Myrtle, Mississippi Public Records

For felony criminal cases, serious civil litigation, family law matters including divorce and custody, and probate proceedings, the Union County Chancery Court and Union County Circuit Court have jurisdiction. The Union County Circuit Court handles felony criminal prosecutions and civil cases exceeding the Justice Court limit, while the Union County Chancery Court (located at 109 Main Street, New Albany, MS 38652, phone (662) 534-1900) handles equity matters, divorces, child custody, adoptions, estate administration, and land disputes. The Chancery Clerk serves as the record keeper for both courts. Mississippi does not currently maintain a comprehensive statewide online court records portal accessible to the general public for case searches. Court records must typically be accessed in person at the Chancery Clerk's office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays). Some limited case information may be available by phone inquiry, but detailed records review requires an in-person visit. Certified copies of court documents typically cost $1.50 per page plus a certification fee of approximately $2.00 per document, though fees should be confirmed with the Chancery Clerk. Filing fees vary by case type; for example, civil complaint filing fees in Circuit Court are approximately $150-$200, while divorce petitions generally require a filing fee of around $150 plus additional fees for service of process.

While Union County does not currently offer a comprehensive online property search portal with full GIS mapping capabilities, basic property tax information may be available by contacting the Assessor's office directly with a property address or parcel number. For detailed property ownership history, legal descriptions, and recorded documents such as warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, easements, and right-of-way documents, the Union County Chancery Clerk serves as the county's official land records recorder. The Chancery Clerk's office, located at the Union County Courthouse, 109 Main Street, New Albany, MS 38652, phone (662) 534-1900, maintains land records dating back to the county's formation. Mississippi law requires that most real property transactions be recorded in the county where the property is located to provide constructive notice. These records are public and accessible during normal business hours. To conduct a property search, requesters should provide either the property address, current owner name, or legal description. The Chancery Clerk's staff can assist with locating recorded documents, though extensive title searches typically require hiring a title company or attorney. Copying fees for recorded documents are generally $1.00 per page for standard copies and $1.50 per page for certified copies. Union County does not currently participate in a free online land records database, so in-person or mail requests are necessary for obtaining copies of deeds and other recorded instruments. Some Mississippi counties have begun digitizing records, but Union County's online access remains limited.

Union County's economy is anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail sectors concentrated in New Albany, while Tupelo serves as the regional economic hub for Northeast Mississippi with major employers including North Mississippi Medical Center, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, and numerous furniture and automotive suppliers. Agriculture remains important throughout Union County, with cattle operations, poultry farming (contract growers for major integrators), timber harvesting, and row crops including soybeans and corn. The median household income for Union County is approximately $45,000-$50,000, somewhat below the Mississippi state median, reflecting the rural and agricultural economic base. Myrtle-area residents may find employment in forestry services, agricultural supply businesses, construction, and county government operations. The Union County School District is a significant employer countywide. Recent economic development in Union County has focused on industrial recruitment to New Albany and infrastructure improvements along major transportation corridors. The community of Myrtle maintains its traditional character as a quiet rural settlement, with most residents engaged in farming, forestry, commuting to nearby employment centers, or retirement. The proximity to Tupelo's growing economy provides economic opportunities while Myrtle itself retains its agricultural heritage. The Natchez Trace Parkway, a national scenic highway managed by the National Park Service, passes through Union County and brings some tourism-related economic activity to the region.

Law enforcement services for Myrtle, Mississippi are provided exclusively by the Union County Sheriff's Office, as Myrtle is an unincorporated community without its own police department. The Union County Sheriff's Office is located at 109 Main Street, New Albany, MS 38652, and can be reached by phone at (662) 534-1941. The Sheriff's Office maintains jurisdiction over all unincorporated areas of Union County, including Myrtle, and handles patrol operations, criminal investigations, civil process service, and jail operations. Residents seeking police reports, incident records, or accident reports must contact the Sheriff's Office directly during normal business hours. Requests for law enforcement records in Mississippi are governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.), which provides public access to most police reports and incident logs unless they pertain to ongoing investigations or contain confidential information protected by statute. Written requests for records may be required, and the Sheriff's Office may charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time. For arrest and jail booking information, the Union County Sheriff's Office maintains custody of individuals arrested in the Myrtle area at the Union County Detention Facility. While Union County does not currently provide a comprehensive online inmate roster with public access, information about current inmates, charges, bond amounts, and booking dates can typically be obtained by calling the jail division at (662) 534-1941. Some Mississippi counties utilize third-party systems for inmate searches, but inquiries specific to Union County should be directed to the Sheriff's Office. Mississippi law requires that booking information generally be public record unless sealed by court order. For historical arrest records, warrants, or criminal history information, requesters may also contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety or utilize the Mississippi Public Safety Planning Division's available databases for statewide criminal records searches.

Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy. Certified copies are typically available for births and deaths occurring from 1912 to present, though some earlier records exist. Only eligible individuals may request vital records: the registrant (if of legal age), immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a documented legal interest. Valid government-issued photo identification is required, and proof of relationship may be necessary. Processing time is typically 6-8 weeks for mail requests, though expedited service is available for an additional fee through VitalChek. Marriage licenses for Myrtle residents are issued by the Union County Chancery Clerk's office at the Union County Courthouse, 109 Main Street, New Albany, MS 38652, phone (662) 534-1900. Mississippi law requires a three-day waiting period between license issuance and marriage ceremony (waivable by the Chancery Clerk). The marriage license fee in Union County is approximately $21.00 if both parties complete premarital counseling from a qualified provider, or a higher fee (typically around $50) without counseling. Marriage records are maintained permanently by the Chancery Clerk and are public record. Divorce records, including divorce decrees and related court proceedings, are maintained by the Union County Chancery Court and are available through the Chancery Clerk's office. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost approximately $1.50 per page plus a certification fee. Historical vital records may be available through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for genealogical research purposes.

Businesses operating in Myrtle should contact Union County offices at the courthouse, 109 Main Street, New Albany, MS 38652, phone (662) 534-1900, to determine whether county permits are required for their specific activity. Mississippi does not have a statewide business license requirement, but specific regulated industries (food service, alcohol sales, professional services, etc.) require appropriate state licenses from relevant regulatory agencies. For businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name, Mississippi requires registration of assumed business names (DBAs) with the Secretary of State. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships file assumed name certificates through the Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Services Division, P.O. Box 136, Jackson, MS 39205, phone (601) 359-1633. The filing fee is $25 and can be completed online at https://www.sos.ms.gov/business-services. For formal business entities, the Mississippi Secretary of State maintains the official registry of corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other business entities. The Secretary of State's business entity search is available free online at https://corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/corpBusinessIdSearch/portal.aspx, where users can search by business name, registered agent, or file number to view entity status, formation date, registered office address, registered agent information, and filing history. Annual reports are required for Mississippi corporations and LLCs to maintain good standing. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien searches for secured transactions and financing statements are also filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State and searchable through their website. For commercial property tax information in the Myrtle area, business owners should contact the Union County Tax Assessor's Office at (662) 534-1910 to obtain assessed values, millage rates, and payment information for business personal property and real estate.

Myrtle, Mississippi voters are served by the Union County Circuit Clerk's office, which administers elections for the county. The Union County Circuit Clerk is located at 109 Main Street, New Albany, MS 38652, and the elections division can be reached at (662) 534-1900. The office handles voter registration, absentee voting, poll worker recruitment, ballot preparation, and election night results tabulation for all local, state, and federal elections affecting Myrtle residents. Mississippi voters can register online through the Mississippi Secretary of State's website at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/voter-registration-information, or by submitting a voter registration application in person at the Circuit Clerk's office or by mail. The voter registration deadline in Mississippi is 30 days before any election. Mississippi requires voters to provide acceptable identification when registering and when voting; acceptable IDs include a driver's license, photo ID issued by Mississippi, U.S. passport, government employee ID, tribal photo ID, or a Mississippi voter identification card available free from Circuit Clerks. Because Myrtle is unincorporated and has no municipal government, there are no city council or mayoral elections specific to Myrtle. Voters participate in Union County elections for County Supervisor (five districts), Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, Chancery Clerk, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, Coroner, and other county offices. Mississippi holds county elections in years immediately following presidential elections (2025, 2029, etc.), with primaries typically in August and general elections in November. To find their assigned polling place, Myrtle residents should contact the Union County Circuit Clerk at (662) 534-1900 or use the Mississippi Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool available at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/am-i-registered. Mississippi law makes certain election records public, including voter registration lists (available for purchase by qualified requesters), campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State or local election commissions, candidate qualifying documents, and precinct-level election results. Voter history (whether someone voted, but not how they voted) is also public record. In the November 2024 presidential election, Union County reported approximately 60-65% voter turnout among registered voters, consistent with recent presidential election cycles in rural Mississippi counties. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Myrtle and Union County voters will decide several important races. In 2026, there is no U.S. Senate seat from Mississippi on the ballot (Mississippi's Senate seats are up in 2024 and 2026 staggered cycles; Senator Roger Wicker's seat was up in 2024 and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith's will be up in 2026). However, all four of Mississippi's U.S. House seats will be on the ballot; Myrtle is located in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District. Additionally, all 122 Mississippi House seats and 52 Mississippi Senate seats will be contested in the 2027 state legislative elections (Mississippi holds state legislative elections the year after federal midterms). County offices including Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, Chancery Clerk, and County Supervisors will not be on the 2026 ballot as they were elected in 2023 for four-year terms. Mississippi voters can request absentee ballots if they meet specific criteria: voters who are 65 or older, voters with temporary or permanent physical disabilities, voters who will be away from their county on election day, required caregivers of dependents who are hospitalized or disabled, members of the military and their spouses and dependents, or voters with religious commitments. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Union County Circuit Clerk, and voted ballots must be received by 5:00 PM on the Saturday before Election Day or postmarked by Election Day and received within five business days. Mississippi does not have universal mail-in voting or no-excuse absentee voting. In-person absentee voting is available at the Circuit Clerk's office beginning 45 days before an election.