title: "Tennessee Expungement - LSC-Grade Legal Packet"

state: "TN"

category: "Expungement"

date: "2026-03-20"

price: "$49"

lsc_grade: true

Tennessee Expungement Packet

Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.

ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST

• [ ] Your charge was dismissed by the court
• [ ] A grand jury returned a no true bill (no indictment)
• [ ] You were arrested but released without being charged
• [ ] You were found not guilty (acquitted) at trial
• [ ] You successfully completed pretrial diversion (T.C.A. § 40-15-105)
• [ ] You successfully completed judicial diversion (T.C.A. § 40-35-313)
• [ ] Your case was dismissed after completing drug court or similar program
• [ ] (Conviction expungement only) The offense is listed in T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g)(12) as eligible
• [ ] (Conviction expungement only) At least 5 years have elapsed since sentence completion
• [ ] (Conviction expungement only) No subsequent convictions since the offense
• [ ] (Conviction expungement only) All fines, restitution, and court costs paid
• [ ] You have NO pending criminal charges
• [ ] Human trafficking victims: check T.C.A. § 40-32-105 for special eligibility
• [ ] You were NOT convicted of a sex offense requiring registration (certain restrictions apply)

FORM 1: PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT — BLANK TEMPLATE

INSTRUCTIONS: Complete this form to ask the court to expunge your criminal record. File with the court that handled your original criminal case.

`

IN THE [COURT TYPE - General Sessions/Circuit/Criminal] COURT

FOR [COUNTY] COUNTY, TENNESSEE

AT [CITY]

Case No.: _______________

Original Case No.: _______________

IN THE MATTER OF THE )

EXPUNGEMENT OF THE ) PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT

CRIMINAL RECORD OF ) OF CRIMINAL RECORD

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], ) (Tenn. Code Ann. Section 40-32-101)

Petitioner. )

PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORD

Comes now the Petitioner, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], and respectfully petitions this Honorable Court for an Order of Expungement pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-32-101, and in support thereof states as follows:

I. PETITIONER INFORMATION

1. Petitioner's full legal name is [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME].
2. Petitioner's date of birth is [DATE OF BIRTH].
3. Petitioner's Social Security Number (last four digits): XXX-XX-[LAST 4 SSN].
4. Petitioner resides at [YOUR STREET ADDRESS], [CITY], Tennessee [ZIP CODE].
5. Petitioner's telephone number is [YOUR PHONE NUMBER].

II. CRIMINAL RECORD INFORMATION

1. On or about [DATE OF ARREST], Petitioner was arrested by [NAME OF ARRESTING AGENCY] in [COUNTY] County, Tennessee.

1. Petitioner was charged with the following offense(s):

Charge: [NAME OF OFFENSE]

Statute: [TCA SECTION - e.g., T.C.A. § 39-13-503]

Court: [NAME OF COURT]

Case Number: [ORIGINAL CASE NUMBER]

1. The disposition of the case was (check applicable):

[ ] Charges were dismissed

[ ] Nolle prosequi was entered

[ ] Petitioner was acquitted (found not guilty)

[ ] Petitioner successfully completed judicial diversion (Tenn. Code Ann. Section 40-35-313)

[ ] Petitioner successfully completed pretrial diversion (Tenn. Code Ann. Section 40-15-105)

[ ] Petitioner was convicted of an eligible offense and has completed the sentence

1. The date of final disposition was [DATE OF DISPOSITION].

1. Time elapsed since disposition: [NUMBER] years.

III. ELIGIBILITY FOR EXPUNGEMENT

1. Under Tenn. Code Ann. Section 40-32-101, Petitioner is eligible for expungement because (check applicable):

FOR DISMISSED/ACQUITTED CHARGES (Section 40-32-101(a)):

[ ] The charges were dismissed or Petitioner was found not guilty, and Petitioner is entitled to expungement as a matter of right.

FOR DIVERSION CASES (Section 40-32-101(d)):

[ ] Petitioner successfully completed a judicial diversion program and the charges were dismissed.

[ ] Petitioner successfully completed pretrial diversion and the charges were retired.

FOR ELIGIBLE CONVICTIONS (Section 40-32-101(g)):

[ ] The offense is listed as eligible in Tenn. Code Ann. Section 40-32-101(g)(12);

[ ] At least five (5) years have elapsed since completion of the sentence;

[ ] Petitioner has not been convicted of any other criminal offense (excluding minor traffic violations) since the conviction sought to be expunged;

[ ] Petitioner has fulfilled all conditions of the sentence, including payment of all fines, restitution, and court costs;

[ ] Petitioner has no pending criminal charges;

[ ] Petitioner has paid the $350 expungement fee or requests a fee waiver due to indigency.

IV. ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

1. Since the disposition of this case, Petitioner:

a. Has not been convicted of any subsequent criminal offense (excluding minor traffic violations);

b. Has fulfilled all terms of the sentence, including payment of fines, restitution, court costs, and completion of any probation or community service;

c. Has maintained good standing in the community;

d. Has been a law-abiding citizen of the State of Tennessee.

1. Petitioner seeks expungement because: [STATE YOUR REASON - e.g., employment opportunities, professional licensing, housing applications, education, personal rehabilitation, restoring civil rights].

V. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Honorable Court:

a. Grant this Petition for Expungement;

b. Order the destruction of all public records relating to the arrest, indictment, and/or conviction referenced herein, pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. Section 40-32-101;

c. Order the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to remove all references to this case from its records;

d. Order all law enforcement agencies, courts, and other entities to expunge records related to this case;

e. Restore all civil rights that may have been lost as a result of this conviction; and

f. Grant such other relief as this Court deems just and proper.

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], Petitioner

[YOUR STREET ADDRESS]

[CITY], Tennessee [ZIP CODE]

[YOUR PHONE NUMBER]

[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]

Date: _______________

VERIFICATION

STATE OF TENNESSEE

COUNTY OF [COUNTY]

I, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], being duly sworn, depose and say that the facts stated in the foregoing Petition for Expungement are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

_________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME]

Subscribed and sworn to before me this [DAY] day of [MONTH], [YEAR].

_________________________________

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: ___________

`

--- PAGE BREAK ---

FORM 2: PROPOSED ORDER OF EXPUNGEMENT — BLANK TEMPLATE

INSTRUCTIONS: Complete this form and submit it with your petition. The judge will sign it if your expungement is granted.

`

IN THE [COURT TYPE] COURT FOR [COUNTY] COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Case No.: _______________

ORDER OF EXPUNGEMENT

Upon consideration of the Petition for Expungement and the Court being sufficiently advised,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the criminal record of [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME] relating to Case No. [ORIGINAL CASE NUMBER], charge of [NAME OF OFFENSE], is hereby EXPUNGED pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. Section 40-32-101.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:

1. All public records relating to this arrest and/or conviction shall be destroyed;
2. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shall remove all references to this case;
3. All court records shall be sealed and/or destroyed in accordance with law;
4. The Petitioner's civil rights are restored to the extent provided by law.

_________________________________

Judge

Date: _______________

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--- PAGE BREAK ---

FORM 3: AFFIDAVIT OF INDIGENCY — BLANK TEMPLATE

INSTRUCTIONS: Complete this form ONLY if you cannot afford the $350 filing fee and want to request a fee waiver.

`

STATE OF TENNESSEE

COUNTY OF [COUNTY]

AFFIDAVIT OF INDIGENCY

I, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], being first duly sworn, depose and state as follows:

1. I am the Petitioner in the above-styled proceeding, seeking an expungement of my criminal record.

1. I am unable to pay the filing fee for this proceeding because of my financial circumstances.

1. My current financial situation is as follows:

a. Employment Status:

[ ] Employed [ ] Unemployed [ ] Self-employed [ ] Retired [ ] Disabled

b. Current Monthly Income: $______________

c. Source(s) of Income: ________________________________

d. Number of Dependents: ________________

e. Monthly Expenses:

Rent/Housing: $______________

Utilities: $______________

Food: $______________

Transportation: $______________

Medical expenses: $______________

Child care: $______________

Other: $______________

TOTAL: $______________

1. Assets I own:

[ ] None

[ ] Vehicle (year/make/value): ________________________________

[ ] Real estate (address/equity): ________________________________

[ ] Bank accounts (total balance): $______________

[ ] Other (describe): ________________________________

1. I certify that the information provided above is true and correct.

FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT.

_________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME]

Subscribed and sworn to before me this [DAY] day of [MONTH], [YEAR].

_________________________________

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: ___________

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--- PAGE BREAK ---

FILING STEPS

1. Request your Tennessee criminal background check from the TBI at tn.gov/tbi ($29 online, $24 by mail) — write down the case number, court name, arrest date, disposition date, and exact charge(s).
2. Complete FORM 1 (Petition for Expungement) — use your full legal name as it appeared on the charge, fill all blanks (write "N/A" if inapplicable), sign and notarize the Verification section.
3. Complete FORM 2 (Proposed Order of Expungement) — fill in your name and case information; leave the judge's signature line blank.
4. If you cannot afford the $350 fee, complete FORM 3 (Affidavit of Indigency) for a fee waiver.
5. Make 3 copies of all forms (1 for court, 1 for the District Attorney, 1 for your records).
6. File with the court that handled your original criminal case; pay the $350 fee or submit the indigency affidavit.
7. Serve a copy of the petition on the District Attorney General for your county (certified mail or in person); DA has 60 days to object for conviction expungements.
8. Attend the hearing if one is scheduled; the judge reviews the petition and, if approved, signs the Order.
9. The signed Order is sent to the TBI and other agencies to clear your record.

COURT INFORMATION

Fee waiver available for indigent petitioners — file Affidavit of Indigency (FORM 3) with your petition.

FILING CHECKLIST

• [ ] FORM 1 - Petition for Expungement (original, signed and notarized)
• [ ] FORM 2 - Proposed Order of Expungement
• [ ] FORM 3 - Affidavit of Indigency (if requesting fee waiver)
• [ ] Certified copy of criminal record from TBI
• [ ] Certified copy of final disposition from court
• [ ] Certificate of completion (if diversion case)
• [ ] Proof of payment of fines/restitution (if applicable)
• [ ] Filing fee ($350) or Affidavit of Indigency
• [ ] Photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• [ ] Social Security card (may be required)
• [ ] 3 copies of all documents (for court, DA, and your records)

STATUTE REFERENCES

DISCLAIMER

Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.

• Jurist-Diction is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.
• Expungement laws are complex and case-specific.
• These documents may not be appropriate for your specific situation.
• Laws change frequently. Verify current law before filing.
• Filing incorrectly can result in denial of expungement.

Need help? Find free legal aid at lawhelp.org or call 211.