Tennessee Warrant Search

Are Warrants Public Record in Tennessee

Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, warrants are considered public records in the State of Tennessee. This statutory provision, part of the Tennessee Public Records Act, establishes that records created and maintained by government agencies shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by state law. The transparency of warrant information is maintained in accordance with the state's commitment to open government principles and public safety considerations.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and local law enforcement agencies maintain warrant records as part of their official duties. These records become public once they have been executed or returned to the court. Under Rule 4 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, warrant information must be properly documented and filed with the appropriate court clerk, thereby creating an official public record.

Public access to warrant information serves multiple governmental and societal functions:

Facilitates community awareness of potential public safety concerns
Enables individuals to verify their own legal status
Assists law enforcement agencies in apprehending individuals with outstanding warrants
Promotes transparency in the judicial system as required by Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-44-102

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains that warrant records, as judicial documents, fall under the presumption of openness established by both statutory law and Tennessee Supreme Court precedent.

What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Tennessee?

Warrant records in Tennessee contain specific information as prescribed by Rule 4(c) of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure. Standard warrant documentation includes:

Full legal name and identifying information of the subject
Date of issuance by the judicial authority
Case number and court of jurisdiction
Nature of the alleged offense(s), including relevant Tennessee Code citations
Statutory authority under which the warrant was issued
Name and signature of the issuing judicial officer
Return information documenting execution or attempted execution
Bond amount, if applicable

For search warrants specifically, Rule 41 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure requires additional elements including particular description of property or persons to be seized and the location to be searched. All warrants must be supported by an affidavit establishing probable cause as required by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 7 of the Tennessee Constitution.

How to Check For Warrants in Tennessee For Free

Members of the public may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established by Tennessee governmental agencies:

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides a public case history search function that includes warrant information for cases that have been filed with the court. This resource is available during standard business hours (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday).

County sheriff's offices throughout Tennessee maintain public access terminals where individuals may conduct warrant searches at no charge. For example:

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office
600 Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
(423) 209-7000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Hamilton County Sheriff's warrant database is updated daily at 4:00 PM with current information from the county court system.

Additionally, the Davidson County Sheriff's Office provides an active warrant search function through their official website, allowing public access to warrant information 24 hours per day.

Individuals seeking warrant information may also visit their local courthouse and request assistance from the clerk's office. Per Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A), public records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee during business hours.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Tennessee in 2025

As of 2025, Tennessee residents have multiple official channels through which to determine warrant status:

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains a centralized criminal information system accessible to the public. Located at 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216, the TBI provides warrant verification services during business hours (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday) at (615) 744-4000.

County Circuit Court Clerks maintain warrant records and can provide status information:

Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk
135 4th Avenue South, Suite 140
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 790-5454
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk

Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk
1 Public Square, Suite 302
Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 862-5181
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Circuit Court Clerk of Davidson County

For federal warrants, individuals may contact:

United States District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
800 Market Street, Suite 130
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 545-4228
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Eastern District of Tennessee Federal Court

Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-6-216, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain accurate warrant information in the state's criminal justice information system.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Tennessee

Tennessee residents seeking information about outstanding warrants may utilize several official resources:

The Tennessee Felony Offender Information database provides searchable records of individuals with felony warrants. This system is maintained by the Tennessee Department of Correction and is accessible 24 hours per day.

For comprehensive warrant searches, individuals may request a background check through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. This service is available for a statutory fee of $29.00 as established by Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-6-120.

Local law enforcement agencies maintain warrant divisions that can provide information:

Nashville Police Criminal Warrants Division
811 Anderson Lane
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 862-7773
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Police Criminal Warrants Division

Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court
201 Poplar Avenue, Suite LL-81
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 222-3500
Hours: 24-hour service
Shelby County Criminal Justice Portal

Pursuant to Rule 4(g)(3) of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, warrant information must be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database when the subject cannot be found within the jurisdiction.

How to Find Federal Warrant Search

Federal warrants issued in Tennessee are administered through the United States District Courts. The federal warrant search process differs from state procedures and is governed by federal regulations:

The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system provides electronic access to federal court records, including warrant information that has been unsealed by judicial order. Registration is required, and statutory fees may apply pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1914.

Federal warrant inquiries may be directed to:

United States District Court, Middle District of Tennessee
801 Broadway, Room 800
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 736-5498
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee
167 North Main Street, Room 242
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 495-1200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) maintains records of federal warrants:

FBI Nashville Field Office
2868 Elm Hill Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 232-7500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM

Federal warrant information is subject to restrictions under 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(7), which exempts certain law enforcement records from public disclosure when release could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings.