Alcorn County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Alcorn County?

Public records in Alcorn County, Mississippi, 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. In Alcorn County, the following categories of records are maintained and available to members of the public:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Alcorn County Circuit Clerk and Chancery Clerk. Members of the public may search courthouse records and case filings through the First Circuit Court of Mississippi.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and land assessments are filed with the Alcorn County Chancery Clerk's office, which serves as the official custodian of real property instruments.
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued by the Mississippi State Department of Health. Marriage and divorce records are maintained by the Chancery Clerk.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are processed through the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors and relevant municipal offices.
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Alcorn County Tax Assessor and Tax Collector.
Voting and election records — Voter registration rolls and election results are maintained by the Alcorn County Circuit Clerk, who serves as the county's chief election officer.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Minutes and agendas of the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors and other public bodies are available through the county clerk's office.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records are maintained by the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use decisions are maintained by the Alcorn County Planning and Development office.

Members of the public may access a broad range of official documents through the Alcorn County online records portal, which designates the Alcorn County Courthouse as the Official Records Index.

Is Alcorn County an Open Records County?

Alcorn County fully complies with Mississippi's open records framework, which governs public access to government documents statewide. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, 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. This statute establishes a strong presumption of openness, placing the burden on the government agency to justify any denial of access.

Key provisions of Mississippi's Public Records Act applicable to Alcorn County include:

Public bodies must respond to records requests within seven working days of receipt.
If a record cannot be produced within seven days, the public body must provide written notification stating the reason for the delay and a projected date of production.
Denials must be made in writing and must cite the specific statutory exemption relied upon.

Alcorn County additionally operates in compliance with Mississippi's Open Meetings Act, codified at Mississippi Code § 25-41-1, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that adequate notice be provided in advance. No county-specific ordinance currently supersedes or restricts the rights established under state law.

How to Find Public Records in Alcorn County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Alcorn County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a records request:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office maintains the record sought — for example, the Circuit Clerk for court and election records, the Chancery Clerk for property and vital records, or the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement records.
Submit a written request. Under Mississippi law, public bodies may require requests to be submitted in writing. Requests should identify the record with sufficient specificity to allow the agency to locate it.
Use the online portal. Many Alcorn County records are currently accessible through the official county records index, which allows members of the public to search and retrieve documents without visiting a physical office.
Visit in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant county office during regular business hours. The Alcorn County Courthouse is located at 600 Waldron Street, Corinth, MS 38834.
Submit by mail. Written requests may be mailed to the appropriate office. Requestors should include a return address and, if copies are needed, a check or money order for applicable fees.
Follow up on delayed responses. If no response is received within seven working days, requestors may follow up in writing, referencing the statutory deadline under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5.

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

Current fees for public records in Alcorn County are governed by Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, which authorizes public bodies to charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of searching, reviewing, and duplicating records. Standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:

Paper copies: Typically $0.25 to $1.00 per page, depending on the office and document type.
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; certified copies of vital records issued by the Mississippi State Department of Health are subject to separate statutory fee schedules.
Electronic records: Where records are provided in electronic format, fees reflect the actual cost of reproduction.
Search fees: Some offices may assess a reasonable search fee when requests require extensive staff time to fulfill.

Accepted payment methods at Alcorn County offices generally include cash, check, and money order made payable to the relevant county office. Fee waivers or reductions may be available in limited circumstances, particularly where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest. Requestors seeking a fee waiver should submit a written request explaining the basis for the waiver at the time of the records request.

Does Alcorn County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Mississippi law. Mississippi Code § 25-61-5 provides that any person has the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. Fees apply only when copies or reproductions are requested. The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection at the Alcorn County Courthouse, 600 Waldron Street, Corinth, MS 38834, during regular business hours.
Online records search through the Alcorn County records portal, which provides no-cost access to indexed county documents.
Sex offender information is available at no charge through the Mississippi Public Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Court case information may be reviewed at no cost through the Circuit Clerk's office or via the First Circuit Court courthouse locations page.

Who Can Request Public Records in Alcorn County?

Any person may request public records in Alcorn County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Mississippi Code § 25-61-5 does not restrict access to residents of the state, and requestors are not required to provide identification or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access to non-exempt records. The following points clarify eligibility and access rights:

Residency: Non-residents of Mississippi and Alcorn County retain full rights to request and inspect public records.
Identification: Requestors are generally not required to present identification unless accessing records that contain restricted information or require verification of identity for legal purposes.
Purpose: Members of the public are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to third parties, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records.
Restrictions for specific record types: Access to certain categories of records — including juvenile records, sealed court files, and records containing personal identifying information — is restricted by statute regardless of who is making the request.

Organizations, businesses, attorneys, and members of the press hold the same baseline rights as individual members of the public under current Mississippi law.

What Records Are Confidential in Alcorn County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Alcorn County offices are exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi law. Mississippi Code § 25-61-11 and related statutes identify the following categories of records as confidential or exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in youth court proceedings are confidential under Mississippi Code § 43-21-261.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would compromise the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are protected from disclosure.
Medical records — Health information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only under specific court order.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for information such as salary and job title.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in the course of licensing or permitting may be withheld.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Records that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.

When a public body withholds a record, it is required to provide written notice citing the specific statutory exemption. Mississippi courts apply a balancing test in disputed cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure may cause.

Alcorn County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Alcorn County Chancery Clerk serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property. The Circuit Clerk maintains court records and election-related documents. Both offices are located at the Alcorn County Courthouse in Corinth, Mississippi.

Alcorn County Chancery Clerk 600 Waldron Street, Corinth, MS 38834 Phone: (662) 286-7700 Alcorn County, Mississippi

Alcorn County Circuit Clerk 600 Waldron Street, P.O. Box 430, Corinth, MS 38835 Phone: (662) 286-7710 Mississippi First Circuit Court — Courthouse Locations

Alcorn County Tax Assessor / Tax Collector 600 Waldron Street, Corinth, MS 38834 Phone: (662) 286-7700 Alcorn County, Mississippi

Alcorn County Sheriff's Office 1911 Bypass Road, Corinth, MS 38834 Phone: (662) 286-5521 Alcorn County Sheriff's Office

Standard public counter hours for Alcorn County offices are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time, excluding state and federal holidays. Members of the public are encouraged to confirm hours directly with the relevant office prior to visiting, as hours may vary by department.