Pontotoc County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Pontotoc County in 2026
PontotocRecords.org provides access to publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Pontotoc County, Mississippi. Members of the public may use this resource to locate information that may be available through official county and state channels. Records that may be accessible include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
- The Pontotoc County Chancery Records Online portal provides digital access to land records and related documents. The Pontotoc County Courthouse is designated as the Official Land Records Index for the county.
- Members of the public may search available records without registration for basic inquiries; certain functions may require account creation.
In-Person Requests:
- Members of the public may visit the Pontotoc County Chancery Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. The office is located at 11 Lee Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Upon arrival, requestors should identify the record type sought and provide relevant identifying information such as names, dates, or parcel numbers.
Written/Mail Requests:
- Written requests may be submitted to the Pontotoc County Chancery Clerk's Office at P.O. Box 209, Pontotoc, MS 38863.
- Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, public bodies are required to respond to written requests promptly.
Phone/Email:
- Chancery Clerk's Office: (662) 489-3900
- Email contact may be available through the official county website.
What Are Public Records in Pontotoc County?
Public records in Pontotoc County are defined under Mississippi state 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. The following record types are maintained by various county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Probate and chancery records | Chancery Clerk |
| Property deeds and land records | Chancery Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Mississippi State Department of Health |
| Marriage and divorce records | Chancery Clerk |
| Tax assessment records | County Tax Assessor |
| Business licenses and permits | County or Municipal Clerk |
| Voting and election records | Circuit Court Clerk / Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Board of Supervisors |
| Law enforcement records | Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office |
| Zoning and land use records | County Planning Department |
The Mississippi Department of Archives & History maintains regulations for managing state and local government records and serves as a resource for historical and archival public documents.
Is Pontotoc County an Open Records County?
Pontotoc County operates in full compliance with Mississippi's open records laws. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq., known as the Mississippi Public Records Act, all public records are presumed to be open and accessible to any person unless a specific exemption applies. The Act establishes that government transparency is a fundamental principle of democratic governance in the state.
As stated in the Mississippi Public Records Act, "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." This provision applies to all county offices and agencies within Pontotoc County.
The county's Board of Supervisors and all affiliated offices are subject to the Mississippi Open Meetings Act, codified at Mississippi Code § 25-41-1, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public. Agendas, minutes, and related documents from these meetings are available as public records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Pontotoc County?
The current fee structure for public records in Pontotoc County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable to most record requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25–$1.00 |
| Certified copies | $1.00–$5.00 per document |
| Electronic copies | Varies by office |
| Search fees | May apply for extensive searches |
| Inspection (in-person viewing) | No charge |
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards.
- Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, public bodies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of searching, reviewing, and duplicating records, but may not charge fees that exceed the actual cost of production.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial office.
- Fees vary by record type and the office maintaining the record. Vital records obtained through the Mississippi State Department of Health are subject to separate fee schedules established by that agency.
Does Pontotoc County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Pontotoc County. Under state law, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours at the office of the custodial agency. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while in-person viewing of records is provided at no cost, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to applicable fees.
The following resources provide free access to certain public records:
- The Pontotoc County land records portal allows online searching of chancery and land records at no charge.
- The Mississippi Department of Archives & History provides free online access to a range of historical government records, including older land records, military records, and archival documents.
- Public access terminals are available at the Chancery Clerk's Office and Circuit Court Clerk's Office for in-person, no-cost record inspection.
- Certain records, such as voter registration status, may be verified at no cost through the appropriate election authority.
Who Can Request Public Records in Pontotoc County?
Any person may request public records in Pontotoc County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Mississippi's 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 in most circumstances.
- Requestors are not required to be Mississippi residents.
- Identification is not mandated for standard public records requests, though providing contact information facilitates timely response.
- Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for records that are not subject to exemption.
- Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under state law.
- Certain record types, such as sealed court records, juvenile records, or records containing protected personal information, may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal right or interest before access is granted.
- Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure.
- Requests for inmate records or corrections-related information may be submitted through the Mississippi Department of Corrections public records portal, which processes requests electronically and does not accept telephone requests.
What Records Are Confidential in Pontotoc County?
Not all government records in Pontotoc County are subject to public disclosure. Mississippi law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the Public Records Act. The following records are currently withheld from public access:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under state law.
- 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 information are redacted from publicly released documents.
- 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 under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential to protect the privacy of minors and families.
- Personnel records: Employee records of public agencies are subject to limited disclosure, with certain information such as home addresses and personal financial data withheld.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.
As stated in the Mississippi Public Records Act, "any public record which is exempt from the provisions of this chapter shall be so designated by the public body having custody of such record." Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may seek review through the appropriate legal channels.
Pontotoc County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Pontotoc County Chancery Clerk's Office
11 Lee Street
Pontotoc, MS 38863
(662) 489-3900
Pontotoc County Chancery Records Online
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Pontotoc County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
11 Lee Street
Pontotoc, MS 38863
(662) 489-3904
Pontotoc County Tax Assessor/Collector
11 Lee Street
Pontotoc, MS 38863
(662) 489-3910
Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office
100 Industrial Park Road
Pontotoc, MS 38863
(662) 489-3131
Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 576-7960
Mississippi State Department of Health
Mississippi Department of Archives & History
200 North Street
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 576-6850
Mississippi Department of Archives & History
As noted by the Mississippi Department of Archives & History, the agency is dedicated to "empowering people through the preservation and sharing of Mississippi's history and culture," and serves as a central resource for locating historical government records across all Mississippi counties.