Mississippi public records laws and regulations provide access to government records like budget reports and meeting minutes. They also allow public access to records on individuals, such as Mississippi vital records and criminal records.

Laws for public records in MS can be classified by the type of public records that they affect. These include the three following categories:

1. Laws on public records for MS that address the way in which these records can be accessed. These laws control issues such as the requirement for providing a reason for the information, specifying fees that an agency may charge and stating the length of time that the state is allowed to respond to a request for information.
2. Laws that specify an individual's information that may be considered public. These laws affect the way in which individuals may access their own information and how they may allow access by another party.
3. Laws that control the government records that the public may access. These laws may be intended to keep individuals informed on government decisions or allow journalists to report on government activity.
   

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Examine the laws that control access to Mississippi public records

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for Mississippi is a law that typically guides access to Mississippi court records and is usually handled by the attorney general's office. Vital records such as Mississippi birth records may also be obtained from municipal and county courts.

I recommend: The Mississippi Center for Freedom of Information provides a variety of legal resources on public records, including a synopsis of the Freedom of Information Act for Mississippi. The Mississippi Ethics Commission provides the full text of the Public Records Act for Mississippi.

Study the laws that affect Mississippi public records for individuals

Public records laws control access to bankruptcy records in Mississippi and Mississippi arrest records for individuals. Some of these records may only be accessible to a designated individual or a party.

I recommend: The Mississippi Department of Corrections provides the laws on obtaining inmate records in Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety provides the resources for laws on accessing criminal records.

Review the Mississippi public records laws that affect government records

Government records laws allow access to records such as real estate sales, budget reports and meeting minutes. Some government entities may specialize in one particular type of record, while others may provide access to many different types of government records.

I recommend: The Mississippi Office of the Attorney General provides extensive information on the laws that control access to government records. Madison County provides a FAQ on accessing government records in that county.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A Mississippi records search is generally guided by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This federal legislation was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. The FOIA was amended by the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments in 1996, which controls the electronic access the public has to these records.

Whether you're looking for information about a potential employee or researching facts on a property, you need to access public records in MS. Public records are documents that have been filed or recorded by either public agencies or private individuals. Such records include birth and death records, marriage and divorce papers, criminal records, real estate documents, licenses, and so on.

Public records are held by the federal, state, and local governments, who in turn determine their availability. Although State of Mississippi public records are accessible to the public, you may be expected to pay for some information; the fees will vary depending on the department and state. You can always visit state departments and offices for public records, though there's a breadth of information online.

When researching public records in MS, remember the following:

1. When doing a background check on an individual, you may want to consider a nationwide search. This will cover information, not just in your state, but in the country as a whole.

2. Make sure that the Mississippi background check you get is up to date.

3. Get information from a credible source when searching Mississippi public records online. You may be liable for turning someone down if you base a hiring decision on incorrect facts.

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Opt for a Mississippi records search to get information on real estate

Information on real estate is always available to the public. If you're looking for specific data on a particular property, such as zoning information, assessments or building requirements, you can find those on government sites, such as county offices. Additionally, you can research title and deed information, find out who owns a property and get tax information.

I recommend: Real Marketing is an online resource that provides links to all Mississippi county assessor's offices, county recorder's offices and county treasurer's offices. You can find comprehensive property information by visiting these online government resources.

Consider checking free Mississippi criminal records before you hire

As a business owner, it's smart to run background checks on potential employees, especially if you're hiring childcare providers or teachers. Background checks can range from verifying a person's Social Security number, to a detailed account of the person's history and acquaintances. Before doing a background check, you must get permission from the individual.

I recommend: SearchSystems.net is a public records directory that provides information for subscribers. A member of the Better Business Bureau, this site offers access to a variety of public records. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety can help you obtain criminal records. Additionally, public access to court records is available through the State of Mississippi Judiciary Administrative Office of Courts.

Track down anyone with a Mississippi vital records search

With the assistance of the Internet and the right data, you can track down any individual, living or deceased. If you already know the person's Social Security number, date of birth, or last known address, you can use these to research vital records. Less information than that makes your search a little more difficult, but still possible.

I recommend: You can find Mississippi birth records, as well as divorce, marriage and death records at the Mississippi State Department of Health. Intelius can help you track someone down using a variety of information, but they do require a fee.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates how consumer credit information, such as bankruptcy records in Mississippi, are collected and used by outside companies-- not employers. The act also restricts reporting on arrest records and other negative information after seven years, with the exception of criminal convictions.

Mississippi public records applications and uses are becoming more common due to their increasing accessibility through the Internet. Increased access to public records has led to the growth of the information broker industry, which uses public records to build profiles on millions of people and provides information to anyone who pays a fee. Individuals who know where to look also may be able to search public records for free. Access to public records is controlled at the federal level by the Freedom of Information Act and Mississippi has its own version of this legislation.

There are a variety of professionals who may have an interest in MS public records. These include the following three general categories:

1. Genealogical research on public records for MS. Researchers use older vital records to locate ancestors or other people of historical interest. These records may be available from genealogical societies, public libraries and government agencies.
2. Background checks. Employers are making more frequent use of criminal records to investigate the personal history of job applicants.
3. News reports. Reporters and other people with an interest in government activity may wish to access public records on meetings and voting records.
   

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Use a Mississippi records search to research the founders of a business

Mississippi vital records, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates, frequently are helpful for getting information about the early owners of a company and researching the history of a business. Vital records in Mississippi become publicly available after a specified period of time and are of genealogical, rather than personal, interest.

I recommend: The Mississippi State Department of Health offers vital records in Mississippi after 1912. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History provides instructions for performing genealogical research for older vital records in Mississippi.

Search public records to perform a Mississippi background check

Law enforcement officials, private detectives and prospective employers may use bankruptcy records in Mississippi and criminal records to investigate an individual's background. Access to Mississippi arrest records tends to be more restricted than access to other types of public records, and may require the subject's permission.

I recommend: The Mississippi Department of Public Safety offers a search of registered sex offenders in Mississippi. The Mississippi Parole Board offers a search parolees in Mississippi by name and county.

Obtain public records in MS for the purpose of reporting on government activity

Reporters frequently use government records in Mississippi, such as voting records and meeting minutes. Access to these types of public records is controlled by Mississippi's Sunshine laws. There are organizations of journalists and ordinary citizens that work to keep government records in Mississippi available to the public.

I recommend: The Mississippi Department of Environment Quality provides instructions for obtaining public records on environmental issues. The Mississippi Center for Freedom of Information provides a synopsis of the Mississippi Public Records Act.

The amount of information can be overwhelming when you start a Mississippi public records search if you aren't sure where to look or what you are looking for. Learning a few basic terms that you'll come in contact with can save you a lot of time and effort.

Find out which records are public and those you can easily search for using online databases such as vital statistics. Knowing terms you'll be seeing can help you find the information you need a lot faster.

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Vital records

The term vital records refers to marriage, divorce, birth, death and other records that Mississippi makes available to the public.

I recommend: View vital records information on the Mississippi State Department of Health website.

Court records

Court records, including docket information and decisions, can be found through public records in the state of Mississippi. The Mississippi Electronic Court System provides access of these records.

I recommend: Review court record information at the State of Mississippi Judiciary website.

Motor vehicle report

A motor vehicle report shows current drivers' license information and includes a moving violation history report. The Mississippi Department of Motor Vehicles provides access to Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) online.

I recommend: The Mississippi Department of Public Safety explains the motor vehicle report and how to get a copy.

Unclaimed property

Unclaimed property is property the Mississippi State Treasurer has acquired as a temporary custodian, because the original owner could not be found. Property can include money owed from banks, insurance companies or other organizations or real property left in unclaimed deposit boxes and more. The original owners have the right to claim the property as their own.

I recommend: Review unclaimed property or search to see if you have any unclaimed properties at the Office of the Mississippi State Treasurer website.

Land records

Land records are documents kept by the Mississippi state government detailing federal-citizen land transactions. The state has archived historic land records for viewing by citizens to use in genealogy searches or land acquisition background checks.

I recommend: Visit the Mississippi Genealogy website to find out more about land records and how to search them.

VINCheck

VINCheck is a national service available to search for vehicles registered in all states, including Mississippi. The online search engine allows users to search a vehicle identification number to find out if that vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged.

I recommend: Review VINCheck basics at the National Insurance Crime Bureau website.