Pike County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Pike County in 2026
PikeCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Pike County, Mississippi. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital statistics, or other official records may find relevant information through this resource. Available record categories include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessments
- Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Records in Pike County can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access: The Pike County, Mississippi official website provides access to several online resources, including a Parcel Viewer Map, Homestead Records Search, and payment portals for court fines and motor vehicle taxes. No registration is required to use the publicly available search tools on the county website.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Pike County Circuit Clerk's Office or the County Chancery Clerk's Office to inspect and request records in person. The Circuit Clerk's Office is located at 200 East Bay Street, Magnolia, MS 39652. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate clerk's office. Requests should include the requester's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, public bodies are required to respond to records requests promptly.
Phone/Email:
- Pike County Circuit Clerk: (601) 783-3362
- Pike County Chancery Clerk: (601) 783-3672
What Are Public Records in Pike County?
Public records in Pike County are defined under Mississippi state law as any 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 various county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Clerk's Office |
| Probate and chancery records | Chancery Clerk's Office |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Chancery Clerk's Office |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Mississippi Vital Records / State Registrar |
| Marriage and divorce records | Chancery Clerk's Office |
| Business licenses and permits | County Board of Supervisors |
| Tax and assessment records | Pike County Tax Assessor's Office |
| Voting and election records | Circuit Clerk's Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Board of Supervisors / County Clerk |
| Law enforcement records | Pike County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History maintains historical public records and provides guidance on accessing archived documents at the state level.
Is Pike County an Open Records County?
Pike County operates in full compliance with Mississippi's open records laws, which mandate public access to government documents. 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.
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 establishes a broad right of access for all members of the public, regardless of residency or stated purpose.
The Mississippi Attorney General's Office provides guidance on open records compliance and has issued official opinions clarifying the scope of the Public Records Act. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance that restricts access beyond what state law permits. Pike County public bodies, including the Board of Supervisors, the Circuit Clerk, and the Chancery Clerk, are each independently obligated to comply with the Act's disclosure requirements.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Pike County?
Current fees for public records in Pike County are governed by state law and the policies of the individual office maintaining the records. The following fee structure applies under standard conditions:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25 – $1.00 per page |
| Certification of documents | $1.00 – $5.00 per document |
| Electronic copies | Varies by office; may be provided at no charge |
| Search fees | Permitted in limited circumstances per state law |
- Inspection fees: No fee is charged for the inspection of public records in Mississippi. Members of the public have the right to review records at no cost.
- Copy fees: Fees for paper copies vary by office but are subject to the reasonableness standard established under Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, which prohibits excessive charges.
- Certification fees: Documents requiring an official seal or certification carry an additional fee set by the issuing office.
- Electronic format fees: Some offices provide electronic copies at reduced or no cost; requesters should confirm with the specific office.
- Fee waivers: Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for requests determined to serve a significant public interest, at the discretion of the public body.
Accepted payment methods at Pike County offices include cash, money order, and personal check. Credit card acceptance varies by office.
Does Pike County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Pike County, as Mississippi law requires that no fee be charged for the act of reviewing records in person. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may inspect public records at no charge, fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to public records:
- Pike County official website: The county's online parcel viewer and homestead records search are available at no cost to the public.
- Circuit Clerk's Office: Members of the public may inspect court records at the public access terminal located in the clerk's office during regular business hours at no charge.
- Chancery Clerk's Office: Property records, deed indexes, and related land records may be inspected in person without a fee.
- Mississippi Department of Archives and History: Certain historical records and indexes are available through the MDAH online catalog at no cost.
Vital records such as birth and death certificates are not available free of charge; certified copies carry a statutory fee set by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Who Can Request Public Records in Pike County?
Any person may request public records in Pike County, Mississippi. State law does not restrict access to residents only, and requesters are not required to provide identification or state a reason for their request in most circumstances. The Mississippi Public Records Act extends the right of access broadly, without regard to citizenship, residency, or affiliation.
Specific conditions that apply to records requests include:
- Identification: Not required for general public records requests, though some offices may ask for identification as a matter of administrative practice.
- Purpose: Requesters are not obligated to state the purpose of their request for most record types.
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Mississippi retain the same rights of access as residents under state law.
- Requesting personal records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure.
- Restricted record types: Certain categories of records, such as juvenile court records or sealed case files, carry additional access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
Persons seeking child support enforcement records or related family services documentation may access information through the Mississippi Division of Child Support Enforcement, which operates under the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
What Records Are Confidential in Pike County?
Certain records maintained by Pike County government offices are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi law. The following categories are currently withheld from general public access:
- 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 law.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are redacted prior to disclosure.
- Medical records: Protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state law.
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential under state and federal law.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under a claim of confidentiality.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.
As noted in the Mississippi Public Records Act, "nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require the disclosure of records that are specifically exempted from disclosure by statute." The specific exemptions applicable to state and county records are enumerated in Mississippi Code § 25-61-11, which identifies categories of records that public bodies are authorized or required to withhold.
Pike County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The primary offices responsible for maintaining public records in Pike County are the Circuit Clerk's Office and the Chancery Clerk's Office. Property records, land filings, and vital records related to marriage and probate are maintained by the Chancery Clerk, while court records and election-related documents are held by the Circuit Clerk.
Pike County Chancery Clerk's Office
200 East Bay Street
Magnolia, MS 39652
(601) 783-3672
Pike County, Mississippi
Pike County Circuit Clerk's Office
200 East Bay Street
Magnolia, MS 39652
(601) 783-3362
Pike County, Mississippi
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Pike County Tax Assessor's Office
200 East Bay Street
Magnolia, MS 39652
(601) 783-5511
Pike County, Mississippi
Pike County Sheriff's Office
115 East Bay Street
Magnolia, MS 39652
(601) 783-2581
Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records
571 Stadium Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 576-7960
Mississippi State Department of Health
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
William F. Winter Archives and History Building, 200 North Street
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 576-6850
Mississippi Department of Archives and History