Pearlriver County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Pearlriver County?

Public records in Pearl River County, Mississippi, are defined under Mississippi Code § 25-61-3 as 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. Pearl River County government offices maintain a broad range of records that members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of upon request.

The following categories of public records are currently available through various Pearl River County offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family matters) — maintained by the Pearl River County Circuit and Chancery Clerk
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and land assessments) — filed with the County Chancery Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — held by the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Chancery Clerk
Business records (licenses, permits, and fictitious business names) — available through the County Chancery Clerk and the Mississippi Secretary of State
Tax records (property tax rolls and assessment records) — maintained by the Pearl River County Tax Assessor/Collector
Voting and election records — administered by the County Circuit Clerk and the Mississippi Secretary of State
Meeting minutes and agendas (Board of Supervisors and other county boards) — available through the County Administrator's office
Budget and financial documents — on file with the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — available through the Pearl River County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Pearl River County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Pearlriver County an Open Records County?

Pearl River County fully adheres to Mississippi's statewide open records framework. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, § 25-61-1 et seq., all public bodies in the state are required to make their records available for inspection and copying by any person upon request. The Act establishes that access to public records is a fundamental right of Mississippi citizens and that government transparency is a core obligation of all public agencies.

Key provisions of the Act include the requirement that public bodies respond to records requests within one working day for inspection and within seven working days for providing copies. The law further specifies that no public body may adopt any rule, regulation, or policy that conflicts with the Act's mandate for openness. Pearl River County government offices operate in compliance with these requirements and with Mississippi's open meetings law, commonly referred to as the Sunshine Law, codified at Mississippi Code § 25-41-1, which ensures that deliberations of public bodies are conducted in open session accessible to the public.

How to Find Public Records in Pearlriver County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Pearl River County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the current process for submitting a records request:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department holds the record being sought. Court records are held by the Circuit or Chancery Clerk; property and land records are with the Chancery Clerk; tax records are with the Tax Assessor/Collector; and law enforcement records are with the Sheriff's Office.
Submit a written request. Although Mississippi law does not require requests to be in writing, submitting a written request — in person, by mail, or by email — creates a clear record of the inquiry and helps ensure a timely response.
Visit in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant county office during regular business hours. No appointment is required for general inspection.
Request copies. If copies are needed, requestors may indicate this in their written request. Fees apply as described below.
Use online resources. Certain records, including property assessment data and court case information, may be accessible through the Pearl River County official website.
Contact the Mississippi Department of Health for certified copies of vital records such as birth and death certificates, which are processed through the state vital records office.

Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request under current Mississippi law, and no special form is mandated by the county for general public records requests.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Pearlriver County?

Current fees for public records in Pearl River County are governed by Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, which authorizes public bodies to charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of searching, reviewing, and duplicating records. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Photocopies: Typically $0.25 to $1.00 per page, depending on the office and document type
Certified copies of court documents: Fees set by the Circuit or Chancery Clerk, generally ranging from $1.00 to $5.00 per document plus a per-page copy fee
Vital records (birth/death/marriage certificates): Fees are set by the Mississippi State Department of Health and are currently $17.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested simultaneously
Property records and deed copies: Fees vary by document length and are assessed by the Chancery Clerk's office
Electronic records: May be provided at no charge or at the cost of the storage medium, depending on the office

Accepted payment methods at Pearl River County offices generally include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the relevant county office. Credit card acceptance varies by department. Fee waivers are not broadly codified under Mississippi law, but individual offices may exercise discretion in cases involving indigent requestors or requests clearly serving the public interest.

Does Pearlriver County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Mississippi law. Pursuant to § 25-61-5, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting records; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection at the Pearl River County Chancery Clerk's office, Circuit Clerk's office, Tax Assessor/Collector's office, and Sheriff's Office during regular business hours — no charge for viewing records on-site
Online property and tax records accessible through the Pearl River County official website at no cost
Mississippi sex offender registry data, which members of the public may search at no charge through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety's sex offender database
Inmate and corrections records, which may be searched at no cost through the Mississippi Department of Corrections offender search portal
Mississippi Secretary of State business entity search, available online at no charge for business license and registration information

Who Can Request Public Records in Pearlriver County?

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — may request public records from Pearl River County offices under current Mississippi law. The Mississippi Public Records Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to provide identification or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access to non-restricted records.

Specific eligibility considerations include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Mississippi and Pearl River County retain full rights to request public records.
Identification: Generally not required for inspection of standard public records. Certain sensitive record types, such as certified vital records, may require proof of identity or legal relationship to the subject.
Purpose: Requestors are not obligated to state a purpose under current law for most record categories.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access records that are otherwise restricted to the subject, such as certain personnel or law enforcement records, upon providing appropriate identification.
Restrictions for specific record types: Access to juvenile records, sealed court files, adoption records, and certain law enforcement investigative materials is restricted regardless of who is requesting them.

What Records Are Confidential in Pearlriver County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi law. The Mississippi Public Records Act, at § 25-61-11, enumerates specific exemptions and authorizes withholding of records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or would interfere with law enforcement or other protected governmental functions. The following records are currently exempt from public inspection in Pearl River County:

Sealed court records — ordered sealed by a judge pursuant to court rules or statute
Juvenile records — protected under Mississippi youth court statutes
Ongoing criminal investigation records — withheld to protect the integrity of active law enforcement proceedings
Personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers embedded in otherwise public documents
Medical and health records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services
Personnel records — exempt in part, with exceptions for certain employment-related information of public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder of the document.

Pearlriver County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The primary offices responsible for maintaining and providing access to public records in Pearl River County are listed below. Members of the public may visit these offices in person during posted business hours or contact them by telephone or mail.

Pearl River County Chancery Clerk 200 South Main Street, Poplarville, MS 39470 (601) 403-2300 Pearl River County Chancery Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pearl River County Circuit Clerk 200 South Main Street, Poplarville, MS 39470 (601) 403-2310 Pearl River County Circuit Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pearl River County Tax Assessor/Collector 200 South Main Street, Poplarville, MS 39470 (601) 403-2400 Pearl River County Tax Assessor/Collector Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pearl River County Sheriff's Office 200 South Main Street, Poplarville, MS 39470 (601) 798-4831 Pearl River County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157 (601) 206-8200 Mississippi State Department of Health Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.