New Tennessee Domestic Violence Registry

Domestic violence is on the rise across America and globally. It's become a devastating problem at the state and federal levels, affecting thousands of people every year. Given this reality, many have argued that more needs to be done, and Tennessee is in legal agreement. Tennessee is the first state to introduce what is known as the new Tennessee domestic violence registry.

This registry, as part of Savanna’s law, went into effect at the beginning of the year on January 1st, 2026. Today, our team at McNally Law looks at everything you’ll need to know about this new domestic violence registry. We’ve spent decades keeping up with changing legislation and can help you understand what this means for you.

What Is Tennessee’s New Domestic Violence Registry?

Tennessee’s new public domestic violence registry has come about because of Savanna’s law. Savanna Pucket is the namesake for the Savanna’s law. Puckett was a former sheriff’s deputy in Robertson County. Her abusive boyfriend shot her, and she tragically succumbed to her injuries in 2022. Kim Dodson, Savanna’s mother, hopes this registry will help others in the future.

There can be no denying that this law laid the foundation for the significant change to the tracking and disclosure of repeat domestic violence offences. Per Savanna’s law, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) must maintain this new public registry that records individuals who are classified as being ‘persistent’ domestic violence offenders.

Who Will Need to Register?

There are two parameters for registration on the domestic violence registry in Tennessee. Firstly, only an individual who has been convicted of a qualifying offence that they committed against a domestic abuse victim can be registered. Secondly, only those with at least one prior conviction for committing an offence against a domestic abuse victim must register. Both must be true.

Why Does This Law Matter?

According to a recently released press release by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, between 2020 and 2024, there were approximately 1.1 million victims of domestic violence in the US. Shockingly, this same press release also shared that there were over 11,000 domestic violence murder victims, with nearly 75% of the victims being female.

What’s perhaps even more worrisome is that, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, over the previous five years, about 5.4 million Americans have reported being victims of domestic violence. Not to mention, in Tennessee alone, there were 60,479 victims of domestic violence offenses in 2023. These statistics paint a very real picture. Domestic violence is a concern that can no longer be pushed to the wayside, and that's exactly why Savanna’s law exists.

Savanna’s law is part of Tennessee's domestic violence laws. This law offers support through the registry to the many victims of domestic violence. This law and the registry are meant to improve awareness of repeat domestic violence offences and offer tools for victim prevention and safety. It’s also meant to support domestic violence intervention programs.

How Will Registration Happen Per Savanna’s Law?

When a conviction is handed down within seven days, a certified copy of the judgment and the defendant's date of birth will be sent to the TBI. Registration will then be mandatory, and if the defendant fails to comply with any registry requirements, he or she could face further legal consequences.

In addition, the defendant will have to pay a registration fee of $150, of which $100 is allocated to funding family violence prevention and intervention services routed to the Office of Criminal Justice Programs.

What Information Will Be Made Publicly Available on This Registry?

It’s important to know that the registry has limitations, as not much information will be available to the public. As of now, you can search the registry online through the TBI, but the only information you can access includes the individual’s name, date of birth, date they were convicted, current photograph, and county or counties of residence.

You won't be able to access the individual’s Social Security number, home address, driver’s license number, or other state or federal ID numbers.

FAQs

Q: How Long Will an Individual Remain on the Registry?

A: How long an individual remains on the registry depends on their most recent domestic violence convictions. With one previous conviction, a minimum of 5 years is required. For 2 prior convictions, 7 years are required; for 3 prior convictions, 10 years are required; and for 4 or more prior convictions, 20 years are required.

Q: How Can a Lawyer Help if You Are Facing Domestic Violence Charges?

A: There can be severe long-term consequences for those who are placed on the Tennessee domestic violence registry. These consequences can go beyond jail time and fines, which is why hiring a defense attorney might be worthwhile. A defense attorney can examine your case and challenge evidence if necessary to work toward preventing a conviction.

Q: How Does Placement on the Tennessee Domestic Violence Registry Affect Employment, Housing, or Firearm Rights?

A: Since the Tennessee domestic violence registry is public, a placement could impact your future background checks for housing, work, and licensing. Although the law doesn’t mean you won't get employment or housing based on placement, public listing could create serious barriers to future employment or housing. Also, when it comes to firearm rights, you might also face restrictions depending on the underlying conviction.

Q: What Should You Do if You Are Charged With a Domestic Violence Offense?

A: If you’re facing charges for domestic violence in Tennessee, you need to consider seeking legal counsel immediately. In this state, per Savanna’s law, you could face a mandatory placement if there is a qualifying conviction combined with previous offenses. That's why the earlier you reach out to an attorney, the sooner they can intervene and figure out what's most appropriate for your case.

Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer

The implementation of this registry in Tennessee is groundbreaking for victims. However, if you have any questions surrounding how the registry works or how a criminal charge could affect you under Tennessee law, you might want to hire a domestic violence lawyer.

A Domestic violence attorney at McNally Law can help you navigate domestic violence charges and potentially keep your name off the registry. You can book a consultation with us. We’re eager to put our more than 35 years of experience to work helping you.