Forrest County Property Records
What Is Forrest County Property Records
Forrest County property records are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property (land and buildings) within Forrest County, Mississippi. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout the county. The primary purpose of maintaining these records is to establish legal ownership through a clear chain of title, provide public notice of property interests, protect property rights, and facilitate real estate transactions.
Property records in Forrest County are governed by Mississippi Code § 89-5-1, which mandates that instruments affecting land title must be recorded in the county where the land is situated. The Forrest County Chancery Clerk's Office maintains these records as required by state law.
The records system includes various document types:
- Deeds (warranty, quitclaim, special warranty)
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Liens (tax, mechanic's, judgment)
- Easements and right-of-way agreements
- Plats and surveys
- Foreclosure documents
- Property tax records
The Forrest County Chancery Clerk serves as the official custodian of these records, maintaining both historical and current property documentation for all real estate within county boundaries. These records form the foundation of real property ownership in the county and are essential for real estate transactions, title research, and property rights protection.
Are Property Records Public Information In Forrest County?
Property records in Forrest County are public information and accessible to all citizens under Mississippi law. The legal basis for this public access is established in the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-1, which declares that public records shall be available for inspection by any person during regular business hours. Additionally, Mississippi Code § 89-5-33 specifically addresses the public nature of property records.
The public accessibility of property records serves several important functions:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public access to provide constructive notice
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Public records facilitate real estate transactions and property research
Any member of the public may access Forrest County property records without demonstrating a specific interest in the property or providing a reason for the request. This open access policy reflects the principle that property ownership information should be transparent and available to all citizens.
Forrest County Chancery Clerk's Office
641 Main Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-6060
Forrest County Chancery Records
The office maintains public access terminals where visitors may search property records during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays.
How To Search Property Records in Forrest County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to search Forrest County property records may utilize several methods currently available through county offices. The following procedures outline the standard process for accessing these records:
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Online Search Portal
- Navigate to the Forrest County Official Records Inquiry system
- Select the appropriate search type (name, property, document)
- Enter relevant search criteria (owner name, property address, parcel ID)
- Review search results and select records for viewing
- Download or print documents as needed (fees may apply)
-
In-Person Research
- Visit the Forrest County Chancery Clerk's Office during regular business hours
- Request assistance from staff to access public terminals
- Provide search criteria to locate desired records
- Review documents on-site
- Request copies of relevant records (fees apply)
-
Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Chancery Clerk's Office
- Include specific information about the records sought
- Provide contact information for response
- Include payment for any applicable fees
- Allow processing time for research and response
Forrest County Chancery Clerk's Office
641 Main Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-6060
Forrest County Chancery Records
For property tax records and assessment information, inquiries should be directed to:
Forrest County Tax Assessor's Office
641 Main Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-6130
Forrest County Tax Office
Pursuant to Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, reasonable fees may be charged for document copies, certification, and extensive research services.
How To Find Property Records in Forrest County Online?
Forrest County offers comprehensive online access to property records through several digital platforms. The following step-by-step guide outlines the current process for locating property records through official county websites:
-
Chancery Clerk's Online Records System
- Access the Forrest County Chancery Records Online portal
- Create a user account if required for full access
- Select the appropriate search option:
- Name search (grantor/grantee)
- Property address search
- Parcel ID number search
- Document type search
- Enter search criteria and execute search
- Review results list showing matching records
- Select specific documents to view details
- Purchase and download copies if needed (fees apply)
-
Tax Assessor's Property Search
- Visit the Forrest County Tax Office website
- Navigate to the property search function
- Search by owner name, property address, or parcel ID
- Review property assessment information, including:
- Property valuation
- Tax assessment history
- Property characteristics
- Ownership information
- Access property tax records and payment history
-
Geographic Information System (GIS)
- Access the county's GIS portal through the main county website
- Use the interactive map to locate properties
- Click on parcels to view basic property information
- Access links to related property records
- View property boundaries, dimensions, and geographic features
The online systems are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, though system maintenance may occasionally limit availability. Technical support for online access issues is available during regular business hours by contacting the Chancery Clerk's Office at (601) 545-6060.
How To Look Up Forrest County Property Records for Free?
Forrest County provides several no-cost options for accessing property records. These free resources allow members of the public to conduct basic property research without incurring fees:
- Public Access Terminals
- Visit the Forrest County Chancery Clerk's Office during regular business hours
- Use the public computer terminals available for self-service searching
- Access the complete database of county property records
- View documents on-screen at no charge
- Note that printing or obtaining certified copies will incur fees
Forrest County Chancery Clerk's Office
641 Main Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-6060
Forrest County Chancery Records
-
Basic Online Search Functions
- Access the Official Records Inquiry system
- Utilize the free search functions to locate records
- View basic index information at no cost
- Note that downloading document images may require payment
-
Tax Assessor's Property Information
- Visit the Forrest County Tax Office website
- Use the property search function to access basic property information
- View assessment values, property characteristics, and ownership information
- Access tax information without charge
-
County GIS System
- Access the county's online mapping system
- View property boundaries, dimensions, and locations
- Obtain basic property information linked to map parcels
- Use aerial photography and other mapping layers at no cost
While basic search functions and viewing of index information are provided free of charge, pursuant to Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, fees may apply for document copies, certified records, and extensive research assistance. The current fee schedule is available at the Chancery Clerk's Office.
What's Included in a Forrest County Property Record?
Forrest County property records contain comprehensive information about real property within the county boundaries. These records distinguish between real property (land and permanently attached structures) and personal property (movable assets). Multiple county offices maintain different aspects of property records, with the Chancery Clerk serving as the primary custodian of land records and the Tax Assessor maintaining property tax and assessment records.
A complete Forrest County property record typically includes:
-
Ownership Information
- Current property owner(s) name and contact information
- Previous owners (chain of title)
- Date of acquisition
- Type of ownership (individual, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, etc.)
-
Property Description
- Legal description of the property
- Parcel identification number
- Property address
- Lot and block numbers
- Subdivision information
- Acreage or square footage
- Survey information and plat references
-
Transaction Details
- Sale price and date
- Type of deed (warranty, quitclaim, special warranty)
- Mortgage information
- Financing terms
- Recording information (book and page numbers)
-
Encumbrances and Restrictions
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Liens (tax, mechanic's, judgment)
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Homestead exemptions
- Mineral rights reservations
-
Assessment Information
- Assessed value
- Market value
- Land value
- Improvement value
- Tax assessment history
- Property classification
-
Structural Information
- Building characteristics
- Year built
- Square footage
- Number of rooms/bedrooms/bathrooms
- Construction type
- Building permits and improvements
The content and organization of property records are governed by Mississippi Code § 89-5-33, which establishes requirements for recording and indexing property documents.
How Long Does Forrest County Keep Property Records?
Forrest County maintains property records permanently in accordance with Mississippi state law and records retention requirements. The preservation of these records ensures the continuity of property ownership documentation and protects the interests of property owners throughout the county.
The retention periods for various property-related documents are as follows:
- Deeds and Conveyances: Permanent retention
- Mortgages and Deeds of Trust: Permanent retention
- Plats and Surveys: Permanent retention
- Liens and Judgments: Retained until satisfied or expired, then archived permanently
- Tax Records: Current year plus 7 years for working files; permanent retention for tax rolls
- Building Permits: Life of structure plus 3 years
- Zoning Records: Permanent retention
- Easements and Rights-of-Way: Permanent retention
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History establishes records retention schedules for county governments under Mississippi Code § 25-59-1, which mandates the preservation of essential government records. The Forrest County Chancery Clerk's Office maintains both current and historical property records dating back to the county's formation in 1908.
Modern records are maintained in both digital and physical formats to ensure preservation. Historical records have been digitized to protect the information contained in aging documents and to improve public access. The county employs climate-controlled storage for physical records and secure digital backup systems for electronic records to ensure their long-term preservation.
How To Find Liens on Property In Forrest County?
Locating liens on property in Forrest County requires searching specific records maintained by various county offices. Liens represent legal claims against property that must be satisfied when the property is sold. The following methods are currently available for identifying liens on Forrest County properties:
-
Chancery Clerk's Records Search
- Access the Forrest County Chancery Records Online system
- Search by property owner name or property description
- Select "Liens" as the document type filter
- Review results for:
- Tax liens
- Mechanic's liens
- Judgment liens
- Federal tax liens
- State tax liens
- Child support liens
- Other statutory liens
-
Circuit Court Records
- Contact the Forrest County Circuit Clerk's Office
- Request a judgment search against the property owner
- Review results for any judgments that may constitute liens
Forrest County Circuit Clerk's Office
641 Main Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-6110
Forrest County Circuit Court
- Tax Collector's Office
- Contact the Forrest County Tax Collector
- Request information on delinquent property taxes
- Verify if tax liens have been filed
Forrest County Tax Collector's Office
641 Main Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-6140
Forrest County Tax Office
- Title Search
- Engage a professional title company
- Request a comprehensive title search
- Receive a complete report of all liens and encumbrances
Pursuant to Mississippi Code § 85-7-131, certain liens must be filed within specific timeframes to remain valid. The priority of liens is generally determined by the date of recording, with some statutory exceptions for tax liens and other governmental claims.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Forrest County?
The property owner rules in Forrest County are governed by Mississippi state law and local ordinances that establish the rights and responsibilities of property ownership. These regulations define how property may be acquired, transferred, and encumbered within the county.
Key aspects of property ownership rules in Forrest County include:
-
Recording Requirements
- All instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the Chancery Clerk
- Documents must meet specific formatting requirements per Mississippi Code § 89-5-24
- Proper acknowledgment or notarization is required
- Recording establishes constructive notice to third parties
-
Ownership Types
- Fee simple (complete ownership)
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship
- Tenancy in common
- Life estates
- Leasehold interests
- Condominium ownership
-
Property Transfer Rules
- Valid deed must contain:
- Names of grantor and grantee
- Legal description of property
- Words of conveyance
- Signature of grantor
- Proper acknowledgment
- Transfer tax must be paid (exceptions apply)
- Disclosure of property condition for residential transfers
- Valid deed must contain:
-
Homestead Exemption
- Available to qualifying property owners
- Must be primary residence
- Application required through Tax Assessor's Office
- Provides property tax reduction
- Protected from certain creditors under state law
-
Adverse Possession
- Requires actual, open, notorious, exclusive, and continuous possession
- Must be hostile to owner's rights
- Ten-year statutory period under Mississippi law
- Payment of property taxes strengthens claim
-
Eminent Domain
- Government may acquire private property for public use
- Just compensation must be paid
- Procedural requirements must be followed
- Limited to legitimate public purposes
Property owners in Forrest County must also comply with local zoning ordinances, building codes, and land use regulations administered by the county and municipalities within its boundaries. These rules vary by location and zoning district, with different requirements for residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial properties.