Start with the specific county court website for case records — Tennessee does not have a unified statewide court search. For criminal background checks, use the TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation). For property, start with the County Assessor of Property, then the Register of Deeds for documents. Tennessee has 95 counties with widely varying online access.
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Tennessee Counties — Most Searched
Statewide Databases
Official government databases.
Sex Offender Registry — TBI
TDOC — Offender Search
Vital Records — Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce
Business Entity Search — SOS
How to Search Tennessee Criminal Records
Tennessee splits criminal courts between Criminal Court (felonies) and General Sessions Court (misdemeanors, preliminary hearings) — and each has its own clerk maintaining separate records. There's no unified statewide search connecting all 95 counties. Davidson County (Nashville) and Shelby County (Memphis) have usable online court search. Most other counties require a phone call or visit. The TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) at ticic.tbi.tn.gov offers a $29 name-based statewide check — pricier than average but it's the only way to cover the whole state without 95 separate searches. The DOC FOIL system handles inmate lookups, and the TBI maintains the sex offender registry.
How to Search Tennessee Court Records
Go to the Criminal Court for felonies in counties that have separate Criminal Courts (larger counties). Go to Circuit Court for civil cases and felonies in counties without Criminal Court. Go to General Sessions Court for misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, civil under $25,000, and small claims. Tennessee has 95 counties — each operates independently with no statewide search portal.
How to Search Tennessee Property Records
Start with the County Assessor of Property for valuations and ownership. Then go to the Register of Deeds for deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded documents. For tax bills, go to the County Trustee (Tennessee's unique term for county treasurer). Davidson and Shelby counties have good online tools.
How to Get Tennessee Vital Records
For birth and death certificates, order from the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. For marriage licenses, go to the County Clerk. For divorce records, go to the Circuit Court Clerk or Criminal Court Clerk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Tennessee court records? ▼
There is no single statewide portal. Each county Clerk maintains their own system. The TN Administrative Office of the Courts is developing statewide access. Check the county Clerk of Court website.
Is there a free statewide criminal search? ▼
No free statewide criminal database. The TBI offers background checks for a fee. Individual county criminal court clerk websites may have online case search.
How are Tennessee property records organized? ▼
Each county has a Register of Deeds for recorded documents, a Property Assessor for valuations, and a Trustee for tax collection. The Clerk and Master handles chancery court records.
Does Tennessee have a statewide court search? ▼
No. Tennessee does not have a unified statewide court search. You must search at the county level through the Criminal Court Clerk (felonies) or General Sessions Court Clerk (misdemeanors). Online access varies by county.
What is the TBI background check? ▼
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation offers a $29 name-based criminal history check at ticic.tbi.tn.gov. It covers statewide criminal records and is available to the general public online.
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