What are Adams County Public Records?
Section § 25-61-3 of the Mississippi Public Records Act as any documentary material used by a bureau, department, division, commission, committee, agency, board, council, municipal, or any entity created by the constitution for preparing, keeping, and storing records. Adams County public records may take the form of all paper, accounts, books, letters, journals, manuals, pictures, maps, tapes, films, cards, recordings.
Generally, the law permits all record seekers public access to government records; however, the law also denies access to some public records. Examples include:
- Trade secrets, financial information, and confidential commercial records.
- Personal information of a judge, district attorney, criminal investigator, or law enforcement officer, including personal details of their spouse and children.
- Investigative offense reports containing police radio logs, witness statements, officers' daily reports, or taped communications.
- Law enforcement criminal records include information gathering during a criminal investigation, informants' reports, and investigators' reports.
- Records containing private keys or mathematical formulas used to develop or confirm private keys.
- Sensitive information on a law enforcement report such as the victim's name, witnesses, and narratives.
- Personal details including the name, address, telephone number of any person with a weapon permit.
- Academic records
- Licensure application and examination records
- Appraisal records
- Hospital records
- Congenital disability records
- Charitable organizations registration information
- Medical examiner reports and records
- An individual's tax record with a public body
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location including the city, county or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Adams County Crime Statistics
The Natchez Police Department collates annual online crime statistics for Adams County and makes this data available. In 2020, crime statistics recorded included 506 property crimes and 56 violent crimes from 259 burglaries, 233 larceny thefts, 35 aggravated assaults, 14 motor vehicle thefts, 9 robberies, and 6 rapes and homicide. In 2019, law enforcement officers recorded 771 violent crimes from 521 larceny thefts, 231 burglaries, and 19 motor vehicle thefts. The county also recorded 30 violent crimes resulting from 13 aggravated assaults, 11 robberies, and 3 homicides and rapes. The overall crime statistics decreased by 30% between the two years, with larceny theft dropping significantly by 55%.
Are Adams County Criminal Records Public?
The Adams County Sheriff Office grants access to criminal records in the county. Parties qualified to access this record must be the criminal record holder. Eligible persons can make a formal request for Adams County criminal record by filling out an application at the Sheriff's Office presenting a valid ID or license. The office opens to in person requesters from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Mondays through Fridays at:
Adams County Sheriff’s Office
306 State Street
Natchez, MS 39120
Record seekers may also access Adams' criminal records from the Natchez Police Department Records Division. Interested parties may access the record in person at the Records Division or through the mail by providing specifics related to the criminal record, a valid ID, and the fees. The contact details of the Records Division for both physical and mail request is as follows:
Natchez Police Department
Records Division
233 D’Evereux Drive
Natchez, MS 39120
Phone: (601) 445-5565
Fax: (601) 442-3487
How to Obtain Adams County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
All parties seeking Adams County arrest records and police reports may contact the Adams County Sheriff's Office. Record seekers can visit the office of the Sheriff with proper identifying documents and details of the record such as the name, date of birth, address, incident description, incident date, and officers involved. The Sheriff's Office may charge a fee to access the record. Parties can mail the request to or visit the office at:
Adams County Sheriff’s Office
306 State Street
Natchez, MS 39120
The Natchez Police Department also provides Adams arrest records and police reports. Interested parties can request in writing in person or by mail at the Records Division of the Police Department. All requests must include a photocopy of a valid ID with the application. There is a $20 fee to obtain copies of the record payable by cash, credit/debit cards, or money orders. Interested parties may contact the Records Division at:
Natchez Police Department
Records Division
233 D’Evereux Drive
Natchez, MS 39120
Phone: (601) 445-5565
Fax: (601) 442-3487
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Adams County
The Mississippi Sex Offender Statute requires all persons convicted, on parole, adjudicated, or acquitted based on insanity for any sex crimes or attempted sexual crime to register as a sex offender with the Sheriff's Office. Parties interested in accessing sex offenders' information from Adams County can use the Mississippi Sex Offender Registry (Mississippi SOR). Record seekers can search the database by name or geography. To use the name search, parties should have the first and last name of the sex offender. The geographical search provides details of sex offenders that live, attend school, or work within a specified distance of a specific address, zip code, or county. For an effective geographical search, parties should restrict the search to Adams County. Record seekers may sign up for community notifications to receive information by email when a sex offender registers an address of interest to the searcher.
The Adams County Sheriff's Office also maintains an online list of Registered Sex Offenders. The register contains the full names, address, date of birth, gender, hair and eye color, height, weight, race, photo, and charges of the sex offender.
How to Find Adams County Inmate Records
The Adams County Sheriff's Office administers the operations of the county jail and provides a current list of inmates currently detained in its facility. The Inmate Roster contains the full name, booking number, age, gender, race, address, booking date, charges, and bond of inmates incarcerated in the county jail. Alternatively, record seekers may contact the Adams County Sheriff's Office for specific inmate records at:
Adams County Sheriff’s Office
306 State Street
Natchez, MS 39120
Phone: (601) 422-2752
Fax: (601) 422-3926
Adams County Court Records
Adams County Court records are the papers or documents generated in court during a legal process. Adams Court records range from civil court cases to mental health court cases. Adams County has a Circuit Court, Chancery Court, County Court, Youth Court, Justice Court, and Municipal Court.
The Circuit Court attends to all civil and criminal cases such as felonies and civil claims above $20,000. The Adams County Chancery Court handles domestic relations, probate matters, equity, mental health, and guardianship. The County Courts of Adam County hear certain civil and criminal cases such as petty misdemeanor cases and civil claims for less than $20,000. The Youth Court moderates all instances involving a delinquent child, juvenile offense, a neglected child, or an abused child. The Justice Court oversees certain criminal and civil cases, such as criminal offenses punishable by a fine and civil claim for amounts below $3,500. Lastly, the Municipal Court presides over municipal ordinance violations such as traffic offenses. Parties interested in obtaining copies of Adams Court records can visit the courthouse where the judge heard the case. The locations of the courthouses across the country include:
Adams County Circuit Court
Adams County Courthouse
115 South Wall Street
P.O. Box 1224
Natchez, MS 39121
Phone: (601) 466-6326
Fax: (601) 445-7955
Adams County Chancery Court
Adams County Courthouse
115 South Wall Street
P.O. Box 1006
Natchez, MS 39121
Phone: (601) 446-6684
Fax: (601) 445-7913
County Courts of Adams County
Adams County Courthouse
115 South Wall Street
P.O. Box 1224
Natchez, MS 39121
Phone: (601) 442-6416
Fax: (601) 445-2369
Adams County Youth Court
Juvenile Justice Center
320 State Street
Natchez, MS 39120
Phone: (601) 442-6416
Fax: (601) 445-7960
Adams County Justice Court
Adams County Courthouse
114 South Wall Street
P.O. Box 1048
Natchez, MS 39121
Phone: (601) 442-0199
Fax: (601) 445-7902
Natchez Municipal Court
233 D’Evereux Drive
Natchez, MS 39120
Phone: (601) 445-7524
Are Adams County Court Records Public?
Adams County court records are public records available at the Circuit Clerk of Courts Office. Interested parties can obtain the record by providing details relevant to the court case, submitting a photocopy of a valid identifying document, and paying the applicable fees. However, the Mississippi Public Records Act restricts public access to certain court records. Court records such as mental health, hospital, juvenile, adoption, custody, drug court participation, sealed court records, and records exempted by court order are not available to the public.
How to Obtain Adams County Civil Court Case Records
The Adams County Circuit Court Clerk is the official custodian of all civil court case records and, on a written request, grants access to these records for a fee. Requesters can access the court record by submitting a written request providing the case or business name, case number, filing date, citation number, and attorney details. A complete application should include the fees, the written request, a valid ID, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for mail requesters. Parties can submit the request in person during its official business hours or via mail at:
Circuit Clerk of Court
Adams County Courthouse
115 South Wall Street
P.O. Box 1224
Natchez, MS 39121
Phone: (601) 466-6326
Fax: (601) 445-7955
How to Obtain Adams County Criminal Court Records
Interested parties may obtain Adams County civil court case records by sending a request to the Circuit Clerks of Courts Office, who may charge a fee to get the records. The request may be via mail or in person at the Clerk of Court Office from Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Parties should have all known case details to facilitate a search and must submit the request with a photocopy of a valid identifying document. Mail requesters should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with their application. The Circuit Clerk of Court Office address is at:
Circuit Clerk of Court
Adams County Courthouse
115 South Wall Street
P.O. Box 1224
What are Adams County Vital Records?
Adams County vital records are records kept by the county administration providing proof of significant life events. Adams County vital records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Parties can obtain divorce records from the Adams County Chancery Court Clerk Office. In contrast, marriage, death, and birth records are available at the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) and the Adams County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
Divorce Records
The court issues a divorce decree bringing a marriage to an end. The divorce decree details the separation terms ending the marriage union, such as custody arrangements, spousal support, and assets division. Divorce verification is a document containing proof that the divorce happened. It is less detailed, including basic information about the divorcing couple. Parties interested in obtaining certified copies of Adams County divorce records can contact:
Chancery Court Clerk’s Office
Adams County Courthouse
115 South Wall Street
P.O. Box 1006
Natchez, MS 39120
Phone: (601) 446-6684
Fax: (601) 445-7913
Marriage Records
A marriage record issued by the county government or the state Health Department contains information about two people who joined a marriage union. Parties may obtain Adams County marriage records at the Circuit Clerk of Courts Office at:
Circuit Clerk of Court
Adams County Courthouse
115 South Wall Street
P.O. Box 1224
Natchez, MS 39121
Phone: (601) 442-7454
Fax: (601) 445-7913
Parties can also obtain Adams County marriage certificates from the MSDH in person or by mail by filling out the application form. In person requesters can visit the MSDH office during its business hours from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday at:
Mississippi State Department of Health
Vital Records Office
222 Marketridge Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Requesters obtaining the records by mail can send the form, fees payable by money order, credit or debit card, or check, photo identification, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Birth Records
A birth record is an official document recording the birth of a person. Only qualified persons such as the record holder, parents, spouse, siblings, grandparents, legal guardian or representatives, or persons with a court order may obtain certified copies of Adams County birth records. Interested parties can order certified copies of Adams County birth certificates from the MSDH by mail or in person for $17. Parties requesting the certificate in person can contact the MSDH Vital Records Office during its business hours at:
Mississippi State Department of Health
Vital Records Office
222 Marketridge Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Record seekers obtaining the record by mail can fill out the application form and include the fees payable by personal check, money order, or bank cashier check, a valid photo ID, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Death Records
A death record states the cause, place, and time of death of a deceased person. Parties qualified to obtain certified copies of a death record must have a legitimate and tangible interest to the decedent, such as the deceased immediate family members, legal representatives, or a person with a court order. Parties may order the record in person or via mail. In person, requesters visit the Vital Records Office of the MSDH on Monday through Fridays during its official hours at:
Mississippi State Department of Health
Vital Records Office
222 Marketridge Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Mail requesters can order the record by making sending a formal application, along with the $17 fees, a photo ID, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope to:
Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Acceptable photo identification includes:
- Drivers license
- State-issued ID card
- Passport
- Military ID
- A valid school, college, or university ID
- Tribal ID
- Employment ID
- US passport
- Temporary resident card
However, a record seeker may submit any two of the following in the absence of the acceptable forms of ID:
- Social Security card
- Utility bill
- Snap/EBT card
- Work identification
- Medicaid card
- Veteran universal access ID card
