Mississippi’s commitment to government transparency is codified in the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.), which guarantees that citizens have the right to inspect and copy records maintained by public bodies across the Magnolia State. Whether you’re conducting a background check on a new neighbor, researching a business partner, investigating a property purchase, or simply exercising your civic right to government accountability, understanding how to navigate Mississippi’s public records system can save you considerable time and effort.

This comprehensive 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about accessing public records in Mississippi — from criminal history and court documents to vital records and property information. We’ll walk you through both official government channels and convenient online tools that aggregate data from all 82 Mississippi counties, spanning major cities like Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, and Biloxi.

Mississippi’s public records landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, with more agencies moving records online and streamlining digital access. However, many counties still rely on in-person or mail-based requests, making it valuable to understand both pathways. This guide is current as of 2026 and reflects the latest agency procedures and available resources.

What Records Are Public in Mississippi?

Under the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1), any “public record” is broadly defined as any writing, paper, map, photograph, sound recording, or other material made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with any transaction of public business by any public body. This expansive definition means a wide variety of documents are available to the general public upon request.

Records That Are Generally Public

• Criminal conviction records and sex offender registry information
• Court records including civil, criminal, and probate filings
• Arrest records and booking information maintained by law enforcement agencies
• Property records including deeds, mortgages, tax assessments, and liens
• Voter registration records (limited information available publicly)
• Business entity filings with the Mississippi Secretary of State
• Governmental meeting minutes and agendas
• Contracts and financial records of public agencies
• Death records older than 25 years (for genealogy purposes)
• Marriage records older than 25 years in some jurisdictions

Records That Are Restricted or Exempt

Not all government records are accessible. Mississippi law carves out several important exemptions under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-11, including:

• Personal medical and health records
• Records involving ongoing criminal investigations
• Juvenile criminal and court records
• Birth records fewer than 100 years old (except to qualified requesters)
• Social Security numbers and financial account information
• Adoption records
• Personnel files of government employees in many circumstances

How to Request Public Records in Mississippi

Any person may submit a public records request in Mississippi. There is no requirement to state your reason for the request. Requests should be submitted in writing to the official custodian of the records at the relevant public body. Under Mississippi law, agencies must acknowledge requests within one business day and fulfill them within seven working days, though complex requests may take longer. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies, typically $0.25 per page for standard documents.

Mississippi Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Mississippi are maintained primarily by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MDPS), specifically through the Criminal Information Center (CIC), which is the state’s central repository for criminal history data. The CIC collects fingerprint-based criminal history records from law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities across all 82 counties.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety — Criminal Information Center

Website: www.dps.ms.gov
Address: 1900 E. Woodrow Wilson Ave., Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 987-1212

Types of Criminal Records Available

• Felony convictions — All felony-level criminal convictions are retained indefinitely in the state repository
• Misdemeanor convictions — Most misdemeanor convictions are also retained in the CIC database
• Arrest records without conviction — Retained but may be subject to expungement
• Sex offender registry — Mississippi’s Sex Offender Registry is publicly searchable at communitynotification.com

How to Obtain a Criminal History Check in Mississippi

Mississippi offers two types of criminal background checks:

1. Name-Based Search: Available to the general public. This is a less reliable method as it relies on name matching and may produce false positives. Requests are submitted to the MDPS-CIC via mail or in-person with a completed request form and applicable fee.
2. Fingerprint-Based Search: More accurate and typically required for employment screening in regulated industries. Applicants must be fingerprinted at an authorized location and submit to both state and FBI checks.

Expungement in Mississippi

Mississippi allows expungement of certain criminal records under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71. Eligible offenses include first-time, non-violent misdemeanors and some felonies after the completion of sentence and a waiting period. Once expunged, records are not accessible to the general public, though they may still be available to certain law enforcement and licensing agencies.

Mississippi Court Records

Mississippi’s court system is organized into several tiers, each maintaining its own records. Understanding which court handled a particular matter is essential to locating the relevant records.

Mississippi Court Structure

• Mississippi Supreme Court — Highest appellate court; handles appeals of death penalty cases and certain civil matters
• Mississippi Court of Appeals — Intermediate appellate court
• Circuit Courts — Trial courts with general jurisdiction over major civil and felony criminal cases; one circuit court per county
• Chancery Courts — Handle equity matters including probate, property disputes, domestic relations, and guardianships
• County Courts — Present in counties with sufficient population; handle misdemeanor criminal cases and civil matters under $200,000
• Justice Courts — Each county has at least two justice court judges; handle minor civil and criminal matters
• Municipal Courts — Handle violations of city ordinances and misdemeanor traffic offenses within incorporated municipalities

Accessing Mississippi Court Records Online

The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system is the state’s e-filing and case management portal, available at courts.ms.gov. This portal allows public users to search for case information in Circuit and Chancery Courts across many Mississippi counties, though not all counties have transitioned fully to the online system.

The Mississippi Supreme Court and Court of Appeals maintain searchable dockets through the state court website. For appellate records, visit courts.ms.gov and navigate to the case search function.

Accessing Records at the Courthouse

For counties not fully integrated into MEC, you’ll need to contact the county clerk’s office directly. Each county Circuit Court Clerk and Chancery Court Clerk maintains their own records. Most court clerks’ offices are located in the county courthouse and can provide records in person or by mail request. Fees are typically $1.00 per page for certified copies and $0.50 per page for regular copies, though this varies by county.

Federal Court Records in Mississippi

Federal court records for Mississippi are searchable through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system at pacer.gov. Mississippi has two federal judicial districts: the Northern District (Aberdeen) and the Southern District (Jackson).

Mississippi Arrest Records

Arrest records in Mississippi are created whenever a person is taken into custody by a law enforcement agency. These records are distinct from conviction records — an arrest does not indicate guilt, and many arrests do not result in criminal charges or convictions.

Who Maintains Arrest Records in Mississippi?

Arrest records are maintained at multiple levels:

• Local law enforcement agencies — City police departments and county sheriff’s offices maintain arrest logs and booking records
• Mississippi Highway Patrol — Maintains records of arrests made by state troopers; part of the MDPS at www.dps.ms.gov
• Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) — Maintains records of individuals sentenced to state prison; searchable at www.mdoc.ms.gov
• Mississippi Criminal Information Center (CIC) — The state repository that aggregates arrest data from agencies statewide

Jail and Inmate Records

Many Mississippi county jails and detention centers maintain online inmate search tools. For example:

• Hinds County Detention Center (Jackson area): Contact the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office
• Harrison County Detention Center (Gulfport/Biloxi area): Check the Harrison County Sheriff’s website
• DeSoto County Detention Center (Southaven area): Contact the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office

For state prison inmate searches, the Mississippi Department of Corrections offers an offender search tool at mdoc.ms.gov.

Mugshot and Booking Information

Booking photographs (mugshots) are generally considered public records in Mississippi. Many county sheriff’s offices post recent bookings on their websites or social media pages. However, several third-party mugshot websites have faced scrutiny, and Mississippi law does not specifically regulate the removal of mugshot images from private websites.

Mississippi Vital Records

Vital records in Mississippi — including birth certificates, death certificates,