APD considers cases from most state agencies, various city and county governmental agencies, and state universities resulting in over 430 different types of cases. On average over 8,100 cases are referred to APD each year. The majority of these cases involve property tax appeals, TennCare appeals, and appeals from the seizure of an individual’s assets.
How do I contact other State Agencies?
For some questions you may have regarding your case, you may be instructed that your question is better directed to the government agency that is the opposing party in your case rather than to APD. You should direct those questions to the opposing attorney who represents the government agency or contact the government agency using the contact information contained in your Notice of Hearing or Notice of Hearing and Charges.
One example may be a question regarding how you are to pay the cost for your case. APD charges each government agency based upon the hours spent on each case. Each government agency has different rules and policies on if they can then in turn charge the petitioner. If you have been billed for your case, you would have been billed by the government agency involved in your case, not by APD. Questions regarding those charges should, therefore, be addressed to the government agency involved in your case.
How do I know if a gaming event is approved?
The Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming maintains a list of approved events on its website at Gaming Events.
Are raffles or other games of chance allowed in the State of Tennessee?
Raffles and games of chance are considered gambling, which is prohibited in Tennessee. However, certain charitable organizations are allowed to apply to have one raffle, reverse raffle, cakewalk or cakewheel each year if that event is conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Tennessee Charitable Gaming Implementation Law.
How can I check on the status of a request for issuance of Service of Process?
The Service of Process Search allows you to check on the status of a Service of Process issuance by the defendant’s last name (or company name if a company) or by court docket number. This database reflects all non-archived processes served through the Tennessee Secretary of State as of three working days prior to the requested date. Service of Process records are archived on an annual basis.
What reason might a Service of Process filing be rejected by the Division of Business Services?
A Service of Process filing may be rejected for many reasons. Some of the most common reasons are:
An insufficient number of copies of the summons are submitted (an original and one certified copy are required for each defendant).
An address for an out-of-state defendant is not provided.
The defendant and/or agent for Service of Process has a Tennessee address requiring Service of Process by the Sheriff of the county of the defendant and/or agent not by the Secretary of State.
The $20.00 filing fee is not enclosed.
The check, bank draft, or money order is not made payable to the “Tennessee Secretary of State.”
The original and/or certified copy of the summons is not signed by the Clerk or Deputy Clerk.
The Clerk’s certified stamp, seal, or imprint is not affixed to the summons.
The process is to be served on an insurance company requiring Service of Process through the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
The action is instituted in a court outside Tennessee.
If I don’t call it a raffle or sell tickets, but ask for donations for a chance to win a prize, is that allowed?
No. An event is considered a raffle if someone must pay for a chance to win a prize and would be a violation of law. It does not matter that the payment is called a “donation.”
What is a qualified 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organization?
A qualified 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organization is a group that has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for at least five years as a tax-exempt organization and which has been in continuous and active existence in the State of Tennessee. 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) tax-exempt status can only be granted by the IRS. To learn more about the application process for tax-exempt status, please visit the IRS's web page for Charities & Nonprofits.