Washington County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Washington County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Washington County, Mississippi, may access publicly available information through WashingtonMSRecords.us, which aggregates data related to county-level public records. Washington County maintains a range of official documents that are accessible through designated government offices and authorized online platforms. The records available may include, but are not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and chancery)
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 environmental records

Online Access: Members of the public may search certain Washington County records through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system maintained by the Mississippi judiciary. Property-related records may be accessible through the Washington County Tax Assessor's online portal. Some records, particularly vital records, require in-person or written requests.

In-Person Requests: Requestors may visit the Washington County Circuit Clerk's Office or the Chancery Clerk's Office to inspect records during regular business hours. Staff at these offices can direct members of the public to the appropriate record custodian.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requestor's full name, a description of the records sought, and a preferred method of response. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, public bodies are required to respond within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email: Washington County Circuit Clerk: (662) 334-2726 Washington County Chancery Clerk: (662) 334-2700

What Are Public Records in Washington County?

Public records in Washington County are defined under Mississippi law as any document, paper, letter, map, book, photograph, film, sound recording, magnetic or other tape, electronic data-processing record, artifact, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristic, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business. The following record types are maintained by specific county offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Clerk's Office
Probate and chancery records	Chancery Clerk's Office
Property deeds and mortgages	Chancery Clerk's Office
Vital records (birth, death)	Mississippi State Department of Health
Marriage records	Chancery Clerk's Office / MSDH
Tax assessments	County Tax Assessor
Business licenses	County Board of Supervisors
Voting and election records	County Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas	Board of Supervisors / Chancery Clerk
Law enforcement records	Washington County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Planning Department

Mississippi marriage records are maintained jointly by state and county officials, with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) authorized to search county records and provide certified copies upon request.

Is Washington County an Open Records County?

Washington County operates in full compliance with Mississippi's statewide open records framework. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, codified at Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq., all public bodies in the state — including county governments — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any person upon request. The Act establishes that "it is the policy of the Legislature that public records must be available for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by this chapter."

The Chancery Court of Washington County has historically applied these provisions in accordance with state law, as reflected in judicial interpretations dating to the 1980s. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance governing public records access beyond what state law prescribes. Washington County is also subject to Mississippi's Open Meetings Act, codified at Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-1, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that agendas and minutes be made available.

As the Mississippi Attorney General's office has noted, "the Public Records Act reflects a legislative determination that the public interest is best served by open government." Public bodies that deny access to records bear the burden of demonstrating that an applicable exemption applies.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Washington County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7, public bodies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of searching, reviewing, and duplicating records.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (per page)	$0.25–$1.00 (varies by office)
Certified copies (vital records)	$17.00 (MSDH standard fee)
Certified court document copies	$1.00 per page + $1.00 certification
Electronic records	Actual cost of duplication
Search fees	Actual staff time cost (where applicable)

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the relevant office. Credit card acceptance varies by department. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records requested for personal use in specific circumstances, subject to the discretion of the custodial office. Inspection of records — viewing documents without obtaining copies — does not carry a per-page fee under state law, though a nominal supervision fee may apply in some offices.

Does Washington County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at Washington County government offices during regular business hours. State law does not require payment simply to view records; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free or no-cost access to certain records:

Washington County Circuit Clerk's Office – Members of the public may inspect court dockets and case files at no charge using public access terminals during office hours.
Washington County Tax Assessor's Office – Property assessment records and tax rolls are available for free inspection in person.
Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) – Certain court records are accessible online at no cost through the Mississippi judiciary's case search portal.
Mississippi Department of Corrections – Inmate records and public records requests may be submitted through the MDOC public records portal, with some information available at no charge.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records is free, obtaining physical or certified copies requires payment of applicable fees. Some records — such as voter registration status — are available at no cost in any format.

Who Can Request Public Records in Washington County?

Any person may request public records in Washington County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Mississippi law does not require a requestor to be a state resident, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for the request. This broad access right is established under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-3, which defines "person" to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, firms, organizations, and associations.

Specific record types carry additional access requirements:

Vital records (birth and death certificates): Access is restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a demonstrated legal need. The Mississippi State Department of Health administers these restrictions.
Sealed court records: Access requires a court order regardless of the requestor's identity.
Juvenile records: Access is restricted by statute to authorized parties.
Inmate records: Certain correctional records are accessible through the Mississippi Department of Corrections subject to applicable exemptions.

Requestors seeking their own records — such as personal court history or property records — follow the same process as any other member of the public, though additional verification may be required for certified copies of vital records.

What Records Are Confidential in Washington County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi law. The Mississippi Public Records Act and related statutes identify the following as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records – Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records – Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or youth court proceedings are confidential under Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-261.
Ongoing criminal investigation records – Law enforcement records compiled in connection with active investigations are exempt from disclosure.
Personal identifying information – Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from public records.
Medical and health records – Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records – Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
Child welfare and protective services records – Maintained as confidential by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.
Personnel records – Employee records of public bodies are exempt except for name, position, salary, and dates of employment.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information – Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details – Exempt to protect public safety.

Public bodies asserting an exemption bear the burden of demonstrating that the withheld material falls within a recognized statutory exception. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Washington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Washington County does not maintain a standalone "Recorder's Office." Land records, court records, and related documents are maintained by the Chancery Clerk and the Circuit Clerk, respectively.

Washington County Chancery Clerk's Office
Washington County Courthouse, 301 Main Street
Greenville, MS 38701
(662) 334-2700
Washington County Chancery Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

The Chancery Clerk maintains property deeds, mortgages, liens, probate records, marriage licenses, and land records. Members of the public may inspect records at the public counter or request copies during regular business hours.

Washington County Circuit Clerk's Office
Washington County Courthouse, 301 Main Street
Greenville, MS 38701
(662) 334-2726
Washington County Circuit Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

The Circuit Clerk maintains civil and criminal court records, jury records, and related case files.

Washington County Tax Assessor's Office
Washington County Courthouse, 301 Main Street
Greenville, MS 38701
(662) 334-2651
Washington County Tax Assessor

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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