Open Records

Open Records Requests to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security

On March 15, 2019, the Department’s rules on Open Records Requests, 1340-08-01, went into effect. These rules are required by Tenn. Code Ann § 10-7-503(g), passed by the General Assembly as Public Chapter 712 in 2016.

The rules are located at the Secretary of State’s website.

Other relevant documents include:

• Request for Copies of Documents (SF-1565)
• Request for Personnel File Inspection/Copies Form (for law enforcement personnel & disciplinary files) (SF-1079)
• Public Records Response
   

Requesting Copies of TDOSHS Documents

• To request copies of records (or for inspection and copies of records) from the Department of Safety & Homeland Security, you will need to fill out the appropriate request form(s) and submit them to the Department by:
  • Mailing to or providing in person at: 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 25th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243;
  • Mailing to or providing in person at: 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37243;
  • Emailing to: Safety.OpenRecords@tn.gov; or
  • Fax to 615-253-2091.
• The Request for Copies of Documents form (SF-1565) must be submitted along with proof of Tennessee citizenship.
• The Request for Personnel File Inspection/Copies Form (SF- 1079) must be presented either at the time of request or before receiving/inspecting files for law enforcement personnel (trooper or other commissioned personnel).
  • Per Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(c), within three (3) days of any inspection or copies being provided, the Department will provide the officer whose files were requested:
    • Notice that such inspection has taken place or copies have been produced;
    • The name, address and telephone number of the person who inspected the records or received the copies;
    • For whom the inspection or copies were made; and
    • The date of such inspection or date the copies were provided.
• Proof of Tennessee citizenship can be provided by presenting your valid Tennessee driver’s license, Photo Identification license, Handgun Carry Permit, or other state or city government issued photographic ID that includes your address.
   

Requesting Inspections of TDOSHS Documents

• To request to inspect documents from the Department, you can:
  • Make the request over the phone at 615-251-5166;
  • Make the request in person at one of the addresses below; or
  • Make the request in writing by submitting the Public Records Request Form (SF-1565) to the Department by:
    • Mailing to or providing in person at: 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 25th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243;
    • Mailing to or providing in person at: 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37243;
    • Emailing to: Safety.OpenRecords@tn.gov; or
    • Fax to 615-253-2091.
• Requests to inspect personnel files or disciplinary files of law enforcement personnel will require the Request for Personnel File Inspection/Copies Form (SF-1079), to be provided prior to inspection in order to comply with TCA §10-7-503(g).
  • Per Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(c), within three (3) days of any inspection or copies being provided, the Department will provide the officer whose files were requested:
    • Notice that such inspection has taken place or copies have been produced;
    • The name, address and telephone number of the person who inspected the records or received the copies;
    • For whom the inspection or copies were made; and
    • The date of such inspection or date the copies were provided.