Jones County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Jones County in 2026
JonesCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Jones County. Members of the public may find ownership history, recorded deeds, tax assessments, mortgage documents, liens, plat maps, and property characteristics through official county resources. Record availability and completeness may vary depending on the age of the document and the digitization status of the relevant office.
Property records in Jones County may be searched through several official channels, each maintained by a distinct government office. The primary resources include the Jones County Tax Assessor, the Jones County Chancery Clerk, and the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Members of the public may access records through the following methods:
- Online searches via official county and state portals (most convenient, available at no cost for basic information)
- In-person visits to the relevant county office (required for certified copies and older documents)
- By mail through written requests submitted to the appropriate office
- Through professionals such as title companies, real estate attorneys, or licensed appraisers
1. Property Appraiser Website
The Jones County Tax Assessor maintains the primary database for property valuation and ownership information. Members of the public may access this resource at no cost and without registration through the Mississippi Department of Revenue property tax portal.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID number
- By subdivision name
- By map or GIS location
- By legal description
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property site address and legal description
- Parcel identification number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics including square footage, year built, lot size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and building type
- Assessed value of land and improvements
- Taxable value and applicable exemptions
- Sales history
- GIS map location
How to Search:
- Navigate to the Mississippi Department of Revenue property tax portal
- Select the applicable search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter the search criteria in the designated field
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select the relevant property to view the full property card
- Review ownership details, valuation data, sales history, and map location
- Print or save the information as needed
2. County Clerk / Recorder Official Records Search
The Jones County Chancery Clerk serves as the official recorder of property documents. Recorded instruments are indexed by grantor and grantee name and are available for public inspection. Basic searches are available at no cost; fees may apply for document copies.
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Book and page number
- Instrument number
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements and declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting real property
- Affidavits affecting title
- Lis pendens notices
- HOA documents and declarations
How to Search:
- Visit the Jones County Chancery Clerk's office in person or contact the office to inquire about available online access
- Select the applicable search type (grantor/grantee name, document type, or date range)
- Enter the search criteria
- Review the results and note the book and page number or instrument number
- Request document images or copies as needed
- Pay applicable per-page copy fees at the time of request
3. Tax Collector Website
The Jones County Tax Collector maintains records related to property tax billing, payment history, and delinquency status. Members of the public may access tax information through the Mississippi Department of Revenue portal or by contacting the Tax Collector's office directly.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel number
- Tax account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill and amount due
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances and delinquency status
- Applied exemptions and millage rates
- Tax certificate information for delinquent accounts
- Payment options and installment plan status
4. GIS / Mapping System
Jones County participates in the Mississippi statewide GIS infrastructure. The Mississippi Automated Resource Information System (MARIS) provides interactive mapping tools that allow members of the public to view property boundaries, aerial photography, zoning layers, flood zones, and environmental features.
How to Use:
- Navigate the interactive map to the property location
- Click on the parcel to view linked property information
- Access associated records through embedded data layers
- Measure distances and view multiple map layers simultaneously
In-Person Searches:
Jones County Tax Assessor 101 North Court Avenue, Suite 104 Ellisville, MS 39437 Phone: (601) 477-3261 Jones County Tax Assessor
Jones County Chancery Clerk 101 North Court Avenue Ellisville, MS 39437 Phone: (601) 477-3452 Jones County Chancery Clerk
Jones County Tax Collector 101 North Court Avenue Ellisville, MS 39437 Phone: (601) 477-3261 Jones County Tax Collector
By Mail Requests:
Members of the public may submit written requests for property records by mail to the Jones County Chancery Clerk at 101 North Court Avenue, Ellisville, MS 39437. Requests should specify the property by address, parcel number, or book and page reference. Payment for applicable copy fees must be included with the request. Certified copies are available upon written request with appropriate payment.
Through Professionals:
Title companies provide comprehensive title searches, abstracts of title, and title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys offer legal title opinions and representation in complex ownership or dispute matters. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, comparable sales, and property histories as part of their professional services.
Search Tips:
- When searching by address, attempt variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
- When searching by owner name, try last name first and check spelling variations, including maiden names and business entity names
- When searching by legal description, use the exact subdivision name, lot and block numbers, and section, township, and range designations as they appear on the recorded deed
- For historical records not available online, an in-person visit to the Chancery Clerk's office is required; staff can assist with retrieval from microfilm or bound record books
What Is Jones County Property Records
Property records in Jones County are official documents related to real property — including land and buildings — maintained by county government offices as part of the public record. These instruments establish legal ownership, document the chain of title, record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens, and provide the factual basis for property tax assessment. Under Mississippi Code § 89-5-1, all conveyances of real property must be recorded with the Chancery Clerk of the county in which the property is located to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors.
Purpose of Property Records:
- Establish and document legal ownership
- Provide an unbroken chain of title
- Record encumbrances including mortgages, liens, and easements
- Document property transfers and sale prices
- Support property tax assessment and collection
- Protect property rights and enable title insurance
- Facilitate real estate transactions and lending
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, life estate deeds, trust documents, and transfer records that collectively form the chain of title for each parcel.
Encumbrance Records include mortgages, deeds of trust, tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, easements, restrictive covenants, HOA documents, and lis pendens notices that affect the use or transferability of the property.
Tax and Assessment Records include property tax assessments, tax bills, payment history, exemption applications, millage rates, special assessments, and delinquency records maintained by the Tax Assessor and Tax Collector.
Legal Descriptions include plat maps, subdivision plats, surveys, lot and block information, metes and bounds descriptions, and condominium declarations that define the physical boundaries of each parcel.
Building and Permit Records include building permits, certificates of occupancy, code violation notices, zoning designations, and land use classifications maintained by the Jones County Building and Planning Department.
Who Maintains Property Records:
The Jones County Chancery Clerk records and indexes all official instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats. The Jones County Tax Assessor maintains property valuation records, assessment rolls, ownership information, and exemption applications. The Jones County Tax Collector maintains tax billing, payment history, and delinquency records. The Jones County Building Department maintains permit records, inspection reports, and certificates of occupancy.
Legal Framework:
Mississippi property recording law is governed by Mississippi Code § 89-5-1, which establishes the requirement that all conveyances of real property be recorded to provide constructive notice. The Mississippi Public Records Act codified at Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq. affirms the public's right to inspect and copy government records, including property records maintained by county offices.
Are Property Records Public Information in Jones County?
Property records in Jones County are public information. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, § 25-61-1, all records maintained by public bodies are presumed to be open for public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. No special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement is necessary to access property records.
Legal Basis for Public Access:
- Mississippi Public Records Act, § 25-61-1 et seq.
- Mississippi recording statutes, § 89-5-1 et seq.
- Common law tradition of public land records in American jurisprudence
- Constitutional protections for property rights under the Mississippi Constitution
Why Property Records Are Public:
The public nature of property records serves multiple essential functions. Transparency in property ownership prevents fraudulent transfers and supports accountability in property taxation. The commercial real estate market depends on open access to title information to enable transactions, support lending, and facilitate title insurance. Recording instruments in the public record provides constructive notice — a legal principle establishing that all persons are deemed to have knowledge of recorded documents regardless of actual awareness.
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Property addresses and physical characteristics
- Sale prices and transfer dates
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Liens and encumbrances of record
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Deeds and all recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations:
Certain categories of personal information are protected even within public property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under state and federal law. Individuals in protected categories — including law enforcement officers, judges, domestic violence victims, and stalking victims — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under applicable Mississippi statutes. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; members of the public should contact the Jones County Tax Assessor for specific policies regarding exemption application access.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any member of the public may access Jones County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property investors, genealogists, historians, and journalists. Out-of-state and foreign inquirers retain the same access rights as local residents.
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Permitted commercial uses of public property records include real estate marketing, property valuation services, title insurance and search services, investment analysis, and market research. Commercial data aggregators such as CoreLogic and First American compile public property records into subscription databases. Such aggregation is lawful; however, anti-harassment laws, fair housing laws, and other applicable statutes continue to govern the manner in which information derived from public records may be used.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Jones County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at the Jones County Chancery Clerk's office at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee structure reflects current standard charges:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Inspection of records (in-person) | No charge |
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of recorded instrument | $1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee |
| Recording a new document (deed, mortgage, etc.) | $10.00 for first page + $1.00 each additional page |
| Online document viewing (where available) | No charge for basic search |
| GIS map prints | Varies by format |
Recording fees and copy fees in Mississippi are governed by Mississippi Code § 25-7-9, which establishes the schedule of fees that Chancery Clerks may charge for recording instruments and providing copies of public records.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person)
- Check or money order payable to the Jones County Chancery Clerk
- Credit or debit card (availability varies; confirm with the office prior to visit)
Fee Waivers:
Certain government agencies and nonprofit organizations may qualify for reduced or waived fees under applicable Mississippi law. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should submit a written request to the Chancery Clerk's office with documentation supporting the waiver request.
What Is Available at No Cost:
- Online property search through the Mississippi Department of Revenue portal
- Basic parcel and ownership information through the Tax Assessor's database
- GIS map viewing through the MARIS system
- In-person inspection of records at the Chancery Clerk's office
What's Included in a Jones County Property Record?
A complete Jones County property record draws from multiple official sources and encompasses the following categories of information:
Ownership Information:
Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners by name, ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, trust, LLC, or corporation), ownership percentage where multiple owners exist, the acquisition date, and the deed book and page or instrument number. Mailing addresses for tax billing purposes are also included. Previous ownership information provides the chain of title, listing prior owners, transfer dates, and historical deed references.
Property Identification:
Each parcel is identified by its site address, mailing address if different, legal description (including lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, and section, township, and range designations where applicable), parcel ID number, tax account number, and any alternate or previous parcel numbers.
Physical Characteristics:
Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, street frontage, corner lot designation, land use designation, and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and total room count. Additional features recorded may include garage type and spaces, pool, porch or patio square footage, fireplace, central air conditioning, heating type, water source, and sewer system.
Valuation Information:
Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, market value, just value, and capped value where applicable under Mississippi law. Historical assessed values for prior years are maintained and accessible through the Tax Assessor's office.
Tax Information:
Current year tax records include the total tax amount due, exemptions applied, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, and a breakdown by taxing authority including the county general fund, school district, municipality, and applicable special districts. Tax payment history, delinquency records, and installment plan status are also maintained.
Exemptions Applied:
Applicable exemptions recorded in Jones County property records may include the homestead exemption, senior citizen exemption, disability exemption, veteran exemption, agricultural exemption, and conservation exemption, each subject to eligibility requirements under Mississippi law.
Sales History:
Sales history records include sale dates, sale prices, deed types (warranty, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, or other), deed document numbers, grantor and grantee names, and qualified or unqualified sale designations for assessment purposes.
Encumbrances and Liens:
Recorded encumbrances include current mortgages with lender names, recording dates, and original amounts; tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens with recorded amounts and lienholders; and other encumbrances such as easements, restrictive covenants, leases, life estates, and lis pendens notices.
Legal and Regulatory Information:
Zoning classification, land use code, future land use designation, special district assignments (school, fire, water), deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, HOA information, flood zone designation (FEMA), wetlands designation, and conservation area designations are all components of a comprehensive property record.
Maps and Images:
Visual information available in property records includes exterior property photographs, aerial photographs, GIS maps with property boundaries, plat maps, property sketches, and historical aerial imagery where available.
What Is NOT Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current mortgage balances (only original amounts at time of recording)
- Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
- Interior photographs
- Confidential details from exemption applications
- Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Jones County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Jones County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting real property title are never destroyed, as the integrity of the chain of title depends on the preservation of every conveyance, encumbrance, and release from the date of original recording to the present.
Legal Basis for Retention:
The permanent retention of recorded property instruments is required under Mississippi law. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History establishes records retention schedules for county offices, and recorded instruments affecting real property title are classified as permanent records not subject to destruction. Mississippi Code § 25-59-21 governs the retention and disposition of public records by county offices.
Records Kept Permanently:
All recorded deeds — including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance instruments — are maintained permanently from the date of the county's formation. All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, and releases are permanent records. All recorded liens, including tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens, together with their releases, are permanent. All plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are permanent. All easements, restrictions, covenants, declarations, powers of attorney affecting property, and court documents affecting title are permanent records.
Format and Storage:
Historical records in Jones County exist in multiple formats depending on the era of recording. Very old records are preserved in handwritten ledger books. Mid-twentieth century records exist in typed bound volumes and on microfilm. Records from recent decades are maintained as digital scans within electronic document management systems, with multiple backups for preservation and disaster recovery.
Access to Historical Records:
Records from approximately the last 20 to 40 years are accessible online through the Chancery Clerk's portal or the Mississippi Department of Revenue system. Older records are available in person at the Chancery Clerk's office in their original format — bound books, microfilm, or digital access terminals. Staff can retrieve records from storage upon request. Members of the public seeking very old records should contact the Chancery Clerk's office in advance to allow for retrieval time.
Property Appraiser Records:
Assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls are maintained permanently by the Jones County Tax Assessor. Exemption applications are retained for a minimum of five to seven years in accordance with the applicable retention schedule. Recent assessment history is accessible online; historical assessments are available at the Tax Assessor's office.
Tax Collector Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years. Tax certificates are retained until redeemed or until a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquency records are maintained for several years following resolution.
Chain of Title:
The chain of title for any parcel in Jones County can be traced from the present ownership back to the original land grant or earliest recorded conveyance. Title searches conducted for real estate transactions review a minimum of 30 to 60 years of title history, though a full abstract may extend to the original grant. Gaps in the chain of title create title defects that must be resolved before clear title can be conveyed.
Contact for Historical Records:
Jones County Chancery Clerk 101 North Court Avenue Ellisville, MS 39437 Phone: (601) 477-3452 Jones County Chancery Clerk
Jones County Tax Assessor 101 North Court Avenue, Suite 104 Ellisville, MS 39437 Phone: (601) 477-3261 Jones County Tax Assessor
Mississippi Department of Archives and History 200 North Street Jackson, MS 39201 Phone: (601) 576-6850 Mississippi Department of Archives and History
How To Find Liens on Property in Jones County?
Liens on property in Jones County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the Jones County Chancery Clerk. Members of the public may search for liens using the following methods:
Step-by-Step Search Process:
- Visit the Jones County Chancery Clerk's office at 101 North Court Avenue, Ellisville, MS 39437, or contact the office at (601) 477-3452 to inquire about available online search tools
- Request access to the grantor/grantee index, which is the primary index for all recorded instruments including liens
- Search by the property owner's name (as grantor or grantee) or by parcel number if the system supports parcel-based searches
- Filter results by document type to identify liens specifically, including judgment liens, tax liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and lis pendens notices
- Note the book and page number or instrument number for each lien identified
- Request copies of the lien documents for review; standard copy fees apply
- Check for corresponding releases or satisfactions of lien, which would indicate the lien has been discharged
Types of Liens Searchable:
- Federal tax liens: Filed by the Internal Revenue Service and recorded with the Chancery Clerk; also searchable through the IRS federal tax lien database
- State tax liens: Filed by the Mississippi Department of Revenue for unpaid state taxes; searchable through the Mississippi Department of Revenue
- Judgment liens: Arising from court judgments and recorded with the Chancery Clerk in the county where the debtor owns property
- Mechanic's liens: Filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers for unpaid construction work
- HOA liens: Filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments
- Code enforcement liens: Filed by Jones County or municipal governments for unresolved code violations
Additional Search Resources:
The Mississippi Secretary of State's office maintains UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) filings, which may include fixture filings affecting real property. Members of the public may search the UCC database through the Secretary of State's online portal. Federal tax lien information is also available through the IRS, though the official recorded copy is maintained at the Chancery Clerk's office.
Jones County Chancery Clerk 101 North Court Avenue Ellisville, MS 39437 Phone: (601) 477-3452 Jones County Chancery Clerk
What Is Property Owner Rule in Jones County?
The property owner rule in Jones County refers to the body of Mississippi law and local regulations that govern who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Under Mississippi law, any individual, corporation, LLC, trust, or other legal entity with legal capacity may own real property in Jones County.
Establishing Ownership:
Legal ownership of real property in Jones County is established by a recorded deed. Under Mississippi Code § 89-5-1, a conveyance of real property is not effective against subsequent purchasers or creditors for valuable consideration without notice unless the instrument is recorded in the office of the Chancery Clerk of the county where the property is located. This recording requirement is the foundation of the property owner rule — an unrecorded deed may be valid between the parties but does not provide constructive notice to the public.
Forms of Ownership Recognized in Jones County:
- Sole ownership: A single individual holds title in their name alone
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship: Two or more persons hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner or owners automatically acquire the deceased owner's interest
- Tenancy in common: Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death rather than to the co-owners
- Tenancy by the entirety: A form of joint ownership available only to legally married spouses in Mississippi, providing certain protections against individual creditors
- Trust ownership: A trustee holds legal title on behalf of beneficiaries pursuant to a trust agreement
- Entity ownership: Corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other legal entities may hold title to real property in Jones County
Homestead Rights:
Mississippi law provides homestead protections for owner-occupied residential property. Under Mississippi's homestead exemption statutes, a qualifying homeowner may exempt a portion of the property's value from certain creditor claims and may receive a reduction in property tax liability. The homestead exemption application must be filed with the Jones County Tax Assessor. Homestead property in Mississippi is also subject to restrictions on transfer without spousal consent under applicable state law.
Property Tax Obligations:
Every property owner in Jones County is subject to annual property tax assessment and payment obligations. The Jones County Tax Assessor determines the assessed value of each parcel, and the Tax Collector issues tax bills and collects payment. Failure to pay property taxes may result in the filing of a tax lien, the issuance of a tax certificate, and ultimately a tax deed sale under Mississippi's tax sale statutes.
Adverse Possession:
Mississippi law recognizes adverse possession as a means by which a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely occupies another's property for a period of ten years may acquire legal title. Claims of adverse possession must be adjudicated through the court system and, if successful, result in a court order that is recorded with the Chancery Clerk to establish title.
Jones County Tax Assessor 101 North Court Avenue, Suite 104 Ellisville, MS 39437 Phone: (601) 477-3261 Jones County Tax Assessor
Jones County Chancery Clerk 101 North Court Avenue Ellisville, MS 39437 Phone: (601) 477-3452 Jones County Chancery Clerk