Adams County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Adams County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Adams County, Mississippi may access publicly available information through AdamsCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data related to a broad range of official records maintained by county and state agencies. Adams County residents and non-residents alike may locate records pertaining to court proceedings, property ownership, vital events, law enforcement activity, and other government functions, subject to applicable state and federal disclosure laws. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the custodial agency, the nature of the document, and any applicable exemptions under Mississippi law.
Record categories that members of the public may search include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, chancery, and justice court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Arrest logs and incident reports
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Land use and zoning records
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 Adams County official government portal provides access to county department contacts, public notices, and select document databases. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History maintains statewide digitized records, and the Mississippi Secretary of State's office hosts business entity filings online. Certain court records are accessible through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, which may require registration for full document retrieval.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Adams County Circuit Clerk's Office or the Chancery Clerk's Office to inspect records at public access terminals. The Circuit Clerk maintains criminal and civil court records, while the Chancery Clerk maintains land records, probate filings, and marriage licenses.
Adams County Circuit Clerk's Office
115 South Wall Street, Natchez, MS 39120
(601) 446-6326
Adams County Circuit Clerk
Adams County Chancery Clerk's Office
115 South Wall Street, Natchez, MS 39120
(601) 446-6684
Adams County Chancery Clerk
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding state and federal holidays.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office and must include the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, and no later than fourteen (14) working days from receipt.
Phone/Email: Requesters may contact the Adams County Circuit Clerk at (601) 446-6326 or the Chancery Clerk at (601) 446-6684 during regular business hours. Email contact information is available through the Adams County government website.
What Are Public Records in Adams County?
Public records in Adams County are defined under Mississippi law 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. This definition is codified in Mississippi Code § 25-61-3, which governs the Mississippi Public Records Act.
The following record types are maintained by Adams County agencies and are subject to public disclosure:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Clerk |
| Probate and chancery records | Chancery Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Chancery Clerk |
| Property tax assessments | County Tax Assessor |
| Marriage licenses | Chancery Clerk |
| Birth and death certificates | Mississippi State Department of Health |
| Business licenses and permits | County Board of Supervisors |
| Voting and election records | Circuit Clerk / Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Board of Supervisors |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Adams County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are maintained at the state level by the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office, located at 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Law enforcement records, including inmate information and warrant searches, are accessible through the Adams County Sheriff's Office public records portal.
Is Adams County an Open Records County?
Adams County operates in full compliance with the Mississippi Public Records Act, which mandates that all public bodies make their records available for inspection and copying by any person upon request. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, "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 of a public body in accordance with reasonable written procedures."
The Mississippi Public Records Act functions as the state's primary sunshine law, ensuring government transparency at the county, municipal, and state levels. Adams County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance; the state statute governs all disclosure obligations. The Mississippi Attorney General's office provides guidance to public bodies and requesters regarding compliance with the Act. As stated in official state guidance, "the policy of the State of Mississippi is that public records shall be available for inspection by any person."
The Adams County Board of Supervisors, as the principal governing body of the county, is subject to the Mississippi Open Meetings Act in addition to the Public Records Act, requiring that meeting minutes, agendas, and related documents be made available to the public.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Adams County?
The standard fee structure for public records in Adams County follows the schedule established under Mississippi law and the policies of each custodial office. Members of the public are not charged a fee to inspect records in person; fees apply to copies and certified documents.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25–$1.00 |
| Certified copies (court records) | $1.00–$5.00 per document |
| Certified vital records (birth/death) | $17.00 (state fee) |
| Electronic copies | Varies by office |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law for standard requests |
Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, public bodies may charge a fee not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction, and no fee may be charged for the inspection of records. Certification fees for vital records are set by the Mississippi State Department of Health and are subject to change by legislative action. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, money order, and personal check; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for requests made in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency. Requesters seeking a fee waiver should submit a written request explaining the basis for the waiver at the time of the records request.
Does Adams County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Adams County government offices during regular business hours. Under state law, no fee may be charged to a member of the public who wishes to inspect records in person at the custodial office. This right applies to court records at the Circuit Clerk's Office, land and probate records at the Chancery Clerk's Office, and law enforcement records at the Sheriff's Office.
The following resources provide free access to certain Adams County records:
- The Adams County government website provides access to public notices, board minutes, and department contact information at no charge.
- The Adams County Sheriff's Office offers free online access to inmate information and warrant searches through its public records search portal.
- The Mississippi Department of Corrections maintains a free online offender search tool through the MDOC public records portal, allowing members of the public to search for incarcerated individuals statewide.
- The Mississippi Secretary of State's office provides free online access to business entity filings and election records.
Free inspection differs from free copies. While inspection at a public counter carries no charge, obtaining paper or electronic copies of records is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain records, such as a person's own vital records, may be obtained at the standard state fee with no additional county surcharge.
Who Can Request Public Records in Adams County?
Any person may request public records in Adams County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Mississippi Public Records Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require a requester to provide identification or explain the reason for the request as a condition of access to non-exempt records.
Specific provisions regarding eligibility include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Mississippi retain the same right of access as residents.
- Identification: Not required for inspection of most records. Certain offices may request identification for administrative purposes, but this is not a legal prerequisite.
- Purpose: Not required to be stated for standard public records requests.
- Age: No minimum age is specified under state law, though practical access may be subject to office policies.
Restrictions apply to specific record categories. Requesters seeking records about themselves, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a notarized authorization. Requests for records pertaining to third parties, such as adoption records or juvenile court files, are subject to additional statutory restrictions regardless of the requester's identity.
What Records Are Confidential in Adams County?
Certain records maintained by Adams County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi law. The primary exemptions are codified in Mississippi Code § 25-61-11, which identifies categories of records that public bodies are not required to disclose.
Confidential and exempt records include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in youth court proceedings are confidential under Mississippi Code § 43-21-261.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would compromise the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt except for name, position, compensation, and dates of employment.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a public body in confidence.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
Public bodies in Adams County apply a balancing test when a record contains both disclosable and exempt information; in such cases, the non-exempt portions are disclosed with exempt material redacted.
Adams County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Adams County Chancery Clerk (Land and Vital Records)
115 South Wall Street
Natchez, MS 39120
(601) 446-6684
Adams County Chancery Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Adams County Circuit Clerk (Court Records and Elections)
115 South Wall Street
Natchez, MS 39120
(601) 446-6326
Adams County Circuit Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Adams County Sheriff's Office (Law Enforcement Records)
230 South Commerce Street
Natchez, MS 39120
(601) 442-2752
Adams County Sheriff's Office Public Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records
222 Marketridge Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 206-8200
Mississippi Vital Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Customer service window hours may vary; members of the public are advised to confirm current hours before visiting.
Mississippi Department of Corrections (Statewide Offender Records)
633 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 359-5600
Mississippi Department of Corrections