an online business entity search where users can find detailed information on:
Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships
Business status and history
Registered agents and office locations
Assumed names and filing details
Additionally, the Tennessee State Library and Archives, under the Secretary of State, provides guidance and access to vital records including birth, marriage, divorce, and adoption records. The site includes downloadable forms and step-by-step instructions for requesting official documents.
Court records in Tennessee can be accessed online via TNCourts.gov, which includes information on:
Criminal and civil cases
Divorces and family law matters
Judgments and trial outcomes
Online services have significantly improved public access to the state's judicial records, allowing users to conduct instant case lookups across various court jurisdictions.
For community safety, Tennessee offers free public databases where individuals can:
Search for registered sex offenders
View most wanted lists
Locate incarcerated inmates
Verify professional licenses for doctors, contractors, attorneys, and others
You can also conduct people searches to find names, aliases, phone numbers, and addresses associated with a specific individual—both within Tennessee and potentially beyond.
Locating the right department or official source can be challenging. PublicRecordCenter simplifies this process by providing a comprehensive directory of state and local agencies, complete with:
Direct links to official websites
Free downloadable forms
Step-by-step instructions for making record requests
Whether you’re performing a background check, researching assets, or requesting a single certified document, PublicRecordCenter helps connect you to the correct Tennessee government resource—without the need for costly third-party services.
