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Lowndes County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Lowndes County?

Public records in Lowndes County, Mississippi, are defined under the Mississippi Public Records Act as any books, records, papers, accounts, letters, maps, photographs, films, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials prepared, owned, used, or retained by any public body in the conduct of public business. The following record types are currently available to members of the public through various county offices:

  • Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family matters) — maintained by the Lowndes County Circuit Clerk
  • Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and land assessments) — maintained by the Lowndes County Chancery Clerk
  • Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Chancery Clerk
  • Business records (licenses, permits, and fictitious business names) — maintained by the Chancery Clerk and the County Board of Supervisors
  • Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the Lowndes County Tax Assessor/Collector
  • Voting and election records — maintained by the Lowndes County Circuit Clerk
  • Meeting minutes and agendas (Board of Supervisors, county boards) — maintained by the Chancery Clerk and posted on the county website
  • Budget and financial documents — available through the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrator's office
  • Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office
  • Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Lowndes County Planning and Development Department

Is Lowndes County an Open Records County?

Lowndes County fully complies with Mississippi's open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-3, all public records are presumed to be available for inspection and copying by any person unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The law further provides that public bodies must respond to records requests promptly and may not impose unreasonable barriers to access. Mississippi's open meetings law, codified at Mississippi Code § 25-41-1 et seq., complements the public records statute by requiring that deliberations and actions of governmental bodies be conducted in open session. Lowndes County does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance beyond what state law requires; all offices operate in accordance with the Mississippi Public Records Act and guidance issued by the Mississippi Attorney General's Office.

How to Find Public Records in Lowndes County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Lowndes County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process:

  1. Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office maintains the record in question. Property and probate records are held by the Chancery Clerk; criminal and civil court records are held by the Circuit Clerk; tax records are held by the Tax Assessor/Collector; and law enforcement records are held by the Sheriff's Office.
  2. Submit a written request. Although Mississippi law does not require requests to be in writing, submitting a written request — by mail, email, or in person — creates a clear record of the inquiry. Requestors should identify the record with sufficient specificity to allow the custodian to locate it.
  3. Visit the office in person. Members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours at the relevant county office without prior appointment in most cases.
  4. Request copies. If copies are needed, requestors may ask the custodian to reproduce the records for the applicable per-page fee.
  5. Use online resources. Certain property, tax, and court records may be accessible through the Lowndes County official website or through the Mississippi courts' online portal.
  6. Follow up on delayed responses. Under current law, public bodies must respond within a reasonable time. If a response is not received, requestors may contact the Mississippi Attorney General's Public Records Unit for assistance.

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

Current fees for public records in Lowndes 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 currently applicable include:

  • Paper copies: Typically $0.25 to $1.00 per page, depending on the office and document type
  • Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; certified copies of deeds and court documents generally range from $1.00 to $5.00 per page plus a certification fee
  • Vital records (birth/death certificates): The Mississippi State Department of Health charges a standard fee per certified copy
  • Electronic records: Some offices provide electronic copies at reduced or no cost when the records are already maintained in digital format

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the relevant county office. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute in Mississippi, though individual offices may exercise discretion in cases involving indigent requestors or requests serving a clear public interest.

Does Lowndes County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Mississippi law, which provides that members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours at no charge. Copying fees apply only when physical or electronic reproductions are requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to certain Lowndes County records:

Who Can Request Public Records in Lowndes County?

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — may request public records in Lowndes County under current Mississippi law. The Mississippi Public Records Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to provide identification or explain the reason for their request. Key eligibility provisions include:

  • No residency requirement: Non-residents of Mississippi and Lowndes County retain full rights to request public records
  • No identification requirement: Requestors are generally not required to present identification to inspect public records, though some offices may request it for administrative purposes
  • No purpose requirement: Requestors are not obligated to state the reason for their request for most record types
  • Restrictions for specific records: Certain records — such as juvenile court records, sealed court files, and records containing personal identifying information — are restricted regardless of who is requesting them
  • Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or tax account information, may be subject to identity verification requirements to protect personal data

What Records Are Confidential in Lowndes County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi law and are not available for inspection or copying. Mississippi Code § 25-61-11 and related statutes identify the following categories of exempt records:

  • Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
  • Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Mississippi youth court statutes
  • Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
  • Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released documents
  • Medical records: Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are exempt from disclosure
  • Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute
  • Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services are confidential
  • Personnel records: Employee records are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for salary information of public employees
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected
  • Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Documents describing security vulnerabilities or emergency response plans are withheld in the interest of public safety

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

Lowndes County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The primary offices responsible for maintaining and providing access to public records in Lowndes County are listed below. Members of the public may visit these offices during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Lowndes County Chancery Clerk 505 2nd Avenue N, Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 329-5800 Lowndes County Chancery Clerk

Lowndes County Circuit Clerk 505 2nd Avenue N, Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 329-5900 Lowndes County Circuit Clerk

Lowndes County Tax Assessor/Collector 505 2nd Avenue N, Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 329-5700 Lowndes County Tax Assessor/Collector

Lowndes County Sheriff's Office 1121 Main Street, Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 328-6788 Lowndes County Sheriff's Office

Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records 571 Stadium Drive, Jackson, MS 39216 (601) 576-7960 Mississippi State Department of Health

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