Guide
Tennessee Expungement Research Resources
Tennessee courts order expungements under T.C.A. 40-32-101, and TBI then deletes the charges from the state record. The official Tennessee sources are listed below.
- Tennessee Courts, ExpungementsCourt overview; some cases can be expunged without fees
- TBI, Diversions, Expungements and DispositionsTBI deletes expunged charges; it does not seal records
- TBI Frequently Asked Questions on ExpungementsWhich agencies remove the charges after an order
This directory is for informational and research use only. Expungement eligibility, waiting periods, filing fees, notice rules, and the effect on background checks can differ significantly depending on the state, offense level, case outcome, and later law changes.
Guide
Sealing a divorce or civil file in Tennessee
Tennessee has no statute that closes divorce files or the sworn financial statements local rules require in them. The Public Records Act, T.C.A. 10-7-503, opens state, county and municipal records, court files included, to personal inspection by any citizen of the state during business hours unless otherwise provided by state law.
Closing a file or a document therefore takes a court order on motion. Davidson County Local Rule 7.02 states the standard its circuit courts apply: all papers, documents, electronic documents and files are available for public inspection except as specifically exempted by court order or statute, and a motion seeking an order to seal must contain sufficient facts to overcome the presumption in favor of disclosure. Other courts apply the same presumption under the 1996 Tennessee Supreme Court decision on sealing that the Davidson County rule cites. The Davidson County rules are at circuitclerk.nashville.gov.
Guide
Research Notes
- Start with the court and the originating agency. Expungement or sealing requests are often handled through the court that heard the case, sometimes with supporting records from police, prosecutors, or corrections agencies.
- Terminology differs by state. Some jurisdictions use terms such as sealing, set-aside, vacatur, dismissal relief, or nondisclosure instead of expungement.
- Verify current law. Eligibility rules can change through legislation or court decisions, so always confirm the current process before relying on older instructions or third-party summaries.
- Understand downstream effects. Even after record relief, treatment of court, police, private-background check, and federal records may differ depending on the system involved.
By state