Copiah County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Copiah County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through CopiahRecords.us, a directory resource that aggregates publicly available data for Copiah County, Mississippi. Records that may be found through official channels include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable exemptions under state law. The following categories represent the primary types of records maintained by county offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, chancery)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)
Tax and assessment records
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County commission minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Copiah County Chancery Clerk provides online access to all county land records and wills through the Mississippi Electronic Court System. No registration is required to search basic land records.
The Copiah County Circuit Clerk maintains court records for county and circuit courts accessible through the state's electronic court portal.
The Mississippi Department of Corrections maintains an online offender search tool for incarceration and supervision records statewide.
Mississippi driver history records are available through the Motor Vehicle Record Department of the DPS Driver Service Bureau for a fee of $14.31 per certified copy.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Copiah County Courthouse, located at 100 Caldwell Drive, Hazlehurst, MS 39083. Requestors should proceed to the appropriate clerk's office, state the type of record sought, and complete any required request form. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the relevant clerk's office at P.O. Box 507, Hazlehurst, MS 39083. Requests must 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 promptly to records requests.

Phone/Email:

Chancery Clerk: (601) 894-3021
Circuit Clerk: (601) 894-1381

What Are Public Records in Copiah County?

Public records in Copiah County are defined under Mississippi law as any 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 specific county offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Land records, deeds, wills, mortgages	Chancery Clerk
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Clerk
Probate and chancery court records	Chancery Clerk
Marriage records	Circuit Clerk / MSDH
Birth and death certificates	MS State Department of Health
Property tax assessments	County Tax Assessor
Business licenses	County Board of Supervisors
Voting records	County Election Commission
Law enforcement records	Copiah County Sheriff's Office
Transportation records	Mississippi Department of Transportation

The Copiah County Chancery Clerk serves as the primary custodian of land and probate records, while the Circuit Clerk maintains court filings and marriage statistical records filed with the Office of Vital Records of the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Is Copiah County an Open Records County?

Copiah 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 presumed to be open and accessible to any person unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Act establishes that "it is the policy of the Legislature that public records must be available for inspection by any person." County offices are bound by this mandate and may not impose additional restrictions beyond those authorized by state statute. The Mississippi Attorney General's office has issued guidance affirming that custodians of public records must respond to requests without undue delay and must not require requestors to state a reason for their request. Copiah County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all access procedures uniformly.

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

The fee structure for public records in Copiah County is governed by state law and the policies of individual custodial offices. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, public bodies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of searching, reviewing, and duplicating records.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Copies (per page)	$0.25–$1.00 (varies by office)
Certified copies	$1.00–$5.00 per document
Electronic records	Actual cost of duplication
Search fees	Actual staff time (where authorized)
Inspection	No charge

Inspection of records at a public counter is provided at no cost.
Certification fees for vital records and court documents vary by office and document type.
The Chancery Clerk and Circuit Clerk each maintain their own fee schedules consistent with state law.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance varies by office.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records sought in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial office.

Does Copiah County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at county offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may review records in person at no charge; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested. The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Copiah County Chancery Clerk provides free online access to land records and wills through the Mississippi Electronic Court System.
The Copiah County Circuit Clerk allows free in-person inspection of court records at the courthouse.
The Mississippi Department of Corrections offender search is available to the public at no cost through the MDOC website.
Background check information through the Mississippi State Department of Health is accessible online, with live scan fingerprint appointments available at county health departments.
County commission meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are available for free inspection at the Board of Supervisors office.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the applicable fee schedule.

Who Can Request Public Records in Copiah County?

Any person may request public records in Copiah County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Mississippi's Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or affiliation. Requestors are not required to:

Be a resident of Mississippi or Copiah County
Provide government-issued identification (for general public records)
State the reason for the request

Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are restricted under state law to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest. Requestors seeking their own driving history may do so directly through the Mississippi DPS Motor Vehicle Record portal. Law enforcement records involving ongoing investigations may be withheld pending case resolution. Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under the Mississippi Public Records Act and may submit requests by mail, in person, or electronically.

What Records Are Confidential in Copiah County?

Certain records maintained by Copiah County offices are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi law. Mississippi Code § 25-61-11 enumerates specific categories of records that public bodies are authorized or required to withhold. The following record types are currently exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile court records and proceedings
Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
Social Security numbers and personal financial account data
Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA and state law)
Adoption records and related proceedings
Child welfare and protective services case files
Personnel records of public employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. The Mississippi Attorney General's office has stated that "the burden of proof for withholding a public record rests with the public body asserting the exemption." Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may seek review through the circuit court of the county where the records are maintained.

Copiah County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Copiah County Chancery Clerk
100 Caldwell Drive, Hazlehurst, MS 39083
(601) 894-3021
Copiah County Chancery Clerk

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

Copiah County Circuit Clerk
100 Caldwell Drive, Hazlehurst, MS 39083
(601) 894-1381
Copiah County Circuit Clerk

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

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 Transportation
401 North West Street, Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 359-7001
Mississippi Department of Transportation

Mississippi Department of Corrections
633 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 359-5600
Mississippi Department of Corrections

DPS Driver Service Bureau – Motor Vehicle Records
1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 987-1212
DPS Motor Vehicle Record Department