About Jackson County
Jackson County is located in the southeastern corner of Mississippi, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the south and Alabama to the east. The county seat is Pascagoula, positioned along the Pascagoula River near its confluence with the Gulf. Jackson County encompasses approximately 742 square miles and maintains a population of roughly 143,000 residents, making it one of Mississippi's more populous coastal counties. The county was established in 1812 and named after Andrew Jackson, who would later become the seventh President of the United States.
- The county's Gulf Coast location provides access to commercial fishing, tourism, and maritime industries that define its economic landscape and cultural identity.
Major municipalities include Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Gautier, and Moss Point, each contributing to the county's diverse coastal character. The county is home to significant maritime heritage sites, including the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge and historic Ocean Springs, one of the oldest settlements in the Mississippi Valley. The Jackson County Courthouse is located at 3104 Canty Street in Pascagoula, serving as the administrative center.
The County Recorder and Chancery Clerk offices maintain land records and vital documents at this location. The Tax Assessor's office, responsible for property valuations, operates from the same complex. Jackson County's economy has historically centered on shipbuilding, with Ingalls Shipbuilding remaining a cornerstone employer.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of the county. It operates the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community policing and crime prevention programs, striving to enhance public safety and trust. Notable divisions within the office include the Criminal Investigations Division and the Narcotics Task Force, which focus on solving crimes and combating drug-related offenses.
Police Departments
In addition to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within the county. These include the Pascagoula Police Department, Ocean Springs Police Department, Gautier Police Department, and Moss Point Police Department. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective city limits, handling local crimes and community policing. The agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, ensuring comprehensive coverage and support across the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Jackson County Sheriff's Department, headquartered at 3240 Shortcut Road in Pascagoula, Mississippi 39567, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (228) 769-3063 and maintains a website at jacksoncountysheriff.com where citizens can access general department information. The Jackson County Adult Detention Center, operated by the Sheriff's Department, houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving county sentences.
- Requests for arrest records should be submitted in writing to the Sheriff's Department or the specific municipal police department that made the arrest.
- Booking photos and mugshots are generally available through the detention center, though formal written requests may be required for older records.
- Processing times for arrest record requests typically range from several days to two weeks depending on the volume and complexity of the request.
- The Sheriff's Department also provides civil process service, court security, and patrol operations throughout the county's unincorporated regions.
Inmate searches can be conducted by contacting the detention center directly at (228) 769-3444 or visiting the facility in person at 4116 Shortcut Road in Pascagoula. Municipal law enforcement is provided by several city police departments: the Pascagoula Police Department serving the county seat, Ocean Springs Police Department, Gautier Police Department, and Moss Point Police Department, each with jurisdiction within their respective city limits. Arrest records in Jackson County are considered public information under the Mississippi Public Records Act, codified at Miss.
Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Jackson County's criminal records system encompasses a range of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request criminal records through the appropriate law enforcement agency or utilize state resources for broader searches.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Jackson County are maintained by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. These records document the details of an individual's arrest, including the charges, date, and location of the arrest. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, following the guidelines set forth by the Mississippi Public Records Act. An arrest record in Jackson County typically includes the individual's personal information, mugshot, and a summary of the charges filed against them.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Jackson County Adult Detention Center, located in Pascagoula, is the primary facility for housing individuals arrested within the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and documenting personal information. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office website, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to strict guidelines.
- The bond and bail process in Mississippi allows for the release of detainees pending trial, with bail amounts set by the court based on the severity of the offense.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Jackson County are taken and retained by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. Mississippi does not have specific laws regarding mugshot removal, so individuals seeking to have their mugshots removed must pursue legal avenues or negotiate with the hosting entity. Mugshots are often used in conjunction with arrest records to provide a complete profile of an individual's arrest history.
Courts & Case Records
Jackson County's judicial system operates through multiple court levels with distinct jurisdictions. The Jackson County Circuit Court, located at the Jackson County Courthouse, 3104 Canty Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567, handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $200,000, and appeals from lower courts. The Circuit Clerk's office can be reached at (228) 769-3031 and maintains case records for both Circuit and Chancery Courts.
- Jackson County Justice Court handles misdemeanor offenses, preliminary hearings for felonies, small claims up to $3,500, and traffic violations.
- The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system provides online case search capabilities for Circuit and Chancery Court cases at https://courts.ms.gov, though access to certain sensitive case types may be restricted.
- Fees for certified copies of court documents typically range from $1.00 to $2.00 per page plus certification fees.
- In-person record requests can be made at the respective Clerk's offices during regular business hours, generally 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
The Jackson County Chancery Court, sharing the same courthouse location, exercises jurisdiction over domestic relations matters including divorce, child custody, adoption, as well as estate administration, land disputes, and guardianships. The Chancery Clerk serves as the official recorder of deeds and vital statistics in addition to court duties. Multiple Justice Court judges serve different districts within the county.
Municipal courts in Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Gautier, and Moss Point adjudicate city ordinance violations and certain misdemeanors occurring within city limits. Court records are governed by Mississippi's Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann.
§ 25-61-1 et seq.) and Mississippi Uniform Circuit and County Court Rule 1.17, which establishes public access standards.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Jackson County are maintained by the Office of the Chancery Clerk, functioning as the County Recorder, located at the Jackson County Courthouse, 3104 Canty Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567. The Chancery Clerk's office can be contacted at (228) 769-3031 for land records inquiries. This office maintains comprehensive indices of deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, easements, right-of-way agreements, plat maps, subdivision records, and other instruments affecting real property title.
- Recording fees for new documents vary by instrument type and page count, generally starting at approximately $15.00 for the first page and additional fees for subsequent pages.
- Certified copies can be requested in person or by mail with proper identification and payment.
Jackson County offers online property record searching through a subscription-based system accessible via the Chancery Clerk's website, though some basic search functions may be available without charge. Document images and indices dating back several decades are typically available in the digital system. Property tax records are administered separately by the Jackson County Tax Assessor's office, also located at the courthouse complex, phone (228) 769-3035.
The Assessor maintains property valuations, ownership data, exemption applications, and assessment rolls. The Jackson County Geographic Information System (GIS) provides a parcel viewer accessible online, offering aerial imagery, property boundaries, ownership information, and assessment data without charge for basic searches. The Tax Collector's office handles property tax payment collection and maintains payment history records.
All land records are public under Mississippi law, though certain personal information may be redacted in accordance with privacy statutes.
Vital Records
Vital records for Jackson County, Mississippi are maintained by the Chancery Clerk's office, located at the Jackson County Courthouse, 3104 Canty Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567, phone (228) 769-3031. Birth certificates for births occurring in Jackson County can be requested from the Chancery Clerk, with fees typically set at $15.00 for the first certified copy and $7.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously. Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Miss. Code Ann.
- Eligible requestors include the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with court orders.
- Death certificates follow similar procedures and fee structures, available from the Chancery Clerk for deaths occurring within the county.
- Processing time for vital record requests typically ranges from same-day service for in-person requests to 7-10 business days for mail requests.
- The marriage license fee is approximately $21.00, and there is no waiting period or blood test requirement in Mississippi.
- Divorce records are maintained as court records in the Chancery Court files and must be requested through the Chancery Clerk as court documents.
§ 41-57-1 et seq., which governs vital records access in Mississippi. Marriage licenses are issued by the Circuit Clerk's office at the same courthouse location, with couples required to appear in person with valid identification. For records more than one year old or for expedited service, the Mississippi State Department of Health, Vital Records Office, 570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216, serves as an alternative source.
The state office can be reached at (601) 206-8200 and offers online ordering through VitalChek for an additional convenience fee. Online orders typically arrive within 2-3 weeks.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Jackson County are managed through multiple agencies depending on the type of record sought. The Jackson County Chancery Clerk's office, located at 3104 Canty Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567, phone (228) 769-3031, maintains assumed name (DBA) filings and certain local business registrations. Businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must file an assumed name certificate with the Chancery Clerk, with fees typically around $25.00.
- Sales tax permits are administered by the Mississippi Department of Revenue and can be researched through their online systems.
- The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, serving the broader coastal region, maintains a business directory and provides resources for economic development, accessible at www.mscoastchamber.com.
These records are public and can be searched in person at the Clerk's office during regular business hours. For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities, the Mississippi Secretary of State Business Services Division maintains the central registry. The Secretary of State's online business entity database is freely searchable at https://www.sos.ms.gov/business-services, providing information on registered agents, filing dates, entity status, and annual report compliance.
Professional and occupational licenses are generally issued by state-level boards and commissions rather than county offices. Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are handled by Jackson County's Planning and Zoning Department and by individual municipal building departments for properties within city limits. County business licenses or regulatory permits may be required for certain activities and can be researched through the Jackson County Board of Supervisors office at (228) 769-3062.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Jackson County, Mississippi are administered by the Circuit Clerk's office, which serves as the county's election authority. The Circuit Clerk's Elections Division is located at the Jackson County Courthouse, 3104 Canty Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567, and can be reached at (228) 769-3031 for voter registration and election inquiries.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status and find their assigned polling location using the Mississippi Secretary of State's online voter lookup tool at https://www.msegov.com/sos/voter_registration/.
- In the November 2024 general election, Jackson County experienced voter turnout of approximately 58-62% of registered voters, consistent with presidential election cycles in Mississippi Gulf Coast counties.
- Mississippi does not offer early voting in the traditional sense but provides absentee voting for qualified voters.
Voter registration in Jackson County requires completion of a Mississippi Voter Registration Application, available online at the Mississippi Secretary of State's website (www.sos.ms.gov), at the Circuit Clerk's office, or at various public agencies. Mississippi offers online voter registration at https://www.ms.gov/sos/voter_registration for eligible citizens with a Mississippi driver's license or ID card. The voter registration deadline is 30 days before any election, meaning applications must be postmarked or submitted online by that date.
Jackson County maintains numerous precincts across its municipalities and unincorporated areas, with polling locations listed on the Circuit Clerk's website and published before each election. Public election records include voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted under Miss. Code Ann.
§ 23-15-47), campaign finance reports filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State for state and federal candidates, and precinct-level election results published after certification. The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, potential U.S.
Senate contests depending on the cycle, and various Mississippi state legislative and county offices. Absentee ballots in Jackson County can be requested from the Circuit Clerk's office by eligible voters including those who will be away from the county on election day, persons with temporary or permanent physical disabilities, those 65 years or older, poll workers assigned outside their home precinct, and other categories defined in Miss. Code Ann.
§ 23-15-713. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Circuit Clerk no later than noon on the Saturday before the election for mail-in absentee voting, or voters may vote absentee in person at the Circuit Clerk's office during the 45-day period before an election. Mississippi's election records transparency is governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act and specific election statutes, allowing citizens to request and inspect voter registration data, precinct results, and other election administration documents with appropriate procedures.
Economy & Demographics
Jackson County's economy is fundamentally shaped by its Gulf Coast location and deep maritime heritage, with shipbuilding serving as the dominant industrial sector. Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries located in Pascagoula, stands as the county's largest employer with approximately 11,000 workers, constructing naval vessels including destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and national security cutters for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.
- The median household income in Jackson County is approximately $52,000, slightly below the national average but reflecting the county's mix of high-wage manufacturing jobs and service sector employment.
- The county benefits from proximity to Keesler Air Force Base in neighboring Harrison County, which provides additional economic stability through military and defense contractor employment.
The facility represents one of the most significant shipbuilding operations in the United States and drives substantial secondary employment in supporting industries. Beyond shipbuilding, Jackson County's economy encompasses commercial fishing and seafood processing, tourism and hospitality concentrated in Ocean Springs and along the coastal beaches, healthcare services, retail, and logistics. The Port of Pascagoula serves as a significant economic asset, handling bulk commodities, breakbulk cargo, and supporting maritime commerce.
Chevron operates a major refinery facility in Pascagoula, contributing to the petrochemical sector's regional presence. The Mississippi Army Ammunition Plant, though reduced from peak operations, maintains a presence in the county. Unemployment rates in Jackson County have historically tracked closely with national trends, with recent figures in the 4-5% range.
Major economic development initiatives have focused on diversifying beyond shipbuilding dependence, supporting aerospace suppliers, composite manufacturing, and expanding tourism infrastructure.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online via MEC System | Property: ✅ Online GIS/Parcel Viewer | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or Mail Required | Business: ✅ State Online Search | Elections: ✅ Online Voter Tools | Overall Score: 7/10 — Jackson County provides good digital access to court, property, and election records, though jail rosters and vital records require direct contact or in-person visits.
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Cities & Towns in Jackson County
Explore public records for 7 cities and communities in Jackson County, Mississippi.
Nearby Counties
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