What is the
Tennessee Public Records Act
Each State has their own version of the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), which allows you to request public records from government agencies.
Calunah drafts your request letter so it’s professional and ready to submit—then you simply send it to the agency.
Our platform ensures your request is formatted correctly, saving time, and avoiding errors, while keeping your personal information private.
Whether it’s for business, research, or personal purposes, being able to request government records is your right.
How Calunah Works
Answer a few questions, let Calunah generate your letter, then download and send it confidently.
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Tennessee
State Records FAQs
The TPRA (T.C.A. § 10-7-503) guarantees that citizens of Tennessee have the right to inspect and obtain copies of state and local government records unless an exemption applies.
Only citizens of Tennessee have the right to request records under the TPRA. Out-of-state residents do not have the same rights.
Agencies must respond within 7 business days either by granting access, denying the request with a legal explanation, or providing a timeline for completion.
Requests may be oral, but written requests are recommended for clarity and for creating a formal record. Many agencies require written submissions.
Yes. Agencies may charge for the actual cost of copies and for staff labor beyond the first free hour spent searching and reviewing records.
Examples include police and crash reports, prison and inmate records, government contracts, budgets, environmental permits, and school performance data.
Yes. Exemptions include ongoing law enforcement investigations, medical and student records, security-sensitive information, and attorney-client communications.
If denied, you can appeal the decision through the courts. Agencies must explain the specific statutory reason for withholding records.
FOIA applies to federal agencies and allows anyone to request records, while Tennessee’s law applies to state and local agencies and is limited to Tennessee citizens.
Yes. Only Tennessee residents have the right to file a request under the TPRA.




