Search Knoxville Background Check Records
Knoxville criminal records and background check information are available through the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk, the Knoxville Police Department, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation statewide system.
Knoxville Quick Facts
Knox County Court System
Knoxville is the county seat of Knox County and the largest city in East Tennessee. Criminal cases filed in Knoxville go through the Knox County court system. Felony charges are handled in Knox County Criminal Court. Misdemeanor cases go through General Sessions Court. Both courts produce records that become part of the public record under Tennessee law.
The Knox County Criminal Court Clerk maintains all criminal case files. You can search these records to find charges, case outcomes, sentencing, and related documents. The clerk office is the official source for court-based background check records in Knoxville and Knox County.
For full details on the Knox County court system, visit the Knox County background check records page.
Knox County Criminal Court Clerk
The Knox County Criminal Court Clerk is located in downtown Knoxville. This office handles all criminal court records for the county. You can search case records online or visit in person to get copies of court documents.
| Office | Knox County Criminal Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 W. Main Street, Suite 150 Knoxville, TN 37902 |
| Phone | (865) 215-2395 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Online Search | knoxcounty.org |
The Knox County online case search lets you look up criminal records by name or case number at no charge. You can see charge types, court dates, and case status. To get actual copies of documents or certified records, contact the clerk office by phone or visit in person. A valid photo ID is required when picking up records in Knoxville.
Knoxville Police Department Records
The Knoxville Police Department (KPD) keeps records of all arrests and incidents handled by city officers. Police records are separate from court records. A police arrest record shows that someone was taken into custody by KPD. It does not show what happened after arrest. For a complete picture, you usually need both police records and court records.
Local police records from KPD cover city incidents only. Arrests made by the Knox County Sheriff or other agencies will not be in KPD files. If you are doing a background check focused on Knoxville city, police records can be a useful supplement to court clerk records.
| Agency | Knoxville Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 800 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue Knoxville, TN 37915 |
| Phone | (865) 215-4010 |
| Records Division | (865) 215-7000 |
| Website | knoxvilletn.gov |
You can submit a public records request to KPD for arrest records, incident reports, and related documents. Requests can be made in person or through the city's public records portal. Response times vary depending on the complexity of the request. Fees may apply for copies. Keep in mind that a local police check only covers Knoxville city incidents, not statewide criminal history.
Statewide Background Checks Through TBI
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides the most complete option for a statewide criminal history check. The TBI's online system, called TORIS (Tennessee Online Records Inquiry System), covers criminal records from all 95 counties in Tennessee. That includes Knox County and Knoxville cases, plus any records from other counties where someone may have been charged.
The cost is $29 per person. You pay online and get results quickly, usually within minutes. TBI checks cover convictions and dispositions reported to the statewide criminal history repository. Some local records may not be reported to TBI, so for Knoxville-specific searches, checking with the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk directly is a good backup step.
Start a TBI background check at tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov. Learn more about what is covered at the TBI background checks page.
Public Records Access in Knoxville
Tennessee law gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records. T.C.A. § 10-7-503 is the main statute. Criminal court records in Knoxville are public by default. You can inspect them free of charge. Copies cost a fee set by the agency.
This law applies to records held by the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk, the Knoxville Police Department, and any other government agency in Tennessee. Agencies must respond to public records requests promptly. If a record is denied, the agency must give a reason and cite the law that allows the denial.
Some Knoxville records are not public. Expunged cases are removed from public access. Juvenile records are sealed. Records tied to active investigations may be withheld temporarily. If you are not sure about a record's status, ask the holding agency directly before making a formal request.
Expungement in Knoxville
Tennessee allows certain criminal records to be expunged under T.C.A. § 40-32-101. After expungement, the record is removed from public access. It will not show in standard background checks or in the Knox County court database. The TBI also removes expunged records from its statewide system once notified.
Cases that may qualify include dismissed charges, not guilty verdicts, and some low-level convictions. Violent felonies and sex offenses generally do not qualify. If your Knoxville case may be eligible, you file a petition with the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk. You must pay a filing fee unless waived by the court. After the court grants expungement, you should confirm with both the clerk and the TBI that the record has been cleared.
If a background check shows a record that was already expunged, you have the right to challenge it. Contact the court clerk or TBI to report the error and request correction.
Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL)
Tennessee's Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) is a free public database. It shows people who have been convicted of felonies in Tennessee and processed through the state corrections system. You can use it to quickly check whether someone has a felony record without paying any fee.
FOIL does not cover misdemeanor records or charges that were dismissed. It only reflects cases processed through the Tennessee Department of Correction. For a complete picture of someone's criminal history in Knoxville, you would still want to check both FOIL and the Knox County court records.
Search FOIL at no cost at apps.tn.gov/foil-app/search.jsp. The search pulls results by name and shows offense type, conviction county, and supervision status where applicable.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Tennessee cities also have background check record pages.
Knox County Background Check Records
Knoxville is the county seat of Knox County. Criminal cases for the city are filed and maintained at the county court level. For full court system details, clerk information, and search options, visit the Knox County page.