Free Knox County Public Records Search: Look Up Anyone

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Free Knox County Public Records Search

Access Knox County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

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Access Knox County public records for free from convenient online databases and official agencies that serve as record custodians at both local and state levels.

This right is granted under the Tennessee Public Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Records available to members of the public include reports on background checks, information on probation, records of marriage and divorce, arrests, criminal history details, warrants, property ownership, prisoner information, court documents, and probation information.

Utilize this resource to follow a streamlined process of obtaining these records via various methods.

How To Perform a Knox County Inmate Search & Find Mugshots for Free

Individuals looking for information on inmates in Knox County have various options. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office provides both a 24-hour inmate list and an online search tool.

Additionally, the Knoxville Police Department executes warrants in the city of Knoxville. Residents of Knoxville can inquire from the police department to view warrants and police reports.

It is important to note that online searches are free; however, the various agencies charge fees for copies. Copies can either be obtained physically by visiting their various offices or by mailing your request to various addresses.

The process of running an inmate search and requesting police records to find recent bookings is explained in detail in the following sections.

Look Up Knox County Jail for Recent Arrests

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office keeps inmates in three facilities:¹

• A Detention Facility at Roger D. Wilson
• A Work Release Center
• The County Jail

Individuals looking for jail records should start with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office first by determining the facility where the subject is housed. Knox County Sheriff’s Office offers three options if you are searching for an inmate.

The Sheriff’s Office has a free Inmate Population Search Tool where individuals can look for Knox County arrest records. You can search this online directory either by first or last name or click on one of the alphabetical letters to display a name in that category.

Knox County Sheriff’s Office further provides a 24-hour Arrest in Custody List, where you can view the details of those who have been in custody for the past 24 hours.³ This roster is especially crucial if you want to find someone’s mugshot. The details about the offender provided include:

• Photo
• First and last name
• Date of birth
• ID number
• Date of booking
• Charges
• Details about bond
• Court details

You can also look for recent arrests in Knox County by contacting the Detention Facility at 865.281.6700.⁴ The address and contact details of the three correctional facilities are listed below:

Detention Facility at Roger D. Wilson
5001 Maloneyville Rd.
Knoxville, TN 37918

Telephone: 865.281.6700

Work Release Center
4900 Maloneyville Road.
Knoxville, TN 37918

Telephone: 865.281.6700

Knox County Jail
400 W. Main St.,
Knoxville, TN 37902

Telephone: 865.342.9620

Individuals can also direct inquiries to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office using the details below:

West Precinct – Knox County Sheriff’s Office
11429 Parkside Drive
Knoxville, TN 37934

Telephone: 865.392.1670

Additionally, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office provides ways of obtaining copies of police reports. The most convenient way is to submit an online request for free to [email protected]. Alternatively, individuals can request copies of reports in person by visiting any of their offices.

These offices are open from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

It is important to note that in-person requests attract a $.15 fee per copy, payable by cash or check. Remember to carry your verification ID, and allow for three business days for your request to be processed.

According to the TN Public Records Act, individuals can also request Knox County public records by email, verbally, or in writing.⁵ You must be a Tennessee citizen and show proof of identity when making a request to check public records.

To request these records, create a user account at the County Public Records Request System and make the appropriate request. The records custodian charges $.15/page for white copies and $.50/page for color copies. Make sure to read the public record policies before submitting your request.

Individuals can direct further inquiries to the Public Records Request Coordinator at the following address:

Knox County Sheriff’s Office
Public Records Request Coordinator
400 Main St.
Knoxville, TN 37902

Email: [email protected]

To find police agencies in other municipalities within Knox County, Tennessee, interested parties can type “(city name) police department” or “(city name) arrest records” into any search engine and review the results for the official custodian and contact information.

Run a Police Records Lookup & View Recent Bookings Through Police Departments in Knox County TN

Knoxville — Knox County’s seat and the largest in terms of population — has a police department where individuals can perform police records lookup. The Knoxville Police Department (KPD) is independent of the County Sheriff’s Office.⁶

KPD advises individuals looking for Knox County bookings to call the Records Unit at 865.215.7231 to inquire about the availability and costs. The Records Unit, whose operating hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday, charges a $.15 fee per requested copy.

Requests can be faxed to 865.215.7344 or submitted to the KPD Records Unit Offices at the following address:

Police Headquarters
800 Howard Baker Jr Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37915

For mail requests, fill out the Knoxville Police Department Open Records Request Form and mail it to the address below. Remember to include a valid government-issued ID, and allow for 7 business days for your request to be processed.

Knoxville Police Department
1617 Saint Mary Street
Knoxville, TN 37917

The KPD, through its Open Record Page, further provides statistics and reports on various events in the city. Some of these reports include:

• Crash analysis reports
• Homicide reports
• Maps of arrests

Maps of arrests and citations date as far as 2015 and show the density view of arrests and court citations in the city.

The Knoxville PD further provides body-worn and in-camera videos through the KPD Video Requests Portal. The fees start at $10 for the first hour of each officer’s video, $15 for the second hour and $25 for each subsequent hour of production. After submitting your request and payment (cash, check, or money order), searchers are provided with a downloadable link via email.

How To Search Someone’s Criminal Record for Free in Knox County Tennessee

Criminal records refer to various documents with detailed information on probation, arrest warrants, charges, background check reports, and sex offender registries. Criminal records are made available in accordance with the Tennessee Public Information Act.⁸

In Knox County, these records are maintained by various agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office and the Criminal Courts. Individuals can access criminal records online for free or pay a fee for copies in some instances.

While some records are available online, individuals must make requests for other records. These requests can either be made in person or a duly filled and signed form mailed to the respect agency. Some agencies do not explicitly state that they can provide these records, but you can always contact them to inquire.

Find Criminal Case Information Using the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Search Tool

The Sheriff’s Office allows individuals to obtain Knox County criminal records by visiting the Public Record window. You can obtain a copy of the arrest history of someone other than yourself by visiting the County building with a form of identification. These offices are open from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

You are required to provide the subject’s name and any other personally identifiable information to help expedite this process. You can view these records for free, and for copies, a $.15/page fee is required.

The Public Record window is located at:

Knoxville County Sheriff’s Office Records Division
400 W Main St.
Knoxville, TN 37902

Telephone: 865.215.2243

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office, through its Sex Offender Registration Unit (SOR), allows individuals to access sex offender records via its online search tool. Through its notification alert, the SOR ensures citizens are notified of high-risk offenders whenever they move into the neighborhood.

The online sex offender search tool allows individuals to search by:

• Area
• Name
• City
• Non-compliant

Knox County also provides a list of sex offenders registered with the agency. When you click the mugshot of the offender, the following information is displayed about the offender:

• Physical description: age, sex, race, height, weight, eyes, hair, scars or tattoos
• Address
• Offenses

The criminal court also provides live daily dockets where individuals can view Knox County court records.¹⁰ However, these dockets show minimal information – just the offender’s name, the charge, and the courtroom.

Run a Free Public Criminal Record Check in Knox County Tennessee via the Criminal Court

The Knox County Criminal Court, through the Clerk’s Office, provides criminal records and background search packers on any individual.¹¹

In addition to requesting criminal records for yourself, you can also request a background search on anyone. These searches include charges in Knox County and Knoxville dating back to as far as the 1980s.

The Criminal Court allows three distinct background searches using the following:

• First/last name
• Alias first/last name
• Social Security Number (SSN)

The Clerk’s office charges $15 per search and a $5 fee for additional per alias search. You can pay online, over the telephone, by mail, or in person.

To look up someone’s criminal record, fill out the Background Search Request online form. If you are requesting criminal records on yourself, you are required to provide the following information:

• First and last name
• Telephone (optional)
• Email
• DOB
• The last 4 digits of your SSN
• Mailing address (House Number, Street, City, State, Zip)

If you are requesting public criminal records on someone else, the last 4 digits of their SSN are not required. For additional inquiries, individuals can call the Clerk’s Court at 865.215.2375 or visit the City-County Building at the Sheriff’s Office. You can also send an email to [email protected].

The Clerk of the Criminal and 4th Circuit Court further allows individuals to find their court hearing dates.¹² You can conduct a general name search on this public index by entering a name, selecting a date range, or choosing the name of the court.

The Find My Court search yields the following:

• Defendant name
• Charge type
• Hearing type
• Court date
• Division
• Docket

How To Check Who Has a Warrant Out for Their Arrest (Knox County Wanted Search)

The local sheriff’s office provides various ways to see if someone has a warrant issued in Knox County.

If you would like to know if there is a warrant out for your arrest, visit the Detention Facility or the public window on level L-1. The address is listed below, and a form of identification is required.

County Building (L-1)
400 W. Main St.,
Knoxville, TN 37902

Individuals looking for Knox County warrants can access the Sheriff’s Office further SafetyMan’s Villain Alert. This most wanted list shows the following details about the offenders:

• Photos or mugshots
• Names
• Aliases if known
• Date of birth
• Offenses

The Knox County Sex Offender Registration Unit (SOR) is in charge of sex offender warrants in the county. The SOR unit publishes a Non-Compliant list, which includes sex offenders who have violated the sex offender laws.

The East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Program is responsible for wanted fugitives in Knoxville city. The Crime Stoppers publishes a Wanted Suspects list, which individuals can refer to when searching for warrants.

The Criminal Clerk’s Office is the custodian of records of the Knox County Circuit Court. Individuals looking for warrants can contact the Clerk’s Office using the details below. Their operational hours are from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday.

Knox County Criminal Court Clerk
Knoxville City-County Building
400 Main St., Suite 149
Knoxville, TN 37902

Telephone: 865.215.2375

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) most wanted list of offenders is also a great place to look for warrants. The TBI most wanted list is a way to conduct a free public records search, and it displays the following:

• Photo or mugshot of the offender
• The type of offense
• Date the offender was added to the list
• Reward
• Physical features such as age, race, height and weight

For individuals looking for sex offenders with warrants, the TBI’s most wanted list is a great place to look.

How To Access Probation Information in Knox County Tennessee

Probation refers to the court-ordered correctional supervision in the community. In contrast, parole refers to the supervised release of a prisoner before they have completed their prison sentences.

Individuals can obtain probation information from the Knox County Probation Office.¹⁶ The probation office address and contact information are listed below. Inquiries can be made on business days – Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 430 PM.

City-County Building
400 Main St.
Knoxville, TN 37902

Telephone: 865.215.2487
Fax: 865.215.3979

The Tennessee Department of Correction Felony Offender Search allows individuals to look for offenders by name, number, or ID. In the search results, click on the offender’s photo and scroll down to the Current Status section. To check if someone is on probation, the supervision status should show “Absconded.”

The Tennessee Department of Correction Community Supervision office in Knox County is also a great place to inquire and obtain probation information.

Community Supervision District Office
1426 Elm Street
Knoxville, TN 37921

Telephone: 865.582.2000
Fax: 865.594.7105
Fax: 865.594.7125

Vinelink is an online public records repository that provides information on criminal cases and the custody status of offenders. You can look up information on probation by conducting a name search on Vinelink. The custody status of the offender will show whether they are in prison, on probation, or have been released under supervision.

To expand your search to statewide supervised offenders, refer to the Tennessee probationer information lookup instructions.

How To Execute a Background Check or Screening in Knox County

There are two types of background checks – personal and professional background checks.

Both individuals and professional bodies can run background checks for various reasons as part of a Knox County public records search.

The differences between these two types of checks, including the applicable laws, are described in the table below:

Aspect	Personal Background Checks	Professional Background Checks
Purpose	Driven by curiosity or personal concerns. Used to understand histories of relatives, acquaintances, or any individual.	Conducted during employment screening, licensing, procuring firearms, housing applications, childcare, or elderly care positions.
Permission	Does not require consent as data is available from public records.	Consent is usually required, as these checks are beyond public records.
Regulations	It cannot be used for illegal purposes such as harassment, stalking, or impersonation.	Must comply with various laws, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Trade Commission (FTC), “Ban the Box” in some states, and other state-specific laws and statutes.
Methods	Conducted via publicly available information such as state agencies and third-party search sites.	More extensive professionally conducted through authorized agencies. Encompasses a wide range of information, including criminal records and credit histories.
Filing Disputes	There is no formal dispute process as records are public.	Subjects can dispute incorrect or incomplete information and have it corrected or removed under FCRA.
Reasons for Running Check	Not required.	Reasons must be valid and often disclosed in writing to the subject.
Reporting Discriminatory Practices	Not applicable.	Individuals can report discriminatory practices to the EEOC or unauthorized checks (checks conducted without consent) to the FTC.

Through the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, you can run a professional background on yourself in three ways:

• In-person
• By mail
• Via a third party

The background checks only include arrests in Knox County only. To obtain a background check in person:

• Download and fill out the Release of Arrest Record form. You can also obtain this form from the County Sheriff’s Office or have them fax it to you.
• Visit the City County Building from 8 AM – 4:30 PM (Monday – Thursday) or 8 AM – 4 PM on Friday.
• Carry your ID and a fee of $15 in the form of a check or cash. Remember to bring the exact amount.

Background checks are typically completed within 15-20 minutes, depending on the volume of applicants.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office allows individuals to send 3rd parties to pick up background checks. The third-party should bring the duly filled and notarized Background Check form. For mail requests, fill and mail the Background Check form alongside a $15 fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Mail the forms to the following address:

KCSO Support Services City/County Building
400 W. Main St.,
Knoxville, TN 37902

The Knox County Criminal Court Clerk also provides a name-based background search for any individual for $15. This service is online by filling out the Background Search Request.¹⁸

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations allows the general public to conduct background checks on anyone. This name-based service costs $29. The TIB further offers fingerprint-based background checks for individuals and authorized professional bodies.

You can obtain a name-based background check only or by filling out the English/Spanish application papers. Name-based checks do not include juvenile records unless the juvenile was transferred to an adult criminal court.

First, you must create an account with the Tennessee Open Records Information Services.¹⁹ An account allows you to fill out the Record Request Form. You are required to enter the following details about the subject:

• First & Last Name
• City, State & Zip code
• Race
• Sex
• SSN
• Aliases

For mail orders, complete the Tennessee Criminal History Information Request English Paper Form or Spanish Paper Form and mail it with the $29 fee to the following address. The TBI accepts credit/debit cards, cashier’s checks, and money orders.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation- TORIS Unit
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard,
Nashville, TN 37216

Telephone: 615.744.4057

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation further allows individuals to obtain fingerprint-based background checks via its partner, IdentoGo. Through the contractor, you are required to:

• Schedule an appointment via IdentoGO.
• Choose the location and attend your appointment where your fingerprints will be taken. Carry a photo ID.
• Pay the $50 fee.
• IdentoGO submits the details to the FBI.
• The results will be emailed via a secure link.

How To Check All Criminal Records via Tennessee State & Federal Agencies

Accessing Tennessee public criminal records can provide insightful information on criminal records pertinent to various background checks. There are various ways for individuals to view criminal records in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) allows individuals to search criminal records through Tennessee Felony Offender Information (FOIL). FOIL is an online records repository that allows individuals to search for felony offenders in the custody of the TDOC.

To conduct a free criminal record check using this tool, visit the Felony Offender Information and conduct your search by name, TDOC ID, or state ID.

To conduct a name-base search, enter the first and last name, including aliases, if known, and then choose “race” in the drop-down menu. If the name matches, the search results display the following information about the offender:

• Mugshot
• Name
• Date of birth
• TDOC number
• State ID number
• Physical characteristics (sex, height, weight, hair color, race, complexion, eye color)
• Aliases (if available)
• Current status (probation, parole, sentencing date, and release date)
• Active state sentences

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation allows individuals to search its Sex Offender Registry for free. You can search an offender by any criteria, including:

• Name
• Aliases
• Address
• City
• County
• Zip code
• Offender ID
• Offender classification
• Registry status
• Type of offense

To view the full details about the offender, click on their photo. In addition to the information shown above, further details about the offender include:

• Physical characteristics
• Last registration/report date
• The last date the information was updated
•  Registering agency

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation further lists and manages a Drug Offender Registry as provided and updated by county clerks in the state. The Drug Offender Registry allows individuals to search either by last name and first official or by the county where the offense occurred.

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operates a federal correctional institution in Memphis, TN. BOP offers a nationwide inmate locator to search for inmates incarcerated from 1983 to date. You can search the BOP database by name or by number.

To search by name, you must enter the first and last name. Optional details include race, age, and sex. If your name search matches, the BOP locator lists the name, age, race, sex, and offender registration number.

Individuals can also perform nationwide sex offender searches through the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW).²¹ Through the NSOPW, you can conduct your search either by name or location.

The Tennessee State Court, through its Public Case History, provides access to case histories in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals. To search the Public Case History, enter any of the following details:

• Parties to the appeal
• Case Number
• Case Style
• Name of the organization

If the search matches a criminal case appeal, the case management system shows the following details: history of the case, case milestones, parties to the appeal, and other record information. Alternatively, if the search result does not return a matching case, you can contact the Appellate Court Clerk’s Office and submit an inquiry.

How To Obtain Knox County Tennessee Public Court Cases & Documents

Knox County court system has several tiers, from the Circuit Court to the Juvenile Court.

• The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction and hears criminal and civil cases.
• The Criminal Court is a dedicated court that hears criminal cases.
• The General Sessions Court conducts preliminary hearings, including civil and minor criminal cases.
• The Juvenile Court hears cases involving minors.
• The Chancery Court is a civil court that hears divorce cases, adoptions, probate cases, and worker’s compensations.
• The Fourth Circuit Court is a specialized court for domestic relations.

For inquiries, individuals can contact the Clerk of Knox County Chancery Court on working days – from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. The address and contact details are listed below:

City County Building
Suite 125
400 Main St.,
Knoxville, TN 37902

Telephone: 865.215.2555
Fax: 865.215.2920

The Circuit Court, which houses the Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court divisions, provides the Circuit Court Docket and Civil Sessions Court Dockets where individuals can view Knox County judicial records.

For inquiries, the searcher can contact the Clerk from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, at the contact details below:

Old Knox County Courthouse
300 Main St.,
Room 318
Knoxville, TN 37902

The Clerk of the Knox County Fourth Circuit Court allows searches to look up their court hearing dates. Individuals can perform a Knox County case search by entering a name and date range. If the name search matches, the results show the following information:

• Name of the defendant
• Offenses
• Court division
• Date
• Docket

Searchers can also direct their inquiries to the Circuit Court Clerk from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, using the following contact details:

Knoxville City-County Building
400 Main ST., Suite 149
Knoxville, TN 37902

Telephone: 865.215.2375

How To Access Marriage, Divorce, Birth & Death Records in Knox County: Vital Records

Vital records are issued and maintained by government agencies, and they include records pertaining to birth, marriage, divorce, and death. Individuals can seek vital records for various reasons, including:

• Marital status verification.
• Knowing identity and citizenship.
• Tracing lineage.
• Understanding family health histories.

The County Clerk’s Office and the County Health Department are the custodians of vital records. These agencies provide copies of marriage certificates, birth certificates (including stillbirths), divorce certificates, and certificates of death.

The subsequent sections elaborate on the processes and fees of obtaining vital records.

Find Marriage & Divorce Records or Certificates via the Knox County Clerk’s Office

Individuals looking for Knox County marriage records can turn to the County Archives or the Marriage and License Department. The County Archives records extend from 1792 to 1990, while the County Clerk keeps the more recent records.

Individuals can access the Knox County Marriage Index, 1901-1950, to conduct a search on marriage from this period. This online tool also allows searchers to browse the groom or bride by letters. Individuals can obtain copies of original records at a fee by contacting the County Archives.

Records of marriages from 1951 to date can be obtained from the Tennessee County Clerk’s Office. To check if someone is married, perform a search on the TN Marriage Lookup tool. The search results return both applicants’ names.

To get copies of these records, the Tennessee County Clerk charges a $9.02 fee, which can be paid by debit or credit card.

Individuals can also contact the Marriage & License Department at:²²

Old Courthouse
300 Main Ave.,
Knoxville, TN 37902

Telephone: 865.215.2382

Both the Circuit Court and the Chancery Court handle divorce cases in Knox County. Knox County divorce records from 1792 to 1985 are available online at the Public Library.

You can search the library by name and by entering a date range. In addition, the results can be downloaded in an Excel file. Individuals can contact the County Archives to obtain copies at a fee.

For inquiries, individuals can contact the 4th Circuit Clerk or the Chancery Court Clerk.

The Tennessee Office of Vital Records also provides certified copies of marriage and divorce records that are over 50 years old. To find out if someone is married, fill out the marriage record application form and mail it alongside your ID and a $15 fee. For a certified copy of a divorce or annulment, fill out the divorce record application form and enclose your ID and a $15 fee.

Both forms are to be mailed to the following address:

Tennessee Vital Records
Andrew Johnson Tower, First Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243

Track Down Details of Births & Deaths in Knox County Through the Health Department

Individuals can access copies of birth and death certificates through the Knox County Health Department. These records date back as far as 1914.

To obtain a copy of a birth certificate, you must be one of the following:

• The person named on the document
• The parent listed on the document
• Legal guardian (with proof)
• The child or spouse’s name on the document

You can obtain these records in person or through mail. To apply for a certified copy of a certificate of birth, fill out the English or Spanish application forms. A fee of $15 (check, money order, or personal check) is required.

Mail the request, alongside a government-issued ID, to the address below. Their office hours are from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday.

Knox County Health Department Vital Records
140 Dameron Ave
Knoxville, TN 37917

Telephone: 865.215.5100
Fax: 865.215.5106

You can also request a copy of the certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth from the TN Department of Health. Fill out the application form, pay the $15 fee and mail the form to the TN Vital Records address indicated above.

Individuals can also obtain copies of “delayed registration of birth.” These are individuals who were born at home or in rural areas and never had certificates of birth submitted or issued by TN Vital Records. You can obtain copies of these records through the TN Vital Records Department at the address indicated in the marriage and divorce section.

You can request a copy of a death certificate if the death occurred within the last 50 years. To request a copy of a certificate of death, you must be any of the following:

• The parent
• The person listed as the “informant” in the document
• Spouse of the deceased
• Child of the deceased
• The legal representative
• The funeral home

To obtain a certified copy, fill out the English or Spanish death certificate request forms. Mail the duly filed form to the address indicated above. Each certified copy attracts a $15 fee and a form of identification is required.

You are required to fill out the birth and death record application form application forms and mail them to the Tennessee Vital Records at the address shown above.

How To Find Out Who Owns a Property or Home in Knox County Tennessee at No Cost

The Knox County Property Records & Taxation Office has an online Property Search tool that individuals looking for Knox County public records can utilize to determine who owns a property.²⁴

You can perform an owner search, a basic search, or an advanced search on a residential or commercial property. To view more details, click on the name to view details about the parcel (such as property type, class, and neighborhood) and owner information (including the name and mailing address).

Inquiries can be directed to the Property Assessor’s Office using the information below. The office is open from Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

City County Building
Suite 204
400 Main St.,
Knoxville, TN 37902

Telephone: 865.215.2360
Fax: 865.215.3671

A Summary of Citizens’ Rights & Using Knox County Public Records Responsibly

Individuals have various reasons to look for public records in Knox County. This information can serve both personal and professional use, and accessing the records is governed by various laws and statutes.

For personal use, individuals can search public records to explore family histories, determine who owns a property, or even vet people close to them. Although you do need consent to conduct these searches, the information must be used responsibly and in accordance with laws.

Professional background checks are often conducted for various reasons, including safety purposes in the workplace and in business transactions. Professionals must comply with various guidelines and laws when conducting these checks.

Whether for personal or professional use, individuals accessing public records must have a reason and respect the rights and privacy of the subject. As per the Tennessee Open Records Act (TORA), individuals can request certain information from the government.

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), conducting background checks for employment purposes must not affect applicants based on race, nationality, religion, or sex, among other factors considered discriminatory. If you believe an employment decision violated the EEOC guidelines, you can file a complaint through the EEOC Public Portal.²⁶

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), through the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), requires employers to obtain consent before running background checks. If the employment decision is based on the consumer report, the employer must furnish the applicant with a copy of the report. Violations of the FCRA can be reported to the FTC.²⁷

In 2016, Tennessee passed the Senate Bill 2440, commonly referred to as “Ban the Box.” This law stipulates employers cannot inquire about an individual’s criminal history until later on in the hiring process.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workplace Development oversees issues regarding workplace regulations and compliance. Individuals who believe there has been an unauthorized background check or discriminatory practices can contact the agency.

Individuals can request and access Knox County public records from various government agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office, Clerk’s Offices, and other departments as seen through this resource that makes the process quick and efficient; check out the Tennessee public information search resource for free records on anyone throughout the entire state.