About Forest
Official government information is available at www.census.gov.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Forest
Forest Police Department
The top priority of the Forest. 18 officers and 6 dispatchers, Forest is recognized as one of the finest police departments in east central Mississippi.
https://www.cityofforest.com/police-department/
Scott County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's law enforcement duties include keeping peace within the county. Administrative duties include serving as the county's jailor, submitting a budget of his office to the Board of Supervisors, keeping Mississippi Department Reports, and keeping a jail docket. Click here to visit the Scott County Sheriff's Department website
⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Forest
Forrest County Chancery Records Online
The Forrest County Chancery Clerk is pleased to offer Internet access to the index of the Forrest County Land Records.
🏠 Property & Public Records in Forest
Official Records Inquiry - Forrest County
Please use this input area to tell us what we are missing on this particular instrument. You may also send us a request to add additional details/images if you know the record is incomplete. The Clerk will review your request and modify the record if needed. Your email address will only be used to contact you regarding the published changes.
About Forest — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Scott County Detention Center in Forest is the primary booking and holding facility for anyone arrested within county boundaries. Upon arrival, detainees undergo fingerprinting, photographing, and information intake as part of the standard booking process. Families and attorneys can locate current inmates through the sheriff's office lookup services. Visitation follows facility-specific rules and generally requires advance scheduling. Bond and bail procedures adhere to Mississippi state guidelines, allowing qualified detainees to secure release while awaiting court dates.
Arrest Records
The Scott County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county, documenting each arrest with charges, booking details, and relevant circumstances. Residents, legal representatives, and others seeking access to these records can submit requests directly to the sheriff's office. The Mississippi Public Records Act governs how such information is released, balancing public transparency against privacy protections. Typical arrest records contain the date of arrest, specific charges filed, and identifying information about the arresting officer.
Local specifics: The Forest Police Department is located at 210 Tommy Ratzlaff Ave. and reachable at 870-438-5517.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Scott County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. Residents can request background checks through the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which provides criminal history information. The bureau's services are essential for employers and individuals seeking detailed background information. The sex offender registry is also accessible to the public, providing information on registered offenders in the area.
Local specifics: The court clerk can be reached at 601-469-2447. Case lookup and court records are accessible online at www.scottcountyms.gov. Statewide criminal background checks covering Forest residents can be requested through www.dps.ms.gov.
Vital Records
The Forest branch of the Mississippi Department of Health (https://msdh.ms.gov/) provides access to vital records such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses for residents of Forest and the greater Scott County area. Individuals can request these records through the department's online portal or by visiting the local office.
Business & Licensing Records
The Forest Area Chamber of Commerce (https://www.forestareachamber.com/) provides essential support for the local business community. Through its office and website, the chamber makes available records concerning business licenses, zoning regulations, and economic development programs. Entrepreneurs looking to establish or expand operations in the area can tap into these resources for guidance on regulatory requirements and commercial opportunities.
Economy & Demographics
The Forest Municipal Airport (https://www.forestms.org/government/airport/) is an important economic hub for the town, helping with air travel and transportation. The airport's records include information on flight operations, infrastructure maintenance, and economic development initiatives. The Forest Industrial Development Foundation (https://www.forestms.org/business/industrial-development/) oversees economic growth and business development within the town, maintaining records related to these efforts.
Elections & Voter Records
The Scott County Circuit Clerk serves as Scott County's election commissioner, overseeing voter registration and election administration from the office at Scott County Courthouse, 100 East Main Street, Forest, MS 39074 (phone: 601-469-1922). Registration closes 30 days before any election. Eligibility requires U.S. Citizenship, Mississippi residency, age 18 by election day, and no disqualification by felony conviction or court order.
Forest conducts municipal elections for mayor and board of aldermen every four years under Mississippi municipal election laws. The most recent elections occurred in June 2021, with the next scheduled for June 2025. These nonpartisan races are administered by the city, with candidates filing qualifying papers through the Forest City Clerk at City Hall. Residents can locate their assigned polling place by contacting the Circuit Clerk or using the Secretary of State's online 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 open to inspection, though commercial use is restricted. Campaign finance reports for municipal and county candidates become public records filed with the respective governing authorities. State and federal candidate reports go to the Mississippi Secretary of State and are accessible at https://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/Campaign-Finance.aspx. The Circuit Clerk publishes precinct-level results after certification. No U.S. Local bond issues or referendums may also reach voters if placed on the ballot. Mississippi permits absentee voting by mail for those away from their county on election day, voters 65 or older, anyone with temporary or permanent physical disability, parents or guardians of persons with disabilities, or those required to work on election day. Absentee ballot applications must reach the Circuit Clerk no later than 5:00 PM the Saturday before election day, with completed ballots postmarked by election day and received within five business days after the election.
Public Records Resources for Forest, Mississippi
Official government websites for Forest, 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 municipal elections in Forest, contact the Scott County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Forest, Mississippi?
Property records for Forest, Mississippi are maintained by the Scott Tax Assessor's Office and the Scott County Chancery Clerk. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Scott County, including parcels in Forest. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Scott 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 Scott County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Forest, Mississippi?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Forest, 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 Scott County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Scott 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.