How Much Does It Cost to Get a Record Expunged in Tennessee?

By Cesar Arbelaez

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Criminal Defense

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Last Modified on Aug 10, 2026

You did your time, or the case against you fell apart, and a Nashville landlord or hiring manager is still pulling it up on a background check. Before anything else, most people want to know one number. What is this going to cost?

The honest answer depends entirely on how your case ended. If the charge was dismissed, a grand jury returned a no true bill, or you were acquitted, Tennessee law says you owe nothing. If you were convicted or completed a diversion program, the clerk can charge up to $100 before a judge signs anything.

The Law Office of Cesar Arbelaez has represented over 500 Nashville-area clients since 2020, and Cesar spent nearly four years on the other side of the courtroom as a Davidson County prosecutor. He can tell you within minutes which category your case falls into, and what the real total will run.

Tennessee’s Two-Tier Fee Structure

There are only two price tags in Tennessee, and your case already picked one for you. Dismissed, acquitted, or never charged means zero dollars to the court. Convicted or completed on diversion means up to $100, paid to the clerk of the court where your case was originally filed, before an order goes to a judge. Other costs to consider are attorney’s fees, which can vary and will depend on your specific situation.

Which Cases Qualify for a Free Expungement

Tennessee reorganized its expungement laws in 2025, and the rules for cases that never resulted in a conviction now live in Tennessee Code Section 40-32-106. Under current law, these cases cost nothing to expunge:

• The charge was dismissed
• A grand jury returned a no true bill
• You were acquitted at trial
• A nolle prosequi (Latin for “we shall no longer prosecute”) was entered by the district attorney’s office
• You were arrested and released without ever being formally charged

If you are not sure which category your case falls into, a Nashville criminal defense lawyer can pull the disposition and tell you for free during a consultation.

The Clerk’s Fee for Convictions and Diversion Cases

When a case ends in conviction or successful diversion, the fee is capped by statute rather than set by the courthouse you happen to land in.

Where the $100 Cap Comes From

The court clerk may charge up to $100 for these petitions under Tennessee Code Section 8-21-401, the same statute that sets most other court clerk fees. Some clerks charge less, and a few counties waive it for straightforward cases.

Filed Where the Case Started

You cannot shop around for a cheaper courthouse. The petition goes to the criminal court that handled the original charge, and for most Nashville cases, that’s the Davidson County Criminal Court. The Law Office of Cesar Arbelaez (Music City Defender) also files in Williamson, Rutherford, and other Middle Tennessee counties, depending on where the arrest happened.

The Cost Nobody Mentions: Old Court Debt

A clean filing fee doesn’t guarantee a clean petition. As a prosecutor, Cesar saw cases stall for a completely different reason: an old court cost from the original charge, still unpaid, sitting quietly on the books for years. Judges won’t sign an expungement order while any part of that balance remains, no matter how old the case is, and most people don’t find out until they’re already at the courthouse.

The TBI Certificate of Eligibility Adds a Step, Not a New Fee

Since January 1, 2024, a court cannot sign an expungement order for conviction and diversion cases until the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirms in writing that the offense actually qualifies. This certificate doesn’t carry its own separate charge. It’s part of the same filing already being paid for, but it does add processing time before a hearing can be set.

Can’t Pay the Fee? Ask About the Affidavit of Indigency

Money shouldn’t be the reason a clean record stays on your file. Tennessee courts let petitioners who can’t afford the filing fee submit a Uniform Affidavit of Indigency instead of paying upfront. It’s a sworn statement of your income, expenses, and assets, and if the judge finds you genuinely can’t afford the fee, the court waives it entirely. No partial payment, no payment plan, just approved or not.

You file it alongside your expungement petition, not as a separate step afterward, so it doesn’t cost you extra time in the process. The clerk’s office has the form, and judges rule on these regularly, so it isn’t an unusual or awkward ask. If you’re not sure whether you’d qualify, that’s a question worth asking before you assume the fee is out of reach.

FAQs About Cost to Get a Record Expunged in Tennessee

Is expungement free if my DUI charge was dismissed in Tennessee?

Yes, dismissed charges are expunged at no cost under current Tennessee law. That applies even if the charge started as a DUI, since the cost is tied to how the case ended, not the offense itself. You will still need to file the petition in the court where the charge was originally filed.

Do I need a lawyer to file for expungement in Nashville?

Tennessee law does not require an attorney to file, but conviction and diversion cases need a TBI certificate of eligibility before a judge will even look at the petition. Missing paperwork is the most common reason filings get sent back. Many petitioners hire help specifically to avoid that delay.

How long does an expungement take in Davidson County?

Timelines depend entirely on whether the district attorney’s office objects to the petition. An unopposed filing can move in a matter of weeks, while an objection typically pushes the case to a hearing. Ask your clerk’s office or your trusted Nashville expungement lawyer  for the current docket wait time in your county.

Will unpaid court costs from my old case stop my expungement?

Yes, a judge generally will not sign an expungement order while a balance remains owed on the original case, even years later. That includes court costs, fines, or restitution tied to that specific charge. Check with the clerk’s office before filing so an old balance does not delay everything else.

The Law Office of Cesar Arbelaez: Your Nashville Expungement Law Firm

You came here for a number, and now you have it: zero dollars or up to $100, depending on how your case ended, plus whatever it costs to make sure the paperwork gets it right the first time. Cesar built his practice on seeing both sides of that courthouse, first as a Davidson County prosecutor and now defending the same kind of cases he used to bring. He knows which balances get missed, which clerks need which forms, and what actually slows a petition down.

Contact our firm today to discuss whether your case is eligible for expungement and what it may cost.