Gallatin, Tennessee Criminal Records Search

Background check records for Gallatin, Tennessee are found at the Sumner County courthouse -- which is located in Gallatin itself -- and through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. As the county seat of Sumner County, Gallatin is the hub for all court filings and criminal records in the county.

Sumner County Court System

Gallatin is the county seat of Sumner County, so all Sumner County courts are located here. That is a practical advantage for Gallatin residents -- you do not need to travel to another city to access court records or file documents. Sumner County has Circuit Court, Criminal Court, and General Sessions Court. Felony criminal cases go to Criminal Court. Lower-level offenses and civil matters are handled in General Sessions and Circuit Court.

Sumner County court records are searchable online for free through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts case portal. You can search by name, case number, or date range. Results include case status, hearing dates, and dispositions. Sealed and expunged cases will not show up in the public tool.

For the full range of Sumner County courthouse details, including how records are organized by court type, visit the Sumner County background check page.

Sumner County Circuit Court Clerk

The Sumner County Circuit Court Clerk handles record requests for circuit and criminal court cases. Since the clerk is in Gallatin, requests are easy for local residents. The clerk processes in-person requests, mail submissions, and can answer questions about which court handled a specific case.

• Address: 100 Public Square, Gallatin, TN 37066
• Phone: (615) 451-6060
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Copy fees are set by state law. Expect $1 to $2 per page for most records plus a flat certification fee for certified copies. If you already have a case number, bring it. That makes the process faster. For mail requests, include the full name of the subject, approximate case date, and a check or money order for the estimated copy cost.

The clerk's office also handles General Sessions records. If you are not sure which division heard a case, the clerk can look it up by name and date of birth.

Gallatin Police Department Records

The Gallatin Police Department maintains arrest records and incident reports for crimes handled within Gallatin city limits. These records cover local law enforcement activity separate from what the Sumner County Sheriff handles in the unincorporated parts of the county.

• Address: 132 W. Main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066
• Phone: (615) 452-1313

Incident reports and arrest logs are public records under T.C.A. § 10-7-503. Submit a written request to the Records Division. Active investigation files and juvenile records are not available. Most requests get a response within a few business days.

Gallatin PD records only cover incidents handled by city police. For crimes involving the Sumner County Sheriff or state agencies, you need to request records from those offices separately or use the TBI statewide check.

Statewide Background Checks Through TBI

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides a statewide criminal history check through the TORIS system. The fee is $29 per name-based search, and it covers criminal records from all 95 Tennessee counties in one report.

Access the portal at TBI TORIS. You need the full legal name and date of birth of the person. Results typically come back within minutes. The report includes convictions, pending charges, and other state criminal history data.

For employment background checks or professional licensing, Tennessee often requires a fingerprint-based check in addition to the name search. Fingerprint submissions go through authorized collection sites and include both TBI state records and a federal FBI check. This method is more accurate than a name-only search.

TBI also offers a free Sex Offender Registry search by name or address. To learn more about what the TBI check covers, visit the TBI background checks page.

Public Records Access in Gallatin

Tennessee's public records statute at T.C.A. § 10-7-503 gives anyone the right to inspect and copy records held by government agencies. Court records at the Sumner County Courthouse and incident reports at Gallatin PD are both public unless a specific exemption applies.

You do not need to provide a reason for requesting records. Agencies must respond promptly and can charge only for copies. They cannot charge you just to look at a record. If a request is denied, the agency must provide a written explanation citing the legal basis for the denial.

Common exemptions include records related to ongoing investigations, records involving minors, and certain personnel files. If you believe a denial was improper, you can contact the Office of Open Records Counsel for free assistance. That office operates independently and helps resolve disputes between the public and agencies.

Expungement in Gallatin and Sumner County

Tennessee law allows some criminal records to be removed from public access through expungement. Gallatin residents file petitions with the Sumner County Circuit Court Clerk, which is conveniently located in Gallatin itself.

The governing statute is T.C.A. § 40-32-101. Dismissed charges and acquittals can typically be expunged at no cost. Expunging a conviction for an eligible offense costs $450 to file. Violent felonies, sex crimes, and DUI convictions cannot be expunged under current Tennessee law.

Once the court grants expungement, TBI updates its records and local agencies are notified. The person can then state that the charge did not occur on most job and housing applications. Free or reduced-cost legal help may be available through Tennessee volunteer lawyer services for income-eligible residents.

Felony Offender Information Lookup

The Tennessee Department of Correction operates FOIL, a free online tool for checking whether someone is currently incarcerated or under active supervision in the state system. You can search by name at no cost.

Go to the FOIL search tool and enter the person's name. The results show the offense, sentence, and current supervision status. FOIL does not include people who have completed their sentences or those held only in county jail.

For Gallatin residents, FOIL plus a $29 TBI statewide check gives a solid overview of active and historical felony records. Add a search of Sumner County court records to get full detail on local misdemeanor and civil matters.

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