Waveland, Mississippi Public Records

The Circuit Clerk's office maintains records for criminal felonies, civil cases exceeding Justice Court limits, domestic relations matters, and appeals from lower courts. The Hancock County Chancery Court, also at 152 Main Street (phone: 228-467-5404), handles equity matters including divorce, custody, adoptions, guardianships, estate probate, real property disputes, and land title issues. The Chancery Clerk serves as the official recorder for land records and vital statistics. Hancock County Justice Court, with locations in different districts of the county, handles small claims (up to $3,500), misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings, and civil matters under $200,000. Mississippi does not have a unified statewide online court records portal, so most court record searches must be conducted in person at the respective clerk's office or by written request. The Circuit Clerk charges fees for certified copies of court documents, typically $1.50 per page plus a certification fee. Case information can sometimes be obtained by phone for basic status inquiries, but official records require a formal request and payment of applicable fees.

This data is available free of charge to the public and is updated regularly to reflect current ownership and assessment values. For official land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property titles, the Hancock County Chancery Clerk serves as the Register of Deeds. The Chancery Clerk's office is located at 152 Main Street, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 (phone: 228-467-5404). This office maintains the official land records dating back to the county's founding, and all documents conveying or encumbering real property must be recorded here to provide constructive notice. While some Mississippi counties offer online document imaging, Hancock County's land records search capabilities may require in-person visits or written requests for historical document copies. Recording fees vary based on the number of pages and document type. The county also provides GIS mapping services through the Tax Assessor's office, offering an interactive parcel viewer that displays property boundaries, ownership information, and assessment data overlaid on aerial photography and street maps. This GIS system is accessible online and provides a valuable tool for researching property characteristics and boundaries in Waveland and throughout Hancock County.

Buccaneer State Park in Waveland attracts visitors year-round and supports local tourism-related employment. The median household income in Waveland is estimated at approximately $40,000-$45,000, somewhat below state and national averages, reflecting the community's working-class character and tourism-dependent economy. Waveland has experienced significant redevelopment since Hurricane Katrina devastated the community in 2005, with new residential construction, upgraded infrastructure, and business reinvestment. The city's economy is closely tied to the broader Mississippi Gulf Coast region, which includes the larger cities of Gulfport and Biloxi to the east. Waveland benefits from its beach access, recreational amenities, and proximity to Louisiana, attracting both tourists and residents seeking affordable coastal living. The city has worked to diversify its economic base while maintaining its small-town character and beach community appeal. Recent infrastructure improvements and disaster recovery investments have strengthened the local economy and improved resilience to future hurricane threats.

The Waveland Police Department, headquartered at 335 Coleman Avenue, Waveland, MS 39576 (phone: 228-467-9600), serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the city. The department provides public safety services and maintains records of incidents, accidents, and arrests within city limits. Citizens can request copies of police reports by visiting the department in person or calling during business hours; there is typically a nominal fee for report copies. The department's jurisdiction covers the incorporated areas of Waveland. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office, located at 156 Lagoon Street, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 (phone: 228-466-3577, website: hancocksheriff.com), provides law enforcement services in unincorporated areas of the county and operates the Hancock County Adult Detention Center. The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and operates the county jail facility. To search for current inmates and recent arrests, the public can access the Hancock County jail roster online through the Sheriff's Office website, which displays booking information including names, mugshots when available, charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. Mississippi's public records law, the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 through § 25-61-17), establishes the legal framework for requesting public records from law enforcement agencies. Under this statute, any person may request to inspect or copy public records, and agencies must respond within fourteen days. Law enforcement records such as incident reports, arrest records, and booking logs are generally considered public unless they pertain to an ongoing investigation or are otherwise exempted. Requesters may be charged reasonable fees for copying and search time as established by the Mississippi Legislature.

The state offers online ordering through VitalChek for an additional processing fee, with most requests processed within 5-10 business days. In-person requests can be made at the Jackson office or at county health departments. The Hancock County Health Department serves as a local issuing office. Mississippi vital records are confidential for 100 years for births and 50 years for deaths, with access restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others who demonstrate a direct and tangible interest; valid photo identification is required. Marriage licenses are issued by the Hancock County Chancery Clerk's office at 152 Main Street, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 (phone: 228-467-5404). Couples must apply in person, pay a $21 fee, and Mississippi has no waiting period or blood test requirement. The Chancery Clerk maintains marriage records dating back many decades. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Chancery Clerk as part of the court case file; certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the Chancery Clerk's office for a fee of approximately $1.50 per page plus certification. Mississippi does not have a statewide online vital records search database; records must be requested through the appropriate office with proper identification and documentation of eligibility.

The city maintains records of active business licenses, though a searchable online database may not be available; inquiries can be made by contacting City Hall directly. At the county level, certain business activities may require permits from Hancock County offices. Fictitious business names ("Doing Business As" or DBA names) for sole proprietorships and partnerships are registered with the Hancock County Chancery Clerk at 152 Main Street, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520. The Chancery Clerk maintains an index of fictitious name registrations which can be searched in person. 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 registered entities. The Secretary of State's Business Services Division offers a free online search tool at https://corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/corpBusinessIdSearch/portal.aspx where anyone can search for business entities by name, registered agent, or filing number to verify status, view officers and directors, check registered agent information, and review filing history. New business entity formation is also handled online through the Secretary of State. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements, which create security interests in personal property and serve as lien notices, are filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State's UCC Division and can be searched online. Commercial property owners in Waveland can research property tax assessments through the Hancock County Tax Assessor's online database, which shows assessed values for business real estate and personal property tax obligations.

Waveland voters are served by the Hancock County Circuit Clerk's Office, which administers elections for the county. The office is located at 152 Main Street, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 (phone: 228-467-5404, website: hancockcounty.ms/circuit-clerk). Mississippi residents can register to vote online through the Mississippi Online Voter Registration system at https://www.ms.gov/sos/voter_registration/pages/default.aspx, operated by the Mississippi Secretary of State's office. Voters must register at least 30 days before an election, and applicants need a valid Mississippi driver's license or state ID card. Registration can also be completed in person at the Circuit Clerk's office or by mail. Waveland holds municipal elections for mayor and city council members; Mississippi municipal elections typically occur in June of odd-numbered years, with the next regular municipal elections scheduled for June 2025. Candidates for city office file with the Waveland City Clerk, and local ballot measures are also decided during municipal elections. Waveland residents vote in county, state, and federal elections including county supervisor races, state legislative seats (Waveland is in Mississippi House and Senate districts), and federal offices. Polling place assignments can be found by contacting the Circuit Clerk's office or checking the Mississippi Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/pages/polling-place-locator.aspx. Mississippi public records law makes certain election records publicly accessible, including voter registration lists (available for approved purposes), campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State, candidate qualification documents, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Hancock County reported strong turnout with approximately 60-65% of registered voters participating, reflecting high engagement typical of presidential election years. The November 3, 2026 election will be critical for Waveland and Hancock County voters, featuring races for U.S. Senate (Mississippi has a Class II Senate seat that will be contested in 2026), U.S. House of Representatives for Mississippi's 4th Congressional District, various state legislative seats, and county offices including County Supervisors, Circuit Clerk, Chancery Clerk, Sheriff, Tax Assessor, and other constitutional offices. Mississippi offers absentee voting for voters who will be away from their polling place on election day, are 65 or older, have a disability, are required to work during polling hours, are a parent or caregiver of a dependent with a disability, or are an election worker. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Circuit Clerk's office, with specific deadlines before each election.