Hancock County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Hancock County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through HancockCountyRecords.org, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Hancock County, Mississippi maintains a range of official records that are accessible to the public pursuant to state law. The records available through official channels may include, but are not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax assessment and property tax records
Voting and election records
Business licenses and permits
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Land use and zoning documents

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The Hancock County official website provides access to several online portals. The Chancery Clerk's office offers an online land records search tool, through which members of the public may search property deeds, mortgages, and related instruments. Delinquent tax payments may also be processed online through the same portal. No registration is required to conduct basic land record searches.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Chancery Clerk's Office or the Circuit Clerk's Office at the Hancock County Courthouse to inspect records in person. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought. Staff will assist in locating responsive documents, and copies may be requested at the time of inspection.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should include the requestor's full name, a description of the records sought, and a preferred method of response. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, public bodies are required to respond to written requests promptly. Mailing address for the Chancery Clerk is: P.O. Box 429, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520.

Phone/Email:

The Chancery Clerk's Office may be reached by phone at (228) 467-4551. The Circuit Clerk's Office may be contacted at (228) 467-4259. Email contact information is available through the Hancock County government portal.

What Are Public Records in Hancock County?

Public records in Hancock 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 Hancock County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Clerk
Probate and chancery records	Chancery Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Chancery Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Mississippi State Department of Health
Tax assessment records	County Tax Assessor
Business licenses and permits	Chancery Clerk / Municipal offices
Voting and election records	Circuit Clerk / Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas	Board of Supervisors
Budget and financial documents	County Administrator
Law enforcement records	Sheriff's Office (where permitted)
Land use and zoning records	County Planning Department

The Chancery Clerk serves as the primary custodian of land records, probate matters, and county financial documents. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains criminal and civil court records, voter registration rolls, and related judicial documents.

Is Hancock County an Open Records County?

Hancock County operates in full compliance with Mississippi's public records law. 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 statutory exemption applies. The Act establishes that "it is the policy of the Legislature that public records must be available for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by this chapter."

The Mississippi Public Records Act does not require requestors to state a reason for seeking records, nor does it limit access based on residency. County offices are obligated to make records available for inspection during regular business hours and to provide copies upon request, subject to applicable fees. The Mississippi Attorney General's office has issued guidance affirming that public bodies must respond to records requests without undue delay. As stated in that guidance, "the right to inspect public records is a fundamental right of the people of Mississippi."

Hancock County does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance; the county operates under the statewide framework established by the Mississippi Public Records Act.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Hancock County varies by record type and the office maintaining the records. Standard fees applicable at the Circuit Clerk's office include:

Service	Fee
Criminal or civil record check (per ten years)	$10.00
Copy of court document (per page)	$0.50
Certified copy of court document	$1.50 per page + $1.00 certification
Civil appeal filing	Varies by case type

The Chancery Clerk's office charges fees for certified copies of land records and vital records instruments recorded in that office. Fees for inspection of records — that is, viewing records without obtaining copies — are not assessed under state law. Mississippi Code § 25-61-7 governs the fees that public bodies may charge for copies of public records and provides that fees must be reasonable and not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some online services, such as delinquent tax payments processed through the Chancery Clerk's online portal, may accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under Mississippi law, though individual offices may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.

Does Hancock 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 at the Chancery Clerk's Office or the Circuit Clerk's Office without charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Several categories of records are accessible at no cost through online government portals. The Hancock County land records search tool allows members of the public to search property instruments online without charge. The Mississippi Department of Corrections maintains an online offender search tool through which members of the public may access inmate status information at no cost. The Mississippi State Department of Health provides access to certain public health data and background check scheduling at no charge for the scheduling process itself.

Motor vehicle records may be requested through the DPS Driver Self-Service Portal, which provides online access to driver license and motor vehicle record services; fees apply for official record copies.

Who Can Request Public Records in Hancock County?

Any person may request public records in Hancock County. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, there is no residency requirement, and requestors are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request as a condition of access. This right extends equally to residents and non-residents of Mississippi.

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Juvenile court records, sealed court records, and records subject to statutory exemptions may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal basis for access, such as being a party to the case or holding a court order. Individuals seeking their own records — such as personal criminal history or vital records — may be required to provide proof of identity to verify their entitlement to certified copies.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections public records request process is available to any member of the public seeking inmate records or other MDOC-maintained documents, subject to applicable exemptions. Requests for background check information through the Mississippi State Department of Health may require fingerprint submission and applicable fees depending on the purpose of the check.

What Records Are Confidential in Hancock County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Mississippi law establishes specific categories of exempt records that public bodies are not required to disclose. The following records are exempt from public access under Mississippi Code § 25-61-11 and related statutes:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile court records and youth court proceedings
Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
Adoption records (sealed by court order)
Child welfare and protective services records
Personnel records of public employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
Attorney-client privileged communications involving public bodies

When a public body withholds records on the basis of an exemption, it is required to identify the specific statutory basis for the denial. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may seek review through the Mississippi Attorney General's office or pursue judicial relief in chancery court. Mississippi courts apply a balancing test in certain circumstances to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interests supporting nondisclosure.

Hancock County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Hancock County Chancery Clerk
854 Highway 90, Suite A, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4551
Hancock County, MS Official Website

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Hancock County Circuit Clerk
854 Highway 90, Suite B, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-4259
Circuit Clerk – Hancock County