How to File a Public Records Request in Tennessee
The Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), originally enacted in 1957 and substantially revised in 2008, guarantees Tennessee citizens the right to inspect and copy public records held by state, county, and municipal government entities. The law defines 'public record' broadly to include any document — regardless of physical form — made or received in connection with official government business. Records custodians must make non-exempt records promptly available; if prompt production is not practicable, the custodian has seven business days to produce the records, deny the request in writing with a stated basis, or provide a written timeline for production. The burden of justifying any denial rests on the government. Courts are directed to construe the TPRA broadly to give citizens 'the fullest possible public access to public records.' Notably, Tennessee is a citizens-only state: only Tennessee residents have the statutory right to request records under the TPRA.
The Tennessee Public Records Act
- Statutory Citation
- Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 10-7-101 through 10-7-702 (primary access provision at § 10-7-503)
- Response Deadline
- 7 business days
- Fee Provisions
- Inspection of public records is free of charge under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A)(i). If copies are requested, agencies may charge reasonable costs set by the Office of Open Records Counsel's Schedule of Reasonable Charges: $0.15 per standard black-and-white copy and $0.50 per color copy. Labor costs beyond the first free hour may also be assessed. Agencies must provide a cost estimate before fulfilling copy requests, and requestors may waive the estimate in writing. Payment may be required in advance for voluminous requests.
- Key Exemptions
- Tennessee law contains over 500 statutory exemptions to the TPRA scattered throughout the Tennessee Code. Common exempt categories include: medical and mental health records, public school student records, certain law enforcement investigative files, personnel records with confidential personal information, attorney-client privileged communications, records related to government building security, and economic development records involving land acquisition. Confidential information must be redacted where possible rather than withholding an entire record.
- Appeal Process
- A Tennessee citizen denied access to public records may petition a chancery or circuit court in the county where the records are located under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-505. The agency bears the burden of justifying the denial by a preponderance of the evidence. If the court finds the agency willfully refused to disclose a public record, it may assess all reasonable costs including attorney fees against the agency under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-505(b)(2). The Office of Open Records Counsel (OORC) can also mediate disputes informally and issue advisory opinions prior to litigation.
- Ombudsman
- Tennessee's Office of Open Records Counsel, established under T.C.A. § 8-4-601 within the Comptroller's office, serves as an ombudsman that can mediate open records disputes, issue informal advisory opinions, and provide guidance to citizens and public officials. The current Open Records Counsel is Toni Chadwick, reachable through the Comptroller's website at comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/open-records-counsel.
City FOIA Guides in Tennessee
Select a city below for a detailed guide on how to file a public records request with that municipality.
Need Help with Public Records in Tennessee?
If you're dealing with missing records or unresponsive agencies in Tennessee, Project Paper Trail can help you follow the paper trail on development approvals.
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