How to File for Expungement in Tennessee — 2026 Guide
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Tennessee attorney for advice specific to your situation.
A criminal record can follow you for years — affecting your job applications, housing options, and professional licenses. Expungement gives qualifying Tennesseans a fresh start by clearing arrests, charges, or convictions from their public record.
This guide explains who qualifies for expungement in Tennessee, how to file the paperwork, and what to expect throughout the process.
What Is Expungement?
Expungement is the legal process of sealing or destroying a criminal record so it no longer appears on background checks. Under Tennessee law (T.C.A. § 40-32-101), qualifying individuals can have arrests, charges, and certain convictions removed from public records maintained by courts and law enforcement.
After expungement, you can legally answer "no" on most job applications when asked if you've been arrested or convicted of the expunged offense.
Who Qualifies for Expungement in Tennessee?
Tennessee has expanded its expungement laws significantly in recent years. Here's what qualifies:
Dismissed Charges and Acquittals
If your charges were dismissed, nolle prossed (dropped by the prosecutor), or you were acquitted at trial, you are generally eligible for expungement. This is the easiest category — there is no waiting period and no fee in most cases.
Diversion (Pretrial and Judicial)
If you completed a pretrial diversion or judicial diversion program successfully, you may be eligible for expungement after the diversion period ends. Under T.C.A. § 40-35-313, successful completion of judicial diversion allows the conviction to be expunged.
Eligible Conviction Expungement
Tennessee allows expungement of certain misdemeanor and felony convictions under T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g). To qualify:
- You must have only one conviction on your record (the one you're seeking to expunge)
- 5 years must have passed since completing your sentence (including probation and parole)
- All court costs, fines, and restitution must be paid in full
- The conviction must be for an eligible offense — not all convictions qualify
Ineligible Offenses
The following offenses cannot be expunged in Tennessee:
- Sex offenses requiring registration
- Violent felonies (murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, burglary)
- DUI convictions
- Domestic violence convictions
- Crimes against children
- Offenses committed while holding public office
How to File for Expungement in Tennessee: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
Review your criminal record carefully. You can request your Tennessee criminal history from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) online or by mail. Confirm:
- The offense you want expunged is on the eligible list
- The required waiting period has passed
- All fines, costs, and restitution are paid
- You have no other disqualifying convictions
Step 2: Obtain Your Case Documents
You'll need information from the original criminal case:
- Case number
- Docket number
- Court where the case was heard
- Date of arrest, charges, and disposition
Contact the clerk of the court where your case was heard to get copies of your case documents.
Step 3: Complete the Expungement Petition
The Petition for Expungement must be filed in the court that handled your original case. The form varies slightly by court, but generally asks for:
- Your personal information
- Case identifying information
- The offense you're seeking to expunge
- Your eligibility basis (dismissal, diversion completion, or conviction expungement)
jurisdiction-correct Tennessee expungement documents from Jurist-Diction are formatted to your county's court requirements — starting at $47.
Templates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
Step 4: File the Petition and Pay the Fee
File your completed petition with the criminal court clerk in the county where the offense occurred.
Filing fees:
- No fee for dismissed charges or acquittals
- $100 filing fee for eligible conviction expungements (T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g))
Keep a copy of everything you file.
Step 5: Serve the District Attorney
You must send a copy of your petition to the District Attorney General's office in that judicial district. Tennessee law requires the DA to be notified. The DA has the right to object.
Most expungement petitions for dismissed charges go unopposed. Conviction expungements may face more scrutiny.
Step 6: Attend Your Hearing (If Required)
For some expungement petitions — especially conviction expungements — the court may schedule a hearing. If a hearing is required:
- Dress professionally
- Bring copies of all your documents
- Be prepared to explain why expungement is appropriate
Many dismissal expungements are handled without a hearing — the judge simply reviews the paperwork and signs the order.
Step 7: Receive Your Expungement Order
If the judge grants your petition, you'll receive a signed Expungement Order. Keep multiple certified copies — you'll need them.
Step 8: Send Copies to Relevant Agencies
Your expungement order must be sent to:
- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
- The arresting law enforcement agency
- Any other agencies that hold records of the arrest or conviction
The court clerk typically handles some of this, but confirm exactly what they will and won't do so you can follow up yourself.
How Long Does Expungement Take in Tennessee?
The timeline varies by county and court workload:
- Dismissed charges: 30–90 days from filing
- Diversion completions: 30–90 days
- Conviction expungements: 60–180 days (hearing may be required)
After the order is granted, it can take additional weeks or months for the records to be fully removed from all databases.
What Happens After Expungement?
After your expungement is granted:
- The record is sealed from public view
- Most employers, landlords, and licensing boards cannot see the expunged record
- You can legally answer "no" to questions about the expunged arrest or conviction on most applications
- Federal records and some background checks may still show the record — expungement is a state remedy and does not remove federal records
Important Exceptions
Even after expungement, you may still need to disclose the record when:
- Applying for professional licenses in Tennessee (varies by board)
- Applying to work in law enforcement or education
- Applying for federal employment or security clearances
Always review the specific disclosure requirements for any application carefully.
The Cost of Expungement in Tennessee
| Type | Court Filing Fee | Attorney Fee (Typical) | Jurist-Diction Templates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dismissed charge | $0 | $300–$1,500 | $47 |
| Diversion completion | $0–$100 | $500–$2,000 | $47 |
| Eligible conviction | $100 | $1,000–$3,000 | $47 |
Expungement FAQs: Tennessee
Will my expunged record show up on a background check?
For most private background checks and state records, no. Federal databases may still retain the information. The depth and accuracy of background checks varies by provider.
Can I expunge a DUI in Tennessee?
No. DUI convictions are not eligible for expungement in Tennessee.
What if I have more than one conviction?
Tennessee's conviction expungement law (T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g)) generally requires that you have only one qualifying conviction on your record. Multiple convictions may disqualify you, though dismissed charges on separate cases may still be expungeable.
Can I expunge a felony in Tennessee?
Some felonies are eligible. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and other serious crimes are excluded. Many non-violent felonies completed more than 5 years ago may qualify. Review the full eligibility list at tn.gov or consult an attorney.
Does expungement restore my gun rights?
Expungement of a conviction in Tennessee may restore some civil rights, but firearm rights restoration depends on additional federal and state law. Consult an attorney on this specific question.
What's the difference between expungement and sealing?
In Tennessee, the terms are used somewhat interchangeably. The result is that the record is removed from public access.
Take the Next Step
An expungement can open doors that a criminal record has been closing. If you believe you qualify, starting the paperwork is the most important first step.
Jurist-Diction's jurisdiction-correct Tennessee expungement petition and supporting documents are state-specific, court-formatted, and ready to file — starting at $47.
Templates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. For complex situations or if you're unsure about eligibility, consult a licensed Tennessee criminal defense attorney.
Last updated: March 2026 | Jurist-Diction covers expungement documents for: NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, MS, TN