Shelby County Background Check
Shelby County background check records are maintained by the Criminal Court Clerk, the Circuit Court Clerk, the General Sessions Court, and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, all based in Memphis. Shelby County is Tennessee's most populous county, and it has dedicated offices for different court types, so knowing which clerk to contact will save time.
Shelby County Quick Facts
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk
The Criminal Court Clerk handles all felony criminal cases filed in Shelby County. This is a separate office from the Circuit Court Clerk and is the right place to go for felony arrest records, indictments, pleas, and sentencing documents. The office is part of the 30th Judicial District and is located in the Criminal Justice Center in Memphis.
You can search Shelby County criminal court records online through the county's public records portal at shelbycountytn.gov. The online system allows name-based case searches and shows case numbers, charge descriptions, court dates, and dispositions. This free tool is the fastest starting point for most searches.
In-person access is available at the Criminal Justice Center. Bring a photo ID and the full name of the person you are searching. Staff can pull full case files, docket entries, and certified copies of judgments. Certified copies require a fee. The office is open Monday through Friday, generally 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (901) 222-3800 for current hours and fees.
Mail requests are accepted but take longer. Include the person's name, date of birth, and a clear description of what you need. Enclose return postage and payment for any copy fees. For certified documents, a notarized request may be required. Processing times vary based on case volume. In Shelby County, in-person or online searches are faster than mail for most people.
General Sessions Court
The Shelby County General Sessions Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, DUI charges, and preliminary hearings in felony matters. It is a high-volume court. Records from General Sessions are public and available through the county's online portal or in person at the General Sessions clerk's office in Memphis.
General Sessions court records often show up in the same online search portal as Criminal Court records. If a case started in General Sessions and was bound over to Criminal Court for trial, both offices will have parts of the file. The General Sessions clerk holds the initial filings, and the Criminal Court Clerk holds all subsequent records.
Warrant information for Shelby County is also available through General Sessions. If you need to confirm whether an active warrant exists, the clerk can check the system. Some details on unserved warrants may be restricted.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail and handles law enforcement outside the City of Memphis. Arrest records and booking logs are public under Tennessee law. You can contact the Sheriff's Office or check their online jail roster to see who is currently in custody.
Booking records list the arrested person's name, age, charges at booking, and the date of arrest. These are records of arrest, not of conviction. Many people booked into the Shelby County jail are later released or have charges reduced or dismissed. For the outcome of any case, check with the Criminal Court or General Sessions clerk.
The Memphis Police Department handles arrests inside city limits. If you are looking for a Memphis Police arrest record rather than a Sheriff's Office record, contact Memphis PD directly. Both agencies submit their arrest records to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Statewide Background Checks Through TBI
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides statewide criminal history checks through the TORIS system. A name-based search costs $29 and covers all Tennessee counties, including Shelby. Submit requests at tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov/Toris/. Results typically return within a few business days. The TBI check is the most complete option for employment screening, licensing, or any use that requires a certified statewide result.
More information on background check options, who can request them, and fee schedules is available at tn.gov/tbi/divisions/cjis-division/background-checks.html. Fingerprint-based checks are also available. These reach the FBI's national database in addition to Tennessee records, which is required for certain regulated positions. Employers in healthcare, childcare, and education often need fingerprint checks rather than name-only searches.
Public Records Access Under T.C.A. § 10-7-503
All Shelby County court records and arrest logs are public records subject to Tennessee's Public Records Act at T.C.A. § 10-7-503. Any person can inspect these records. Agencies must respond to requests within seven business days. Shelby County has extensive online access that makes this easier than in many smaller counties.
Exempt records include juvenile files, sealed cases, mental health records, and documents protected by court order. If a record request is denied, the agency must provide a written reason. The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel can help if you believe a denial was improper or if you need guidance on how to file your request correctly.
Expungement Under T.C.A. § 40-32-101
Tennessee's expungement law at T.C.A. § 40-32-101 allows eligible people to have certain criminal records removed from public access. Dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and some low-level first-time convictions may qualify. Violent offenses, sex crimes, and DUI convictions typically do not.
In Shelby County, expungement petitions for felony cases go to the Criminal Court Clerk. Misdemeanor expungements go to the General Sessions clerk. Filing fees apply. The court reviews the petition, and if approved, the record is ordered sealed from all state databases, including TBI files. The process takes time. An attorney who handles criminal records in Shelby County can help you determine eligibility and file the petition correctly.
Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL)
Tennessee's free FOIL database covers felony convictions across the state. Access it at apps.tn.gov/foil-app/search.jsp. Shelby County felony convictions appear alongside records from other counties. The database shows offense type, sentencing date, and supervision status. It does not include misdemeanors or uncharged arrests.
FOIL is a useful free tool for an initial felony check. Shelby County also has its own online case search portal, which gives more detail on local cases. Use both tools together for the most complete picture before deciding whether to pay for a full TBI background check.