Prentiss County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Prentiss County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through PrentissRecords.us, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Prentiss County, Mississippi, maintains a range of official records that may be accessible to the public pursuant to state law. The categories of records that may be available include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access:
- The Mississippi Department of Human Services provides access to certain state-level records and program information online.
- The Mississippi State Department of Health allows members of the public to order birth, death, or marriage records online or by phone through its official portal.
- Property and land records may be searchable through the Prentiss County Tax Assessor's online portal; registration requirements vary by platform.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Prentiss County Circuit Clerk's Office or the County Chancery Clerk's Office, both located at the Prentiss County Courthouse, 101 North Main Street, Booneville, MS 38829. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal request identifying the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate clerk's office at 101 North Main Street, Booneville, MS 38829. Requests 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:
- Prentiss County Circuit Clerk: (662) 728-8151
- Prentiss County Chancery Clerk: (662) 728-8151
- Mississippi Department of Human Services – Prentiss County Office: (662) 728-3118 | dfo.prentisscounty@mdhs.ms.gov
What Are Public Records in Prentiss County?
Public records in Prentiss County are defined under Mississippi Code § 25-61-3 as all books, records, papers, accounts, letters, maps, photographs, films, cards, tapes, recordings, or reproductions thereof, and any other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been used, being in use, or prepared, possessed, or retained for use in the conduct, transaction, or performance of any business, transaction, work, duty, or function of any public body. The following record types are maintained by designated county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Clerk |
| Probate and chancery records | Chancery Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Chancery Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | MS State Dept. of Health |
| Property tax and assessment records | Tax Assessor/Collector |
| Business licenses and permits | County Board of Supervisors |
| Voting and election records | Circuit Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Board of Supervisors |
| Law enforcement records | Prentiss County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are maintained at the state level by the Mississippi State Department of Health. Background check services, including live scan fingerprint appointments, are available through the Mississippi State Department of Health background check program.
Is Prentiss County an Open Records County?
Prentiss 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 records are 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. The Mississippi Attorney General's Office has stated: "The Public Records Act reflects the Legislature's intent that government records be available to the public, and the Act should be construed broadly in favor of disclosure."
The Act applies to all county offices, boards, commissions, and agencies operating within Prentiss County. There are no county-specific ordinances that restrict access beyond the exemptions enumerated in state law. The Mississippi Ethics Commission provides guidance on compliance with the Public Records Act and the Mississippi Open Meetings Act, both of which govern transparency in county government operations.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Prentiss County?
The current fee structure for public records in Prentiss County is governed by state law and the policies of the individual office maintaining the records. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25–$1.00 |
| Certification of records | $1.00–$5.00 per document |
| Electronic copies | Varies by office |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law for standard requests |
| Vital record certified copies | $17.00 (MSDH standard fee) |
Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, public bodies may charge a fee for providing copies of public records, but such fees may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Inspection of records at a public office is not subject to a fee. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodian.
Does Prentiss County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person at the office of the custodian during regular business hours, pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act. Members of the public are not required to pay a fee to view records in person at the Prentiss County Courthouse. The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Prentiss County Tax Assessor's office provides free in-person inspection of property assessment records.
- The Circuit Clerk's office allows free inspection of court dockets and case indexes at public access terminals located within the courthouse.
- The Mississippi Department of Human Services provides free access to program eligibility information and certain case-related data for individuals with authorized access.
- Environmental and drought-related public data for the county, including water supply and public health conditions, is available at no cost through Prentiss County conditions on Drought.gov.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records at a public office carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the reproduction fees described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Prentiss County?
Any person may request public records in Prentiss County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, requestors are not required to be Mississippi residents, nor are they required to provide identification or explain the reason for their request when seeking non-restricted records. The following conditions apply:
- Residency: Not required.
- Identification: Not required for standard public records requests, though some offices may request identification for administrative purposes.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most records requests.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and law enforcement investigative files, may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal interest or obtain a court order.
Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal vital records or court case files in which they are a party, may be required to provide proof of identity. The Mississippi Department of Human Services contact page provides information on submitting public records requests to that agency, including the designated email address public.records@mdhs.ms.gov.
What Records Are Confidential in Prentiss County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Mississippi Code § 25-61-11 enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the Public Records Act. The following records are currently classified as confidential or restricted in Prentiss County:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or youth court proceedings are confidential under Mississippi law.
- Ongoing law enforcement investigations: Records compiled in connection with active criminal investigations are exempt until the investigation is closed.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed 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 under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Mississippi Department of Human Services pursuant to state and federal child protection statutes.
- Personnel records: Employee records of public bodies are exempt with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Prentiss County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Prentiss County Chancery Clerk
101 North Main Street
Booneville, MS 38829
(662) 728-8151
Prentiss County Chancery Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Prentiss County Circuit Clerk
101 North Main Street
Booneville, MS 38829
(662) 728-8151
Prentiss County Circuit Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Prentiss County Tax Assessor/Collector
101 North Main Street
Booneville, MS 38829
(662) 728-8151
Prentiss County Tax Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 576-7960
Mississippi State Department of Health
Mississippi Department of Human Services – Prentiss County Office
As noted in the agency's official directory, the Prentiss County field office may be reached at dfo.prentisscounty@mdhs.ms.gov.
(662) 728-3118
Mississippi Department of Human Services
As the Mississippi Department of Human Services states on its official contact page, public records requests to that agency may be submitted directly to public.records@mdhs.ms.gov. The SNAP program administered through the Prentiss County field office is one example of a program whose records may be subject to public disclosure requests under applicable state and federal law.
Lookup Public Records in Prentiss County
- Order Birth, Death or Marriage Records Online or by Phone
- Mississippi State Department of Health – Background Checks
- Mississippi Department of Human Services
- SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Prentiss County Drought and Environmental Conditions
- Contact the Mississippi Department of Human Services