What are Mississippi Property Records?
Mississippi property records are official documents curated by state officials containing information regarding a property or a parcel of land.
These records contain detailed and necessary information about a property, including; property ownership records, property tax records, property survey records, and property history with public records, to mention some.
The chancery court maintains property records in Mississippi. Mississippi property records are recorded, filed, maintained, and managed at the county level in all 82 counties in Mississippi. If a member of the public seeks a public property record in Mississippi, they can begin searches from the county where the property is located.
Property records are customarily updated after a sale or transfer of property (partial or complete), either as an inheritance or a gift. This is because it serves as a reference document in case of a property dispute involving lines of a boundary, matters related to sharing property, inheritance, wills, mortgages, or foreclosure.
Information found in a property record includes the following; the name of the owner, cost of the property, the current value of a property, historical value, annual tax, and date it was last sold.
Are Mississippi Property Records Public?
Yes. Per the Mississippi Sunshine Laws, members of the public have the right to request and obtain records considered public, in this case the Mississippi property records. Individuals interested in getting a Mississippi property record can get it by requesting the record from the Chancery Clerk or the County accessor. Most counties make available an online database where members of the public can access records. For instance, for those searching for property records in Harrison county, one can access records online through the county-maintained database for property records Land Records Online. Several third-party aggregate sites also offer this service. In a case where one does not know the exact location of a property or wants to carry out a vast survey, third-party sites provide unlimited geographical coverage.
Property records are available for public viewing through government agencies or third-party aggregate websites. Accessing property records through third-party sites is typically straightforward, and the records are not geographically limited. However, because the sites are not government-affiliated and run independently, the information contained in the records may vary. Searching parties should include the following information to obtain complete property records:
- The property’s exact location.
- The property owner’s details.
What Information is Included in Mississippi Property Records?
Some of the documents that can be obtained from Mississippi property records are:
- Deeds: A Mississippi deed is a formal document that states ownership of a property, current as well as former. It also contains information regarding the transference of ownership of a property.
- Notices: A notice in Mississippi is a document that informs the owner of a property. Some of the constructive notice, public notice, actual notice, etc.
- Affidavits: A Mississippi property affidavit is a legal document that backs up or establishes a certain claim.
- Plat: A plat in Mississippi property records shows the survey of a piece of property, its exact location/placement on the map, and its boundary.
- Financial statements: A Mississippi property financial statement is an official document stating the financial condition of a property. It includes income, expenditure, debt, or liens on a property.
Where to Search Mississippi Public Property Records.
Individuals interested in carrying out a Mississippi public records search can request the chancery court or the local accessor to obtain records. Most counties also provide an online database where those interested in inspecting or getting a record can look up. In addition, one can also check private aggregate databases online, which make Mississippi property records available to the public.
For example, members of the public who want to obtain a property record in Rankin county can check the online database maintained by the county Document Center / Property Record Search / Rankin County, Mississippi, or one can also visit in person:
201 North street
2nd floor
Rankin county Chancery Justice Center
Brandon, MS 39042
For Harrison county:
Judicial District 1
1801 23rd Avenue
Gulfport, MS 39501
P.O. Drawer CC
Gulfport, MS 39502.
Phone: (228) 865-4036
Individuals carrying out research or trying to gather needed data from a public property record can also look up U.S. land records from the national archives. The U.S. land records have logs of every state under the United States. Another place to check is the Bureau of Land Management.
How to Do a Property Records Search in Mississippi.
There are several ways that persons who sort to do a property record search in Mississippi can search. One of the ways is the conventional way of visiting the government agency in charge, the chancery court, or the office of the county accessor in this case, to inspect records.
Individuals who plan to visit any of the chancery courts in person can do so within working hours from 8 am to 4 pm.
For Hinds County
316 S President street,
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601) 968-6523
Warren County Chancery Judge
1009 Cherry Street, Vicksburg,
MS 39183, United States
Vicksburg, MS
Phone: (601) 636-8327 (Opens 9 am)
Scott County Justice Court
100 E 1st St,
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-1922
Lowndes County Court House
Address: 515 2nd Avenue North,
Columbus, MS 39701
Phone: (662) 329-5800
Another method that is easier and more convenient is to check the database maintained by the county, as most counties have one available online. A requester would need to provide the name of the property and the exact location or other vital information about the property. A certified copy of Mississippi property records costs $1. The fee per page for getting a document copy is $0.5 (if done by the Chancery clerk) and $0.25 if done by another staff member.
In a situation where the exact location of the property is not known, but the name is, third-party aggregate sites would pose easier to navigate and look up property records as most provide beyond one county's property records.
How to Find the Owner of a Mississippi Property Using Public Records
Individuals who need to find the owner of a Mississippi property using public records can check the document of deeds or check with the Local Assessor's Office. The names of previous and current owners always appear on the property tax records. Some documents in a property record may contain details, including the contact number and current address of both the previous and current owner.
Persons buying or purchasing a property are advised to do due diligence in carrying out thorough and proper research about the property and the owner of the property. All needed information is usually contained in the property records in Mississippi (data regarding the physical state of the property, its financial state, and other data).
Those seeking to find the owner of a Mississippi property using public records can also look up the owners on private aggregate sites that make this information readily available to members of the public on request.
Bear in mind that sources of information or data may differ from site to site; hence the data provided may also differ.
What are Mississippi Property Records Used For?
Mississippi property records can be used for different things. Literally, anyone can use property records when necessary. Some individuals who usually use property records include but are not exclusive to private investigators, potential buyers, real estate investors, legal professionals, law enforcement agencies, insurance agencies, etc. Property records provide detailed information about a property; its value, tax history, ownership history, survey maps, legal or financial issues if any, etc.
The information provided in property records helps prospective buyers and even owners make informed and better decisions concerning the property.
The following are some of the uses of Mississippi property records:
- Property records are used for tax management of properties.
- They are also used in solving boundary-line problems.
- It provides a reference point to past ownership and current ownership and establishing ownership rights.
- They are used for property transaction purposes.
- They can be used for mortgage or insurance purposes.
How to Find Mississippi Property Tax Records
To find Mississippi property tax records, members of the public who seek to obtain records can query the county assessor's office. Mississippi property tax records are filed and maintained at the county level by the county assessor, who also files and maintains property records. Property records are used as a reference to the real value of a property which is then used to determine tax payable. Property tax records show the history of tax payments on a property and any pending or due payments. A property tax record also shows the value of a property as at the time last assessed and or if there are liens on a property. Tax records also contain information and contact details of the former and current property owners.
What to Do When You Can't Find Property Records in Mississippi.
A lack of property records can challenge the further development of a property. If one cannot find property records in Mississippi, one may need to take legal action or hire a real estate lawyer. Individuals who cannot find a Mississippi property record can file a case so that the judiciary system would intervene to establish ownership. Another thing that can be done is to find other supporting documents (survey records or tax records) that may help provide clarification. If an individual does not find the record of anything in regard to a property (that has been bought), it is advisable to go to the office of the recorder within the county for proper documentation of the property.
It is very important that properties are recorded as this would save parties involved in any transaction in the future a lot of issues and problems.
The recording fee is determined by the statute per Mississippi Code. The fee required for recording and filing is $26; additional charges would apply for additional work or copies. A certified copy cost $1. The fee per page for getting a document copy is $0.5 (if done by the Chancery clerk) and $0.25 if done by another staff member.
Individuals who want to record a property should ensure that:
- Proper and adequate research and findings have been duly carried out through an attorney or private investigation (personal or employed)
- Documents are arranged in the order they would be recorded. As documents would be recorded and filed as submitted.
- Filings are done accurately.
- Documents should be clearly written.
