Stone County

The county features a mix of pine forests, agricultural lands, and small communities, with portions of the De Soto National Forest covering significant areas in the northern part of the county. Major landmarks include Red Creek, which flows through the county and is popular for canoeing and recreation, and portions of the Longleaf Trace rail-trail system. The county's economy historically centered on timber, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing.

Stone County Courthouse in Wiggins houses the principal government offices including the Office of the Chancery Clerk, Circuit Clerk, County Assessor, and Tax Collector. The Stone County Board of Supervisors governs the county from the courthouse located at 323 East Cavers Avenue in Wiggins. The county maintains a rural character with scattered communities including Perkinston, home to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's Perkinston campus, one of the county's largest employers and educational institutions.

Inmate information and booking records can be obtained by contacting the detention center directly at the main sheriff's office number or by visiting in person during regular business hours; Stone County does not currently maintain a comprehensive online inmate roster, though some third-party jail roster websites may publish limited booking information. Municipal police departments also operate in smaller incorporated areas within the county. Arrest records in Stone County are public records accessible under the Mississippi Public Records Act, codified at Miss.

Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq., which grants citizens the right to inspect and copy public records with certain exemptions. To request arrest records, citizens should submit a written request to the Stone County Sheriff's Office or the Circuit Clerk's office, specifying the name and approximate date of arrest; fees for copies typically apply.

Stone County Chancery Court, also housed at the courthouse, exercises jurisdiction over domestic relations matters including divorce and custody, probate and estates, guardianships, land title disputes, and civil cases involving the county or municipalities. The Chancery Clerk serves as the official record keeper for these proceedings. Two Justice Court judges serve the county with courtrooms in different districts.

Municipal courts in Wiggins and other incorporated areas handle traffic violations, municipal ordinances, and misdemeanor offenses within city limits. Court records in Mississippi are governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann.

§ 25-61-1 et seq.) and Mississippi Supreme Court rules regarding access to court records. The Circuit Clerk and Chancery Clerk provide public access to non-sealed case files during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Stone County does not currently participate in a comprehensive online case search system, though Mississippi courts are gradually implementing electronic filing and public access systems.

Mississippi law requires real property conveyances and encumbrances to be recorded in the county where the land is located to provide constructive notice. Stone County does not currently offer a comprehensive free online search portal for land records; however, some recent documents may be accessible through limited online systems, and third-party subscription services may provide access to digitized records. To search records in person, researchers can use grantor-grantee indexes organized alphabetically by surname or parcel-based indexing systems.

The Stone County Tax Assessor's Office, also located at the courthouse, maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, parcel maps, and property characteristic data. The Stone County Tax Collector handles the collection of ad valorem property taxes and maintains payment records. Stone County participates in the statewide Mississippi Automated Resource Information System (MARIS) program, which may provide GIS parcel mapping and basic property information through online viewers, though functionality varies by county implementation.

However, the Mississippi State Department of Health, Vital Records Office, 570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216, serves as the central repository for all Mississippi vital records and is often the more reliable source for certified copies. Marriage licenses in Stone County are issued by the Stone County Circuit Clerk's office; applicants must appear in person with valid identification, and there is a three-day waiting period after issuance before the ceremony can occur (waivable by court order). Divorce records are maintained by the Chancery Clerk in the case files of divorce proceedings and are public records unless sealed by court order.

Mississippi vital records law is codified at Miss. Code Ann. § 41-57-1 et seq.

Online ordering of vital records is available through VitalChek, the state's authorized vendor, at www.msdh.ms.gov, though service fees apply in addition to standard fees. Identification requirements include government-issued photo ID for in-person requests or notarized applications for mail requests.

The primary repository for business entity records is the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office, Business Services Division, which maintains the official registry of corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other formal business entities operating in Mississippi. The Secretary of State provides a free online Business Entity Search at www.sos.ms.gov where users can search by business name, registered agent, or file number to access formation documents, annual reports, registered agent information, and current standing status. Professional and occupational licenses are generally issued by state-level licensing boards rather than county offices; specific professions should be verified through the appropriate Mississippi professional licensing board.

Sales tax permits and resale certificates are issued by the Mississippi Department of Revenue and can be researched through the department's systems. Stone County building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are administered by the Stone County Board of Supervisors and the county's planning and development office. Contractors and builders should contact the Board of Supervisors office at the Stone County Courthouse for information on building permit requirements, inspection schedules, and zoning compliance.

The Stone County Chamber of Commerce, serving Wiggins and surrounding areas, provides business development resources and networking opportunities for local businesses, though it does not maintain official licensing records. For specific business license requirements within incorporated municipalities, contact the respective city clerk's office; the City of Wiggins maintains its own municipal business license requirements for businesses operating within city limits.

Voter registration in Stone County can be completed by submitting an application to the Circuit Clerk's office in person, by mail, or online through the Mississippi Online Voter Registration system at www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/voter-registration-information, operated by the Mississippi Secretary of State. The voter registration deadline in Mississippi is 30 days prior to any election. Eligible citizens must be U.S.

citizens, residents of Mississippi and Stone County, at least 18 years old by the election date, and not disqualified by conviction of certain felonies or adjudication of mental incapacity. To find your polling place in Stone County, voters should contact the Circuit Clerk's office or check their voter registration status through the Secretary of State's website, which provides polling location information based on residential address. Stone County operates multiple precinct polling locations throughout the county, typically in community centers, fire stations, and municipal buildings.

Public election records in Mississippi include voter registration lists (available with restrictions under Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-47), campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State or local election commissions, candidate qualifying documents, precinct-level election results, and post-election certification records.

The 2024 general election saw Stone County voters participate in the presidential election and congressional races, with turnout typically ranging from 55% to 65% of registered voters in high-profile general elections, consistent with rural Mississippi county patterns. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives midterm elections for Mississippi's congressional districts, potential U.S.

Senate races, and Mississippi state legislative seats depending on district boundaries. Absentee voting in Stone County is available for voters who meet qualifying criteria under Mississippi law, including being away from the county on election day, having a temporary or permanent disability, being 65 years or older, working as an election official, or being a parent, spouse, or dependent of a person with a disability. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Circuit Clerk's office, with deadlines of 11 days before the election for mail ballots (application deadline) and voted ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on election day.

Mississippi law governing public access to election records is found in Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-1 et seq., which establishes transparency requirements while protecting certain voter privacy interests.

The timber industry remains significant with forestry operations, logging, and related support services employing residents across the county's extensive pine forests. Agriculture focuses primarily on poultry production, cattle operations, and some row crop farming. Manufacturing facilities include small to medium-sized operations producing wood products, fabricated materials, and components for regional supply chains.

The county's economy benefits from proximity to the Gulf Coast metropolitan area, with many residents commuting south to Harrison County for employment in casino gaming, shipbuilding, tourism, and military installations including Keesler Air Force Base. Unemployment rates in Stone County typically track slightly above Mississippi state averages, fluctuating between 4.5% and 6.5% depending on economic conditions. Economic development efforts focus on expanding broadband infrastructure, attracting light manufacturing, supporting small business development, and leveraging the county's natural amenities for recreation-based tourism.

The Stone County Board of Supervisors works with regional economic development partnerships to recruit new businesses and retain existing employers. Retail and service sectors are concentrated in Wiggins, providing basic commercial services, though residents often travel to Hattiesburg or the Gulf Coast for major shopping and specialized services.