Tennessee Booking Releases
Tennessee booking releases are public records that show who has been arrested, when they were booked into a county jail, and what charges were filed. Each of the 95 counties in Tennessee keeps its own booking log through the local sheriff's office. Some counties post these records on the web for free. Others need you to call or visit in person. You can search Tennessee booking releases by name, date, or booking number depending on the county. This page covers all the ways to find recent arrest and booking data across the state, from online jail rosters to formal public records requests under Tennessee law.
Tennessee Booking Releases Quick Facts
How to Search Tennessee Booking Releases
Most booking release records in Tennessee come from the county sheriff's office. Each county runs its own jail and keeps its own booking log. Some have online search tools. Others do not. The method you use depends on where the arrest took place. Start with the county where you think the person was booked.
Many Tennessee counties now post jail rosters and recent booking data on their websites. For example, Davidson County shows recent bookings from the past 48 hours on the sheriff's office site. The roster shows the name, race, sex, date of birth, control number, and date of each booking. Hamilton County runs a similar system at hcsheriff.gov where you can view booking reports by date. Montgomery County keeps an online booking log at mcgtn.org showing the past four days of bookings. Bradley County uses the JailTracker platform for its booking reports. Anderson County runs an ISOMS portal at tnac.isoms.cloud with real-time inmate data that you can search by name or booking number. Blount County has its own inmate lookup system at ils.bcso.com where you can search by name, age, or booking date.
Not all counties have online portals. For those that do not, you can call the jail or visit in person. Many smaller Tennessee counties only release booking information by phone. Have the person's full name and date of birth ready when you call.
Tennessee Booking Release Resources
Several state agencies keep records related to arrests and bookings in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Corrections runs the Felony Offender Information Lookup, also called FOIL. This tool lets you search for people who have been convicted of felonies and are in state custody. You can search by name, state ID number, race, or TDOC ID number. Results show the person's location, current status, mugshot, and active sentences. FOIL covers state prisons, not county jails, so it will not show recent bookings at the local level.
The Tennessee State Courts portal gives access to court case data across many counties. You can look up criminal cases by party name or case number. This is useful when you want to see what happened after a booking, such as charges filed, court dates, or case outcomes. The court system does not show jail bookings directly, but it connects to the same cases.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol handles arrests on state roads and highways. Those booking records go through the county jail where the person is taken after arrest. The Tennessee Attorney General oversees prosecution at the state level. The Tennessee Secretary of State maintains public records policies that govern how all these records can be accessed.
What Tennessee Booking Releases Show
A booking release record in Tennessee typically contains the arrested person's full name and any known aliases. It shows their date of birth, race, sex, and physical description. The record lists the date and time of the booking, the arresting agency and officer, and the charges filed. Bond amounts appear for each charge. Many records include a mugshot taken at intake.
Some Tennessee counties show more detail than others. Anderson County's ISOMS portal, for instance, displays the inmate's city of residence, their classification level, and the arresting department along with the officer's name. Hamilton County's system breaks down each charge with the bond type and amount. Davidson County's recent bookings page shows the control number, admitted date, and release date if the person has been let go.
Booking records differ from court records. A booking record shows who was taken into custody and what they were charged with at the time. It does not show trial outcomes or final dispositions. For that, you need to check the circuit court clerk's office or the Tennessee Courts portal.
Tennessee Booking Releases and Public Records Law
Booking releases are public records in Tennessee. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, T.C.A. § 10-7-503, any citizen of Tennessee has the right to inspect government records during business hours. This includes arrest records, booking logs, and jail rosters held by county sheriff's offices. Inspection is free. You do not have to give a reason for your request.
If you want copies rather than just looking at the records, the agency can charge a fee. The standard rate is $0.15 per page for black and white copies and $0.50 per page for color copies. The records custodian must respond to your request within seven business days. They can either provide the records, deny the request in writing with a reason, or give you a timeline for when the records will be ready. Some booking records may have information redacted, such as Social Security numbers or details about juveniles as required under T.C.A. § 37-1-154.
Note: You must be a Tennessee citizen to access public records under the TPRA. Proof of residency, such as a valid Tennessee driver's license, may be required.
How to Request Booking Records in Tennessee
There are several ways to get booking release records in Tennessee. The fastest is to check the county sheriff's website for an online jail roster or booking log. Many counties update these daily or even in real time.
If the county does not have an online system, you can submit a public records request. Most Tennessee counties accept requests in person, by mail, or by email. Some counties now use online portals. For example, Chattanooga uses the Chattanooga Open Records Center for all public records requests. Clarksville directs requests to the City Public Records Center. Williamson County's sheriff's office has its own request portal where they accept requests from Tennessee citizens and respond within seven business days.
When requesting booking records, you will need to provide:
- Full name of the person you are looking for
- Date of birth if you know it
- Approximate date of arrest or booking
- The county where the arrest took place
- Your Tennessee ID for proof of citizenship
Some counties charge nothing for basic booking information given over the phone or through their online system. Fees only apply when you request physical or certified copies. If a request is denied, you can appeal to the Office of Open Records Counsel.
Tennessee Booking Release Expungement
Under Tennessee law, certain people can petition to have their arrest and booking records erased. This process is called expungement. Under T.C.A. § 40-32-101, you may be eligible if your charge was dismissed, the grand jury returned no true bill, you were found not guilty, you completed a pretrial diversion program, or the arrest was a case of mistaken identity. The petition must be filed with the court in the county where the case was heard.
Expungement does not happen on its own. You must take action to start the process. Many people work with an attorney, though it is possible to file on your own. The Tennessee Court System has forms and guides for self-represented individuals. Once a court grants an expungement, the booking record should be removed from public view. This applies to both online jail rosters and physical files at the sheriff's office.
Legal Help for Booking Releases in Tennessee
If you need help understanding a booking record or want assistance with an arrest-related matter in Tennessee, several organizations offer free or low-cost legal aid. The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands provides free legal help to people with low income across many Tennessee counties. They handle criminal defense referrals and can explain what a booking record means for your case.
The Tennessee Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 899-6993. They can connect you with a criminal defense attorney in your area. The Tennessee Department of Health, Vital Records keeps records related to identity verification that you may need when dealing with booking or arrest matters.
Browse Tennessee Booking Releases by County
Each county in Tennessee has its own sheriff's office that keeps booking release records. Pick a county below to find local resources and contact information for booking records in that area.
Booking Releases in Major Tennessee Cities
Residents of major cities in Tennessee are booked into their county jail after arrest. Pick a city below to find booking release information for that area.