Tennessee
Tennessee Public Records Act
T.C.A. § 10-7-501 et seq.
Transparency Score: 92/100
Response Timeline
7 business days to respond (added in the 2008 revision of the Act). No statutory extension provision. Originally enacted in 1957 with no response deadline.
Tennessee citizens only (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This is one of the more restrictive residency requirements among US states. Non-citizens of Tennessee do not have enforceable rights under the Act.
How to Submit a Request
Accepted Methods
Requests should describe records sought with reasonable specificity. Written requests recommended but not always required for inspection.
Required Elements
- Description of records sought
- Contact information for response
- Tennessee citizenship status
Optional Elements
- Preferred format (paper vs electronic)
- Preferred delivery method
Fees
$0.15/page B&W, $0.50/page color. Hourly labor rate of employee performing the work with first hour free. Fees reflect actual costs of providing records.
No statutory fee waiver provision. Agencies may waive fees at their discretion.
Exemptions
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Medical records of state institutions
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Tennessee Bureau of Investigation investigative records
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Student educational records
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Attorney General work product and litigation files
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Sealed bids and proposals prior to opening
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Personal identifiers including SSN and biometric data
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School security plans and vulnerability assessments
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Trade secrets submitted to government agencies
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Active criminal investigation records
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Certain personnel records and evaluations
Exemptions are scattered across multiple sections of the Tennessee Code. The burden is on the agency to justify withholding. The Office of Open Records Counsel can provide guidance on exemption applicability.
Appeal Process
1
Contact the Office of Open Records Counsel for guidance and mediation. The OORC serves as an ombudsman but has advisory authority only - its opinions are not binding.
2
File a lawsuit in Chancery or Circuit Court to compel disclosure.
The Office of Open Records Counsel serves as an ombudsman with advisory authority only. For binding enforcement, requesters must file suit in court. Attorney fees are available only if refusal was willful.
Request Templates
NFOIC Tennessee Sample Request →
National Freedom of Information Coalition
RCFP Open Government Guide - Tennessee →
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
MuckRock Tennessee Guide →
MuckRock
TN Office of Open Records Counsel →
Tennessee Comptroller
Records Retention
T.C.A. 10-7-401 to 10-7-702
The Records Management Division maintains the Records Disposition Authorization (RDA) system, which provides online access to search and filter retention schedules. The Tennessee State Library and Archives reviews proposed destruction of county records. The Public Records Commission oversees the program. Entities may not destroy records subject to pending public records requests.