Tennessee Public Records Request — Open Public Records Act: A Comprehensive Overview Introduction: The Tennessee Public Records Request is a fundamental aspect of the Open Public Records Act (OPERA) in the state of Tennessee. It guarantees every citizen's right to access public records maintained by government agencies and ensures transparency and accountability in governance. This descriptive article provides detailed information about the Tennessee Public Records Request and various types of requests covered under the Open Public Records Act. 1. Understanding the Tennessee Open Public Records Act (OPERA): The Open Public Records Act (OPERA), also known as the Tennessee Public Records Request, is a state law that allows individuals to obtain records held by various governmental agencies. Under OPERA, any Tennessee resident, media representative, or interested party can request access to public records, subject to certain exceptions. 2. Key Features and Objectives: The Tennessee Public Records Request aims to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement by providing easy access to government records. Key features include: a. Accessibility: The Act ensures access to public records regardless of one's purpose for the request, as long as it does not conflict with specific exceptions. b. Governmental Accountability: The Act enables citizens to oversee government actions, expenditures, and decision-making processes. c. Open Government: The Act seeks to foster public trust and confidence in government institutions by promoting open and accessible records. 3. Types of Tennessee Public Records Request: The Tennessee Public Records Request covers a broad range of government records, including but not limited to the following types: a. Administrative Records: These include documents related to the internal processes, policies, and procedures of government agencies. b. Legislative Records: Records related to the legislative process, such as bills, committee reports, meeting minutes, and voting records. c. Law Enforcement Records: Documents related to law enforcement activities, crime reports, incident logs, and arrest records. d. Financial Records: Information regarding government budgets, expenditures, contracts, and audits. e. Personnel Records: Records pertaining to government employees, including salaries, job performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions. f. Judicial Records: Court documents, case records, and trial transcripts, excluding those exempted by law. 4. Submitting a Public Records Request: To request public records, individuals must follow the process outlined by the respective government agency. The general steps for submitting a request include: a. Identify the Correct Agency: Determine which government department or agency holds the desired records. b. Contact the Custodian of Records: Submit a written request, either via email, mail, or online portals, to the designated custodian of records. c. Provide Specific Information: Clearly state the specific records requested, include relevant details such as dates, names, or file numbers, if available. d. Await Response: Agencies must respond within a reasonable time frame, often within a few days, indicating whether the requested records are available, partially available, or exempted. In some cases, fees may be applicable. Conclusion: The Tennessee Public Records Request, governed by the Open Public Records Act (OPERA), empowers citizens to access government records, fostering transparency, accountability, and active citizen participation. By adhering to the procedures and understanding the different types of public records available, individuals can exercise their right to information and hold their government accountable.
Public Records Request Tennessee
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The Tennessee Public Records Act helps ensure government accountability and transparency by providing Tennessee citizens access to public records. However, statutes that make certain public records confidential and exempt from disclosure are found throughout the Tennessee Code.
TBI allows the general public to obtain a Tennessee adult criminal history on any individual. The process may be completed online or by mail.
The City of Knoxville's public records request coordinator is the Deputy Director of Communications, 400 Main Street Room 654A, Knoxville, TN 37902, (865) 215-3480 or communications@knoxvilletn.gov.
By definition, an order of protection is a public record. Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-403(2).
The Tennessee Public Records Act stipulates that all government records be open for public inspection during business hours unless otherwise exempt. Public records such as documents, tapes, maps, photographs, and data stored in any format are available for viewing or copying.
Please submit your public records request using this request form available here. Please complete this form and send it to TNRevenue.PublicRecords@tn.gov.