Tennessee § 38-1-203 - Records of transactions.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-1-203 — Records of transactions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 38-1-203. Records of transactions.
Every person or corporation dealing in the items described in § 38-1-201 shall keep a log in duplicate and shall enter on the log: A clear and accurate description of any items of jewelry or precious metals purchased, including, if applicable: Brand name; Model number; Serial number, if issued by the manufacturer and not intentionally defaced, altered or removed; Size; Color, as apparent to the untrained eye, not applicable to diamonds; Precious metal type, content and weight, if indicated; Gemstone description, including the number of stones; and Any other unique identifying marks, numbers, names or letters; Information on the seller, including: name, race, sex, height, weight, date of birth, residence address and numbers from the items used as identification. Acceptable items of identification are one (1) of the following documents: A state-issued driver license; A state-issued identification card; A passport; A valid military identification; A nonresident alien border crossing card; A resident alien border crossing card; or A United States immigration and naturalization service identification; and The date and amount of money paid for the items. The seller and the purchaser shall sign the log below the description of each transaction. On each day the purchaser shall transact business of the type described within this section, the purchaser shall deliver to the sheriff and the chief of police of each county or municipality in which the business is conducted a copy of the log concerning that day's business; and the copy of the log shall be delivered by twelve o'clock (12:00) noon of the day following the date of the transaction. The book shall be carefully preserved without alteration and shall at all times be open to the inspection of the sheriff of the county and the chief of police or any deputy or police officer of the city or county. Acts 1980, ch. 766, § 3; T.C.A., § 38-608; Acts 2009, ch. 282, § 2. Cross-References. Record of transactions required of pawnbrokers, § 45-6-209 . Textbooks. Tennessee Criminal Practice and Procedure (Raybin), § 18.291. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 22 Tenn. Juris., Searches and Seizures, § 11.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 38-1-203
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-1-203 cover?
Section 38-1-203 ("Records of transactions.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 38-1-203?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-1-203" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 38-1-203 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.