Rutherford County Background Check
Rutherford County background check records are maintained by the Criminal Court Clerk, the Circuit Court Clerk, and the General Sessions Court in Murfreesboro, the county seat.
Rutherford County Quick Facts
Rutherford County Criminal Court Clerk
Rutherford County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Tennessee and has a dedicated Criminal Court Clerk. The Criminal Court Clerk handles felony criminal cases and serious misdemeanors. The office is at the Rutherford County Courthouse in Murfreesboro. Office hours run Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The clerk processes background check requests, certified copies, and provides public terminal access for self-service record searches.
To request background check records by mail, send your written request with payment to the Criminal Court Clerk at the Rutherford County Courthouse in Murfreesboro. Include the full name, date of birth, and any case numbers. Standard copy fees apply under state rules. Certified copies carry an additional charge per document. Call the clerk's office to confirm current fees before submitting a mailed request.
All Rutherford County court records are open to the public under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Public access terminals at the courthouse allow self-service searches at no cost during business hours.
Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk
The Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk handles civil matters and some criminal cases separate from the Criminal Court. The office is also at the Rutherford County Courthouse. For civil background check components such as judgments or civil filings, this is the right office to contact. The clerk's office hours match those of the courthouse.
Rutherford County General Sessions Court
The Rutherford County General Sessions Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, small civil claims, and felony preliminary hearings. General Sessions records are public and part of a complete Rutherford County background check. Contact the General Sessions clerk at the Murfreesboro courthouse for access and copy requests.
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office holds arrest records and incident reports for county law enforcement activity. A local check shows Rutherford County arrests only, not statewide records. For a full Tennessee criminal history, use TBI TORIS. The Sheriff's Office maintains online jail roster information. Contact the Sheriff's Office in Murfreesboro for records request procedures and fees.
Statewide Background Checks for Rutherford County Residents
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation runs TORIS at tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov. A name-based search costs $29 and covers all 95 Tennessee counties including Rutherford. Results do not include out-of-state or federal records. Fingerprint-based checks are available through IdentoGO for authorized agencies. You can mail a request to TBI at 901 R.S. Gass Blvd., Nashville, TN 37216, or call 615-744-4057. See the TBI background checks page for all options.
Public Records Access in Rutherford County
Rutherford County courts operate under the Tennessee Public Records Act, T.C.A. § 10-7-503. Any Tennessee citizen may inspect public records during business hours. Most court records are open. Juvenile matters and sealed cases are restricted. Denied requests may be appealed to the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel.
Expungement of Rutherford County Records
Tennessee law allows expungement of certain records under T.C.A. § 40-32-101. Dismissed charges, no true bill cases, or releases without charge may be expunged at no cost. Conviction expungements are available in limited cases not involving physical force, deadly weapons, or sex crimes. Petitions are filed with the Criminal Court Clerk in Murfreesboro.
Rutherford County Felony Offender Records
The Tennessee Department of Correction's free Felony Offender Information Lookup at apps.tn.gov/foil-app shows status, photo, facility, and sentence details for state prison inmates. Rutherford County residents in the state system appear in FOIL. Updates within one week. Free and public.
Cities in Rutherford County
Rutherford County includes Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and La Vergne. All are major cities served by the county court system.