The Tennessee Public Records Act grants Tennessee citizens the right to access state, county and municipal public records. “Public Records” are defined as “all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files and output, films, sound recordings, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental entity.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(a)(1)(A)(i).
Washington County adopted its Public Records Policy in May 2016, designating the Washington County Attorney’s Office as the Public Records Request Coordinator.
Public record requests must be made or directed to the Washington County Attorney’s Office to ensure public record requests are routed to the appropriate records custodian and fulfilled in a timely manner and in accordance with Tennessee law. Requests for inspection, copies, or requests for inspection and copies must be made in writing using Form 1, along with proof of Tennessee Citizenship* and provided to:
Washington County Attorney’s Office
Post Office Box 555
Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659
*Failure to provide proof of Citizenship will result in the request being denied.