Neshoba County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Neshoba County in 2026
NeshobaRecords.us provides publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Neshoba County, Mississippi. Members of the public seeking records may find information pertaining to the following categories:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- Law enforcement records (where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Records may be accessed through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access:
- The Neshoba County official website provides access to select county records and department contacts.
- The Mississippi Department of Archives and History maintains the Mississippi Digital Library for historical and archival records.
- Property records and tax assessments may be searched through the Neshoba County Tax Assessor's online portal.
- Court records may be accessed through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system maintained by the Mississippi judiciary.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Neshoba County Circuit Clerk's Office or the County Clerk's Office located at the Neshoba County Courthouse, 401 Beacon Street, Philadelphia, MS 39350. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal request identifying the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the applicable office at 401 Beacon Street, Philadelphia, MS 39350. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, agencies are required to respond promptly to public records requests.
Phone/Email:
- Neshoba County Clerk: (601) 656-4781
- Neshoba County Circuit Clerk: (601) 656-4661
What Are Public Records in Neshoba County?
Public records in Neshoba County are defined under Mississippi law as all books, records, papers, accounts, letters, maps, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data processing records, artifacts, or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any governmental body. The following record types are maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Clerk |
| Probate and chancery records | Chancery Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Chancery Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Mississippi State Department of Health |
| Marriage and divorce records | Chancery Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | Tax Assessor/Collector |
| Voting and election records | Circuit Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Clerk |
| Law enforcement records | Neshoba County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
The Neshoba County Chancery Clerk serves as the primary custodian for land records, probate matters, and board minutes.
Is Neshoba County an Open Records County?
Neshoba County operates in full compliance with Mississippi's open records laws. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq., known as the Mississippi Public Records Act, all public records are presumed to be open and accessible to any person unless a specific exemption applies. The Act establishes that government transparency is a fundamental principle of democratic governance in the state.
As stated in the Mississippi Public Records Act, "all public records are hereby declared to be public property, and any person shall have the right to inspect, copy, or mechanically reproduce or obtain a reproduction of any public record." This provision applies to all county agencies, boards, and offices operating within Neshoba County.
The Mississippi Attorney General's Office provides guidance to public bodies and citizens regarding compliance with the Public Records Act. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance governing public records access beyond the requirements established by state law. All county departments are subject to the same statutory obligations for disclosure and response.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Neshoba County?
The current fee structure for public records in Neshoba County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.25–$1.00 |
| Certified copy of document | $1.00–$5.00 per document |
| Electronic records (where available) | Varies by office |
| Search fee | Varies; some offices charge staff time |
| Vital records certified copies | $17.00 (MSDH standard fee) |
- Inspection of records at a public counter is available at no charge in most offices.
- Certification fees for court documents are set by the Circuit Clerk and Chancery Clerk pursuant to Mississippi statute.
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards.
- Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, a public body may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of searching, reviewing, and duplicating records, but may not impose fees that effectively deny access.
- Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Mississippi law, though individual offices retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances.
Does Neshoba County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at county offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may review records in person without charge at the applicable custodial office. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records at a public counter incurs no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Mississippi Electronic Courts portal provides free online access to certain court case information maintained by the Mississippi judiciary.
- The Neshoba County Tax Assessor's office provides free online access to property assessment data through the county website.
- The Mississippi Secretary of State's office provides free online access to business entity records, UCC filings, and election information.
- The Mississippi State Department of Health provides access to vital records indexes, though certified copies carry a standard fee.
Members of the public seeking their own records, such as personal court filings or property records, are subject to the same fee schedule as any other requestor unless a specific statutory provision applies.
Who Can Request Public Records in Neshoba County?
Any person may request public records in Neshoba County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Mississippi law does not require a requestor to be a state resident or to provide a reason for the request. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, the right of access extends to all persons.
- Requestors are not required to provide identification for most public records requests, though some offices may ask for contact information to facilitate delivery of records.
- Stating a purpose for the request is not required by law for records that are presumed open.
- Non-residents of Mississippi retain the same rights of access as residents under state law.
- Requests for records pertaining to oneself, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may require proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
- Certain record types, such as sealed court records or juvenile records, carry additional restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
- Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all entitled to submit requests under the same statutory framework.
As the Mississippi Attorney General's Office has noted in its public records guidance, "the right to inspect public records belongs to every person," and public bodies may not condition access on the identity or purpose of the requestor for non-exempt records.
What Records Are Confidential in Neshoba County?
Certain records maintained by Neshoba County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi law. Mississippi Code § 25-61-11, along with other specific statutory provisions, identifies the following categories of records as confidential or exempt:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in youth court proceedings are confidential under Mississippi youth court statutes.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with active investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with enforcement proceedings.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are protected from disclosure.
- Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and state health privacy laws are not subject to public disclosure.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed under Mississippi law.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure with limited exceptions, such as salary information for public employees.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies may be withheld.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure are exempt.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the severability provisions of the Public Records Act.
Neshoba County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Neshoba County Chancery Clerk
401 Beacon Street, Suite 105
Philadelphia, MS 39350
(601) 656-4781
Neshoba County Chancery Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Neshoba County Circuit Clerk
401 Beacon Street
Philadelphia, MS 39350
(601) 656-4661
Neshoba County Circuit Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Neshoba County Tax Assessor/Collector
401 Beacon Street
Philadelphia, MS 39350
(601) 656-4541
Neshoba County Tax Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records
571 Stadium Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 576-7960
Mississippi State Department of Health
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Neshoba County Sheriff's Office
507 Myrtle Street
Philadelphia, MS 39350
(601) 656-4011
Neshoba County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week; administrative records requests handled Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM