How Do I?

If I move to Mississippi, how long do I have before I have to get a Mississippi tag?

Persons moving to Mississippi have 30 days in which to register their vehicles with Mississippi.

Where do I register my vehicle?

For motor vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 10,000 lbs or less, register their vehicles and receive their tags from the local county tax collector's office where the vehicle is garaged or domiciled.  For motor vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of over 10,000 lbs and which travels in Mississippi only, register in the local county tax collector's office and receive their tags from the State Office.

Can I get a refund on my tag if I move out of Mississippi?

Mississippi law does not provide for refunds when an individual moves.

What are land records?

Land records refer to those documents filed in the Chancery Clerk’s office that involve real estate. The office of the chancery clerk is responsible for filing and maintaining public land records for land in the county in which the office is located. Public land records consist of various indexes which direct the user to the specific locations of recorded copies (either paper copies or electronically stored media) of deeds, deeds of trust, oil & gas leases, mineral and royalty deeds, assignments, powers of attorney, federal tax liens, lis pendens notices, construction liens, ucc’s and other documents affecting the title to land.

How do I obtain copies of land records?

The fee for copies made by the public is $0.25 per page. The fee for copies made by our staff is $0.50 per page. There is an additional fee of $1.00 for certifying a copy of a document.

Does the Chancery Clerks office have blank forms for deeds, deeds of trust, etc?

No.

When are documents recorded?

Documents are recorded at the time we receive them. They are available for viewing by the public, by the next day.

I am purchasing property in Amite County. Should I have the title checked by an attorney?

Yes. Our office strongly recommends that a title search be done by an attorney before real estate is purchased. A search of the records of the Chancery Clerk’s Office, the Circuit Clerk’s Office, and the Tax Assessor’s Office, should determine any outstanding mortgages, taxes, or other liens and whether or not the seller has legal title to the property. An attorney can do the title search and prepare your deed. It is illegal for the Chancery Clerk’s Office to provide any legal advice, including the preparation of your deed.

What happens when my land is sold for taxes and what can I do about it?

If your property taxes are not paid by the first Monday in April, then the Tax Assessor/Collector auctions it off to the highest bidder at the Tax Sale, held here at the Courthouse on that day. If no bids are received, then it is stricken off to the State. It then becomes the duty of the Chancery Clerk to collect all delinquent years’ taxes, with the appropriate penalties and interest, before the current year’s taxes can be paid. No installments on delinquent taxes are accepted.

Individuals have two (2) years from the date of the tax sale to redeem their property in the Chancery Clerk’s Office. If not redeemed before the two (2) years are up, then it matures to the State, or if an individual purchased it at the Tax Sale, it matures to that individual, who becomes entitled to a Tax Deed, which means you no longer own the property.

Can the Chancery Clerk’s Office tell me whether or not I own the mineral rights under my land?

No. Unlike the land roll, which provides for the current ownership of the surface, there is no listing of mineral right owners. An attorney or petroleum landman should be consulted.

When I sell my car, do I keep the tag / license plate?

Yes. You may also be eligible for a credit against future taxes. If the tag has not expired, take the tag and your original receipt to the tax collector for a credit voucher.

How do I file for homestead exemption?

Visit the Tax Collector's office between January 2 and April 1.

How do I vote absentee?

You can request a ballot up to 45 days in advance through the mail, or you can visit the Circuit Clerk's office.

How do I register to vote?

In order to register, go to the Circuit Clerk's office. It is helpful to know your 911 address and social security number. The minimum voting age is 18. You must register at least 30 days prior to any election to be entitled to vote in that election.

How do I ask questions about jury duty?

You should call the Circuit Clerk's office.

How do I obtain a 911 address?

You apply for a 911 address by going to the Amite County Central Repair facility located at 720 Industrial Park Dr. Liberty, MS 39645 and fill out a floodplain application and pay a $20 fee via cash or check. We are required by FEMA to verify that the proposed structure location is not located inside of a regulatory floodway. This form allows us to verify the flood zone status of the proposed location and issue a 911 address.

Below are a few things you need to know before going to apply for the address.

• Do you want the completed permit to be mailed back to you or do you want to come back to the Central Repair facility and pick up the completed address packet?
• Name of Person/Business applying for the address.
• A good telephone number to be reached at in the event of questions about your permit.
• Location of property i.e. what road the entrance to the property is located on.
• Directions to the property i.e. Turn off of Road A onto Road B go 600yds property on the right side, marked with yellow ribbon.
• Parcel Number or PPIN of the property or the name of the owner OR previous owner if it was purchased within the last 12 months.
• Type of structure you are building or moving onto the property i.e. House, Mobile Home, Camp, RV hookup, or any other type of development you may be completing.

Click here to download 911 address application - PDF