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

https://www.scottcountyms.gov/sheriff

⚖️ 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.

🔗 https://www.co.forrest.ms.us/

🏠 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.

🔗 https://www.co.forrest.ms.us/duprocesswebinquiry

Public Records & Services in Forest

Public Schools

Official source: NCES Public School District Search
  • 🎓Public schools are administered by local school districts under state Department of Education oversight.
  • 📊School performance data, enrollment, and district boundaries are published by the state Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov).
  • 📞Contact the local district office for enrollment, transcripts, or attendance records.
Public schools in Forest, Scott County, Mississippi are administered by the local school district. School performance data, enrollment information, and district boundaries are available through the Mississippi Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.

Crime Data & Statistics

Official source: FBI Crime Data Explorer Crime data for Forest, Scott County, Mississippi is maintained by local law enforcement agencies and reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime statistics through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local police (where present) or the Scott County Sheriff's Office.

Public Library Records Access

Official source: IMLS Library Search & Compare
  • 📚Public libraries provide free access to online databases, historical archives, and government-document collections.
  • 🔎Many libraries offer remote access to property records, court records, and genealogy resources with a valid library card.
  • 👤Reference librarians can assist with research, document retrieval, and government-records lookups.
The Forest Public Library provides access to public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. The Scott County library system may offer additional resources. Contact the library for available databases and research assistance.

Fingerprinting Services

Official source: FBI Identity History Summary Checks
  • 👆Fingerprinting for background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening is offered by local police and authorized providers.
  • 📅Most agencies require appointments; walk-in hours and fees vary by location.
  • 🪪Bring valid government-issued photo ID; some agencies accept fingerprint cards mailed in for processing.
Fingerprinting services for Forest, Mississippi residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized providers in Scott County. Services cover background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening. Contact local police (where present) or the Scott County Sheriff's Office for scheduling and fees.

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.

Quick Access
Mississippi Public Records Scott County Public Records Mississippi Court Records Mississippi Criminal Records US County Directory
City Info
Forest is a Mississippi community in Scott County. Official records — court files, deeds, and vital records — are held at the county and state level.
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Forest Questions
Scott County Justice Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings for felonies, civil matters up to $3,500, and evictions. See the Scott County page.
Deeds and land records are recorded with the Scott County Chancery Clerk. Scott County is divided into five supervisory districts and is served by a traditional county government structure including Scott County Board of Supervisors, the Chancery Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, and Sheriff.
Vital records requests go through Mississippi’s state vital records office; see Mississippi Public Records for the request routes.
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.
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.