Search Mississippi County Public Records

Mississippi County public records are stored at the courthouse in Charleston, the county seat. Several offices handle different record types, from land documents to court case files to vital records. The county sits in the Bootheel region of southeast Missouri along the Mississippi River. With a population of about 13,000, Mississippi County has records that date back to the 1820s. The Recorder of Deeds, Circuit Clerk, and Collector all keep documents open to the public. You can search some of these records through online tools like Tapestry and Laredo, or visit the courthouse in person.

Mississippi County Recorder of Deeds

The Mississippi County Recorder of Deeds is the primary office for land and property records. Recorder George Bays and his staff file deeds, trust deeds, liens, plats, and other real estate documents. The office also records marriage licenses. Land records and marriage records in Mississippi County go back to 1845. The courthouse is at 200 W. Cypress St. in Charleston. You can call (573) 683-2146 to ask about a specific record or plan a visit.

The Missouri Association of Counties profile for Mississippi County lists contact details for all elected officials.

Mississippi County offers online access to some recorded documents through the Tapestry and Laredo systems. These tools let you search land records by grantor, grantee, document type, or date range from your home computer. Not all records have been digitized, so older documents may still require an in-person visit to the courthouse in Charleston.

Court Records in Mississippi County

Court records in Mississippi County are filed through the 33rd Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk handles civil cases, criminal cases, family law, and probate filings. Call (573) 683-2149 to reach the clerk. Case files, judgments, and court orders are public records unless sealed by a judge.

Missouri's CaseNet system lets you search court records for free online. CaseNet covers all circuit courts in Missouri, including the 33rd Circuit that serves Mississippi County. You can search by name or case number. The system shows case type, parties involved, charges, docket entries, and hearing dates. It does not show the full text of documents, but it gives you enough to know what a case is about. CaseNet is available around the clock and does not cost anything to use.

Under Missouri's Sunshine Law in Chapter 610 RSMo, government records are generally open. Court records in Mississippi County follow this law. Sealed cases, juvenile files, and certain mental health records are exceptions. You can request copies of anything else from the Circuit Clerk or search through CaseNet.

Note: Some older Mississippi County court records from before 1845 may have been lost or damaged and are not available.

Mississippi County Historical Records

Mississippi County was organized in 1845, though settlement in the area goes back to the early 1820s. Some early records were lost. The documents that survive are held at the courthouse in Charleston and at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City.

The State Archives holds copies of Mississippi County records including birth and death records from 1883 to 1893, marriage records from 1845, land records from 1845, and probate files. These are useful for genealogy research and historical property tracing. Researchers can visit the Archives in person or order copies by mail. The Bootheel region has a unique history, and Mississippi County records reflect the area's farming roots and river-based commerce over the past two centuries.

Vital Records for Mississippi County

Birth and death certificates come from the state level in Missouri. The Bureau of Vital Records handles certified copies. You can order them online, by mail, or at a local office. Mississippi County does not issue these directly.

Marriage licenses in Mississippi County are filed through the Recorder of Deeds office in Charleston. Both parties must show up with valid ID. Missouri has no waiting period for marriage licenses. The license is valid for 30 days after it is issued. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license to the Recorder, where it becomes a permanent public record. Historical marriage records in Mississippi County go back to 1845.

Divorce records are court records filed with the 33rd Judicial Circuit Clerk. You can search them on CaseNet or ask for copies at the courthouse in Charleston. The clerk provides both plain copies and certified copies of court documents on file.

Mississippi County Tax Records

The Mississippi County Collector handles property tax records. This office collects real estate and personal property taxes. You can look up tax bills, check payment history, and see if there are back taxes on a parcel. Tax records are public. Anyone can ask to view them. The Collector's office is in the courthouse in Charleston.

Tax sale records are also on file with the Collector. When a property owner fails to pay taxes, the county can sell a tax lien. These sales are public proceedings, and the results are part of the permanent record. Checking for back taxes is a smart step if you are looking at buying land in Mississippi County, especially in the fertile farmland areas along the river.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Mississippi County in Missouri's Bootheel region. If you are not sure which county holds the records you need, verify the address of the property or person you are looking for.