RANKIN COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Rankin County Public Records?

Rankin County public records include materials (in physical or digital format) that are received, stored, filed, and issued by public agencies concerning a public activity. Public records may exist as videotapes, maps, photographs, charters, building plans, audio files, emails, memoranda, notes, books, and SMS. Nevertheless, not all public documents are accessible to the public. Public agencies are at liberty to redact or withhold certain confidential or sensitive information. The redacted information often violates an individual or entity's right to confidentiality and privacy. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, these documents are exempt from public view:

• Medical, psychiatric, or psychological records that may violate the privacy of the record subject;
• Information about attorney-client privilege;
• Law enforcement agencies' investigatory files and procedures;
• Government personnel data and similar files, such as salary information and investigations of employee misconduct (if the charges are untrue after due investigations);
• Architectural and official building plans of government-owned facilities that expose vulnerabilities in configuration or security in critical system
• Voters' registration information, such as email address, home address, and other identifying information;
• Sealed or expunged criminal records;
• Minutes of the meeting of public entities closed to the public;
• All or part of a document containing information about an individual's social security number, personal financial information, and driver's license;
• Trade secrets or negotiations filed with a public agency for licensing purposes;
• Public documents containing information about the identity of informants in a law enforcement investigation;
• Information security records that may reveal vulnerabilities to a public agency's information technology system;
• Preliminary notes, drafts, inter or intra-agency memoranda which are not used or retained by a public agency in decision-making;
• Pending litigation that involves a public agency or entity;
• Juvenile records and information.

Public county records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple county records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:

• The address of the requestor;
• A case number or file number (if known);
• The location of the document or person involved;
• The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile);
• The last known or current address of the registrant.

Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.

Rankin County Crime Statistics

The Rankin County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies in the county are the custodians of all reported arrests and incidents. Furthermore, they create unified crime statistics from all collated reports. Members of the public can find Rankin County crime statistics on the FBI UCR website. Per the 2018 FBI UCR, Rankin County reported 471 index crimes, comprising 49 violent crimes and 422 property crimes. The listed index crimes on the report include four murders, two rapes, six robberies, 37 aggravated assaults, 78 burglaries, 301 larceny thefts, 43 motor vehicle thefts, and five arson. Compared with the index crimes rates of the preceding year, Rankin County recorded a seven percent decrease in index crime rates and occurrences.

Are Rankin County Criminal Records Public?

While Rankin County criminal records are generally accessible or open to the public, Mississippi law prevents the disclosure of criminal records that contain:

• Information on juvenile crimes;
• Information on crime victims, witnesses, and complainants;
• Information on expunged or sealed criminal offenses.

The Rankin County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the designated record custodian of all criminal case records within the county. To obtain copies of Rankin County criminal records, interested persons must contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court at:

Justice Center
215 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1466
Phone: (601) 825-1465

Likewise, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, via the Criminal Information Center (CIC), allows interested persons or entities to access a copy of their criminal record. Furthermore, it enables requesters to obtain criminal records via a name or fingerprint-based search. To conduct a name-based criminal records check, interested persons must follow these steps:

1. Print and fill out a criminal record request form. Record subjects must fill out their names, date of birth, location, social security number, and contact details;
2. Sign the completed request form;
3. Include a certified check or money order payable to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety;
4. Send these documents to:

MS Bureau of Investigation
Attn: CIC/Background Checks
3891, Highway 468
West Pearl, MS 39208

The cost per criminal record request is $32, and it is payable by money order to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations. Alternatively, the CIC also conducts fingerprint-based records search for record seekers. Requesters must attach a fingerprint card to the request form to obtain a fingerprint-based criminal record search.

How to Obtain Rankin County Police Reports and Arrest Records

Public members can find police reports and arrest records from the Rankin County Sheriff's Office. As the custodian of all police reports and arrest records, the Sheriff's Office issues copies of the public documents to interested applicants. Persons or entities interested in obtaining the documents must visit the Sheriff's Office at:

Sheriff's Office & Detention Center
221 North Timber Street
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1480
Fax: (601) 824-7120

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Rankin County

Interested individuals or parties can find information on all Rankin County sex offenders via the Mississippi Sex Offender Registry online platform. Sex offenders information is obtainable via these search options:

• Name search
• Search by location.

Furthermore, the website features a community notification system. This system alerts the public when an offender takes up residence in the community. Likewise, the Mississippi State Highway Patrol (MSPH) hosts an online searchable database of all registered sex offenders in Rankin County. Public members may search for sex offenders on the platform via name or location. For a name-based search for sex offenders, requesters must be input:

• The offender's complete name;
• Date of birth
• Tier level;
• Offender's status;
• Address type and location.

The platform also allows requesters to view or download the full list of all registered sex offenders in Rankin County. In addition, there's a complete list of absconded sex offenders on the website. The absconded list features a sex offender's name, offense, photograph, date of conviction, tier level, victim's age, and other personally identifying data.

How to Find Rankin County Inmate Records

The Mississippi Department of Corrections hosts an online database for all inmates in the state's correctional facilities. Thus, record seekers can find information on inmates incarcerated in Rankin County by inputting either the inmate's complete name or ID number.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Rankin County Jail?

Interested parties can visit inmates at the Rankin County Adult Detention Center. The Adult Detention Center contains different holding areas for male and female inmates. Visitors can visit inmates at:

Rankin County Board of Supervisors
211 East Government Street
Suite A
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1475
Fax: (601) 825-9600

Inmates at the Adult Detention Center are eligible for 20 minutes visitation. Record seekers can find the visitation schedule for inmate visitation at the Adult Detention Center online platform. Visitors to the Rankin County Adult Detention Center must follow these guidelines:

• Wear appropriate attire;
• Visitors must not bring in personal effects into the visitation center. Personal effects include wallets, smartphones, and keys;
• Must arrive at the facility before the allocated visitation time.

Rankin County Court Records

The Rankin County Chancery Clerk's Office maintains records of all court cases tried by the county courts. Furthermore, it issues copies of court records to interested public members. The Chancery Clerk has jurisdiction over court records like criminal, civil, traffic, child adoption, family, and probate cases. Nevertheless, not all Rankin County court records are open to the public.

Location of All Courts in Rankin County

Rankin County has a Circuit Court, Chancery Court, Justice Court, County Court, two Youth Courts, and seven Municipal Courts. The courts' location and contact details are listed below:

Rankin County Circuit Court
Rankin County Justice Center
215 East Government Street
P.O. Box 1599
Brandon, MS 39043
Phone: (601) 825-1466
Fax: (601) 825-1465

Rankin County Chancery Court
Rankin County Courthouse Annex
211 East Government Street
Suite D
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1469
Fax: (601) 824-7116

County Court of Rankin County
Rankin County Justice Center
215 East Government Street
P.O. Box 1599
Brandon, MS 39043
Phone: (601) 825-1466
Fax: (601) 825-1465

Rankin County Youth Court
City of Pearl Youth Court
2561 Old Brandon Road
P.O. Box 5426
Pearl, MS 39288
Phone: (601) 863-3237
Fax: (601) 863-3234

Rankin County Youth Court
Rankin County Juvenile Justice Center
100 Court Cove
Pelahatchie, MS 39145
Phone: (601) 824-2545
Fax: (601) 591-4788

Rankin County Justice Court
Old Rankin County Courthouse
117 North Timber Street
P.O. Box 71
Brandon, MS 39043
Phone: (601) 824-2665
Fax: (601) 824-2668

Rankin County Municipal Courts
Brandon Municipal Court
1455 West Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-7227
Fax: (601) 825-8595

Florence Municipal Court
203 College Street
P.O. Box 309
Florence, MS 39073
Phone: (601) 845-1748
Fax: (601) 845-0458

Flowood Municipal Court
2101 Airport Road
Suite B
Flowood, MS 39232
Phone: (601) 420-3364

Pearl Municipal Court
2561 Old Brandon Road
Pearl, MS 39208
Phone: (601) 932-2262

Pelahatchie Municipal Court
P.O. Box 229
Pelahatchie, MS 39145
Phone: (601) 854-5223

Puckett Municipal Court
P.O. Box 130
Puckett, MS 39151
Phone: (601) 825-8074

Richland Municipal Court
371 Scarbrough Street
Richland, MS 39218
Phone: (601) 420-1563
Fax: (601) 936-4614

Are Rankin County Court Records Public?

While Rankin County court records are generally public documents, the court may seal court records that violate the state's Public Records Act. Thus, court cases, such as child adoption, civil harassment, juvenile court cases, are mostly exempt from public view. Interested persons can obtain non-confidential Rankin County Court documents from the Chancery Clerk, the custodian of all court documents in the county.

Can You Look Up a Rankin County Court Record?

Interested persons can look up Rankin County court records on the Mississippi Electronic Court (MEC) database. The MEC is the online custodian for most court case records in Rankin County courts.

How to Obtain Rankin County Civil Court Records

The Rankin County Chancery Clerk is the custodian of all civil court records generated by the county's courts. Civil court records are accessible to public members unless legally exempt from public view. Record seekers can obtain these documents in person from the Chancery Clerk at:

Old Courthouse (2nd Floor)
117 North Timber Street
2nd Floor
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 824-2665
Fax: (601) 824-2668

The Chancery Clerk attends to in-person requests from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m on weekdays, excluding public holidays. Likewise, online copies of Rankin County civil court case records are available on the Mississippi Electronic Court (MEC) website.

How to Obtain Rankin County Criminal Court Records

Record seekers can find Rankin County criminal court case records at the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office. The Rankin County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the record custodian of all criminal court case records generated by the county's courts. More so, it issues the court document to interested public members. To obtain the court records, record seekers must visit the Rankin County Clerk of the Circuit at:

Justice Center
215 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1466
Phone: (601) 825-1465

The Chancery Clerk attends to in-person requests from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m on weekdays, excluding public holidays. Likewise, online copies of Rankin County civil court case records are available on the Mississippi Electronic Court (MEC) website.

What are Rankin County Vital Records?

Rankin County vital records consist of government-generated documentation of life events within the county. Vital records contain information on birth, death, marriage, and divorce events. According to the Mississippi Public Records Law, vital records are public documents accessible to public members. However, record custodians may release confidential copies of vital records to eligible applicants. Eligible applicants must have a legitimate or tangible interest in the requested document.

Furthermore, eligible applicants may back up their claim by providing a photo ID or notarized statement to the record custodian. In contrast, unauthorized requesters are only eligible to receive informational or non-certified copies of public records. The Rankin County Chancery Clerk is the designated custodian for all vital records created within the county. At the same time, the Mississippi State Department of Health is responsible for keeping records of all life events within the state.

Where and How to Obtain Rankin County Divorce Records

The Rankin County Chancery Clerk is responsible for maintaining, filing, and issuing divorce documents to interested persons or entities. Record seekers can obtain Rankin County divorce records by visiting the Chancery Clerk at:

Chancery Court
201 North Street
2nd floor of the Rankin County Chancery-Justice Center
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1649

The Chancery Clerk attends to in-person requests from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m on weekdays, excluding public holidays.

Where and How to Get Rankin County Marriage Records

County residents and non-residents can find Rankin County marriage documents from the County's Clerk of the Circuit Court. As the custodian of marriage records, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is responsible for issuing copies of marriage documents to interested applicants. Record seekers must visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court in person to obtain the documents. The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is situated at:

Justice Center
215 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1466
Phone: (601) 825-1465

Likewise, the Mississippi State Department of Health provides a statewide repository of marriage licenses issued. Interested persons can obtain Rankin County marriage records from the MSDH via in-person or mail orders.

For mail requests, record seekers must follow these steps:

1. Download, print, and fill out the marriage record application form. Also, requesters must sign the application form;
2. Include the $17 search fee as a money order or check payable to the Mississippi State Department of Health. Additional copies cost $6 per page;
3. Send the completed application form alongside the search fee in a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700

At the same time, requesters can receive Rankin County marriage records in-person. To use this option, requesters must visit the Vital Records Office at:

Mississippi Vital Records Office - Ridgeland Office
222 Marketridge Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157

Where and How to Find Rankin County Birth Records

Rankin County birth certificates are obtainable from the Vital Records Office of the MSDH. Record seekers may find and get birth certificates recorded after November 1, 1912, from the MSDH Vital Records Office. That said, interested persons may request birth certificates in-person or via mail order. Nevertheless, the MSDH will only release copies of birth certificates to persons or entities with a legitimate or tangible claim to the birth document. Eligible persons may include:

• The record bearer;
• A parent or step-parent named on the birth certificate;
• Record bearer's spouse, sibling, step-sibling, child, grandparent or great-grandparent, grandchild or great-grandchild;
• Power of Attorney;
• A legal representative of the record subject.

Requesters seeking to obtain a certified copy of Rankin County birth certificate via mail must follow these steps:

1. Print out and complete the birth record application form in English or Spanish. Sign the completed request form;
2. Attach the required fee as a money order or check payable to the Mississippi State Department of Health. It costs $17 to get a certified copy of the birth record and $6 for additional copies;
3. Include a valid photo ID, such as driver's license, employment ID, state-issued ID, or permanent/temporary resident card;
4. Send the completed application form and the search fee in a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700

On the other hand, requesters can receive Rankin County birth records in person. The MSDH attends to in-person requests within business hours on weekdays. To obtain a birth certificate in-person, requesters must visit the Records Office at:

Mississippi Vital Records Office - Ridgeland Office
222 Marketridge Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157

Where and How to Find Rankin County Death Record

Public members can find and get Rankin County death certificates at the MSDH Vital Records Office. As the statewide custodian of death records, the MSDH provides death records via mail-in orders or in-person requests. Furthermore, it enables eligible requesters to access death certificates. Note that eligible applicants must have a tangible or legitimate claim to the record. That said, the following persons can receive death certificates from the MSDH:

• Spouse;
• Parent or step-parent of the deceased (a step-parent must provide a marriage certificate as proof of relationship with the deceased.
• Sibling or step-sibling
• Ex-spouse (must provide documents to prove direct interest in the death record);
• Grandparent or great-grandparent, grandchild or great-grandchild;
• Representative of the deceased's estate;
• Public Agency that has assumed the administration of the deceased's estate;
• A legal representative of the deceased's estate.
• Persons with a financial interest in the deceased's estate.

For mailed requests, record seekers must send a completed death certificate application form and a money order or check in a self-addressed envelope to:

Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700

On the other hand, requesters can receive Rankin County death certificates in-person at the MSDH Vital Records Office. The MSDH attends to in-person requests within business hours on weekdays. To use this option, requesters must visit the Vital Records Office at:

Mississippi Vital Records Office - Ridgeland Office
222 Marketridge Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157