George County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in George County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in George County, Mississippi, may access publicly available information through GeorgeRecords.us, which aggregates data related to a range of official record categories maintained by county and state agencies. The records accessible through official channels may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessments
- Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access:
- The George County Circuit Court Clerk maintains online access to certain court filings and land records through the county's official web portal.
- The Mississippi Department of Corrections provides an inmate records search and public records request portal for corrections-related documents.
- Mississippi driver history documents are available through the Motor Vehicle Record Department of the DPS Driver Service Bureau; certified copies are obtainable online for $14.31.
- No registration is required to inspect most publicly available county records online, though certain databases may require account creation.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the George County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, located at 355 Cox Street, Lucedale, MS 39452. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought; staff will direct the request to the appropriate custodian.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be addressed to the George County Circuit Court Clerk, P.O. Box 98, Lucedale, MS 39452. Each request should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, public bodies are required to respond to records requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email:
- George County Circuit Court Clerk: (601) 947-4801
- Email inquiries may be directed to the clerk's office through the county's official contact channels.
What Are Public Records in George County?
Public records in George County are defined under Mississippi Code § 25-61-3 as all books, records, papers, accounts, letters, maps, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data processing records, artifacts, or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any governmental body in the transaction of public business. The following record types are currently maintained by designated county and state offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Probate and estate records | Chancery Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Chancery Court Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Mississippi State Department of Health |
| Marriage and divorce records | Chancery Court Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Board of Supervisors |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Tax Assessor/Collector |
| Voting and election records | County Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Board of Supervisors Clerk |
| Law enforcement records | George County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
| Child support enforcement records | Mississippi Division of Child Support Enforcement |
Child protection services records for George County residents are administered through the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, located at 416 Dewey Street, Lucedale, MS 39452.
Is George County an Open Records County?
George County operates in full compliance with Mississippi's open records framework. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq., known as the Mississippi Public Records Act, all public bodies within the state are required to make their records available for inspection and copying by any person upon request. The Act establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that records are considered public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As the Mississippi Ethics Commission has stated in its enforcement decisions, "the Public Records Act reflects the Legislature's intent that public records shall be available to all citizens of the State of Mississippi." This principle applies to all county agencies, boards, and offices operating within George County. A formal public records complaint involving the George County School District was adjudicated before the Mississippi Ethics Commission, affirming that county-level entities are subject to the same disclosure obligations as state agencies.
The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; the state statute governs all public records access at the county level. The Mississippi Attorney General's office provides guidance to public bodies on compliance with the Public Records Act, and members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file a complaint with the Mississippi Ethics Commission.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in George County?
The current fee structure for public records in George County is governed by state law and the policies of individual custodial offices. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25–$1.00 (varies by office) |
| Certified copies (court records) | $1.00–$5.00 per document |
| Certified vital records copies | $17.00 (birth); $17.00 (death) via MSDH |
| Electronic records (where available) | No additional charge in most cases |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law for standard requests |
| Driver record (certified copy) | $14.31 via online portal |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the relevant office. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, fees charged for copies of public records may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers are not expressly mandated by state statute for standard requestors, though individual offices retain discretion to waive fees in cases of demonstrated public interest or indigency.
Does George County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person under the Mississippi Public Records Act, which does not permit public bodies to charge a fee solely for the act of inspection. Members of the public may examine records at no cost during regular business hours at the custodial office. Charges apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The George County Circuit Court Clerk's public access terminal, available during office hours at 355 Cox Street, Lucedale, MS 39452, allows inspection of court filings and land records at no charge.
- The Mississippi Department of Corrections offers a free inmate search and public records lookup through its online portal.
- The Mississippi State Department of Health provides online access to certain public health data and background check scheduling at no cost, though certified vital record copies carry a standard fee.
- The George County Tax Assessor/Collector's office permits free in-person inspection of property assessment records.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may view records without charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in George County?
Any person may request public records in George County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. 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 as a condition of access. This applies to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, members of the media, and non-residents alike.
Certain record types carry additional access requirements:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): Access to certified copies is restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a demonstrated legal interest, pursuant to Mississippi Code § 41-57-2.
- Driver records: Under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721), access to motor vehicle records is restricted to permissible uses; individuals may obtain their own records through the Motor Vehicle Record Department.
- Child welfare records: Records maintained by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services are confidential and accessible only to authorized parties under state and federal law.
- Child support records: The Division of Child Support Enforcement maintains records subject to federal privacy protections; access is limited to parties of record and authorized representatives.
Requestors seeking their own records are subject to the same procedures as those seeking records about others, with the exception that identity verification may be required for records containing sensitive personal information.
What Records Are Confidential in George County?
Not all government records in George County are subject to public disclosure. Mississippi Code § 25-61-11 enumerates categories of records that are exempt from the Public Records Act's disclosure requirements. The following record types are currently withheld from public access:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order, including certain civil and criminal case files
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or youth court proceedings
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with active criminal investigations
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers embedded in otherwise public documents
- Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records: Sealed pursuant to Mississippi Code § 93-17-25
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services
- Personnel records: Employee records of public bodies, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions resulting in termination
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety
Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. The Mississippi Ethics Commission applies a balancing test in disputed cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interests served by withholding.
George County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
George County Circuit Court Clerk 355 Cox Street, Lucedale, MS 39452 (601) 947-4801 George County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
George County Chancery Court Clerk 355 Cox Street, Lucedale, MS 39452 (601) 947-7506 George County Chancery Court Clerk
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
George County Tax Assessor/Collector 329 Bellande Street, Lucedale, MS 39452 (601) 947-4righteous George County Tax Assessor
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services – George County 416 Dewey Street, Lucedale, MS 39452 Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Mississippi State Department of Health – George County Health Department 2810 Beaver Dam Road, Lucedale, MS 39452 (601) 947-4876 Mississippi State Department of Health
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lookup Public Records in George County
- Mississippi background checks and public data requests
- Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate and public records search
- Mississippi Ethics Commission public records order – George County School District
- Mississippi driver and motor vehicle record requests
- Mississippi child support enforcement records and services
- George County child protection services records and requests