Coahoma County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Coahoma County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Coahoma County, Mississippi, may access publicly available information through CoahomaRecords.us, which aggregates data related to county-level public records. Coahoma County maintains a range of official records through multiple government offices, and the information available may include documents related to the following categories:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
Vital records (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
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Land use and zoning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Access:

The Mississippi Department of Human Services maintains an online public records request portal. Members of the public may submit requests electronically to public.records@mdhs.ms.gov. The Mississippi State Department of Health provides online ordering of vital records through its authorized vendor platform, allowing requestors to order birth, death, or marriage records online or by phone. The Mississippi State Auditor publishes county-level audit reports, including the 2023 Coahoma County Contract Audit, which are accessible at no charge through the auditor's official website.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Coahoma County Circuit Clerk's Office to inspect court records, land records, and related documents. The office is located at 115 First Street, Clarksdale, MS 38614. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office and 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 to written requests within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email:

Coahoma County Circuit Clerk: (662) 624-3014
Mississippi Department of Human Services – Coahoma County Office: (662) 624-3050; dfo.coahomacounty@mdhs.ms.gov

What Are Public Records in Coahoma County?

Public records in Coahoma County are defined under Mississippi state law as any books, records, papers, accounts, letters, maps, photographs, films, cards, tapes, recordings, or reproductions thereof, 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, or activity of a public body. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-3, all public records are presumed to be open for inspection unless a specific exemption applies.

The following record types are maintained by Coahoma County offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Clerk's Office
Probate and chancery records	Chancery Clerk's Office
Property deeds and mortgages	Chancery Clerk's Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	MS State Department of Health
Tax assessment records	County Tax Assessor's Office
Business licenses and permits	County Board of Supervisors
Election and voting records	County Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas	Board of Supervisors
Budget and financial documents	County Administrator
Law enforcement records	Coahoma County Sheriff's Office

The Chancery Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for land and property records, while the Circuit Clerk maintains court case files. Vital records are administered at the state level through the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Is Coahoma County an Open Records County?

Coahoma County operates in full compliance with Mississippi's open records framework. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, § 25-61-1 et seq., all public bodies in the state, including county governments, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes a clear presumption of openness, placing the burden on the public body to demonstrate that a specific exemption applies before withholding any record.

As stated in the Mississippi Public Records Act, "all public records are hereby 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." This provision applies to all county offices, boards, and agencies operating within Coahoma County.

The Mississippi Attorney General's Office provides guidance to public bodies on compliance with the Act and has issued opinions clarifying the scope of disclosure obligations. County offices are required to designate a records custodian responsible for responding to public records requests in a timely manner. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the limitations established by state law.

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

The cost to obtain public records in Coahoma County is governed by state law and the policies of the individual custodial office. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, public bodies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of reproducing records but may not charge for the time spent locating or reviewing records unless the request requires an extraordinary amount of staff time.

Current standard fees applicable to most county offices include:

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (per page)	$0.25–$1.00
Certified copies (vital records)	$17.00 (birth/death, state rate)
Electronic copies	Actual cost of reproduction
Inspection of records	No charge
Search fees	Not permitted under state law

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the appropriate county office. Fees for vital records ordered through the state's authorized vendor may differ and are subject to the vendor's service charges. Members of the public who demonstrate financial hardship may request a fee waiver, though approval is at the discretion of the records custodian. Fees vary by record type and the office maintaining the requested documents.

Does Coahoma County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at county offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may examine records in person at no charge; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested. The right to free inspection is established under state law and applies to all non-exempt public records maintained by Coahoma County offices.

The following resources provide free access to certain public records:

The Mississippi State Auditor's website offers free access to county financial audit reports, including Coahoma County's contract audit documents.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services provides free access to public records through its online request portal at public.records@mdhs.ms.gov.
Court case index information may be reviewed at no cost at the Circuit Clerk's public access terminal located in the courthouse.
Property assessment data is available for free inspection at the County Tax Assessor's Office.

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 fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Coahoma County?

Any person may request public records in Coahoma County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Mississippi's open records law does not restrict access to state residents, and requestors are not required to explain why they are seeking a particular record. This broad eligibility reflects the legislature's intent that government records remain accessible to the general public.

Specific provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:

Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect public records, though some offices may request it for administrative purposes.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types.
Non-residents: Non-residents of Mississippi retain the same rights of access as residents under state law.
Restricted records: Certain record types, such as adoption records, juvenile court records, and sealed court files, are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or court authorization.
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as background check results, may be required to provide proof of identity. The Mississippi State Department of Health facilitates background checks and fingerprint-based record requests through county health department locations.

Requestors seeking records on behalf of another individual or entity may be required to provide written authorization from the subject of the records.

What Records Are Confidential in Coahoma County?

Not all government records maintained by Coahoma County offices 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 record types are currently withheld from public access:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile court records and proceedings
Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
Medical and health records protected under federal HIPAA regulations
Adoption records (accessible only by court order)
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

As stated in the Mississippi Public Records Act, "nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require the disclosure of records which are specifically exempted from disclosure by statute." Public bodies asserting an exemption bear the burden of identifying the specific statutory basis for withholding the requested record. In cases where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Coahoma County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Coahoma County Chancery Clerk's Office
115 First Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 624-3014
Coahoma County Chancery Clerk

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

Coahoma County Circuit Clerk's Office
115 First Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 624-3014
Coahoma County Circuit Clerk

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 – Coahoma County Office
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 624-3050
Mississippi Department of Human Services

Coahoma County Tax Assessor's Office
115 First Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 624-3006
Coahoma County Tax Assessor