About Clara
Clara is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, Mississippi. Use the official town and county resources on this page to reach the clerk, court, assessment, public records, and Freedom of Information request pages serving residents and researchers.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Clara
Clara Police Department
City Hall and most City departments/facilities are closed on Monday, May 25, 2026. Although administrative offices will be closed, emergency services will continue. Visit SantaClaraCA.gov/HolidayClosures for more information. Office of Traffic Safety Awards $40,300 Grant to the Santa Clara Police Department for Traffic Enforcement Program to Increase Safety on Roads
https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/police-department
Wayne County Sheriff's Office
Located in Waynesboro, MS., the Wayne County Sheriff's Department is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of life in Wayne County by working cooperatively with its citizens.
⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Clara
Search Records & Reports | Clay County Clerk of Court
If you are unable to locate the desired record online or would like to request records held in the custody of the Clay County Clerk of Court, please mail or email your request to our public records custodian, also referred to as the Records Management Liaison Officer.
🏠 Property & Public Records in Clara
Land Records - Clay County, Mississippi
All land records are available for public inspection from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Fees for copies made by the public are $.25 per page. The fee for copies made by our staff is $.50 per page. There is an additional fee for certifying a copy of a document. Listed below is the Filing Fee Schedule of all filing fees associated with filing an instrument in the Chancery Clerk’s office.
About Clara — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Wayne County Detention Center is the primary holding facility for those arrested throughout Wayne County. When someone is booked, staff photograph and fingerprint them while recording personal information. The public can search for current inmates through the facility's lookup services. Visitors must follow specific rules, including designated visiting hours and requirements. Mississippi's bond and bail system allows for release under certain conditions, and residents can obtain information about recent arrests by contacting the Sheriff's Office.
Arrest Records
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the Clara area and broader county. These documents detail the circumstances of each arrest, charges filed, and personal information about arrestees. Anyone needing access to these records - whether residents or attorneys - can request them directly from the Sheriff's Office. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, these records remain accessible to promote transparency. Typical records include arrest dates, specific charges, and which agency made the arrest.
Local specifics: The Clara Police Department is reachable at (408) 615-4700. More information is available at www.santaclaraca.gov.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Wayne County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can conduct background checks through the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which provides access to statewide criminal history information. The records include details such as charges, court dispositions, and sentencing information, making sure of a view of an individual's criminal history.
Local specifics: Statewide criminal background checks covering Clara residents can be requested through www.dps.ms.gov.
Vital Records
The Wayne County Circuit Clerk's Office, located at 201 Azalea St, Waynesboro, MS 39367, is the primary source for vital records in Clara, Mississippi. This office maintains birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Wayne County. Residents can request copies of these records by visiting the office, submitting a request form, or accessing the online records portal at https://www.waynecountyms.gov/circuit-clerk.html.
Business & Licensing Records
Small shops, restaurants, and service providers make up the business scene in Clara. Those seeking business licenses, registrations, or related records can obtain them from the Wayne County Tax Assessor's Office at 201 Azalea St, Waynesboro, MS 39367. The same office handles property tax records and assessments. Business owners and residents can access this information by visiting the office or checking Wayne County's website at https://www.waynecountyms.gov/tax-assessor.html.
Economy & Demographics
The economy of Clara, Mississippi, is primarily driven by agriculture, with local farms and businesses specializing in crops such as cotton, soybeans, and corn. The town's proximity to the Leaf River and other natural resources supports a thriving timber industry. Economic data, including employment statistics, tax revenue, and business licenses, can be obtained from the Wayne County Economic Development Authority, located at 201 Azalea St, Waynesboro, MS 39367, or on the county's website at https://www.waynecountyms.gov/economic-development.html.
Elections & Voter Records
Residents of Clara handle all voting matters through the Wayne County Election Commission at 609 Azalea Drive, Waynesboro, MS 39367, within the courthouse complex. The office can be reached at (601) 735-2078, where the Circuit Clerk serves as chief election official. Mississippi voters have multiple registration options: online through the Y'all Vote portal at the Secretary of State's website (www.sos.ms.gov), by mail using a downloadable application, or in person at the Circuit Clerk's office in Waynesboro.
Registration closes 30 days before any election, and applicants must provide either their Mississippi driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. As an unincorporated community without municipal government, Clara has no city council elections, mayoral races, or local ballot measures. Residents participate only in county, state, and federal elections. Wayne County holds elections for its five County Supervisor districts, Sheriff, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, Circuit Clerk, Chancery Clerk, Coroner, and other county offices on a rotating schedule, with most positions carrying four-year terms.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Clara voters are published by the Mississippi Secretary of State Elections (https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting). Voters can find their assigned polling place by calling the Circuit Clerk at (601) 735-2078 or using the lookup tool on the Secretary of State's website. Mississippi's Senate Class II seat currently held by Cindy Hyde-Smith appears on the ballot, along with the U.S. House sefor the 4th Congressional District, which includes Wayne County. State legislative races for the Mississippi House of Representatives and potentially the State Senate (depending on district rotation) will also be decided, along with any county offices up for election that year. Those needing absentee ballots must submit written applications to the Wayne County Circuit Clerk at least five business days before the election, earlier for mail ballots. Mississippi permits absentee voting for specific reasons: being 65 or older, temporary or permanent physical disability, work requirements, required presence outside the county on election day, caregivers of dependents, and election officials. The state does not offer early voting - residents must either vote on Election Day at their precinct or qualify for absentee voting. Campaign finance reports for county candidates are filed with the Secretary of State and searchable online. After certification, precinct-level results for Wayne County become available as public records through the Circuit Clerk.
Public Records Resources for Clara, Mississippi
Official government websites for Clara, Mississippi and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov,.us, or.mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or.com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- Mississippi Business & Corporation SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name from the Mississippi Secretary of State.
- Mississippi Death RecordsRequest copies of death records from the Mississippi State Department of Health.
- Mississippi Death RowInformation from MS Dept. 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 county and state elections (Clara is an unincorporated community in Wayne County and does not hold municipal elections), contact the Wayne County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Clara, Mississippi?
Property records for Clara, Mississippi are maintained by the Wayne Tax Assessor's Office and the Wayne County Chancery Clerk. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Wayne County, including parcels in Clara. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Wayne County Chancery Clerk maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Mississippi counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Wayne County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Clara, Mississippi?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Clara, 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 Wayne County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Wayne 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.