Simpson County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Simpson County in 2026
SimpsonRecords.us provides publicly available data and information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Simpson County, Mississippi. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other official documents may access these materials through a combination of official county offices, state agency portals, and authorized online tools. The categories of records that may be available include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
- The Mississippi Courts case search portal provides online access to circuit and chancery court case information.
- Property records and land documents may be searched through the Simpson County Chancery Clerk's office portal.
- Vital records may be ordered through the Mississippi State Department of Health online ordering system.
- Some online tools require user registration or payment prior to document retrieval.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Simpson County Chancery Clerk's Office, located at 109 W. Pine Ave., Mendenhall, MS 39114. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a valid photo identification and specify the record type and date range sought.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and any applicable fees. Requests should be mailed to the Simpson County Chancery Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 307, Mendenhall, MS 39114. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email:
- Simpson County Chancery Clerk: (601) 847-2626
- Email inquiries may be directed to the office during regular business hours.
What Are Public Records in Simpson County?
Public records in Simpson County 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. The following record types are maintained by Simpson County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Probate and chancery records | Chancery Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Chancery Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | MS State Department of Health |
| Tax assessment records | County Tax Assessor |
| Business licenses and permits | County Board of Supervisors |
| Voting and election records | Circuit Court Clerk / Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Board of Supervisors |
| Law enforcement records | Simpson County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
The Simpson County Chancery Clerk maintains the majority of land, probate, and civil records, while the Circuit Court Clerk maintains criminal and civil circuit court filings.
Is Simpson County an Open Records County?
Simpson County operates in full compliance with Mississippi's 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 Mississippi Attorney General's office has stated that "the policy of the Legislature is that public records must be available for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by this chapter."
The Act applies to all county offices, boards, and agencies, including the Board of Supervisors, the Chancery Clerk, the Circuit Court Clerk, the Tax Assessor, and the Sheriff's Office. Simpson County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance, as the state statute governs all public body obligations uniformly. The Mississippi Ethics Commission also provides guidance on compliance with the Public Records Act and investigates complaints related to improper denial of access.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Simpson County?
The current fee structure for public records in Simpson County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable to most record requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25–$1.00 |
| Certified copies (per document) | $1.00–$5.00 |
| Electronic copies | Varies by office |
| Search fees | Varies by record type |
| Vital record certified copies | $17.00 (MSDH) |
Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, public bodies may charge a fee for providing copies of public records, but such fees may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Inspection of records in person does not require a fee. Accepted payment methods at the Chancery Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order. Fees for certified vital records ordered through the Mississippi State Department of Health are set by the Department and apply statewide. Driving records may be obtained through the Mississippi Driver Service Bureau for a fee of $14.31 per certified copy.
Fee waivers are not broadly available under Mississippi law, though certain indigent requestors or governmental entities may qualify for reduced fees in specific circumstances.
Does Simpson County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person at the offices that maintain those records. Members of the public may visit the Simpson County Chancery Clerk's Office or the Circuit Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours to inspect records at no charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person is free, obtaining physical or certified copies incurs the fees described above.
The following free resources are available through official government channels:
- Mississippi Courts Online Portal: Case information for circuit and chancery court proceedings is searchable at no cost through the Mississippi Courts website.
- County Assessor Records: Property assessment data may be reviewed in person at the Simpson County Tax Assessor's Office without charge.
- Board of Supervisors Minutes: Meeting minutes and agendas are available for public inspection at the Board of Supervisors' office at no cost.
Background check information, including criminal history records, may be requested through the Mississippi State Department of Health background check services, which include live scan fingerprint appointment scheduling at county health departments.
Who Can Request Public Records in Simpson County?
Any person may request public records in Simpson County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Mississippi Public Records Act does not require requestors to be Mississippi residents, to provide identification as a condition of access, or to state the reason for their request. This broad access right reflects the Legislature's stated policy that government records belong to the public.
Specific provisions apply to certain record categories:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Access is restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a demonstrated legal interest. Certified copies may be ordered through the Mississippi vital records online ordering system.
- Criminal history records: Full criminal history information is restricted; however, public court records remain accessible to any person.
- Driving records: Mississippi driver license holders may request their own driving record through the Motor Vehicle Record Department. Third-party access is subject to the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721).
Requestors seeking their own records are subject to the same process as any other member of the public, with the addition that certain restricted records (such as sealed court files) may be accessible to the subject upon proper petition.
What Records Are Confidential in Simpson County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi law. The Mississippi Public Records Act and related statutes identify the following as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Mississippi Code § 43-21-261.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released documents.
- Medical records: Protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state law.
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under state child protection statutes.
- Personnel records: Employee records of public bodies are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for salary information.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.
The Mississippi Attorney General has noted that "the exemptions to the Public Records Act are to be narrowly construed," meaning that agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding any record.
Simpson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Simpson County Chancery Clerk
109 W. Pine Ave.
Mendenhall, MS 39114
(601) 847-2626
Simpson County Chancery Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk
109 W. Pine Ave.
Mendenhall, MS 39114
(601) 847-1333
Mississippi Courts
Simpson County Tax Assessor/Collector
109 W. Pine Ave.
Mendenhall, MS 39114
(601) 847-1744
Simpson County Tax Assessor
Simpson County Sheriff's Office
105 Industrial Park Rd.
Mendenhall, MS 39114
(601) 847-2863
Simpson County Sheriff's Office
Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records
570 East Woodrow Wilson Dr.
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 576-7960
Mississippi State Department of Health