Lamar County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Lamar County?

Public records in Lamar County, Mississippi, 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. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of documents maintained by Lamar County offices, including the following categories:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Circuit Clerk of Lamar County, which is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and preserving all records of the court and the official court seal. Chancery court records, including probate and domestic matters, are held by the Chancery Clerk.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and land assessments are indexed and maintained through the Lamar County Chancery Records Online portal, which serves as the Official Land Records Index for the county.
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued by the Mississippi State Department of Health; marriage and divorce records are filed with the Chancery Clerk.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are processed through the County Chancery Clerk's office.
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Lamar County Tax Assessor and Tax Collector.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are administered by the Circuit Clerk.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of Supervisors minutes, agendas, and resolutions are available through the County Administrator's office.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are public documents held by the County's finance department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, may be obtained through the Lamar County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use decisions are maintained by the Lamar County Planning and Zoning Department.

Is Lamar County an Open Records County?

Lamar County fully operates under Mississippi's public records framework, which mandates broad access to government documents. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, all public records are 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. This statute establishes a strong presumption of openness, placing the burden on the public body to justify any denial of access. Mississippi's public records law is further reinforced by the state's Open Meetings Act, codified at Mississippi Code § 25-41-1 et seq., which requires that deliberations and actions of public bodies be conducted openly. Lamar County public bodies, including the Board of Supervisors and all county departments, are currently required to comply with both statutes. No county-specific ordinance supersedes or narrows the rights granted under state law. Requests for records are processed in accordance with the written procedures adopted by each respective county office.

How to Find Public Records in Lamar County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Lamar County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record sought. Property and land records are held by the Chancery Clerk; court records by the Circuit Clerk; tax records by the Tax Assessor or Collector; and vital records by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Search online portals. The county currently provides remote access to land and property records through the official records web portal, where members of the public may conduct searches by name, document type, or instrument number.
Submit a written request. For records not available online, members of the public may submit a written public records request directly to the relevant office. Requests should identify the record with reasonable specificity, including the type of document, date range, and any known parties involved.
Visit in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the applicable county office during regular business hours. No appointment is required for general inspection of open records.
Await response. Under Mississippi law, public bodies are required to respond to records requests within a reasonable time. If a request is denied, the public body must provide a written explanation citing the applicable exemption.
Appeal a denial. If access is denied, the requesting party may seek review through the Mississippi Ethics Commission or pursue legal remedies in circuit court.

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

Current fees for public records in Lamar County are governed by Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, which authorizes public bodies to charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of reproducing records. Standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:

Paper copies — Fees are typically assessed per page for standard letter- or legal-size reproductions. Rates currently range from $0.25 to $1.00 per page depending on the office and document type.
Certified copies — Certified copies of court documents, deeds, and other instruments carry an additional certification fee, which varies by office and document.
Electronic records — Where records are provided in electronic format, fees may reflect the actual cost of duplication to an approved medium.
Search fees — Some offices assess a nominal search or retrieval fee for locating records, particularly for older or archived materials.
Accepted payment methods — Most county offices accept cash, money order, and personal check. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments; members of the public are advised to confirm accepted methods with the specific office prior to submitting payment.
Fee waivers — Under current law, fee waivers may be available where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the requester demonstrates an inability to pay. Waiver requests must generally be submitted in writing with supporting documentation.

Fees for vital records such as birth and death certificates are set separately by the Mississippi State Department of Health and are not governed by county fee schedules.

Does Lamar County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Mississippi law, which provides that any person has the right to inspect public records without charge. The following free access options are currently available:

In-person inspection — Members of the public may inspect original records at the Chancery Clerk's office, Circuit Clerk's office, and other county departments at no cost during regular business hours. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
Online land records — The Lamar County Chancery Records Online portal provides free search access to the county's official land records index, allowing members of the public to locate deeds, mortgages, and related instruments without charge.
Circuit court records — Basic case information and court docket data maintained by the Circuit Clerk may be reviewed in person at no cost.
Board of Supervisors records — Meeting minutes, agendas, and adopted resolutions are available for public inspection at the County Administrator's office without charge.

Who Can Request Public Records in Lamar County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is entitled to request and inspect public records maintained by Lamar County offices. Mississippi Code § 25-61-5 does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requesters to provide identification or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access. The following provisions apply under current law:

Residency — Non-residents of Mississippi and Lamar County retain the same rights of access as county residents.
Identification — Members of the public are generally not required to present identification to inspect open public records, though some offices may request identification for administrative purposes when processing copy requests.
Purpose — Requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request for most categories of public records.
Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as court filings or tax records, follow the same process as any other requester. Certain records, such as sealed court files or adoption records, may require a court order even for the subject of the record.
Restrictions for specific record types — Access to juvenile records, sealed court files, and certain law enforcement investigative materials is restricted by statute regardless of the identity of the requester.
Organizational requesters — Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and legal entities may submit public records requests on the same basis as individual members of the public.

What Records Are Confidential in Lamar County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Lamar County are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi law. Mississippi Code § 25-61-11 and related statutes identify specific exemptions to the general right of access. The following records are currently withheld from public inspection:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential pursuant to Mississippi Code § 43-21-261.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with enforcement proceedings.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are redacted from publicly disclosed records.
Medical records — Health and medical information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Records of adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only by court order.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for information such as name, position, and compensation of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in connection with licensing or permitting may be withheld.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records relating to the security of public facilities and critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Lamar County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Chancery Clerk serves as the primary recorder of official documents in Lamar County, maintaining land records, probate filings, and related instruments. The Circuit Clerk maintains all court records and election-related documents.

Lamar County Chancery Clerk P.O. Box 247, 403 Main Street, Purvis, MS 39475 (601) 794-8504 Lamar County Chancery Records Online Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lamar County Circuit Clerk 403 Main Street, Purvis, MS 39475 (601) 794-8505 Circuit Clerk | Lamar County Mississippi Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lamar County Tax Assessor 403 Main Street, Purvis, MS 39475 (601) 794-8505 Lamar County Mississippi Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records 571 Stadium Drive, Jackson, MS 39216 (601) 576-7960 Mississippi State Department of Health Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lamar County Sheriff's Office 403 Main Street, Purvis, MS 39475 (601) 794-1068 Lamar County Sheriff Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.