Tennessee Expungement
Eligibility Checker

In Tennessee, a misdemeanor expungement requires a 5-year waiting period after completing your sentence, a $350 court filing fee, and — in most cases — no new criminal charges during that period. Most felony convictions are not eligible.

The governing statute is Tenn. Code Ann.

§ 40-32-101. Tennessee has one of the highest expungement filing fees ($350).

Misdemeanors are eligible after 5 years; most felonies are not eligible. Class E felonies may qualify under limited circumstances through the Petition for Diversion/Expungement.

Expunging a criminal record in Tennessee can open doors to employment, housing, professional licensing, and education — all of which background checks routinely flag. A single misdemeanor conviction can disqualify applicants from jobs, apartments, and professional licenses even decades after the offense.

Tennessee requires a court petition to obtain expungement — it is not automatic. You must file the appropriate forms, pay the filing fee, and attend a hearing if required.

Tennessee's expungement filing fee ($350) is among the highest in the nation; fee waivers are available for income-qualifying applicants through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. Tennessee's ban-the-box law covers state employment (Executive Order 2016); Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville have extended it to private employers.

Professional licensing reform (SB 824, 2016) requires licensing boards to provide rehabilitation pathways. Shelby County (Memphis) Criminal Court and Davidson County (Nashville) Criminal Court handle the highest volumes.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee provides free expungement assistance; Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers Project hosts twice-yearly expungement clinics.

• To be eligible for expungement in Tennessee, you generally must: (1) have completed all terms of your sentence including probation and fines
• (2) wait 5 years after completing your sentence for misdemeanors
• and (3) have no new criminal charges or convictions during the waiting period.

• Tennessee categorically excludes certain offenses from expungement eligibility. These typically include: sexual offenses and crimes requiring sex offender registration
• violent felonies
• crimes against children
• DUI/DWI convictions in most cases
• and offenses with mandatory minimum prison sentences. In Tennessee, most felony convictions are not eligible for expungement.

Drug possession offenses are generally eligible for expungement in Tennessee after the waiting period, provided the offense was non-violent and the applicant has no disqualifying subsequent convictions.

The Tennessee expungement process typically involves: (1) obtaining your official court records and criminal history; (2) determining eligibility based on offense type, waiting period, and sentence completion; (3) completing the petition form and gathering supporting documents; (4) filing with the appropriate Tennessee court and paying the $350 filing fee; (5) serving notice on the prosecutor and law enforcement agencies; and (6) attending any scheduled hearing.

After filing, the prosecutor's office receives notice and has the opportunity to object. If no objection is filed and the judge finds you meet the criteria, the expungement order will be issued.

You will then need to follow up to ensure all agencies (police, state criminal records bureau, federal databases) have removed or sealed the record.

Processing times in Tennessee typically range from 2 to 6 months from filing to final order, depending on the court's docket and whether any objections are filed. Some jurisdictions in Tennessee move faster; busy urban courts may take longer.

Tennessee's expungement law seals records from public access, but some government agencies and law enforcement may retain access to sealed records. The practical effect is that standard background checks used by employers and landlords should not reveal expunged records.

Even after expungement in Tennessee, certain entities may still access the sealed records: federal law enforcement agencies (FBI, ICE), military background checks, applications for positions of public trust (security clearances), and certain professional licensing boards. Understand these limitations when deciding whether to invest in the expungement process.

For immigration purposes, an expunged conviction may still count as a "conviction" under federal immigration law, which uses its own definition. If you are not a U.S.

citizen, consult an immigration attorney before pursuing expungement, as it does not necessarily protect immigration status.

The court filing fee in Tennessee is $350. Additional costs to budget for include: certified copies of court records ($10–$50), criminal background check ($15–$30), postage and service fees for notifying agencies ($25–$75), and attorney fees if you hire legal representation.

Attorney fees for expungement in Tennessee typically range from $500 to $2,500 depending on the complexity of the case, number of charges, and whether a hearing is required. Many attorneys offer a flat fee for straightforward expungements.

Some legal aid organizations in Tennessee provide free or reduced-fee expungement services for qualifying income-eligible applicants.

DIY expungement is possible in Tennessee for simple cases — especially if your record involves only one charge and there are no complicating factors. Many Tennessee courts provide self-help forms.

However, any errors in the petition or service can delay or derail the case, so professional guidance is recommended.

After expungement in Tennessee, you may legally answer "no" on most job applications, rental applications, and professional license applications when asked if you have been convicted of a crime. This is a significant practical benefit that can immediately improve employment prospects.

Studies consistently show that expungement recipients in states like Tennessee experience significant wage increases and improved employment stability. A 2020 University of Michigan study found expungement recipients experienced 22% wage growth in the two years following expungement.

Expungement in Tennessee can also restore certain civil rights, restore eligibility for some government assistance programs, and improve professional licensing prospects. Find a Tennessee expungement attorney to confirm your eligibility and handle the petition — many offer flat fees for straightforward cases.

Expungement is often the final step after resolving a criminal case. If you are still navigating the case itself, the Tennessee Criminal Defense Cost Estimator breaks down attorney fees, bail bond costs, and total case expenses by charge severity.

For cases involving a DUI, the Tennessee DUI Penalty Calculator shows the fines, license suspension, and other consequences by offense number. And if you are checking whether the statute of limitations has expired on related charges, the Tennessee Statute of Limitations Lookup covers criminal and civil filing deadlines.