Frequently Asked Questions

    1. How do I register to vote?

      You may register to vote either by mail or by visiting the Circuit Clerk’s office or the municipal clerk’s office. You may also register to vote when applying for or renewing your driver’s license, or when applying for services at numerous state and federal government agencies. These agencies forward your application to the Circuit Clerk’s Office; however, you should call the Circuit Clerk’s Office to verify the receipt of your application. You may also visit the Circuit Clerk’s web site for additional information. Jones County Circuit Clerk Official Web Page

      The address for the Jones County Circuit Clerk’s Office is:
      Jones County Circuit Clerk
      Post Office Box 1336
      Laurel, MS 39441
      601-425-2556

    2. How do I vote absentee for the upcoming election?

      Call the Circuit Clerk’s office at 601-425-2556

    3. How do I obtain a copy of my DD-214 Discharge Certificate?The Veterans Service Office can assist you with a copy in the Chancery Clerk’s office. If it is not registered with the Chancery’s Clerk office, we can help you submit a request to the Personnel Center. Call the Veterans Services Office 601-428-0467.
    4. How do I renew my car tag? Click on the Tax Collector site for additional information or call 601-428-3105.
    5. How do I pay my land taxes?

      Click on Tax Collector site for additional information or call 601-426-3248

    6. How do I estimate cost of my car tag?

      Click on Tax Collector site for additional information or call 601-426-3248.

    7. How do I get help for my child whose behavior is defiant and/or uncontrollable?

      The Jones County Youth Court functions to assist families who have children with conduct issues that are disruptive to the home, school or community. In some cases, the Jones County Office of Youth Services can offer informal counselling to the child and family. In other cases, it may be necessary to refer the family for psychiatric or psychological intervention. There will be instances when the Youth Court will bring the child into court for adjudication and probation. The Youth Court offers several community-based programs designed to correct inappropriate or self-destructive behavior:

      • Jones County adolescent offender program
      • Jones County Juvenile Drug Court
      • Jones County Teen Court

      If your child is between the ages of 7 and 17, you may contact County and Youth Court for assistance:

      Jones County Youth Court
      Jones County Courthouse
      P.O. Box 764
      Laurel, MS 39441
      601-649-7500

      County Court Judge Wayne Thompson
      601-649-7500

      • when a child age 10-17 years commits an act that is criminal if committed by an adult.
      • when a child age 7-17 is habitually disobedient or is ungovernable by the parent, guardian or custodian; fails to attend school as required by parental directive or law; or runs away from home.
      • when a child under 17years needs counseling or treatment.
      • when the child has a Youth Court case pending.
      • when the child is in temporary custody of the state.
      • when the child is a restrictive or detention facility.
    8. How do I get help for my child who has a drug or alcohol problem?

      Teenage drug and alcohol abuse affects families in every part of Jones County regardless of location, race or economic status. The Jones County Youth Court can assist families in identifying treatment options. In addition to referral to treatment facilities, the Youth Court offers a Juvenile Drug Court program consisting of intensive supervision, counseling and weekly drug testing with appropriate rewards and sanctions designed to modify the behavior that contributes to substance abuse. This program operates under the auspices of and with funding from the Mississippi Supreme Courts Administrative Office of Courts.

    9. How do I get my child involved with the Jones County Teen Court?

      The Jones County Teen Court is a peer court for first offenders between ages 13 and 18 who confesses responsibility for the charges. In this court, the offenders stand before a jury of their peers.

      The teen jury decides the punishment which will interrupt the pattern of poor behavior, motivate self-improvement and promote personal responsibility. A Jones County Youth Court judge presides over the proceedings to ensure the trial meets the correct standards under the law. Once the offenders complete their conditions of probation, their records are wiped clean. The jury consists of teenage volunteers from local high schools in Jones County who want to participate in the Juvenile Justice System and help the public through community service. The Teen Court is a hands-on educational opportunity which allows teen offenders and teen volunteers to better understand our system of justice.

    10. How do I find my property zoning?

      In order to determine the zoning of any property in Jones County we need the legal description. The legal description consists of the section, township, and range. This information can be found on a deed. The parcel number assigned by the tax assessor also contains the legal description. We cannot determine zoning by an address alone.

    11. How do I have my power restored?

      Any service that has been disconnected must be inspected before power can be restored. Service that is provided by Southern Pine Electric requires an electrical permit if power has been off 6 months or longer. If a meter base is moved or repaired Southern Pine Electric also requires that an inspection be made.

    12. How do I obtain a residential building permit in Jones County?
      1. The builder must be a licensed contractor or owner of the home. If the builder is the contractor, then a current copy of the contractor?s license must be provided. If the builder is the homeowner, then proof of ownership must be provided. (Filed copy of warranty deed.)
      2. Soil and site recommendation (335 Form) from Jones County Health Department if not on public sewer. You must also provide the approval (910) of the septic system once construction is complete for your services to be released.
      3. Two sets of plans that include the following: plot plan, foundation layout with the details, framing details, electrical layout, front, side, and rear elevations. If the home is in a subdivision that requires architectural approval from the homeowner’s association, then the plans must be approved before the permit is applied for.
      4. The physical address of the home must be provided.
        WE DO NOT GET YOUR ADDRESS. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR ADDRESS WHEN YOU COME TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT; OTHERWISE YOUR PERMIT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
    13. How do I find out building plan requirements?

      For all new construction, including additions, major renovations and accessory structures

      Complete building plans consisting of:

      1. Plot Plan (This will show the setbacks from the property lines.)
      2. Foundation plan, with footings: grade beams, spot piers, curtain walls and reinforcement details
      3. Framing details: sills, beams, floor joist (size and spacing), sub floor, typical wall framing, ceiling joist (size and spacing), rafters (size and spacing), roof bracing, and attic ventilation.
      4. Electrical layout: floor plan with doors and windows (size noted)
      5. Front, side, rear elevations.
    14. How do I get approval for a Mobile Home?
      1. Check the zoning of the property first.
        • Take a copy of deed
        • Pay $50 fee
        • Plat or survey of property
      2. Bring form from the health department
      3. Bring deed showing ownership or a letter from the landowner giving Permission to place the home on their property.
      4. Pay a $150 fee
      5. Register your mobile home with the Tax Collector’s office
        • Take title application and sales contract
        • Take permit from the zoning department
      6. ??????After the home has been inspected by the Jones County Building Inspector, your power cannot be turned on until you bring the approval of your septic system from the Jones County Health Department to the Jones County Permit Office.
    15. What are Land Records?

      Land records refer to those record series that may involve real estate. These include documents traditionally recorded in Deeds Books and Plat Cabinets, such as Deeds, Deed of Trust, Authorities to Cancel, Plats, Name Change Orders, and many other documents. The Land Records Division also dockets and indexes judgments and files certain Uniform Commercial Code transactions that are a lien on real estate.

    16. Are land records open to the public?

      Yes, land records are available for public inspection from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    17. Does the Clerk’s Office have blank forms for land records related to documents?

      No.

    18. How do I obtain copies?

      Fees for copies made by the public are $.25 per page. The fee for copies made by our staff is $.50 per page. There is an additional fee for certifying a copy of a document.

      Requests for copies sent by mail must be accompanied by check or money order covering the cost of the copies and a stamped self-addressed envelope. The request should reasonably identify the document to be copied. Checks should be made payable to the Jones County Chancery Clerk.

    19. What are the requirements that must be met for a document to be recorded?

      There are different requirements depending on the type of document, so they cannot be listed here.

      It is the responsibility of the person offering the document for recording to make sure (1) that the document is original, (2) that it is signed and that the signatures are properly acknowledged before a notary public, (3) that the document is a complete writing and contains the required information, (4) that is accompanied by the proper fees, and (5) that is accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope so that it can be returned to the party offering it for recordation.

      The Clerk’s staff cannot give legal advice. Those seeking to record a document in the Clerk’s office are encouraged to obtain the advice of a professional.

    20. When is my document recorded?

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

    21. What does the Clerk’s Office accept in payment of recording fees?

      The Clerk’s office accepts (1) cash, (2) checks made payable to Jones County Circuit Clerk or Jones County Chancery Clerk, and (3) money orders.

    22. What if a check for recording fees is not correct?

      If a check for recording fees is short the document will be returned with a request for the proper filing fee.

      If the check for recording is over by $1 to $25, the document will be recorded and the excess deposited into the Chancery Clerk’s Office Fee Account. Refunds are mailed at the end of each month.

    23. How do I get a passport?

      On the Circuit Clerk web site, click the Passports link.

    24. How do I get a copy of my divorce record?

      Contact the Chancery Clerk

    25. How do I get a copy of my DD214?

      Contact the Chancery Clerk

    26. How do I pay my delinquent taxes?

      At the Chancery Clerk’s office via cash, money order, or check.

 

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