The word Mississippi means "Big River." The state bird is the mockingbird, and Mississippi is home to the Holly Springs National Forest. Residents enjoy miles of bayous, forests, and coastal beaches. In fact, 65% of Mississippi is covered in forests. As a result, it is where much of the beautiful hickory and oak wood used to make flooring and furniture comes from. Mississippi soil is rich in nutrients and yields bumper crops of soybeans, and sweet potatoes each year. Mississippi has 1,332,577 housing units and 2.9 million people, which means tons of property records.

Property records are vital to the real estate market, local government, the state, and homeowners. They are created by realtors, title companies, attorneys, local government offices, and even private companies. They often come into play during real estate sales and other situations.

Property records in Mississippi are documents, forms, and reports that contain information about real property and its owners. They cover a wide variety of topics. Some perform functions like deeds, which transfer ownership of property, and building permits, which allow someone to build new construction, renovate, or demolish a building.

Sources of Property Records in Mississippi

Property records are not held with the same government agency. They are scattered throughout the state with local offices, the courts, private companies, realty and title companies, and others. If you need to file a new deed, you must visit the local county chancery clerk. These offices are responsible for maintaining all land records and related documents. If you need to pay your tax bill, you should visit the local county tax collector's office. The Mississippi Department of Revenue oversees all local tax collectors. Building permits are handled at the town/city level. For example, if you live in Jackson, MS, you would visit the Permit Division of the Department of Planning and Development.

The chancery clerk's office is part of the court system, and each county has one. These offices are responsible for "attending all sessions of chancery court and keeping all minute books in which records and directions of the judge and proceedings of the court are kept. They must record and preserve all land records recordable in the county. Such records include deeds of trust, mortgages, mineral leases, and plats of land surveys. The clerk also receives all bills, petitions, motions, accounts, inventories, and other papers and reports on behalf of the county. The chancery clerk serves as clerk for the board of supervisors and must attend all meetings of the board of supervisors and record the minutes of the board. The clerk is also responsible for preparing the docket of claims. The claims docket is a list of all claims or financial demands against the county".

How Property Records are Maintained in Mississippi

The courts have their own system of recording and filing all documents that they receive. When a new document comes in, the clerk stamps it with the date and time and assigns it a unique identifier so they can easily find it later. Once filed, the document becomes a public record. Many courts put their records online for easy access.

Accessing Records at the County Chancery Clerk in Mississippi

Another responsibility of the chancery clerk is to provide records upon request. Because property records are public records, anyone can review them anytime. The public has the right to show up during regular business hours and ask for copies of any public property records they want. To help get you started, here are a few of the county chancer clerk's websites.

County Chancery Clerk Locations in Mississippi

The trick to finding what you need is locating the right chancery clerk in Mississippi. You can do that by consulting this comprehensive list of each county chancery clerk.

Property records come in different shapes and sizes. Each type performs a function whether just purely informational or some other purpose. Realtors, attorneys, title companies, the courts, and local government officials create, file, record, and maintain property records. The different types you will come across in Mississippi are as follows:

Legislation requires tax assessors to revalue real property at least once every four years. As is in most states, the assessment process is conducted by officials of the tax assessor's office at the county level. So if a property is in Winston County, then Winston assessors will conduct the assessment to determine the property's true value. The assessment process often goes as follows:

Easements and Covenants

Easements and covenants also appear in property records. They are essential information. Easements are rights of way that allow someone other than the owner to enter the property and use it (according to specific rules) without the owner's consent. An example would be a utility company with poles or towers on private land. The company can access the towers to maintain them without asking the owner first. The new owner must abide by this same rule if the land is sold.

Covenants are rules about how the land or buildings can be used. They are common in condo developments and gated communities, where all the residents agree to a set of rules. An example rule might be no pink flamingos on anyone's lawn.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are both types of maps. Plats show the boundaries of all neighboring properties, whereas surveys show only the boundaries of the target property. Plats and surveys often accompany deeds.

Types of surveys in Mississippi include the following:

Historical Property Records

Many states, like Mississippi, archive their older land and property records when they become too massive. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is the government office in charge of older property records. To learn more about their services and these records, visit their website.

Building Permits and Regulations in Mississippi

If you want to renovate your home or add an addition, you must obtain a building permit first. These are handled at the town/city level, and you must contact the local county building permit department to apply. For instance, if you live in Jackson, Mississippi, you can find out everything you need to know on their website.

Property records are public, making a property history search completely legal. You can look up records for any reason. When searching for property records, you have a number of options available. Try the methods below to find one that works for you.

Online Property Record Search

The first place to start is a general online property records search. Type the full property address into Google or another search engine to see what comes up. Chances are, you will have to go further to find what you need.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can also visit the local county office where the property is located to find records. For deeds, check out the chancery clerk's office. For tax-related documents, the tax collector and building permits, the town/city building development, or the building inspector's office. You can only visit during regular business hours. They can also charge you a small fee per page.

Using Property Record Indexes

You may also come across many property record indexes online. You can try them, but be careful. Their records are not always updated or correct, so you will have to verify any information you get there.

How to Search Property Records by Address

It's much easier to search using the property address. Type the full property address into any search bar to see what comes up.

How to Search Property Records by Name

Sometimes, you can search using the owner's name, but it's not always a reliable option. You may get mixed results.

It's a wonderful feeling to own your own home. But home ownership comes with some serious responsibilities, like paying your mortgage, interest, and taxes. You also must maintain the property to retain its value. Remember, as a homeowner, your name will appear in public property records.

Every piece of real property has a legal property description. This description will have map coordinates along with a written description with natural landmarks so anyone can find it. These legal descriptions appear on deeds, mortgages, appraisals, and other property records.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys are special operations that measure land and provide maps with specific boundaries. They usually accompany deeds and are created before new construction and during the installation of underground utilities. They are also used in boundary disputes.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

A boundary dispute occurs when someone believes their neighbor is encroaching on their land. These can get heated and sometimes end up in court, with a judge deciding where the boundaries lie. They will hire professional surveyors to measure the land and provide accurate boundaries to resolve the dispute.

Liens are types of encumbrances that can negatively affect a property. Since they are public records, anyone may see them. If a homeowner has a lot of liens, it could affect their financial reputation and lower the property's value. There are two main types of property records: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those within your control. You choose to allow a bank or lender to place a lien on your property in return for the funds to buy your home or cash in on some of the equity in your home. Even though you choose voluntary liens, you can still lose your home in foreclosure if you fail to honor the loan terms.

Involuntary Liens

Involuntary liens are not within your control. They are imposed on your property against your will when you owe a debt and fail to pay. These types most often lead to foreclosure and the loss of your home. They also sully the owner's reputation and lower the value of the home.

Real estate sales are when property records take center stage. Before the sale, many of the players use property records to research information and gather all the facts. During the process, more records, such as inspections, insurance binders, appraisals, and a new deed, are created.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

Before buying property in Mississippi, you should always perform a thorough property history search to find out all you can about the property. Look for the value, taxes, and any liens or foreclosures. Use property records to fill in any blanks.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

By law, when selling property, you must inform potential buyers about material defects, such as a leaky roof, broken HVAC system, or crumbling foundation. The buyer must be able to make an informed decision. You can use property records to find out anything you don't know.

Title Searches and Insurance

You must purchase title insurance if you buy a house with a mortgage. It protects you and the lender from any legal claims on the property after the sale. Your title company rep or attorney will perform a property title search, looking for any title defects beforehand to avoid any mishaps with the sale.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Mississippi

Foreclosures appear in public property records. Most buyers shy away from buying a house in foreclosure because it can be more complicated and harder to satisfy all the liens. Additionally, the value of a foreclosure home will be less than the fair market value due to the additional hassles.

Pre-Foreclosures in Mississippi

Pre-foreclosure homes are in the process of foreclosure but have not yet been sold at auction. Many investors look for these homes and offer homeowners a way out by buying them and paying off the debt. They then sell them for a profit.

When was the House Built?

You can find out easily if you want to know when a specific house was built. Contact the Mississippi county chancery clerk and ask to see the first building permit that approved its origins. You will have the date it was first built.

Property values can change on a dime based on the economy, the local real estate market, and inflation. Interest rates and other factors also affect property values. The fair market value (FMV) is the yardstick used by realty professionals to measure homes against each other and is the figure that the house would sell for in the current market.

Assessments and Appraisals

Assessments and appraisals are both methods of determining a property's value. Local tax officials use assessments to determine value. These figures are used to set tax rates and ensure that every homeowner is paying their fair share. However, they do not always match the home's fair market value.

Appraisers determine property values in a few different ways. They create an appraisal report that details their findings and compares the target home with others that were sold in the area. Appraisals are used for estate planning and banks use them when lending borrowers money.

Property records are public; therefore, anyone can obtain and review them at any time for any reason. Owner's information does show up in public property records. You can access public property records online or in person at the local county chancery clerk's office. Some counties also have their records online.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public for two reasons. First, they preserve the public chain of title of every owner who has ever owned the property. Second, they prevent any one government office from gaining too much power over the people in its jurisdiction.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

You cannot remove all your information from public property records, but you can try to minimize your exposure to avoid identity theft and fraud. Contact any agency of office that holds your records and request that they remove everything beyond your name and address. You don't want your email address or phone number showing up online.

Property records are valuable, and you must keep yours up to date. The government office that holds them will not know to do it automatically. It's up to you to take action to see that they are adequately maintained.