How long you wait to clear a record in Tennessee
When you can ask to clear a record in Tennessee.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
In Tennessee you wait a set time before you can ask. The time depends on the case.
- Main remedy
- Expunction of dismissed charges (no conviction)
- Waiting periods
- Dismissed, nolle prosequi, no true bill, or not guilty: No waiting period, counted from dismissal or verdict
Dismissed after pretrial or judicial diversion: No waiting period, counted from dismissal after completing diversion
Misdemeanor conviction: 5 years, counted from completion of sentence, including probation and parole
Your earliest date in Tennessee
Pick your kind of case and the date the waiting period runs from. We add the waiting period from the law; nothing else.
Waiting periods: Expunction of dismissed charges (no conviction)
Charges that were dismissed, nolle prosequi, no true bill, or ended in a not-guilty verdict; also dismissals after pretrial or judicial diversion.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Dismissed, nolle prosequi, no true bill, or not guilty | No waiting period You can ask the court to expunge it right away, at no cost. | Dismissal or verdict |
Dismissed after pretrial or judicial diversion | No waiting period You can ask once the case is dismissed after diversion; a clerk fee applies. | Dismissal after completing diversion |
Law: Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-106; § 40-32-102 (TBI certificate)
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Expunction of convictions
Most misdemeanors (except those on an exclusion list) and listed Class E, D and C felonies committed on or after November 1, 1989; older offenses only if nonviolent and meeting extra conditions. One conviction, or up to two convictions (two misdemeanors, or one felony and one misdemeanor). Also: convictions for which you received a governor's pardon (nonviolent offenses), and convictions that resulted from being a victim of human trafficking.
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Misdemeanor conviction | 5 years You can file five years after you finish your whole sentence. | Completion of sentence, including probation and parole |
Eligible Class E felony | 5 years You can file five years after you finish your whole sentence. | Completion of sentence, including probation and parole |
Eligible Class C or Class D felony | 10 years You can file ten years after you finish your whole sentence. | Completion of sentence, including probation and parole |
Conviction from being a human-trafficking victim | 1 year You can file one year after you finish the sentence for your most recent offense, if you have no convictions in that year and no pending charges. | Completion of the sentence for your most recent offense |
- Not eligible
- Misdemeanors on the statutory exclusion list, including DUI, domestic assault, assault committed before July 1, 2000 and assault by offensive or provocative contact, violating an order of protection, stalking, child abuse or neglect, certain sex and indecency offenses, aggravated criminal trespass, reckless burning, and certain firearm and obscenity offenses. Felonies are eligible only if listed. Drug offenses committed while holding a commercial driver license in a motor vehicle, or any license in a commercial vehicle, are excluded. The offense must have happened before any conviction for an ineligible offense (including federal and out-of-state convictions).
- Limits
- Conviction expunction under § 40-32-107(a), (b) or (c) can be granted only once in your life (one offense, or two offenses together).
Law: Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-107(a), (b), (d); § 40-32-105 (human trafficking)
Source: Official text
In nearby states
- Kentucky: Acquittal or dismissal with prejudice, petition: If your case was not expunged automatically, you can petition 60 days after the acquittal or dismissal with prejudice, counted from the order of acquittal or dismissal
- Alabama: Dismissed with prejudice, no-billed, not guilty, or nolle prossed (any charge): You can file once more than 90 days have passed, counted from the dismissal, no-bill, acquittal or nolle pros
- Georgia: Dismissed, nolle prossed or acquitted after charges: No waiting period, counted from final disposition
What to do now in Tennessee
Find your dates
Use the dates on your court papers, not your memory.
Look at the exclusions
The wait is only one rule; the court looks at the whole record.
File when you are ready
After the wait, the next step is the petition. How to file.
Ask for free help
Legal aid can help for free: Help4tn.org (Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services) and Tennessee Free Legal Answers.
Free help in Tennessee
Questions about waiting periods in Tennessee
Which records can be cleared in Tennessee?
Expunction of dismissed charges (no conviction): Charges that were dismissed, nolle prosequi, no true bill, or ended in a not-guilty verdict; also dismissals after pretrial or judicial diversion. Expunction of convictions: Most misdemeanors (except those on an exclusion list) and listed Class E, D and C felonies committed on or after November 1, 1989; older offenses only if nonviolent and meeting extra conditions. One conviction, or up to two convictions (two misdemeanors, or one felony and one misdemeanor). Also: convictions for which you received a governor's pardon (nonviolent offenses), and convictions that resulted from being a victim of human trafficking.
When can I ask to clear my record in Tennessee?
Dismissed, nolle prosequi, no true bill, or not guilty: No waiting period, counted from dismissal or verdict; Dismissed after pretrial or judicial diversion: No waiting period, counted from dismissal after completing diversion; Misdemeanor conviction: 5 years, counted from completion of sentence, including probation and parole; Eligible Class E felony: 5 years, counted from completion of sentence, including probation and parole.