Request Public Records in Nashville - FOIA

General Governance and Administration Tennessee 3 Minutes Read · published February 07, 2026 Flag of Tennessee

This guide explains how to request public records in Nashville, Tennessee under Tennessee public-records law and Metro Nashville procedures. It covers who is the records custodian, how to submit a written request, what to expect in timing and fees, common exemptions, appeal options, and practical action steps to get copies of municipal records.

Start with the Metro public records request form and identify the department that holds the records.

Who is responsible

Requests for Metro Nashville & Davidson County records are handled by the department that maintains the records and by Metro's records-management and legal offices. For many city records, submit a public records request through the Metropolitan Government public records page.[1]

What you can request

  • Administrative documents, contracts, permits, inspection reports and correspondence held by Metro departments.
  • Police reports and incident records held by Metro Police (may have separate process or fee).
  • Planning, building and code-enforcement records maintained by relevant Metro offices.

How to make a request

Submit a clear, written request that identifies the records sought with reasonable detail, your contact information, and preferred format (electronic or paper). State whether you will accept redacted versions if full records are exempt. Metro provides an online request form and contact information for departments; use the online form or send a written request to the department custodian listed on the Metro page.[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement and remedies for disputes about access are governed by Tennessee law and by Metro procedures. Specific monetary fines for refusing or failing to produce records are not stated on the Metro public records guidance page; consult the Tennessee statutes cited below for statutory remedies and court processes.[2]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation and continuing-offence sanctions: not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary remedies: orders to produce records, court injunctive relief, and possible costs/attorney fees as provided by statute or court order.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: department records custodian, Metro Legal/records-management offices, or civil court under Tennessee Open Records Act; contact details are on the Metro page.[1]
  • Appeal/review routes and time limits: court petition and statutory remedies; exact statutory time limits are not specified on the Metro page and should be confirmed in the Tennessee Code cited below.[2]
If a department denies access, ask for the written denial and the legal basis cited.

Applications & Forms

Metro provides an online Public Records Request form for submitting requests; the Metro page lists department contacts and submission options. Fee schedules for specific records (for example, police reports or certified copies) may be listed on departmental pages or stated in statute; if not listed on the Metro request page, the fee is "not specified on the cited page."[1]

FAQ

Do I need to state a reason for my request?
No; Tennessee law does not generally require you to state a reason to request public records, but you should give enough detail to allow the custodian to locate the records.
How long will it take to get records?
Response times vary by department and request complexity; Metro's public records page describes submission methods but does not list a universal processing deadline, so expect variable timing and follow up with the custodian.[1]
Are there fees?
Copies and retrieval labor fees may apply; specific fees for certain records may appear on departmental pages. If a fee is not published by the department, the Metro public records guidance does not specify an amount.[1]
If a request is denied, obtain the denial in writing and note the legal exemption cited.

How-To

  1. Identify the records and the Metro department likely to hold them.
  2. Use the Metro Public Records Request form or send a written request to the department custodian with your contact details and preferred format.[1]
  3. Allow reasonable time for the department to locate and review records; ask for an estimated completion date.
  4. Confirm any fees before copying or certify whether you will accept electronic redacted versions to reduce cost.
  5. If denied, ask for written denial, the exemption cited, and follow the appeal instructions or seek judicial review under Tennessee law.[2]

Key Takeaways

  • Submit a clear written request naming records and preferred format.
  • Use Metro's online form and departmental contacts to speed processing.[1]
  • Denials can be appealed through statutory remedies; check Tennessee law for procedures.[2]

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County - Public Records Request
  2. [2] Tennessee Code / Tennessee General Assembly (search Open Records Act, T.C.A. § 10-7-503 et seq.)

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