Rankin County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Rankin County?

Public records in Rankin County, Mississippi are defined as documents, files, recordings, and other materials created, maintained, or received by public bodies in connection with public business, pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-1. These records document the activities and operations of government agencies and are generally accessible to the public for inspection and copying.

Rankin County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
Voting and election records
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards)
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed by law)
Land use and zoning records

The Rankin County Chancery Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, including property records, board minutes, and various legal documents. Court records are maintained by the respective court clerks, while vital records are managed by the Mississippi State Department of Health. Tax records are maintained by the Rankin County Tax Assessor and Tax Collector offices, and law enforcement records are held by the Rankin County Sheriff's Department.

Is Rankin County an Open Records County?

Yes, Rankin County is an open records county that adheres to the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. The Act states that "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 of a public body in accordance with reasonable written procedures."

Rankin County follows this state mandate and has implemented procedures for public records access in compliance with state law. The county also adheres to Mississippi's Open Meetings Law (§ 25-41-1 et seq.), often referred to as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public.

The Mississippi Ethics Commission oversees compliance with both the Public Records Act and Open Meetings Law, providing guidance to both government agencies and the public regarding proper implementation of these transparency laws.

How to Find Public Records in Rankin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Rankin County records may utilize the following procedures:

Identify the specific records needed and the department likely to maintain them.
Submit a written request to the appropriate county department:
- For property records, marriage licenses, and county board minutes:
  
  Rankin County Chancery Clerk's Office
  211 E. Government Street, Suite A
  Brandon, MS 39042
  (601) 825-1467
  Rankin County Chancery Clerk
- For court records:
  
  Rankin County Circuit Clerk's Office
  211 E. Government Street, Suite B
  Brandon, MS 39042
  (601) 825-1466
  Rankin County Circuit Clerk
- For tax and property assessment records:
  
  Rankin County Tax Assessor's Office
  211 E. Government Street, Suite D
  Brandon, MS 39042
  (601) 825-1470
  Rankin County Tax Assessor
- For law enforcement records:
  
  Rankin County Sheriff's Department
  221 N. Timber Street
  Brandon, MS 39042
  (601) 825-1480
  Rankin County Sheriff's Department
Include in the request:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper)
- Date range of records, if applicable
For vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates):

Mississippi State Department of Health
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 576-7981
Mississippi Vital Records
For driver records and vehicle information:

Mississippi Department of Public Safety
1900 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 987-1212
Mississippi Department of Public Safety

Many Rankin County records are currently available online through the county's official website, allowing for immediate access without submitting a formal request. The county maintains a public records portal where citizens can search for various documents electronically.

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

Rankin County charges reasonable fees for public records in accordance with Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, which states that fees shall reflect actual costs of searching, reviewing, duplicating, and mailing records.

Current standard fees for Rankin County public records include:

Photocopies: $0.50 per page for standard letter/legal size
Certified copies: $2.00 per document plus copy fees
Electronic records: Actual cost of media (CD/DVD/flash drive)
Staff research time: $15.00 per hour after the first hour (first hour is typically free)
Postage: Actual cost if records are mailed

Specific fees by department:

Chancery Clerk's Office:
- Land records: $2.00 per page for certified copies
- Marriage licenses: $10.00 for certified copies
- Board minutes: $0.50 per page
Circuit Clerk's Office:
- Court records: $0.50 per page
- Criminal background checks: $15.00 per name
Tax Assessor/Collector:
- Tax rolls: $0.50 per page
- Property cards: $2.00 per parcel
Sheriff's Department:
- Incident reports: $10.00 per report
- Accident reports: $15.00 per report

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards in most departments. Some online services may require credit card payment.

The Mississippi Public Records Act allows agencies to waive fees when doing so is in the public interest. Requestors may submit a fee waiver request in writing, explaining how disclosure primarily benefits the general public.

Does Rankin County Have Free Public Records?

Yes, Rankin County provides free access to certain public records. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, all persons have the right to inspect public records during regular business hours at no charge. While copying fees may apply, the inspection itself is free.

Free public records resources in Rankin County include:

In-person inspection of records at the respective county offices during regular business hours
Online access to certain records through the county's official website, including:
- Property tax records
- Real estate assessment information
- County Board of Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes
- County budget documents
- Election results

The Rankin County Chancery Clerk's Office provides public computer terminals for searching land records and other documents at no charge. Similarly, the Circuit Clerk's Office offers terminals for searching court records.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections maintains a free online inmate locator system that includes information about individuals incarcerated in state facilities, including those from Rankin County.

Additionally, the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system provides free access to basic case information, though fees may apply for document downloads.

Who Can Request Public Records in Rankin County?

Under the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-5, "any person" has the right to inspect or obtain copies of public records. This broad eligibility extends to:

Mississippi residents
Non-residents and out-of-state requestors
Organizations, businesses, and associations
Media representatives
Government agencies
Attorneys and legal representatives

The law does not require requestors to:

State a purpose or reason for their request
Demonstrate a "need to know"
Have a direct interest in the records
Be a citizen of Mississippi or Rankin County

However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:

For vital records (birth, death certificates), requestors must demonstrate a legitimate interest as defined by the Mississippi State Department of Health, typically limiting access to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives.
Criminal history information may require proper identification and, in some cases, fingerprinting for comprehensive background checks through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Adoption records are sealed and accessible only through court order.
Medical and mental health records require authorization from the subject of the records or their legal representative.

Government agencies may request identification to verify the identity of requestors, particularly when sensitive information is involved or when records are being requested by the subject of those records.

What Records Are Confidential in Rankin County?

While Rankin County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi Code § 25-61-9 through § 25-61-12. These confidential records include:

Personnel records, including applications for employment, except for names, titles, salaries, and dates of employment
Individual tax records, returns, and reports
Records developed among judges, judges and their aides, and among juries
Records which represent and constitute the work product of an attorney
Test questions and answers to be used in future academic examinations
Letters of recommendation regarding employment or admission
Records that contain information about the location of a specific archaeological site
Records that would disclose proprietary information or trade secrets
Appraisal records before the conclusion of a purchase
Records related to prospective location, relocation, or expansion of businesses
Records containing the prospective location of a specific business prior to public announcement

Additional confidential records include:

Juvenile court records and youth court records
Adoption records and related documents
Child abuse and neglect investigation records
Medical and mental health records protected by HIPAA
Social Security numbers, bank account information, and other personal identifying information
Active criminal investigation records
Grand jury proceedings
Records pertaining to security procedures and emergency response plans
Records related to victims of sex crimes
Records of the Mississippi Department of Corrections that contain the specific security details of inmates

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Rankin County agencies will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by state law.

Rankin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Rankin County Chancery Clerk's Office
211 E. Government Street, Suite A
Brandon, MS 39042
(601) 825-1467
Rankin County Chancery Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Chancery Clerk serves as the county recorder and maintains land records, marriage licenses, military discharge records (DD-214), and other official documents. The office also serves as clerk to the Board of Supervisors and maintains their official minutes and records.

Services Provided: