Tennessee Public Records

The state of Tennessee boasts an extensive population of more than 6.3 million residents as of 2011. This state also offers a significant piece of American history as the 16^th state to join the Union in 1796. Prior to that time, Tennessee was considered a part of North Carolina, and later, part of the Southwest Territory. The state was first inhabited by Spanish explorers during the 16^th century, with British settlers moving into the area nearly two centuries later. Today, finding a piece of history often involves tracking down the Tennessee public records of those who were born, married and died in the state.  There are many reasons to launch a vital records search in Tennessee, whether for academic, genealogical or personal reasons.

No matter what your purpose might be in initiating a records search, finding the right documents quickly and accurately is undoubtedly your ultimate goal. Fortunately, Tennessee makes this process as simple as possible, with a single location at the Department of Health for the majority of these records. Additional information can also be found at a second government office, which is the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Before launching a Tennessee public records search, consider these tips for success:

Who Can Obtain Tennessee Public Records?

Tennessee does not issue certified copies of public records to members of the general public, in order to protect the names on the documents from possible identity theft. Access to certified copies is restricted to the person on the document and immediate family members. Legal representatives of either of these parties can also gain access to the certificate. This means that friends and family members are not allowed to pick up documents for those who requested the information.

If someone needs information about a birth or death record in Tennessee and does not fit one of the categories listed above, information may be provided without a certified copy being issued. These informational copies only provide the basics, including the name of the person, the event and the date and county where the event took place.

However, all vital records in Tennessee become a matter of public records 50 years after the date of the event for death and marriage records, or 100 years after the date of birth, making it easier for genealogists and other researchers to obtain historic information for tracing family trees or documenting Tennessee history.

Where to Find Tennessee Public Records

Nearly all Tennessee vital records can be found at the Tennessee Department of Health. This agency serves as the central repository for birth, death, marriage and divorce records. The department provides access to these documents in person, by mail and online. Applications for documents can be downloaded from the department’s website, and then brought to a local office or mailed in. Identification is required with all document requests, and should include a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.

Additional public records for Tennessee can be found at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. This archive contains Tennessee birth and death records dating back prior to those on file at the Department of Health. You can also find census records, military records, land grants and deeds through this office.

The Library and Archives features an online search option that makes it easy to find the documents you are searching for from any location that has Internet access. Materials requested from the online Tennessee public records search can then be requested and will be sent from the office by email in most cases.

Are Online Public Records Available in Tennessee?

In addition to the online search options provided by the Tennessee State Library and Archives, the Department of Health also has an online feature available. While the online function is not offered directly by the agency, the department has partnered with another company, VitalChek, to make online public records in Tennessee available. There is an additional charge assessed by VitalChek to use this service.