Hinds County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Hinds County?
Public records in Hinds County are defined under the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-1, which states that public records include "all books, records, papers, accounts, letters, maps, photographs, films, cards, tapes, recordings or reproductions thereof, and any other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been used, being in use, or prepared, possessed or retained for use in the conduct, transaction or performance of any business, transaction, work, duty or function of any public body."
Hinds County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Hinds County Circuit Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from County Board of Supervisors meetings and other county boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, budgets, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning decisions, and building permits
The Hinds County Chancery Clerk's Office maintains property records, marriage licenses, and Board of Supervisors minutes. The Circuit Clerk's Office maintains court records and voting records. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Is Hinds County an Open Records County?
Yes, Hinds County adheres to the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-1 et seq., which establishes that public records shall be available for inspection by any person during regular business hours.
The Act specifically states in § 25-61-2 that "It is the policy of the Legislature that public records must be available for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by this act. Furthermore, providing access to public records is a duty of each public body and automation of public records must not erode the right of access to those records."
Hinds County government offices comply with this state mandate and have established procedures for public records access. The county also follows the Mississippi Open Meetings Act (§ 25-41-1 et seq.), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public.
Hinds County has implemented specific policies to facilitate public access to records, including designated public records officers in various departments who are responsible for processing requests in accordance with state law.
How to Find Public Records in Hinds County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Hinds County may follow these procedures to obtain the information they need:
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Identify the appropriate office: Determine which county department maintains the records you seek.
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Submit a written request: While some records may be available for in-person inspection without a formal request, written requests are recommended for most records. Requests should include:
- Specific description of records sought
- Requestor's contact information
- Preferred format for receiving records
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For court records: Contact the Hinds County Circuit Clerk's Office.
Hinds County Circuit Clerk's Office
407 E. Pascagoula Street
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 968-6628
Hinds County Circuit Clerk -
For property records: Visit the Chancery Clerk's Office.
Hinds County Chancery Clerk's Office
316 S. President Street
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 968-6507
Hinds County Chancery Clerk -
For vital records: Contact the Mississippi State Department of Health's Vital Records Office.
Mississippi Vital Records
222 Marketridge Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 206-8200
Mississippi State Department of Health -
For law enforcement records: Submit requests to the Hinds County Sheriff's Department or the Jackson Police Department.
Hinds County Sheriff's Department
407 E. Pascagoula Street
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 974-2900
Hinds County Sheriff's Department -
Online access: Some records are available through the county's online portal. The Hinds County website provides access to certain public records databases.
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Response timeframe: Under § 25-61-5 of the Mississippi Public Records Act, agencies must provide records or respond to requests within seven working days of receipt.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Hinds County?
Pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-7, Hinds County may charge reasonable fees to cover the actual costs of searching, reviewing, and duplicating records. Current standard fees include:
- Photocopies: $0.25-$1.00 per page, depending on the department and document type
- Certified copies: Additional $1.00-$5.00 per document
- Research fees: Some departments charge $10.00-$25.00 per hour for extensive research
- Electronic records: Fees for electronic media (CD/DVD) typically range from $5.00-$10.00
Specific fee schedules by department:
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Circuit Clerk's Office:
- Regular copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- Case file search: $10.00 per name
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Chancery Clerk's Office:
- Land records: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $3.00 per document
- Marriage licenses: $22.00
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Tax Assessor's Office:
- Property record copies: $0.50 per page
- Tax maps: $5.00 per map
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and in some departments, credit/debit cards. The Mississippi Public Records Act stipulates that fees must reflect actual costs and cannot be used as a means to discourage requests.
Fee waivers may be available when disclosure primarily benefits the general public, though this is at the discretion of the records custodian.
Does Hinds County Have Free Public Records?
Yes, Hinds County provides free access to certain public records. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-5, all public records must be available for inspection during regular business hours at no charge. Members of the public may inspect records without paying a fee, though copying costs may apply if physical or electronic copies are requested.
Free public records resources in Hinds County include:
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In-person inspection: Available at all county offices during regular business hours
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Online resources: The county provides free access to certain records through its website, including:
- Board of Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes
- Basic property ownership information
- Election results
- County budget documents
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Public access terminals: Available at the Circuit Clerk's Office and Chancery Clerk's Office for searching court and property records without charge
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Public libraries: The Jackson-Hinds Library System provides free public computer access for searching online county records
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety also provides certain free public safety information relevant to Hinds County residents.
Who Can Request Public Records in Hinds County?
Under the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-5, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Hinds County government offices. The law states that "any person shall have the right of access to public records."
Key eligibility information:
- Residency requirements: None. Non-residents have the same rights as Mississippi residents
- Identification: While basic contact information is typically required, formal identification is generally not necessary except for certain restricted records
- Purpose statement: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most public records
- Age restrictions: No specific age restrictions exist, though minors may face practical limitations
For requesting your own records versus others' records:
- Personal records: When requesting records about yourself (such as your own court records), identification may be required to verify identity
- Others' records: When requesting non-confidential records about other individuals, no relationship to the subject is required
- Restricted records: Some records (such as adoption records or certain vital records) may only be available to the subject or immediate family members
Government agencies, businesses, media organizations, and nonprofit entities also have the same rights as individuals to request public records under the law.
What Records Are Confidential in Hinds County?
While Hinds County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-9 through § 25-61-12. These confidential records include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to youth court proceedings and juvenile offenders
- Law enforcement investigative records: Active investigation materials that would impede law enforcement if disclosed
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, bank account details, and other personal financial data
- Medical records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
- Adoption records: Records related to adoption proceedings
- Child welfare records: Reports and records maintained by the Department of Child Protection Services
- Personnel records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (with limited exceptions for salary and position information)
- Academic records: Student educational records protected under FERPA
- Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security information: Details about security systems, emergency response plans, or infrastructure vulnerabilities
- Attorney-client communications: Legal advice and work product prepared for county agencies
- Tax return information: Individual and business tax returns
The Mississippi Public Records Act provides for a balancing test in § 25-61-11, which states that if exempt material can be reasonably separated from non-exempt material, the non-exempt portions should be made available after redaction of exempt information.
Records custodians in Hinds County are required to cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records. Requestors who believe records have been improperly withheld may seek remedy through the Mississippi Ethics Commission or judicial review.
Hinds County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Hinds County Chancery Clerk's Office
(Serves as the county recorder for property and other official records)
316 S. President Street
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 968-6507
Hinds County Chancery Clerk
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Marriage license applications
- Notary public registrations
- Board of Supervisors minutes
- Land records research
- Certified copies of recorded documents
Raymond Office Location:
(Secondary location for western portion of county)
Hinds County Courthouse
127 West Main Street
Raymond, MS 39154
(601) 857-5523
Raymond Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays