Mississippi Public Records Key Terms

Learn the basic terms when it comes to Mississippi public records

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.

 

Vital records

The term vital records refers to marriage, divorce, birth, death and other records that Mississippi makes available to the public.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: Review VINCheck basics at the National Insurance Crime Bureau website.

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