Where to Look in Mississippi
The six most productive places to start a people search in Mississippi. Each links directly to the official record source.
Official Mississippi Sources
State-level databases and agency record portals.
Mississippi Courts
Dockets, civil & criminal case filings, judgments.
Property & Tax Records
Deeds, assessor data, owner history, liens.
Inmates & Offenders
State prison rosters, sex offender registries, jails.
Vital Records
Birth, death, marriage, divorce — certified records.
Mississippi FAQ
Laws, fees, turnaround, and common questions.
1About Mississippi Public Records
The Mississippi Public Records Act (§ 25-61-1 et seq.) governs the public's right to access government documents. The law states that all public records are open for inspection and copying by any person, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
Exemptions in Mississippi are quite standard compared to the rest of the country: medical records, active law enforcement investigation files, academic records, and certain concealed carry permit identities are restricted. Furthermore, agencies are legally allowed to charge for the "actual cost" of searching for, reviewing, and copying records, which can make extensive FOIA requests costly.
2Best Starting Points in Mississippi
For immediate background checks and identity verification, begin with these primary statewide databases.
The official portal for verifying corporate entities, LLCs, and limited partnerships in the state.
The Mississippi Department of Corrections database of current state inmates and parolees.
Maintained by the Department of Public Safety, this tool tracks registered sex offenders statewide.
3Official State Sources
These resources aggregate data across multiple departments and offer statewide administrative insight.
The official portal for the State of Mississippi, providing links to all agency departments.
Provides public access to state government financial data, including state employee salaries and vendor payments.
4Court Records
Mississippi has a unique 4-tier court structure: the Supreme Court/Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts, Chancery Courts, and Justice/Municipal courts.
- Circuit Courts: Handle felony criminal prosecutions and major civil lawsuits.
- Chancery Courts: Handle equity matters—divorces, child custody, probate/wills, and land disputes.
- Justice Courts: Handle small claims and misdemeanor crimes outside city limits.
The state has aggressively rolled out the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, which is modeled heavily on the federal PACER system. Access requires an account, and users are charged per page for viewing documents, though viewing docket indices is sometimes free depending on the county's implementation.
The statewide e-filing and records access system for participating Chancery, Circuit, and County courts.
5Property & Tax Records
In Mississippi, property deeds, land records, and tax liens are the domain of the Chancery Clerk in each of the state's 82 counties. Property tax assessment values are determined by the County Tax Assessor. To research a person's real estate assets, you must identify the county where the property is located and search the specific Chancery Clerk's land records portal.
- Hinds County: The largest county (Jackson area); check the Hinds County Chancery Clerk.
- Harrison County: Gulfport/Biloxi region.
- DeSoto County: Memphis suburbs; extensive online land records availability.
- Rankin & Madison Counties: Major capital region suburbs.
6Business & Licensing Records
Business entities are registered centrally through the Secretary of State. Professional licensing, however, is decentralized across various state boards. Verifying a professional's credentials requires locating the specific regulatory body.
Search for licensed physicians, physician assistants, and check for disciplinary actions.
Public directory of all attorneys admitted to practice in Mississippi.
7Corrections & Inmate Records
The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) maintains a public search tool for individuals currently serving time in state prisons or under state parole supervision. For local jail bookings, you must consult the county sheriff's department website.
Information regarding parole hearing schedules and decisions.
8Vital Records
Mississippi vital records are strictly controlled by the Mississippi State Department of Health. They are not open to the general public. Only the registrant, their immediate family (spouse, parent, child, sibling), or a legal representative can obtain copies of birth and death certificates.
Marriage records are maintained at both the state level (for statistical purposes) and locally by the Circuit Clerk of the county where the license was issued. Divorces are recorded by the Chancery Clerk.
9Voter Registration
Mississippi voter registration files are public, but they are not provided in a free, searchable statewide database for the general public to browse. The Secretary of State’s "Y'all Vote" portal allows individuals to check their own registration status and polling place. Bulk voter data must be formally requested and purchased.
10Archives, Genealogy & Obituary Resources
For genealogy and deep historical research, the state archives are highly accessible and well-maintained.
Holds historical state records, military archives, and genealogical collections.
11County & City Resources
With 82 counties, much of Mississippi's public record data remains highly localized. Some counties have robust online portals, while rural counties may still require phone calls or physical visits.
Major county hubs include Hinds, Harrison, DeSoto, Rankin, Jackson, and Madison. For a comprehensive list of local courthouse links, visit our Mississippi County Public Records directory.
12People Search Tips for Mississippi
- Know the Clerks: If you want a divorce decree or a property deed, go to the Chancery Clerk. If you want a criminal conviction or a civil lawsuit judgment, go to the Circuit Clerk.
- MEC Navigation: If a county has adopted the MEC system, you will need to register for an account to view actual documents, and you should be prepared to pay small per-page fees.
- Dual County Seats: Be aware that several Mississippi counties have two county seats (e.g., Harrison County has Gulfport and Biloxi; Hinds County has Jackson and Raymond). You may need to check records in both courthouses.
13Privacy & Legal Framework
Mississippi's privacy laws generally align with federal standards. The state does not have a comprehensive consumer data privacy act like California's CCPA.
FCRA Reminder: Information obtained from these state and county databases cannot be used for employment screening, tenant evaluations, or credit decisions under the Fair Credit Reporting Act unless processed through a compliant Consumer Reporting Agency.
More Mississippi Record Tools
Combine a people search with Mississippi-specific record searches for a complete profile. These companion directories are already live on PublicRecordCenter.com:
Search People in Other States
Every state's public records system works differently. Click any state for its dedicated people-search directory.
Frequently Asked Questions — Mississippi
Are Mississippi court records free to search online?
Many Mississippi court records are available through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, but accessing actual documents usually incurs a per-page fee similar to the federal PACER system. Basic docket searches may be available depending on the specific court.
How do I find property records in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, property deeds, land records, and tax liens are maintained by the Chancery Clerk in each of the state's 82 counties. You must visit the specific county's Chancery Clerk website or office to search land records.
Is the Mississippi inmate lookup online?
Yes, the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) offers a free online Inmate Search tool to find individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities.
What is the difference between Chancery Court and Circuit Court in MS?
Chancery Courts handle equity matters like divorces, child custody, probate, and land disputes. Circuit Courts handle felony criminal cases and major civil lawsuits. Records for each are kept by separate clerks.
How do I get a Mississippi birth certificate?
Mississippi birth certificates are not public records. They can only be requested by the registrant, immediate family members, or legal representatives through the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Does Mississippi have a public sex offender registry?
Yes, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety maintains a publicly accessible, statewide Sex Offender Registry where you can search by name, address, or map radius.
How do I search for a business in Mississippi?
The Mississippi Secretary of State provides a free Business Services search portal online to find information on LLCs, corporations, and registered agents within the state.
Are voter registrations public in Mississippi?
Yes, voter registration lists are public records, but bulk access requires a formal request and fee. Individuals can verify their own polling place and status via the Secretary of State's Y'all Vote portal.