Forest, Mississippi Public Records

The Scott County Circuit Court, located at the Scott County Courthouse, 100 East Main Street, Forest, MS 39074 (phone: 601-469-1922), has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $75,000, divorces, custody matters, and appeals from lower courts. The Scott County Chancery Court, also at 100 East Main Street (phone: 601-469-1415), handles estate matters, property disputes, guardianships, adoptions, and equity cases. The Scott County Justice Court (phone: 601-469-4414) presides over misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims under $3,500, evictions, and preliminary hearings for felonies. Mississippi's statewide electronic court records system, MEC (Mississippi Electronic Courts), provides online access to many circuit and chancery court records at https://courts.ms.gov, though some records require in-person requests. Certified copies of court documents typically cost $1.50 per page plus a certification fee of $1.50. Case searches may be conducted by party name, case number, or date range, though some case types (juvenile, mental health commitments, certain adoptions) are sealed from public view.

The online system displays current assessed values, property class, millage rates, and tax payment history. The Scott County Chancery Clerk serves as the land records office at 100 East Main Street, Forest, MS 39074 (phone: 601-469-1415, website: scottcountyms.com/chancery-clerk). This office records and maintains all real property documents including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, plat maps, easements, and releases. Land records are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description. Many Scott County land records have been digitized and are available for searching through a paid subscription service on the Chancery Clerk's website, with images of recorded documents dating back several decades. Walk-in researchers can access records free of charge at the Chancery Clerk's office during business hours. Certified copies cost $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Scott County offers a GIS mapping portal that integrates parcel boundaries with ownership and assessment data, accessible through the county website.

Interstate 20, which runs through Forest, has made the city a logistics and distribution point, attracting warehousing and transportation businesses. The poultry processing industry also provides employment in the broader region. Retail and service businesses concentrated along Highway 35 and downtown Forest serve both city residents and the wider Scott County population. According to recent estimates, Scott County's median household income is approximately $37,000, below the Mississippi state average, reflecting the rural and manufacturing-based economy. Forest serves as the primary commercial center for Scott County, with most county government employment concentrated at the courthouse complex. The city has experienced modest population stability over recent decades, maintaining its role as a regional service hub. The presence of Bienville National Forest headquarters and proximity to outdoor recreation areas contributes to tourism and hospitality sector employment. Recent economic development efforts have focused on industrial recruitment and downtown revitalization to diversify the employment base beyond traditional timber and manufacturing sectors.

The Forest Police Department, located at 125 South Line Street, Forest, MS 39074 (phone: 601-469-2345), provides law enforcement services within the city limits of Forest. The department maintains records of arrests, incident reports, accident reports, and citations. Citizens can request copies of police reports in person at the police department during business hours Monday through Friday. Requests must include the case number or date of incident, and a valid photo ID is required. Some reports may be withheld if they involve ongoing investigations or contain confidential information protected under Mississippi law. The Scott County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 100 East Main Street, Forest, MS 39074 (phone: 601-469-1511, website: scottcountyms.com/sheriff), has jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of Scott County and provides support to municipal agencies. The Sheriff's Office operates the Scott County Adult Detention Center at the same address. Current inmates and recent bookings can be searched through the Scott County Sheriff's Office website or by calling the detention center directly. The online inmate roster typically displays booking photos, full names, charges, bond amounts, booking dates, and expected release dates. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 through § 25-61-17), citizens have the right to inspect and copy public records during regular business hours. Law enforcement agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and may deny access to records that are part of active criminal investigations or contain information protected by privacy statutes.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at an additional convenience fee, with processing taking approximately 6-8 weeks for mail requests or 3-5 business days for expedited service. Mississippi birth records are available from 1912 forward, and death records from 1912 forward. Birth records are confidential for 100 years except to authorized parties. Marriage licenses are issued by the Scott County Circuit Clerk at 100 East Main Street, Forest, MS 39074 (phone: 601-469-1922). The marriage license fee is $21, and there is no waiting period or blood test requirement. Both parties must appear in person with valid identification and social security numbers. The license is valid for 30 days from issuance. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each. Divorce records are filed with the Scott County Chancery Clerk at 100 East Main Street (phone: 601-469-1415), and certified copies cost $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 per additional page. Divorce case files, including final decrees, are public records accessible through the Chancery Court unless sealed by court order.

Fictitious business names (DBAs) in Mississippi are registered with the Scott County Chancery Clerk at 100 East Main Street, Forest, MS 39074 (phone: 601-469-1415). The filing fee for a trade name registration is $25, and registrations must be renewed every five years. Mississippi corporations, limited liability companies, and other business entities are registered with the Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Services Division, 125 South Congress Street, Jackson, MS 39201 (phone: 601-359-1333, website: www.sos.ms.gov). The Secretary of State maintains a free online business entity search at https://business.sos.ms.gov where users can search by entity name, registered agent, or filing number to view status, formation date, registered agent information, and annual report compliance. Certificates of good standing cost $25. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements, which establish secured interests in business assets, are also filed with the Secretary of State and searchable through their online portal. Commercial property tax assessments are handled by the Scott County Tax Assessor at 601-469-1412, with records searchable alongside residential properties through the county's online property database.

Forest voters are served by the Scott County Circuit Clerk, who serves as the county's election commissioner. The office is located at Scott County Courthouse, 100 East Main Street, Forest, MS 39074 (phone: 601-469-1922). Mississippi residents can register to vote online through the Secretary of State at https://www.ms.gov/sos/voter_registration or in person at the Circuit Clerk's office. Voter registration closes 30 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, Mississippi residents, at least 18 years old by election day, and not disqualified by felony conviction or court order. Forest holds municipal elections for mayor and board of aldermen every four years, with the most recent elections in June 2021 and the next scheduled for June 2025. Municipal elections are nonpartisan and conducted by the city under Mississippi municipal election laws. Candidates for city offices file qualifying papers with the Forest City Clerk at City Hall. Forest residents can find their assigned polling location by contacting the Scott County Circuit Clerk or checking the Secretary of State's polling place lookup at https://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/Polling-Place-Locator.aspx. Under Mississippi law (Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-31 et seq.), voter registration lists are public records available for inspection, though use for commercial purposes is restricted. Campaign finance reports for municipal and county candidates are filed with the respective governing authorities and are public records. State and federal candidate finance reports are filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State and accessible at https://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/Campaign-Finance.aspx. Precinct-level election results are published by the Circuit Clerk after certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Scott County reported approximately 60% voter turnout, with detailed results available through the Secretary of State's office. The November 3, 2026 election will include all four U.S. House seats for Mississippi (Forest is in the 3rd Congressional District), all 122 Mississippi House seats, 13 of 52 state Senate seats (depending on district), and various county offices including supervisors, sheriff, tax assessor, and circuit clerk positions. No U.S. Senate or gubernatorial races are scheduled for 2026 in Mississippi (both were last elected in 2023 and serve until 2027). Forest voters may also decide on local bond issues or referendums if placed on the ballot. Mississippi offers absentee voting by mail for voters who will be away from their county on election day, are 65 or older, have a temporary or permanent physical disability, are the parent or guardian of a person with a disability, or are required to work on election day. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Circuit Clerk no later than 5:00 PM on the Saturday before election day, with completed ballots postmarked by election day and received within five business days after the election.