Lexington, Mississippi Public Records

The Holmes County Circuit Court, located in the Holmes County Courthouse at 2 Court Square, Lexington, MS 39095 (phone: 662-834-2508), has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $200,000, divorce and family law matters, and appeals from lower courts. The Holmes County Chancery Court, also located at 2 Court Square (phone: 662-834-2508), handles equity matters including property disputes, wills and estates, guardianships, adoptions, and civil cases under the chancery court's jurisdiction. The Holmes County Justice Court handles small claims cases up to $3,500, misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings for felonies, and eviction proceedings. Mississippi's statewide electronic court records system, MEC (Mississippi Electronic Courts), provides online access to some court records at https://courts.ms.gov, though not all historical records or case types are available online. To obtain certified copies of court documents, requesters must visit or contact the appropriate court clerk's office; certified copy fees are typically $1.00 per page plus a certification fee. Case searches can often be conducted in person at the courthouse during business hours, and clerks can assist with locating specific case files by party name or case number.

Property owners and prospective buyers can search assessment records by visiting the office in person or by contacting the office by phone; some Mississippi counties offer online property search tools, though availability varies and Holmes County's online access may be limited. The Holmes County Chancery Clerk's Office, which serves as the land records office, is located at 2 Court Square, Lexington, MS 39095 (phone: 662-834-2508), and maintains the official land records including deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, easements, plats, and other documents affecting real property titles. These records are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description, with records dating back to the county's formation. Members of the public can search land records in person at the Chancery Clerk's office during business hours; staff can assist with locating documents, and copies can be obtained for statutory fees (typically $1.00 per page). Some land records may be available through third-party subscription services, but official certified copies must be obtained from the Chancery Clerk. Property searches can be conducted by owner name, property address (when correlated with legal descriptions), or parcel number. Holmes County does not currently offer a comprehensive online GIS mapping system accessible to the public, so most property research requires in-person visits or phone contact with county offices.

The economy remains heavily influenced by agriculture, with cotton, soybeans, corn, and catfish farming dominating the surrounding countryside, and agricultural support services including equipment dealers, seed suppliers, and farm services operating in the area. Small businesses along the historic courthouse square and Highway 12 provide retail, dining, and services to local residents and county visitors. Holmes County consistently ranks among Mississippi's poorest counties, with median household income significantly below state and national averages—estimated around $25,000 to $30,000 in recent years. The county and city face ongoing economic challenges including population decline, limited industrial development, and high poverty rates. Recent economic development efforts have focused on supporting small business development, improving infrastructure, and leveraging the area's agricultural base. Lexington's economy reflects the broader challenges and characteristics of the rural Mississippi Delta region, with government services, education, agriculture, and small-scale commerce forming the economic foundation.

The Lexington Police Department, located at 104 South Tchula Street, Lexington, MS 39095 (phone: 662-834-2211), provides law enforcement services within the city limits of Lexington. The department responds to calls for service, conducts investigations, and maintains incident reports and accident records for events occurring within city boundaries. Citizens can request copies of police reports by visiting the department in person during business hours and completing a records request form; fees for copies typically apply. The Holmes County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 125 South Depot Street, Lexington, MS 39095 (phone: 662-834-1511), provides law enforcement services throughout Holmes County including unincorporated areas surrounding Lexington, operates the county jail, and maintains records for arrests and incidents in the sheriff's jurisdiction. To search for current inmates and recent arrests, the Holmes County Detention Center maintains booking records that can be accessed by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly; information typically includes inmate name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and mugshot photographs when available. Mississippi's public records law, found in Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 through § 25-61-17, establishes the right of citizens to inspect and copy public records, including law enforcement records that are not part of ongoing investigations or otherwise exempt. Requesters should submit written requests specifying the records sought, and agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time. Arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports are generally available unless they would compromise an ongoing investigation or are sealed by court order.

Certified copies of Mississippi birth certificates can be ordered online through the state's vendor VitalChek at https://www.msvitalrecords.ms.gov, in person at the state office, or by mail; the fee is $15 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Birth records are restricted to the person named (if of legal age), parents, legal representatives, and others with a direct and tangible interest as defined by Mississippi law. Death certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy; processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests and faster for online orders. The state office maintains birth records from November 1, 1912 forward and death records from the same date. Marriage licenses for Holmes County are issued by the Holmes County Circuit Clerk's Office at 2 Court Square, Lexington, MS 39095 (phone: 662-834-2508); the license fee is approximately $21.00, and there is no waiting period after issuance. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. Marriage records are public and can be searched at the Circuit Clerk's office. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Chancery Court clerk where the divorce was granted; copies can be obtained from the Holmes County Chancery Clerk at the same address. Mississippi law requires proper identification and proof of eligibility to obtain restricted vital records.

Fictitious business name (doing business as/DBA) registrations in Mississippi are filed with the county chancery clerk; the Holmes County Chancery Clerk's Office at 2 Court Square, Lexington, MS 39095 (phone: 662-834-2508) accepts DBA filings for businesses operating under names other than the owner's legal name. Mississippi corporations, limited liability companies, and other business entities must register with the Mississippi Secretary of State's Business Services Division. The state maintains a searchable online database of registered business entities at https://www.sos.ms.gov/business-services/pages/default.aspx, where users can search by business name, registered agent, or file number to view entity status, registration date, principal office address, and registered agent information. This service is free and available 24/7. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, which create security interests in personal property and serve as lien records, are also filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State; UCC searches can be conducted through the Secretary of State's office. Business property owners in Lexington must pay property taxes based on assessments maintained by the Holmes County Tax Assessor; commercial property assessments can be researched at the Assessor's office at 2 Court Square (phone: 662-834-2476).

Lexington voters are served by the Holmes County Circuit Clerk's Office, which administers elections for the county. The office is located at 2 Court Square, Lexington, MS 39095 (phone: 662-834-2508), where residents can obtain voter registration information, request absentee ballots, and access election records. Mississippi residents can register to vote online through the Mississippi Secretary of State's website at https://www.ms.gov/sos/voter_registration/pages/default.aspx or by submitting a paper application to the Circuit Clerk; the deadline to register is 30 days before any election. Voters must provide identification when registering and when voting; acceptable IDs include Mississippi driver's license, U.S. passport, government employee ID, firearms license, student ID from a Mississippi university, U.S. military ID, tribal photo ID, or Mississippi voter identification card available free from Circuit Clerk offices. Lexington holds municipal elections for mayor and board of aldermen; Mississippi municipal elections typically occur in June of odd-numbered years (2025, 2029, etc.) with party primaries in April and general elections in June. The next Lexington municipal elections are scheduled for 2025. Lexington residents can find their assigned polling place by contacting the Holmes County Circuit Clerk or checking the Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://www.sos.ms.gov/pollingplace. Mississippi public records law makes voter registration lists available for inspection, though the state restricts use for commercial purposes. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State and are available at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/campaign-finance. In the November 2024 presidential election, Holmes County recorded approximately 5,500 to 6,000 ballots cast, with detailed results available through the Secretary of State's website. On November 3, 2026, Mississippi voters will not have a U.S. Senate race (Mississippi's Senate seats are up in 2024 and 2026—specifically the Class 2 seat in 2026 held by Cindy Hyde-Smith). However, 2026 will feature all four U.S. House seats for Mississippi, all 122 Mississippi House of Representatives seats, and approximately half of the 52 Mississippi State Senate seats (those in districts with elections that cycle). Holmes County voters will also decide county offices that may be up for election including supervisors, sheriff, circuit clerk, chancery clerk, tax assessor, and other county positions depending on term schedules. Mississippi voters can request absentee ballots if they meet specific criteria including being away from their county on election day, having a temporary or permanent physical disability, being 65 or older, being a parent or guardian of a voter with a disability, or being a member of the military or spouse/dependent. Absentee ballot applications are available from the Circuit Clerk's office and must be submitted with appropriate deadlines before the election.