Tate County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Tate County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Tate County, Mississippi, may access publicly available information through TateRecords.us as well as through official county and state government channels. Tate County maintains a range of government-generated documents that may include court filings, property records, vital records, and administrative documents, subject to applicable exemptions under state law. The categories of records that members of the public may encounter include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessment records
Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted)
Land use, zoning, and planning documents

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

Online Access:

The Tate County, Mississippi official website provides access to county department contacts and select public documents. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History maintains statewide digital collections, and the Mississippi Courts online portal provides access to certain court case information. Some property and tax records are accessible through the Tate County Tax Assessor's online portal without registration.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Tate County Circuit Clerk's Office or the County Chancery Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. Public access terminals are available during regular business hours. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, provide any known case numbers or document identifiers, and complete any required request forms provided by staff.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, public bodies are required to respond to written requests within a reasonable time. Requests may be mailed to the relevant clerk's office at the addresses listed in the contact section of this page.

Phone/Email:

Tate County Circuit Clerk: (662) 562-5661
Tate County Chancery Clerk: (662) 562-4431

What Are Public Records in Tate County?

Public records in Tate County are defined by Mississippi state law as any 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. The following record types are maintained by specific county offices:

Record Type	Maintaining 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)	Mississippi State Department of Health
Marriage and divorce records	Chancery Clerk's Office
Property tax and assessment records	Tax Assessor/Collector's Office
Business licenses and permits	County Board of Supervisors
Voting and election records	Circuit Clerk's Office
Meeting minutes and agendas	Board of Supervisors / County Clerk
Law enforcement records	Tate County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Planning Department

Members of the public seeking vital records such as birth and death certificates may submit requests through the Mississippi State Department of Health public records and data request portal, which also facilitates background check services including live scan fingerprint appointments at county health departments.

Is Tate County an Open Records County?

Tate County operates in full compliance with Mississippi's open records framework. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq., known as the Mississippi Public Records Act, 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 presumption of openness, meaning that records are considered public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

The Mississippi Ethics Commission, which oversees compliance with the Public Records Act, has stated that "it is the policy of this state that public records shall be available for inspection by any person." This principle applies to all departments and offices within Tate County government. A Mississippi Ethics Commission order involving a Tate County public records matter illustrates the Commission's role in adjudicating disputes between requestors and public bodies when access is denied or delayed.

Tate County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all public records access within the county. The Mississippi Attorney General's office provides guidance to public bodies and requestors on the application of the Public Records Act.

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

The fee structure for public records in Tate County is governed by state law and the policies of the individual office maintaining the records. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, public bodies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of searching, reviewing, and duplicating records.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (per page)	$0.25–$1.00 (varies by office)
Certified copies (vital records)	$17.00 (MSDH standard fee)
Electronic copies	Actual cost of duplication
Search fees	Actual staff time cost (where applicable)
Inspection (in-person review)	No charge

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the relevant county office. The Chancery Clerk and Circuit Clerk may have differing fee schedules for specific document types. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Mississippi law, though individual offices retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances, such as for indigent requestors or requests serving a clear public interest.

Motor vehicle records are maintained at the state level; members of the public may obtain a certified copy of a Mississippi driving record through the Motor Vehicle Record Department for a fee of $14.31 per record.

Does Tate County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Tate County. Mississippi law does not permit public bodies to charge a fee solely for the act of inspecting records on-site; charges apply only when copies are requested. Members of the public may visit the relevant county office during business hours and review documents at no cost using public access terminals or with staff assistance.

The following resources provide free access to certain public records:

Tate County official website: Select county documents, board minutes, and budget information are posted at no charge on the Tate County, Mississippi government portal.
Mississippi Courts online portal: Certain court case information is searchable at no cost through the state's judicial website.
Tax Assessor's Office: Property assessment data and tax records may be reviewed in person at no charge.
Mississippi State Department of Health: General public health data and some vital statistics summaries are available online without a fee, though certified copies of vital records carry a standard fee.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may inspect public records without charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies requires payment of applicable fees as described in the preceding section.

Who Can Request Public Records in Tate County?

Any person may request public records in Tate County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Mississippi's Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or the reason for the request. Requestors are not required to be Mississippi residents, and public bodies may not demand that a requestor explain why they seek a particular record as a condition of access.

Specific provisions apply in the following circumstances:

Identification: Public bodies may ask for a requestor's name and contact information for administrative purposes, but may not deny access solely because identification is refused.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves — such as personal driving records or vital records — may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure.
Requesting records about others: Certain records involving third parties, such as juvenile records or sealed court files, are subject to restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
Non-residents: Non-residents of Tate County and Mississippi retain full rights to request public records under state law.

Background check records, including criminal history information, are subject to additional access controls. The Mississippi State Department of Health background check services page outlines procedures for obtaining fingerprint-based background checks through authorized channels.

What Records Are Confidential in Tate County?

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

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 by statute.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or charges are filed.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from public records prior to release.
Medical and health records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state health privacy laws are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed under Mississippi law.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files held by public bodies are exempt, with limited exceptions for records of final disciplinary actions.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected from disclosure.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Documents describing security vulnerabilities or emergency response plans are exempt to protect public safety.

When a public body withholds a record or portion of a record, it is required to identify the specific statutory exemption upon which it relies. The Mississippi Ethics Commission serves as the primary enforcement body for disputes arising under the Public Records Act.

Tate County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Tate County Chancery Clerk's Office 201 Ward Street, Senatobia, MS 38668 (662) 562-4431 Tate County, Mississippi

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

Tate County Circuit Clerk's Office 201 Ward Street, Senatobia, MS 38668 (662) 562-5661 Tate County, Mississippi

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

Tate County Tax Assessor/Collector's Office 201 Ward Street, Senatobia, MS 38668 (662) 562-6011 Tate County, Mississippi

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tate County Sheriff's Office 195 Industrial Park Drive, Senatobia, MS 38668 (662) 562-5521

Mississippi State Department of Health – Tate County Health Department 106 Magnolia Drive, Senatobia, MS 38668 (662) 562-4331 Mississippi State Department of Health background checks and public records