George County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in George County in 2026
GeorgeRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in George County, Mississippi. Members of the public may find ownership details, recorded instruments, tax assessment data, and transaction histories through this resource. Available record categories include deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, tax bills, and property appraisal data. Information presented reflects what is available through official public sources and may not capture every recorded instrument or recent filing.
Property records in George County may be searched through several official channels maintained by county and state agencies. The primary resources include the George County Tax Assessor/Collector, the George County Circuit Clerk, and the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Members of the public may access these records online, in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through licensed professionals such as title companies and real estate attorneys.
Online Search Methods:
1. Property Appraiser Website
The George County Tax Assessor serves as the primary resource for property valuation and ownership information. The office maintains assessment records for all parcels within the county and provides public access to property data.
Members of the public may search the assessor's database by:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel ID number
- Subdivision name
- Legal description
Information available through the assessor's records includes:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property site address
- Legal description
- Parcel identification number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type)
- Assessed value of land and improvements
- Taxable value
- Exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location
How to Search:
- Visit the George County government website
- Navigate to the Tax Assessor section
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select the specific parcel to view the full property card
- Review ownership details, valuation data, and sales history
- Print or save the information as needed
2. County Clerk / Recorder Official Records Search
The George County Circuit Clerk maintains the official records index for all instruments recorded against real property in the county. Recorded documents are indexed by grantor and grantee name and are available for public inspection.
Members of the public may search recorded documents by:
- Grantor name (seller or transferor)
- Grantee name (buyer or transferee)
- Book and page number
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Instrument number
Documents available through the Circuit Clerk's official records include:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements
- Declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting real property
- Affidavits affecting title
- Lis pendens notices
- HOA documents
How to Search:
- Contact the George County Circuit Clerk's office directly or visit in person
- Request access to the grantor/grantee index
- Enter the name or document reference to locate the instrument
- Review the index entry for book, page, and instrument number
- Request the document image or view the original record
- Note the book and page or instrument number for future reference
- Request certified copies if official documentation is required
3. Tax Collector Website
The George County Tax Assessor/Collector maintains tax payment records for all parcels in the county. Members of the public may search tax information by property address, owner name, parcel number, or tax account number.
Information available through tax records includes:
- Current tax bill amount
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates
- Tax certificate information for delinquent accounts
- Payment options and installment plan status
4. GIS / Mapping System
George County maintains geographic information system (GIS) resources that allow members of the public to view property boundaries, aerial photography, zoning layers, flood zone designations, and environmental features on an interactive map. Users may navigate to a specific location, click on a parcel, and access linked property information including ownership and assessment data.
In-Person Searches:
Property Appraiser / Tax Assessor Office
George County Tax Assessor/Collector
355 Cox Street, Suite B
Lucedale, MS 39452
Phone: (601) 947-4rightful
George County Tax Assessor
Members of the public visiting the Tax Assessor's office may use public access computers, receive staff assistance, obtain property cards, and review maps and plats. Exemption applications are also processed at this location.
Clerk of Court / Recorder Office
George County Circuit Clerk
355 Cox Street
Lucedale, MS 39452
Phone: (601) 947-4801
George County Circuit Clerk
Services available at the Circuit Clerk's office include viewing official recorded documents, requesting certified copies, searching the grantor/grantee index, accessing record books, and receiving staff assistance with document searches.
Tax Collector Office
George County Tax Assessor/Collector
355 Cox Street, Suite B
Lucedale, MS 39452
Phone: (601) 947-4232
George County Tax Collector
Services available include tax payment information, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.
By Mail Requests:
Property Appraiser
Written requests for property information may be submitted by mail to the George County Tax Assessor/Collector at 355 Cox Street, Suite B, Lucedale, MS 39452. Requests should identify the property by address or parcel number, include a return envelope, and include payment for any applicable copying fees.
Clerk / Recorder
Written requests for copies of recorded documents may be submitted to the George County Circuit Clerk at 355 Cox Street, Lucedale, MS 39452. Requests should specify the document by book and page number, instrument number, or property address and approximate date range. Payment for copying fees and certified copy fees must accompany the request.
Through Professionals:
Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and prepare abstracts of title identifying all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership issues or disputes. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and obtain comparable sales data as part of their representation services.
Search Tips:
When searching by address, members of the public should use the complete street address and try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W). When searching by owner name, attempting the last name first and checking spelling variations, including maiden names and business entity names, improves search results. For historical records not available online, an in-person visit to the courthouse is required, as older records may be maintained in bound books or on microfilm.
What Is George County Property Records
Property records in George County are official documents related to real property — including land and buildings — maintained by county government offices as legal records of ownership, transactions, and encumbrances. These records establish clear title, document the chain of ownership, record mortgages and liens, support property tax assessment, and facilitate real estate transactions. Under Mississippi Code § 89-5-1, instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the county clerk to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors.
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, life estate deeds, trust documents affecting property, and the full chain of title from original conveyance to present ownership.
Encumbrance Records include mortgages and deeds of trust, tax liens, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, easements, restrictive covenants, homeowner association documents, and lis pendens notices.
Tax and Assessment Records include property tax assessments, tax bills and payment history, exemption records, millage rates, special assessments, and tax delinquency records.
Legal Descriptions include plat maps, subdivision plats, surveys, lot and block information, metes and bounds descriptions, and condominium declarations.
Building and Permit Records include building permits, certificates of occupancy, code violation notices, zoning designations, and land use classifications.
Who Maintains Property Records:
The George County Circuit Clerk records, indexes, and maintains all official instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. The George County Tax Assessor maintains property valuation records, assessment rolls, ownership information, and exemption applications. The George County Tax Assessor/Collector maintains tax bills, payment histories, and delinquent tax records. The George County Building and Planning Department maintains permit records, inspection reports, zoning records, and code enforcement files.
Mississippi's recording statutes, codified at § 89-5-3, establish the legal framework requiring that conveyances of real property be recorded to be effective against third parties without actual notice. This constructive notice principle is foundational to the public records system and ensures that all parties dealing with real property may rely on the recorded record.
Are Property Records Public Information in George County?
Property records in George County are public information. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, § 25-61-1 et seq., all records maintained by public bodies are presumed to be open to public inspection unless a specific exemption applies. Property records maintained by the Circuit Clerk, Tax Assessor, and Tax Collector are subject to this presumption of openness, and no special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement is necessary to access them.
As the Mississippi Secretary of State's office has noted, "The public records law reflects the Legislature's intent that government be open and accountable to the people it serves." This principle applies directly to property records, which have been maintained as public documents under common law and statutory authority for centuries.
Why Property Records Are Public:
Property records serve multiple public interests. Transparency in property ownership prevents fraudulent transfers and supports accountability in property taxation. The commercial real estate marketplace depends on open access to title information for transactions, lending, appraisals, and title insurance. Legal protections for property owners — including the establishment of chain of title, priority of recorded interests, and enforcement of property rights — depend on the public recording system. Researchers, journalists, genealogists, and community planners also rely on property records for historical and analytical purposes.
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Property addresses and physical characteristics
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Liens and encumbrances of record
- Tax assessments and payment histories
- Deeds and all recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
- GIS mapping data
Privacy Considerations:
Certain personal information is protected within property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under state and federal law. Some individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, domestic violence victims, and stalking victims — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under applicable state programs. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; members of the public should contact the Tax Assessor's office for specific policies regarding exemption application records.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any member of the public may access property records in George County regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners reviewing their own records, investors, developers, genealogists, historians, and journalists.
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Commercial use of publicly available property records is permitted under Mississippi law. Real estate marketing, property valuation services, title insurance, investment analysis, and market research are among the lawful uses of property record data. Commercial data aggregators such as CoreLogic and First American compile public records into subscription databases, which is a legal and common practice. Anti-harassment laws, fair housing laws, and other applicable statutes continue to govern how information obtained from public records may be used.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in George County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at the George County Circuit Clerk's office at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies of recorded documents are requested. Under Mississippi Code § 25-7-9, the Circuit Clerk is authorized to charge fees for copies of official records.
Current standard fees for property records in George County are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Inspection of records (in person) | No charge |
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of recorded instrument | $1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee |
| Recording a new instrument (deed, mortgage, etc.) | $10.00 for first page + $1.00 each additional page |
| Online document viewing | Free (where available) |
| Online document download/print | Free or nominal fee depending on system |
Members of the public should contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly to confirm current fees before submitting a request, as fee schedules are subject to legislative revision.
Accepted Payment Methods:
The George County Circuit Clerk accepts cash, money orders, and checks made payable to the George County Circuit Clerk. Members of the public submitting mail requests should include a money order or check for the estimated copy fees along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
What Is Available at No Cost:
- In-person inspection of all recorded instruments
- Online viewing of property assessment data through the Tax Assessor's website
- Online viewing of tax payment information through the Tax Collector's system
- GIS map access
- Basic property search results
Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established for property record requests in Mississippi; however, members of the public who are indigent or who are requesting records for certain governmental or nonprofit purposes may inquire with the Circuit Clerk regarding applicable accommodations.
What's Included in a George County Property Record?
A complete George County property record encompasses information maintained across multiple county offices, including the Circuit Clerk, Tax Assessor, and Tax Collector. The following categories of information are included in a comprehensive property record.
Ownership Information:
Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners by name, ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, trust, LLC, or corporation), ownership percentage where multiple owners exist, the date of acquisition, and the deed book and page or instrument number. The mailing address for tax bill purposes is also recorded. Previous ownership information includes the chain of title, prior owners' names, transfer dates, and historical deed references tracing ownership back to the county's earliest recorded instruments.
Property Identification:
Each parcel is identified by its site address, mailing address if different, legal description (including lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, section/township/range where applicable, and metes and bounds description), parcel ID or folio number, and tax account number.
Physical Characteristics:
Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, street frontage, corner lot designation, land use designation, and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area in square feet, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and total room count. Additional features recorded include garage type and spaces, pools, porches, fireplaces, HVAC systems, water source, and sewer system type.
Valuation Information:
Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, market value, just value, and capped value where applicable under Mississippi assessment law. Historical assessed values for prior years are maintained and available for review.
Tax Information:
Current year tax records include the total tax amount due, exemptions applied, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, and a breakdown by taxing authority including the county general fund, school district, municipality, and special districts. Tax payment history, delinquency records, and tax certificate information are also maintained.
Exemptions Applied:
Exemptions that may appear in George County property records include the homestead exemption available under Mississippi law, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, veteran exemptions, agricultural exemptions, and conservation exemptions.
Sales History:
Sales history records include sale dates, sale prices, sale types (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, gift, inheritance, foreclosure, tax deed, or trust transfer), deed document numbers, grantor and grantee names, and qualified or unqualified sale designations.
Encumbrances and Liens:
Recorded encumbrances include current mortgages with lender names, recording dates, and original amounts; tax liens; judgment liens; mechanic's liens; HOA liens; code enforcement liens; easements; restrictions and covenants; leases; life estates; and lis pendens notices.
Legal and Regulatory Information:
Zoning classification, land use code, future land use designation, special district assignments (school, fire, water), deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, HOA information, flood zone designation (FEMA), wetlands designation, and conservation area designations are all components of a complete property record.
Maps and Images:
Property records include exterior property photographs, aerial photographs, GIS maps with property boundaries, plat maps, property sketches, and historical aerial imagery where available.
What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current mortgage balances (only original amounts at recording)
- Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded documents
- Interior photographs
- Confidential exemption application details
- Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does George County Keep Property Records?
Property records in George County are maintained permanently. The Circuit Clerk is required by Mississippi law to preserve all recorded instruments affecting real property indefinitely, as these records form the legal foundation for chain of title and cannot be destroyed without eliminating the evidentiary basis for property ownership throughout the county.
Legal Basis for Permanent Retention:
Mississippi's records retention statutes and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History records retention schedules establish the framework for government record preservation. Recorded instruments affecting real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are classified as permanent records that must be preserved in perpetuity. The necessity of an unbroken chain of title from original land grant to present ownership makes permanent retention a legal and practical requirement.
Records Kept Permanently:
All recorded deeds are maintained permanently, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance instruments, dating back to George County's formation in 1910 and including any instruments carried over from prior jurisdictions. All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, releases, modifications, and assignments are permanent records. All recorded liens — including tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens — along with their releases are maintained permanently. All plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are permanent records. Easements, restrictions, covenants, declarations, powers of attorney affecting property, and court documents affecting title are also maintained permanently.
Format and Storage:
Historical records from George County's earliest years are maintained in handwritten ledger books. Mid-twentieth century records are available on microfilm. More recent records have been converted to digital scanned images maintained in electronic document management systems with off-site backup and disaster recovery protocols. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains climate-controlled storage for paper and microfilm records.
Online Availability by Time Period:
- Recent records (approximately last 20 years): Available online in most counties
- Moderate age records (20–50 years): May be available on microfilm; staff can retrieve same day
- Historical records (50+ years): Available in original books or microfilm; staff retrieval required
- Very old records (100+ years): Maintained in archive storage; advance notice may be required
Property Appraiser Assessment Records:
The Tax Assessor maintains current and historical assessment records permanently. Assessment rolls and property cards are permanent records. Exemption applications are retained for a minimum of five to seven years depending on the applicable retention schedule. Recent assessment history is available online through the Tax Assessor's database, with historical assessments available at the office.
Tax Collector Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years. Tax certificates are maintained until redeemed or until a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquency records are maintained for several years following resolution.
Accessing Historical Records:
Members of the public seeking historical property records should contact the George County Circuit Clerk's office directly. Staff can retrieve records from storage upon request, with retrieval time ranging from same-day access to a few days for very old materials. The same public access rights and fee schedule apply to historical records as to recent records.
George County Circuit Clerk
355 Cox Street
Lucedale, MS 39452
Phone: (601) 947-4801
George County Circuit Clerk
George County Tax Assessor/Collector
355 Cox Street, Suite B
Lucedale, MS 39452
Phone: (601) 947-4232
George County Tax Assessor
Digitization projects are ongoing in many Mississippi counties, with grant-funded efforts to scan historical books and microfilm and make records accessible online. Members of the public may inquire with the Circuit Clerk regarding the current status of digitization efforts for specific time periods.
How To Find Liens on Property in George County?
Liens on property in George County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the George County Circuit Clerk. Members of the public may search for liens using the grantor/grantee index maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office.
Types of Liens Recorded Against Real Property:
- Federal tax liens (filed by the IRS)
- State tax liens (filed by the Mississippi Department of Revenue)
- County and municipal tax liens
- Judgment liens (arising from court judgments)
- Mechanic's liens (filed by contractors and materialmen)
- HOA liens
- Code enforcement liens
- Child support liens
Steps to Search for Liens:
- Visit the George County Circuit Clerk's office at 355 Cox Street, Lucedale, MS 39452, or contact the office by phone at (601) 947-4801
- Request access to the official records index
- Search under the property owner's name as grantor to identify any instruments recorded against the owner
- Search under the property's legal description or parcel number if the system permits
- Review all recorded instruments for the relevant time period
- Note the book, page, and instrument number for each lien identified
- Request copies of the lien documents for review
- Check for corresponding releases or satisfactions recorded after each lien
Federal Tax Liens:
Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the Circuit Clerk under Mississippi law. Members of the public may also search the IRS federal tax lien database for additional information regarding federal tax lien filings.
State Tax Liens:
State tax liens filed by the Mississippi Department of Revenue are recorded with the Circuit Clerk and are searchable through the official records index.
Judgment Liens:
Judgment liens arise when a court enters a monetary judgment against a property owner. In Mississippi, a judgment becomes a lien on real property in the county where it is recorded. Members of the public may search the Circuit Clerk's judgment lien index to identify judgments recorded against a specific owner.
Mechanic's Liens:
Contractors, subcontractors, and materialmen who have provided labor or materials for improvements to real property may file mechanic's liens under Mississippi law. These liens are recorded with the Circuit Clerk and are searchable through the official records index.
Professional Lien Searches:
Title companies conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process and are the most reliable resource for identifying all recorded encumbrances affecting a specific parcel. Real estate attorneys may also conduct or supervise lien searches for clients involved in transactions or disputes.
What Is Property Owner Rule in George County?
The property owner rule in George County refers to the body of Mississippi law and local regulations governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership within the county.
Establishment of Ownership:
Under Mississippi law, ownership of real property is established through a recorded deed. Pursuant to § 89-1-1 of the Mississippi Code, conveyances of real property must be in writing and signed by the grantor to be enforceable. Recording the deed with the George County Circuit Clerk provides constructive notice of the transfer to all subsequent purchasers and creditors, establishing the new owner's priority of title.
Forms of Ownership Recognized in Mississippi:
Mississippi law recognizes several forms of real property ownership:
- Sole ownership — A single individual holds title in their own name
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship — Two or more owners hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) automatically acquire the deceased owner's interest
- Tenancy in common — Two or more owners hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
- Tenancy by the entirety — A form of joint ownership available only to married couples in Mississippi, providing survivorship rights and certain creditor protections
- Trust ownership — Property held by a trustee for the benefit of named beneficiaries
- Entity ownership — Property held by a corporation, LLC, partnership, or other legal entity
Homestead Rights:
Mississippi law provides homestead protections for owner-occupied residential property. The homestead exemption reduces the assessed value of a qualifying primary residence for property tax purposes. Members of the public may apply for the homestead exemption through the George County Tax Assessor's office. The exemption is available to owners who occupy the property as their primary residence as of January 1 of the tax year.
Property Tax Obligations:
Property owners in George County are subject to annual ad valorem property taxes assessed by the Tax Assessor and collected by the Tax Collector. Taxes are assessed based on the property's value as of January 1 of each year. Failure to pay property taxes may result in the filing of a tax lien, the issuance of a tax certificate, and ultimately a tax deed sale transferring ownership to a tax purchaser under Mississippi's tax sale statutes.
Transfer of Ownership:
Property ownership in George County is transferred by recorded deed. The deed must identify the grantor and grantee, contain a legal description of the property, state the consideration paid, and be signed and acknowledged before a notary public. The deed must then be recorded with the George County Circuit Clerk to be effective against third parties. Documentary stamp taxes and other applicable transfer fees are assessed at the time of recording.
Adverse Possession:
Mississippi law permits a person who has openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely possessed real property for a period of ten years to claim ownership through adverse possession. Claims of adverse possession must be established through a court proceeding, and a judgment quieting title must be recorded with the Circuit Clerk to establish the adverse possessor's record title.
Zoning and Land Use Regulations:
Property owners in George County are subject to county zoning ordinances and land use regulations administered by the George County Planning and Zoning Department. These regulations govern permitted uses of property, setback requirements, building height limits, subdivision requirements, and other development standards. Members of the public may review applicable zoning designations through the Tax Assessor's records or by contacting the Planning Department directly.
George County Planning and Zoning
355 Cox Street
Lucedale, MS 39452
Phone: (601) 947-7506
George County Government