Union, Mississippi Public Records

The Neshoba County Chancery Court, also located in the courthouse at the same address (phone: 601-656-4781), handles probate matters, estate administration, property disputes, guardianships, adoptions, and equity cases. For misdemeanor criminal offenses and civil cases under $3,500, the Neshoba County Justice Court serves Union residents; the Justice Court is located at 401 East Beacon Street, Philadelphia, MS 39350 (phone: 601-656-5629). Mississippi does not have a separate municipal court for unincorporated communities like Union. Court records for Neshoba County can be searched through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, available at https://courts.ms.gov, which provides online access to case information, dockets, and some filings for civil and criminal cases statewide. Not all historical records are digitized, so older cases may require in-person research at the courthouse. To obtain certified copies of court documents, requesters must contact the appropriate clerk's office directly. The Chancery Clerk charges $1.00 per page for copies and $5.00 for certification. The Circuit Clerk charges similar fees: $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee for official copies. Case searches conducted by court staff may incur additional research fees if the request is extensive. Most court records are public under Mississippi law unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute (such as certain juvenile or mental health proceedings).

The Tax Assessor's website offers an online property search tool where residents can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address to view current assessment information, tax history, and legal descriptions. This online database is available free of charge and is updated regularly throughout the year as ownership changes are recorded. The Neshoba County Chancery Clerk's Office, serving as the land records recorder, is located at 401 East Beacon Street, Philadelphia, MS 39350 (phone: 601-656-4781). This office is responsible for recording and maintaining all land-related documents, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, easements, liens, plats, and other instruments affecting real property title. The Chancery Clerk's land records database can be searched online through a subscription-based service or by visiting the office in person. Copies of recorded documents can be obtained for a fee of $1.00 per page, with certification available for an additional $5.00. The Chancery Clerk's records extend back to the creation of Neshoba County in 1833, though early records may require special handling. Neshoba County also provides a GIS mapping system accessible through the county website, offering interactive parcel maps that display property boundaries, ownership, zoning, and assessment data. This tool is particularly useful for researching property in Union and other rural areas where street addresses may not be consistently assigned. Title searchers and attorneys regularly use these combined resources to establish chains of title for real estate transactions throughout the county.

The Pearl River Resort, operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and located near Philadelphia, represents one of the region's largest employers, drawing workers from throughout the county including the Union area for casino, hotel, and entertainment positions. The broader Neshoba County economy has median household income estimated at approximately $35,000-$38,000, below the Mississippi state average, reflecting the rural character and limited industrial development. Union's immediate vicinity is even more rural, with many households deriving income from agriculture, timber sales, or commuting to employment centers. The forestry sector remains significant, with Georgia-Pacific and other timber companies maintaining active operations in east-central Mississippi. Small businesses in Union are limited primarily to agricultural supply, equipment repair, and home-based enterprises. Recent economic development in Neshoba County has focused on expanding the industrial park near Philadelphia and promoting heritage tourism related to the area's Choctaw heritage and historical sites. The economic future of Union, like many rural unincorporated communities in Mississippi, depends heavily on the stability of agricultural markets, forestry prices, and the economic health of nearby Philadelphia. Unlike more urbanized parts of Mississippi, Union has not experienced significant residential or commercial growth in recent decades, maintaining its character as a quiet, agricultural community with deep local roots and multi-generational family ties.

Union, Mississippi, as an unincorporated community, does not operate its own municipal police department. Law enforcement services for Union and the surrounding rural areas of Neshoba County are provided exclusively by the Neshoba County Sheriff's Office, located at 401 East Beacon Street, Philadelphia, MS 39350. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (601) 656-1414. The department maintains jurisdiction over all unincorporated areas of Neshoba County, conducting patrols, investigating crimes, serving warrants, and operating the county detention facility. Residents of Union who need to request copies of incident reports, accident reports, or other law enforcement records should contact the Sheriff's Office directly during business hours or submit a written public records request. The Neshoba County Sheriff's Office website, accessible through the county's main website, provides some general information about department operations, though online report requests are not currently available.

For arrest records and current jail bookings, the Neshoba County Sheriff's Office maintains an inmate roster that can be accessed by contacting the detention center at (601) 656-1444. The jail booking information typically includes inmate names, booking dates, charges filed, bond amounts, and projected release dates. Mugshot photographs may be available upon request. Mississippi's Public Records Act, codified in Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq., establishes that most law enforcement records are public documents, though certain investigative materials and ongoing case files may be temporarily exempt. Citizens requesting records should be prepared to provide specific information about the incident or individual in question, along with valid identification. Written requests can be submitted to the Sheriff's Office in person or by mail, and reasonable copying fees may apply. Response times vary depending on the complexity of the request, but the Sheriff's Office generally processes routine public records requests within 7-14 business days under Mississippi law.

Mississippi residents can order vital records online through VitalChek at https://www.msdh.ms.gov/vitalrecords, by mail, or in person at the Jackson office. Online orders typically include additional processing fees and expedited shipping options. Processing times range from 2-3 weeks for mail requests to 3-5 business days for online orders. Only eligible individuals can request vital records: the person named on the certificate (if of legal age), parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, or those with a documented legal interest. Valid government-issued photo identification is required for all requests. Marriage licenses in Mississippi are issued by the Chancery Clerk's office in the county where the ceremony will take place. For Union residents planning to marry in Neshoba County, the Chancery Clerk's Office is located at 401 East Beacon Street, Philadelphia, MS 39350 (phone: 601-656-4781). The marriage license fee is $21.00, and there is no waiting period or blood test required. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and social security numbers. Mississippi marriage records are maintained by the Chancery Clerk and are public records searchable at the courthouse. Divorce records are maintained by the Chancery Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted; certified copies can be obtained for $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. The Mississippi State Department of Health also maintains a statistical index of marriages and divorces, though certified copies must be obtained from the county of occurrence. Historical vital records prior to 1912 may be found in county-level Bible records, church registries, or cemetery documentation.

Businesses selling goods or services in Mississippi must register for a sales tax permit through the Mississippi Department of Revenue if applicable, and certain professions require state-level licensing through respective regulatory boards. Fictitious business name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) in Mississippi are filed with the Chancery Clerk in the county where the business operates. For Union-area businesses, the Neshoba County Chancery Clerk's Office at 401 East Beacon Street, Philadelphia, MS 39350 (phone: 601-656-4781) handles these filings. The cost for filing a trade name is approximately $25.00, and the registration must be renewed periodically. Existing DBA registrations can be searched at the Chancery Clerk's office. For formal business entity formation, the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office maintains the official registry of corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other business entities. The Secretary of State's Business Services Division can be reached at P.O. Box 136, Jackson, MS 39205 (phone: 601-359-1633). Mississippi's online business entity search is available at https://www.sos.ms.gov/business-services/search-filings, allowing users to search by business name, registered agent, or filing number. The database provides information on entity status (active, dissolved, withdrawn), formation date, registered agent and office address, principal office location, and officers or managers. This search is free and accessible to the public 24/7. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien searches in Mississippi are also handled by the Secretary of State's office. UCC financing statements, which establish secured interests in personal property and business assets, can be searched online through the Secretary of State's website. For property tax assessments on commercial real estate in Union, the Neshoba County Tax Assessor's Office at 401 East Beacon Street, Suite 107, Philadelphia, MS 39350 (phone: 601-656-3104) maintains records searchable by property owner name or parcel number, showing assessed values and tax history for business properties.

Union, Mississippi voters are served by the Neshoba County Circuit Clerk's Office, which administers elections for the county. The office is located at 401 East Beacon Street, Philadelphia, MS 39350, and can be reached at (601) 656-3581. The Circuit Clerk serves as the county's election commissioner and maintains voter registration records, processes absentee ballot applications, manages polling place assignments, and certifies election results for all federal, state, county, and municipal elections affecting Neshoba County residents. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for voter registration and election-related services.

Mississippi residents can register to vote online through the Mississippi Secretary of State's website at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/voter-registration-information. The online registration system allows eligible citizens to register or update their registration information. Voters must register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Mississippi requires voters to provide valid identification when registering, including a current and valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, government employee ID, firearms license, student ID from an accredited Mississippi university, tribal ID, or a U.S. military ID. To register, individuals must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Mississippi and of the county in which they wish to vote, at least 18 years old by the date of the election, and not disqualified by a felony conviction (unless rights have been restored) or declared mentally incompetent by a court.

Because Union is an unincorporated community without its own municipal government, there are no Union-specific city council or mayoral elections. Union residents vote in Neshoba County elections for county supervisors (five districts), sheriff, circuit clerk, chancery clerk, tax assessor, tax collector, coroner, and other county offices. These county elections are held in general election years following Mississippi's election calendar. Union voters also participate in state legislative elections for their assigned Mississippi House and Senate districts, as well as statewide races for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and other constitutional offices. Mississippi holds state and county elections in odd-numbered years (2023, 2027, etc.), while federal elections for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House occur in even-numbered years.

To find their assigned polling place, Union residents can use the polling place locator on the Mississippi Secretary of State's website at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/polling-place-locator or contact the Neshoba County Circuit Clerk's Office directly. Polling locations are assigned based on voter registration address and precinct boundaries. On Election Day, polls are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Central Time.

Mississippi's election records are public documents under state law. Voter registration lists are public records available for inspection, though personal information such as Social Security numbers and birthdates is redacted. Campaign finance reports for candidates and political committees are filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office and are searchable online at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/campaign-finance. Precinct-level election results are published by the Secretary of State following certification and are available on the SOS website. Candidate filings and qualifying information are also public and maintained by the appropriate election authority (county for local races, state for statewide and legislative races).

In the November 2024 presidential election, Neshoba County reported approximately 62-65% voter turnout among registered voters, with strong support for Republican candidates consistent with historical voting patterns in east-central Mississippi. Specific precinct-level results for the Union community showed similar partisan preferences reflecting the area's conservative rural character.

Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Union and Neshoba County voters will decide several significant races. At the federal level, Mississippi's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Roger Wicker will be on the ballot in 2026 (Class I seat). Mississippi does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026; the next Governor's race will be in 2027. Voters will also elect Mississippi's four U.S. House representatives, with Union falling within Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District. At the state level, all 122 Mississippi House seats and all 52 Mississippi Senate seats will be on the ballot in 2027, not 2026. The November 2026 ballot will focus primarily on federal races. Union voters should also anticipate local referenda, school board elections if applicable, and other ballot measures that may be placed before Neshoba County voters.

Mississippi offers absentee voting for voters who meet specific criteria under Mississippi Code § 23-15-713. Eligible reasons for absentee voting include: 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 a member of the Armed Forces or spouse/dependent, being a required worker on Election Day whose hours conflict with polling hours, or being a student or spouse/dependent living outside the county. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Neshoba County Circuit Clerk's Office and can be downloaded from the Secretary of State's website. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is seven business days before the election; in-person absentee voting at the Circuit Clerk's office closes the day before the election. Mississippi does not offer universal no-excuse mail voting; voters must qualify under one of the enumerated categories. Returned absentee ballots must be received by the Circuit Clerk by 7:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.