Lincoln County

Major landmarks include the historic Brookhaven downtown district, numerous antebellum homes, and the Mississippi School of the Arts located in Brookhaven. The county's economy has historically been rooted in timber, agriculture, and manufacturing. Lincoln County is served by several key government offices: the Lincoln County Chancery Clerk located at 300 South Second Street in Brookhaven handles land records, vital records, and court filings; the Lincoln County Tax Assessor at 301 South First Street manages property assessments and tax records; and the Lincoln County Circuit Clerk maintains criminal and civil court records.

The county is known for its role in Mississippi's timber industry and its location along Interstate 55, which has facilitated commercial development. Lincoln County maintains a traditional Mississippi county government structure with five supervisors representing distinct districts, along with elected officials including the Sheriff, Tax Collector, Circuit Clerk, and Chancery Clerk who serve the public records needs of residents and researchers.

Inmate lookup is available by contacting the detention center directly at (601) 835-3422 or through the Sheriff's Office website which provides a searchable roster of current inmates including booking dates, charges, and bond information. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Brookhaven Police Department serving the county seat at 150 East Monticello Street, which handles city limits policing, and smaller departments in the incorporated towns within the county. Arrest records in Lincoln County are public records under Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq., the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, which requires governmental entities to make public records available for inspection and copying during regular business hours.

Mugshots and booking photos are generally available as part of booking records through the detention center, and some booking information may be posted on the Sheriff's Office website or social media channels. The Sheriff's Office also maintains sex offender registry information as required by state and federal law, accessible through both county and state databases.

The Lincoln County Chancery Court, also located at 300 South Second Street, handles matters including divorces, child custody, adoptions, guardianships, estate settlements, land disputes, and civil cases in equity. The Chancery Clerk's office phone is (601) 835-3435 and maintains an extensive archive of historical records dating back to the county's formation. Two Justice Court judges serve the county with courtrooms in Brookhaven.

Municipal courts in Brookhaven and other incorporated municipalities handle city ordinance violations and traffic matters within city limits. Court records in Mississippi are governed by Mississippi Code § 9-1-41 and the Mississippi Public Records Act, making most court documents accessible to the public unless sealed by court order. The Circuit Clerk's office provides case lookup services in person, and while some Mississippi counties have implemented online case search systems through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system (MEC), Lincoln County primarily handles records requests through in-person or written requests.

Case files can be reviewed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.

These records date back to Lincoln County's establishment in 1870, with indexed volumes available for public inspection. The Chancery Clerk's land records division operates during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. While the office has begun digitizing records, comprehensive online searching may be limited compared to larger Mississippi counties.

Property tax information and assessment records are maintained separately by the Lincoln County Tax Assessor's Office at 301 South First Street, Brookhaven, MS 39601, phone (601) 835-3413. The Tax Assessor maintains ownership records, property valuations, parcel maps, and assessment rolls. Some property tax information may be searchable through the Tax Assessor's office, though full GIS/parcel viewer systems vary by county resources.

Title companies, attorneys, and abstract companies regularly access these records for real estate transactions, title searches, and legal due diligence.

Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Mississippi Code § 41-57-1 et seq. Death certificates for deaths in Lincoln County are also available through the Chancery Clerk or the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office at P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700, phone 1-866-634-6780.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Lincoln County Chancery Clerk's office, which also maintains marriage records. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. Divorce records (divorce decrees) are maintained by the Chancery Clerk as part of Chancery Court case files.

Online ordering of Mississippi vital records is available through VitalChek at ms.gov/vitalrecords, though additional service fees apply for expedited processing and credit card payments.

For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit corporations, businesses must register with the Mississippi Secretary of State Business Services Division. The Secretary of State maintains a searchable online database at https://corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/business-services/business-entity-search where users can search for registered business entities by name, filing number, or registered agent. Professional and occupational licenses are regulated by various state boards and commissions depending on the profession.

Sales tax permits are issued by the Mississippi Department of Revenue and are required for businesses selling tangible goods in Lincoln County. Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are handled by the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors and the county Planning Department, with specific requirements varying by district. The City of Brookhaven operates its own building inspection and code enforcement division for properties within city limits.

Business owners should contact Brookhaven City Hall at (601) 833-2371 for municipal business licenses and permits. The Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, located at 230 South Whitworth Avenue, Brookhaven, MS 39601, phone (601) 833-1411, website brookhavenchamber.com, provides resources for new and existing businesses including networking, economic development information, and community connections.

Voter registration in Lincoln County is available through multiple channels: in-person at the Circuit Clerk's office during regular business hours, by mail using a downloadable Mississippi Voter Registration Application, or online through the Mississippi Online Voter Registration system at https://www.ms.gov/sos/voter_registration/. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, residents of Mississippi and Lincoln County, at least 18 years old by the date of the election, and not disqualified by adjudication of mental incapacity or felony conviction (unless voting rights have been restored).

To find your specific polling place in Lincoln County, voters should contact the Circuit Clerk's office or check their voter registration status through the Mississippi Secretary of State's website at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting. Lincoln County operates multiple precinct voting locations throughout the county on election day, typically open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Election records that are public in Mississippi include voter registration rolls (excluding certain confidential information like Social Security numbers and dates of birth), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees, candidate qualifying documents, precinct-level election results, and absentee ballot statistics.

These records are available under the Mississippi Public Records Act and election-specific statutes. In the November 2024 general election, Lincoln County, like most Mississippi counties, saw moderate turnout typical of presidential election years, with participation rates generally ranging between 55% and 65% of registered voters, though official certified results should be verified with the Circuit Clerk. The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.

House of Representatives races for Mississippi's congressional districts, potential U.S. Senate races depending on the election cycle, and various Mississippi state legislative seats. Absentee voting in Lincoln County is available for voters who meet specific criteria under Mississippi law, including being away from the county on election day, having a temporary or permanent physical disability, being 65 years or older, being a parent, spouse, or dependent of a person with a disability, being required to work during all hours polls are open, or being an active-duty member of the military or spouse/dependent.

Absentee ballots must be requested in writing and returned by specific deadlines—typically ballots must be received by 5:00 PM on the Saturday before the election if delivered in person, or postmarked by election day and received within five business days if mailed. Lincoln County's election transparency is governed by Mississippi Code § 23-15-1 et seq., which provides for public observation of election processes and access to election records upon proper request to the Circuit Clerk.

Major employers include Haven Home Textiles (formerly Magnolia Fabrics), which produces textile products; Walmart Distribution Center, one of the largest employers in the county; and various wood products and lumber manufacturing operations that capitalize on the region's extensive pine forests. Agriculture remains significant, with Lincoln County farmers producing timber, cattle, poultry, and row crops including soybeans and corn. The county's forestry sector is particularly robust given Mississippi's status as a leading timber-producing state.

The service sector, including healthcare, retail, and hospitality, employs a substantial portion of the workforce. King's Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven serves as a major healthcare provider and employer. The county's location along Interstate 55, midway between Jackson and the Louisiana border, has facilitated truck stop, restaurant, and lodging businesses.

Small business entrepreneurship and family-owned operations contribute significantly to local employment. Unemployment rates in Lincoln County have generally tracked with state and national trends, experiencing fluctuations based on national economic conditions and seasonal factors. Economic development efforts are coordinated through the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors and the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Industrial Development Authority, which works to attract new industries and support existing businesses through workforce development, infrastructure improvements, and business incentives.

The Mississippi School of the Arts, located in Brookhaven, adds cultural and educational dimensions to the local economy. Recent development projects have focused on downtown Brookhaven revitalization, industrial park expansion, and improvements to county infrastructure to support continued economic growth.