Mississippi County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Mississippi County in 2026

MississippiCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Mississippi County, Arkansas. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, and other official documents may locate relevant data through a combination of county offices, state-level portals, and online search tools. The categories of records that may be accessible include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Tax and financial records
Voting and election records
Law enforcement records, where permitted by law

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

Online Access: The Arkansas Judiciary case search portal allows members of the public to search court case information statewide, including records originating in Mississippi County. Property tax records are accessible through the Arkansas Property Tax Center, where users may locate assessment and payment information by county. No registration is required to conduct basic searches on these state-maintained platforms.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Mississippi County Circuit Clerk's Office or the County Clerk's Office, both located in Blytheville, Arkansas. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought. Staff will assist in locating responsive documents during regular business hours.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requestor's name, a description of the records sought, and a preferred method of response. Under Arkansas Freedom of Information Act § 25-19-105, agencies are required to respond within three business days of receiving a written request.

Phone/Email:

Mississippi County Circuit Clerk: (870) 762-2411
Mississippi County Clerk: (870) 762-2411

What Are Public Records in Mississippi County?

Public records in Mississippi County are defined under Arkansas Code § 25-19-103 as writings, recorded sounds, films, tapes, electronic or computer-based information, or data compilations in any medium required by law to be kept or otherwise kept and that constitute a record of the performance or lack of performance of official functions. The following record types are maintained by county offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Circuit Clerk
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats maintained by the County Recorder
Vital records — birth and death certificates maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health; marriage and divorce records maintained by the Circuit Clerk
Business records — licenses and permits issued by the County Clerk
Tax records — property tax assessments maintained by the County Assessor and available through the Arkansas property tax portal
Voting and election records — maintained by the County Clerk/Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas — maintained by the County Judge's office and Quorum Court
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the County Treasurer
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where disclosure is permitted, maintained by the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the County Planning Office

Is Mississippi County an Open Records County?

Mississippi County follows the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which mandates public access to government records across all counties in the state. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, all public records are open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas, and the burden of proof for withholding a record rests with the custodian of that record.

As stated in the Arkansas Attorney General's guidance on open records: "The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act reflects a strong public policy in favor of open government. The FOIA should be liberally interpreted to promote its underlying purpose of keeping the public informed about the actions of government."

The county does not maintain a separate open records ordinance that supersedes state law. All county offices are required to comply with the state sunshine law, which covers both records access and open meetings. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may seek review through the Arkansas Attorney General's office or pursue legal remedies in circuit court.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Mississippi County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable to most requests include:

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Copies (black and white, letter/legal)	$0.25 per page
Certification of documents	$5.00 per document
Electronic records (where available)	Varies by office
Search fees	Not permitted under state law

Inspection fees: No fee is charged for inspecting records in person at the custodian's office.
Copy fees: Copies are charged at the rate established by the custodian, not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
Certification fees: Certified copies of court documents and recorded instruments carry a separate fee set by the Circuit Clerk or County Recorder.
Electronic format fees: Fees for records provided in electronic format reflect the actual cost of duplication.

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Under Arkansas FOIA, agencies may not charge fees that exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers are not expressly mandated by state statute but may be granted at the discretion of the custodian for requests serving a clear public interest.

Does Mississippi County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at county offices during regular business hours. Under state law, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a public record. Members of the public may review documents at the office of the custodian without incurring a copy charge, provided they do not request reproductions.

The following resources provide free online access to certain records:

The Arkansas Judiciary case search provides free access to court case information, including docket entries and case status for Mississippi County proceedings.
The Arkansas Property Tax Center provides free access to property assessment and tax payment records by county.
The Arkansas Sex Offender Notification System provides free public access to registered sex offender information searchable by address, city, county, or ZIP code.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services maintains publicly accessible information related to certain benefit programs and child welfare services.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, reproduction of records is subject to the fee schedule maintained by each custodial office.

Who Can Request Public Records in Mississippi County?

Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, any citizen of the State of Arkansas has the right to inspect and copy public records. The statute does not require requestors to be residents of Mississippi County specifically, but the right of inspection is expressly extended to Arkansas citizens. Non-residents of Arkansas may also submit requests, though the statutory right of enforcement is extended to state citizens.

Requestors are not required to:

Provide identification in most circumstances
State the purpose of the request
Demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Juvenile court records, sealed court files, and records containing protected personal information require the requestor to demonstrate a legal basis for access, such as being a party to the case or holding a court order. Individuals requesting their own records from agencies such as the Arkansas Department of Human Services may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure.

What Records Are Confidential in Mississippi County?

Not all government records in Mississippi County are subject to public disclosure. Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b) enumerates specific categories of records exempt from the general right of inspection. The following records are currently withheld from public access:

Sealed court records — records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Arkansas law
Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records related to active investigations are exempt to the extent disclosure would compromise the investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
Medical records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained confidentially by the Arkansas Department of Human Services
Personnel records — employee records are exempt except for name, position, compensation, and dates of employment
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under a claim of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

When a custodian withholds a record, the agency must identify the specific statutory exemption relied upon. Courts apply a balancing test in disputed cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure may cause.

Mississippi County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Mississippi County Circuit Clerk
200 W. Walnut Street, Blytheville, AR 72315
(870) 762-2411
Mississippi County Circuit Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Mississippi County Clerk
200 W. Walnut Street, Blytheville, AR 72315
(870) 762-2411
Mississippi County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Mississippi County Assessor
200 W. Walnut Street, Blytheville, AR 72315
(870) 762-8100
Mississippi County Assessor

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Mississippi County Sheriff's Office
200 W. Walnut Street, Blytheville, AR 72315
(870) 763-0262
Mississippi County Sheriff's Office