Caledonia, Mississippi Public Records

The bond and bail process follows Mississippi state laws, allowing detainees to post bail for release, pending court appearances. Recently arrested individuals can be located through the Sheriff's Office or the detention center's online resources.

The Circuit Clerk's office is located at the Monroe County Courthouse, 121 South Commerce Street, Suite B, Aberdeen, MS 39730, phone (662) 369-8143. The Monroe County Chancery Court addresses probate matters, estate administration, guardianships, adoptions, land disputes, and civil cases under $200,000. The Chancery Clerk is at 121 South Commerce Street, Suite A, Aberdeen, MS 39730, phone (662) 369-4445. Monroe County also has Justice Court, which handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims up to $3,500, evictions, and preliminary hearings. Mississippi's unified court system allows online access to certain case information through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) portal, though full records often require in-person requests at the respective clerk's office. Filing fees vary by case type: certified copies of court documents typically cost $1.50 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee, while case filing fees range from approximately $50 for small claims to several hundred dollars for major civil litigation. Property deed copies from the Chancery Clerk cost approximately $1.00 per page. The Circuit Clerk's office can provide current fee schedules for specific requests. Most court records are public under Mississippi law unless sealed by court order or protected by statute (such as juvenile records or certain family court matters).

The Assessor's office provides an online parcel search tool through the county website at monroecountyms.com, where residents can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address to view current assessments, property characteristics, tax amounts, and ownership history. This database is updated regularly and provides free public access to basic property information. For official land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other recorded documents, the Monroe County Chancery Clerk serves as the Register of Deeds. The Chancery Clerk's office is at 121 South Commerce Street, Suite A, Aberdeen, MS 39730, phone (662) 369-4445. The Chancery Clerk maintains an index of all recorded instruments affecting real property in Monroe County, dating back to the county's earliest records. While basic index searches may be available online, obtaining copies of actual recorded documents typically requires an in-person visit or written request to the Clerk's office. Recording fees for new documents are set by state statute and vary by document type and page count. Monroe County also offers a GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping application that allows users to view parcel boundaries, zoning information, aerial photography, and related spatial data. This tool can be particularly useful for identifying property boundaries and adjacent parcels. To conduct a thorough property search by address or owner name, residents can begin with the online Assessor database for tax and valuation information, then contact the Chancery Clerk's office for copies of deeds, mortgages, or other recorded instruments. Property records are public documents under Mississippi law, though obtaining certified copies requires payment of statutory fees.

Columbus Air Force Base, located approximately 20 miles south in Lowndes County, provides significant military and civilian employment for the region and contributes to population stability. The Caledonia School District is a primary local employer within the town itself, providing teaching, administrative, and support positions. Healthcare employment is available at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus and smaller medical facilities in Aberdeen. Manufacturing, aerospace, defense contracting, education, healthcare, and retail trade dominate the regional economy. Monroe County's median household income is estimated at approximately $42,000-$45,000, somewhat below the state average, reflecting the rural nature of the area. Agriculture remains important in surrounding areas, with timber production, cattle farming, and row crop cultivation providing employment and land use. Recent economic development has focused on leveraging the region's aerospace cluster, with continued expansion at Aurora Flight Sciences and related supply chain companies. Caledonia benefits from its location along U.S. Highway 45, a major north-south corridor providing access to Tupelo (35 miles north) and Columbus (20 miles south). The town's character remains that of a small Mississippi community with affordable housing, good schools, and proximity to regional employment centers, making it attractive to families seeking small-town living with access to larger-city amenities and jobs.

The Caledonia Police Department provides primary law enforcement services within the town limits, located at 17090 Highway 45, Caledonia, MS 39740. The department can be reached at (662) 356-4455 for non-emergency matters. For police reports and incident records from the Caledonia Police Department, residents should contact the department directly during business hours to request copies. Mississippi law enforcement agencies operate under the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code § 25-61-1 et seq.), which provides public access to most police reports, though certain investigative records and ongoing case information may be exempt. For incidents occurring outside town limits or for county-level law enforcement matters, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office serves Caledonia and surrounding unincorporated areas. The Sheriff's Office is located at 121 South Commerce Street, Aberdeen, MS 39730, and can be contacted at (662) 369-2468. The Sheriff's Office website at monroecountyms.com provides information on services and programs. To search for arrests and jail bookings for individuals detained in Monroe County, the Monroe County Detention Center maintains an online inmate roster accessible through the Sheriff's Office website. This searchable database typically displays current inmates' names, booking dates, charges filed, bond amounts, and sometimes booking photographs (mugshots). The system is updated regularly as new arrests occur and inmates are released. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, citizens have the right to inspect public records during regular business hours, and agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records. To request police reports or arrest records, individuals should submit a written request to the appropriate law enforcement agency specifying the date of incident, names involved, and type of record sought. Processing times vary, but most agencies respond within a few business days for routine requests.

Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $15 per copy. Online ordering is available through the VitalChek service at msdh.ms.gov, though convenience fees apply. Processing times typically range from 3-5 business days for online orders to 2-3 weeks for mail requests. Mississippi maintains birth records from 1912 forward and death records from 1912 forward at the state level. For births and deaths occurring before 1912, records may be available through the Monroe County Chancery Clerk's office. Only eligible individuals can request certified copies of vital records: the person named on the certificate (if of legal age), immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a court order or documented legal need. Valid photo identification is required for all requests. Marriage licenses for Caledonia residents are issued by the Monroe County Chancery Clerk, 121 South Commerce Street, Suite A, Aberdeen, MS 39730, phone (662) 369-4445. The marriage license fee in Mississippi is $21.00, and there is no waiting period or blood test required. Both parties must appear in person with valid identification and Social Security numbers. The license is valid for 30 days from issuance. Marriage records are maintained permanently by the Chancery Clerk and are public records. Divorce records are obtained through the Chancery Clerk's office where the divorce was granted, as divorce is handled by the Chancery Court system in Mississippi. The Clerk can provide certified copies of divorce decrees for $2.00 certification fee plus $1.00 per page.

For businesses operating in unincorporated areas of Monroe County near Caledonia, county-level requirements may apply through the Monroe County Board of Supervisors. At the state level, all Mississippi businesses must register with the Mississippi Secretary of State's office. The Secretary of State maintains the Mississippi Business Services Division, which handles corporate registrations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and trade name registrations. The online business search portal at sos.ms.gov/business-services allows free searches of registered corporations, LLCs, and other business entities by name, filing number, or registered agent. This database shows entity status (active, dissolved, withdrawn), formation date, registered agent information, principal office address, and annual report filing status. New business entity formation can be completed online through the same portal, with filing fees ranging from $50 for a trade name to $50 for LLC formation. The Secretary of State's Physical Address is 125 South Congress Street, Jackson, MS 39201, phone (601) 359-1633. For fictitious business name (DBA) filings in Monroe County, businesses operating under a name other than the legal owner's name must file with the Monroe County Chancery Clerk at 121 South Commerce Street, Suite A, Aberdeen, MS 39730, phone (662) 369-4445. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien searches and filings, which are used to establish security interests in personal property and business assets, are handled through the Mississippi Secretary of State's UCC Division. Online searches are available at sos.ms.gov. For commercial property tax assessments in Caledonia, business owners should contact the Monroe County Tax Assessor at (662) 369-4051 or search the online property database to view assessed values and tax amounts for commercial parcels.

Caledonia voters are served by the Monroe County Circuit Clerk's office, which administers elections for the county. The Circuit Clerk/Election Commissioner office is located at 121 South Commerce Street, Suite B, Aberdeen, MS 39730, phone (662) 369-8143. The office handles voter registration, absentee ballot requests, poll worker recruitment, and election administration for all federal, state, county, and municipal elections affecting Monroe County residents. Mississippi voters can register online through the Mississippi Secretary of State's website at yallvote.sos.ms.gov, which provides online voter registration services for eligible citizens. Voters must register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Registration requires providing name, address, date of birth, and the last four digits of a Social Security number. Mississippi does not require party affiliation for registration. For municipal elections specific to the Town of Caledonia, the town holds elections for mayor and board of aldermen. Mississippi municipal elections typically occur in April or June of odd-numbered years, separate from federal and state elections. Caledonia's next municipal election would follow the state's municipal election cycle, with the most recent elections having occurred in 2021. Residents can contact Caledonia Town Hall at (662) 356-4455 for information about local candidates, town ballot measures, and municipal election dates. Caledonia residents find their assigned polling place by using the polling place lookup tool at yallvote.sos.ms.gov or by contacting the Circuit Clerk's office directly. Polling locations are assigned based on residential address and precinct boundaries. Under Mississippi law, various election records are public, including voter registration lists (available for purchase by qualified requesters), campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State or local clerk, candidate qualifying information, and precinct-level election results. The Secretary of State's website provides statewide election results, while the Circuit Clerk maintains Monroe County-specific results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Monroe County recorded approximately 60-65% voter turnout among registered voters, with several thousand ballots cast across the county's precincts, reflecting typical participation rates for presidential elections in Mississippi. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Monroe County and Caledonia voters will decide several important races. Mississippi does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026 (next Senate elections are 2024 and 2027). However, all four of Mississippi's U.S. House seats will be on the ballot, including the district representing Monroe County. State legislative races for Mississippi State Senate and Mississippi House of Representatives will occur, with Monroe County voters electing their state senator and representative. County-level positions on the 2026 ballot may include Monroe County Sheriff, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, Chancery Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Coroner, and Board of Supervisors members, depending on term schedules. Mississippi holds statewide elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other state offices in odd-numbered years (most recently 2023), so these will not appear on the 2026 ballot. To request an absentee ballot in Mississippi, voters must submit an absentee ballot application to the Circuit Clerk's office, available online at yallvote.sos.ms.gov or from the Circuit Clerk directly. Mississippi requires an excuse for absentee voting, including being away from your county on election day, having a temporary or permanent physical disability, being 65 or older, being a parent/caretaker of a dependent with a disability, or being required to work during all polling hours. The application must be submitted no later than seven days before election day for mail ballots, or voters can vote absentee in-person at the Circuit Clerk's office beginning 45 days before the election through the Saturday before election day.