Brookhaven Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Brookhaven, Mississippi government websites.

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement in the county operates through coordinated but independent agencies. These agencies collaborate regularly on major investigations and public safety initiatives, making sure of a unified response to emergencies. Coordination between municipal and county departments proves crucial for maintaining law and order across both jurisdictions.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Lincoln County Jail in Brookhaven is the main detention facility for Lincoln County. During booking, arrestees are fingerprinted, photographed, and their personal information is recorded into the system. Family members and legal representatives can locate current detainees through inmate lookup services provided by the Sheriff's Office. Visitation at the facility typically requires advance scheduling, with specific restrictions on visitor numbers and visit duration.

Arrest Records

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county, documenting the date of arrest, charges filed, and personal information of individuals taken into custody. Residents and attorneys can request these records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, often through a formal request under the Mississippi Public Records Act. These records provide transparency about law enforcement activities while balancing individual privacy rights. Court proceedings that follow arrests are also documented within the arrest record system.

Court Records

The Lincoln County Circuit Court (https://www.co.lincoln.ms.us/circuit-court) handles civil and criminal cases throughout the Brookhaven area. Case files, dockets, and other court records are available through the Lincoln County Circuit Clerk's Office (https://www.co.lincoln.ms.us/circuit-clerk). For local matters, the Brookhaven Municipal Court (https://www.brookhavenms.net/municipal-court) adjudicates city ordinance violations and minor criminal offenses within the city limits.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Lincoln County covers a variety of documents, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and sex offender registry records. To conduct a background check, individuals can request information from these agencies or use services provided by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

Public Records Access

Public records in the city are maintained by several offices depending on document type. The Brookhaven City Clerk's Office (https://www.brookhavenms.net/city-clerk) keeps city council meeting minutes, ordinances, and resolutions. The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk's Office (https://www.co.lincoln.ms.us/circuit-clerk) provides access to court records, deeds, and other county-level documents. Residents seeking birth, death, and marriage certificates can obtain copies from the Lincoln County Health Department (https://www.co.lincoln.ms.us/health-department).

Vital Records

The Lincoln County Health Department (https://www.co.lincoln.ms.us/health-department) is the primary source for vital records in the Brookhaven area. Residents can request birth, death, and marriage certificates, as well as access information on community health initiatives. The Mississippi State Department of Health (https://msdh.ms.gov/) also maintains a statewide vital records database for the entire state, including Brookhaven.

Business & Licensing Records

The Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce (https://www.brookhavenchamber.com/) provides resources and information for local businesses throughout the area. Companies operating in the city can be searched through the Mississippi Secretary of State's business registry at https://www.sos.ms.gov/. Business licenses for operations within city limits are issued through the City Clerk's Office (https://www.brookhavenms.net/city-clerk).

Economy & Demographics

Brookhaven's economy is diverse, with a mix of industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. The City of Brookhaven's Economic Development Office (https://www.brookhavenms.net/economic-development) provides information on local businesses, economic initiatives, and development opportunities. The Mississippi Development Authority (https://www.mississippi.org/) also offers resources and data on the state's economy, including Brookhaven.

Elections & Voter Records

The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk's Office is the election authority for Brookhaven and the surrounding county. Located at 300 South First Street, Brookhaven, MS 39601 (phone: 601-835-3411), the office handles voter registration, absentee voting, and election administration. Mississippi residents can register to vote online at www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/voter-registration-information or submit a paper application to the Circuit Clerk's office. Registration requires U.S. Citizenship, age 18 by election date, 30 days of Mississippi residency, and residence in Lincoln County and precinct.
A valid Mississippi driver's license number or Social Security number is required, and the registration deadline falls 30 days before any election. As an incorporated municipality, the city holds municipal elections separate from county and state contests. Brookhaven municipal elections for Mayor and Board of Aldermen occur in June of odd-numbered years under Mississippi's municipal election calendar. The next municipal election is scheduled for June 2025, when voters will elect the Mayor and Aldermen to four-year terms. Information about municipal candidates and local ballot measures can be obtained through the City Clerk at Brookhaven City Hall (601-833-3636) and the Circuit Clerk's office. Residents find their assigned polling places by contacting the Lincoln County Circuit Clerk or using the Mississippi Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at www.sos.ms.gov. Voter registration lists are public records available through the Circuit Clerk's office, though personal information like birth dates and Social Security numbers are redacted. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State and searchable online. Candidate qualifying information and precinct-level election results are posted by the Circuit Clerk after certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Lincoln County reported approximately 8,500-9,000 ballots cast, representing roughly 60-65% turnout of registered voters, consistent with rural Mississippi patterns. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters will participate in federal and state elections. While Mississippi has no U.S. Senate seat up in 2026, voters will elect one U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District, which includes Lincoln County. State legislative races will include Mississippi House of Representatives seats and potentially Mississippi Senate seats depending on the district cycle. County-level offices on the 2026 ballot may include Lincoln County Sheriff, Tax Assessor, Circuit Clerk, Chancery Clerk, Supervisors, and other constitutional county offices, all elected to four-year terms. Mississippi voters can request absentee ballots for specific statutory reasons including being away from the county on election day, age 65 or older, having a temporary or permanent disability, being a parent or caretaker of a dependent with a disability, required to work during all poll hours, active military, or conscientious objector to voting on Saturday. Absentee ballot applications are submitted to the Lincoln County Circuit Clerk's office and must be received by 5 p.m. The Saturday before the election for mail ballots, though in-person absentee voting is available until noon the Saturday before election day at the Circuit Clerk's office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vital records for Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Mississippi including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses are available through the Mississippi State Department of Health. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person. The Lincoln County Clerk's office may also issue certified copies. Valid identification and proof of eligibility are required.
To register to vote in Brookhaven, Mississippi, residents can register online through the Mississippi Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Lincoln County elections office. Mississippi requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Mississippi Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Brookhaven, contact the Lincoln County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Brookhaven, Mississippi are maintained by the Lincoln Tax Assessor's Office and the Lincoln County Chancery Clerk. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Lincoln County, including parcels in Brookhaven. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Lincoln County Chancery Clerk maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Mississippi counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. For in-person requests, visit the Lincoln County offices at the county courthouse. The Lincoln County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Brookhaven, Mississippi residents are available through both county and state offices. The Mississippi State Department of Health, Vital Records, located in Jackson, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Mississippi. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Lincoln County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Lincoln County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.