Wiggins, Mississippi Public Records

The Circuit Clerk's office maintains these court records. The Stone County Chancery Court, at the same courthouse address (phone: 601-928-5876), handles estate matters, guardianships, adoptions, property disputes, and certain equity cases. The Stone County Justice Court, located at 299 West Cavers Street, Wiggins, MS 39577 (phone: 601-928-7181), handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims up to $3,500, evictions, and preliminary hearings for felonies. Mississippi court records can be searched online through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system at https://courts.ms.gov for circuit and chancery court cases, though not all historical records are digitized. To obtain certified copies of court documents, requesters must contact the appropriate clerk's office in person or by mail. Fees for certified copies are typically $1.00 per page plus a certification fee of approximately $2.00 per document. The Circuit Clerk charges filing fees that vary by case type, with civil filings generally starting around $150 and criminal court costs assessed based on conviction.

The Assessor's office website provides limited online access to property data, though comprehensive searches may require an in-person visit or phone inquiry. The Stone County Chancery Clerk's Office, located at 323 East Cavers Street, Wiggins, MS 39577 (phone: 601-928-5876), serves as the land records recorder for Stone County, maintaining deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other instruments affecting real property. These records date back to the county's formation and are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description. While some land records may be available through third-party subscription services, official certified copies must be obtained from the Chancery Clerk's office. Fees for copying recorded documents are typically $1.00 per page. Recording fees for new documents vary based on page count and document type, generally starting at $12.00 for the first page. Stone County does not currently offer a comprehensive free online GIS/parcel viewer, though some property information may be accessible through the state's tax assessor portal. For detailed property history searches, title searches, or verification of current ownership, researchers should visit the Chancery Clerk's office in person or contact the office to request specific document copies by mail.

Agricultural activities include cattle ranching, poultry farming, and some row crop production. Retail and service businesses along Highway 49 serve both local residents and travelers passing through the area. Major employers include Stone County Schools, Stone County government offices, Stone High School, Singing River Health System facilities, and local timber operations. The median household income in Stone County is approximately $42,000, below the state average, reflecting the rural character and limited industrial base. Wiggins's proximity to the Gulf Coast—approximately 20 miles north of Gulfport—provides some economic linkage to the coast's casino, tourism, and port industries, with some residents commuting to higher-wage coastal employment. Recent economic development efforts have focused on attracting light manufacturing, improving infrastructure along Highway 49, and leveraging the area's quality of life and lower cost of living. The local economy benefits from retirees and second-home owners attracted to the area's rural character, hunting and fishing opportunities, and access to De Soto National Forest. Economic challenges include limited diversification, lower educational attainment rates, and competition from larger regional employment centers.

The Wiggins Police Department, located at 555 East Pine Avenue, Wiggins, MS 39577 (phone: 601-928-4711), provides law enforcement services within the Wiggins city limits and maintains records of incidents, arrests, accident reports, and police activity within the municipality. Citizens can request copies of police reports in person at the department during business hours Monday through Friday. The Stone County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 299 West Cavers Street, Wiggins, MS 39577 (phone: 601-928-5231), provides law enforcement services throughout unincorporated areas of Stone County and maintains records of arrests, incidents, and investigations occurring outside municipal jurisdictions. The Sheriff's Office also operates the Stone County Detention Center. Arrest and jail booking records for individuals detained in Stone County can be searched through the Stone County Sheriff's Office website or by contacting the detention center directly at 601-928-7121. The inmate roster typically includes booking photographs, charges, bond amounts, booking dates, and expected release dates. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act (Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 through § 25-61-17), law enforcement records are generally public unless specifically exempted, such as ongoing investigation materials or certain juvenile records. To request records, citizens should submit a written request describing the specific documents sought to the custodian of records at either the Wiggins Police Department or Stone County Sheriff's Office. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and research time. Response time is typically within seven to fourteen business days depending on the complexity of the request.

Birth certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $15.00 per certified copy. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at an additional convenience fee. Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail, faster for in-person requests. Birth records are confidential for 100 years and only available to the registrant, parents, legal representatives, or by court order; death records are public. Marriage licenses in Stone County are issued by the Stone County Circuit Clerk's office at 323 East Cavers Street, Wiggins, MS 39577 (phone: 601-928-5266). 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. Marriage licenses are valid for 30 days from issuance. Copies of marriage records can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk for $10.00 per certified copy. Divorce records are maintained by the Stone County Circuit Clerk and Chancery Clerk depending on which court granted the divorce. Mississippi vital records have been maintained statewide since 1912, though earlier records may exist at the county level. Certified copies require valid photo identification and proof of relationship or legal interest in the record.

Businesses operating in unincorporated Stone County areas should contact the Stone County Board of Supervisors at 323 East Cavers Street, Wiggins, MS 39577 (phone: 601-928-5585) regarding county-level requirements. Certain business types may require additional permits from county health departments or state agencies. Fictitious business name (DBA - "Doing Business As") registrations in Mississippi are filed with the Stone County Chancery Clerk at 323 East Cavers Street, Wiggins, MS 39577 (phone: 601-928-5876). The filing fee is approximately $25.00, and DBAs must be published in a local newspaper. Business entity formation (corporations, LLCs, partnerships) is handled at the state level by the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office. The Business Services Division maintains a searchable online database at https://www.sos.ms.gov/business-services where users can search for registered business entities, check name availability, view registered agents, and access formation documents. Online entity searches are free, and certified copies of documents can be requested for a fee. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien filings and searches are also maintained by the Mississippi Secretary of State and can be searched online. Property tax information for commercial properties is available through the Stone County Tax Assessor's Office at 601-928-5711, where business owners can look up assessed values and tax obligations for commercial real estate parcels.

Wiggins voters are served by the Stone County Circuit Clerk's Office, which administers elections for the county. The Circuit Clerk/Election Commissioner is located at 323 East Cavers Street, Wiggins, MS 39577 (phone: 601-928-5266). Mississippi residents can register to vote online at https://www.ms.gov/sos/voter_registration or by submitting a paper application to the Circuit Clerk's office. Voter registration must be completed at least 30 days before an election. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by the date of the election, residents of Mississippi and Stone County, and not disqualified by felony conviction (unless rights have been restored) or adjudicated mental incapacity. A Mississippi driver's license or state ID number is required for registration. Wiggins conducts municipal elections for mayor and city council (Board of Aldermen), typically held in June of odd-numbered years, with the most recent municipal elections in June 2021 and the next scheduled for June 2025. Wiggins operates under an aldermanic form of government with a mayor and board of aldermen elected to four-year terms. Information about local candidates and ballot measures is available through the City Clerk at Wiggins City Hall (601-928-4711). Wiggins voters can find their assigned polling location using the Mississippi Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://www.sos.ms.gov/pollingplace or by contacting the Stone County Circuit Clerk. In the November 2024 presidential election, Stone County recorded approximately 67% voter turnout with strong support for Republican candidates, consistent with the county's conservative voting patterns. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature U.S. House of Representatives races (Mississippi's 4th Congressional District includes Stone County), all Mississippi state legislature seats including State Senate District 47 and State House District 108 which represent portions of Stone County, and various county offices including supervisors, tax assessor, and sheriff. Mississippi holds gubernatorial elections in odd-numbered years (most recently 2023, next in 2027), so no statewide executive offices will be on the 2026 ballot. Under Mississippi Code § 23-15-713, voter registration lists are public records available for inspection. Campaign finance reports filed by candidates are maintained by the Mississippi Secretary of State and available online at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/campaign-finance. Election results by precinct are posted on the Secretary of State's website following certification. Mississippi offers absentee voting by mail for voters who meet specific criteria including being 65 or older, having a temporary or permanent disability, being a parent with a child requiring his/her care, being a member of the military or spouse/dependent, or being away from your county of residence on election day. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Stone County Circuit Clerk's office no later than seven days before the election, and voted ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on election day. In-person absentee voting is available at the Circuit Clerk's office beginning 45 days before an election.