US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 28035

Forrest County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Forrest County, Mississippi. Serving a population of 78.208 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Hattiesburg • Land Area: 466,042 sq mi • State: Mississippi (MS)
Call: (601) 795-6785 Get Courthouse Directions Mississippi Association of Supervisors Directory ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Forrest County Courthouse / Recording Office, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Seat of government for Forrest County in Hattiesburg, MS.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(601) 795-6785

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 28035 • Coordinates: 31.1886° N, -89.2594° W
Visit Mississippi Association of Supervisors Directory ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Forrest County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Forrest County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Miss. Code § 25-7-9
First Page Base Fee
$26.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$1.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
None (Mississippi has no real estate transfer tax)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Mississippi:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Forrest County

License Fee $21.00 - $36.00
Waiting Period 0 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 365 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Forrest County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by Circuit Court Clerk.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $17.00
Death Cert $17.00
Marriage Cert $17.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Vital Records and the local Forrest County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Forrest County

Filing Fee: $25.00
1. Filing Authority

In Forrest County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Mississippi Secretary of State.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Mississippi.

3. State Rules & Notice

Fictitious business names are registered online via the Mississippi Secretary of State portal.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Forrest County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Forrest County Mississippi Secretary of State. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Mississippi.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
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State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Mississippi Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Mississippi county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Mississippi Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Mississippi

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Mississippi recording offices:

Lamar County Seat: Purvis
~14.6 mi →
Perry County Seat: New Augusta
~16.1 mi →
Stone County Seat: Wiggins
~28.9 mi →
Jones County Seat: Laurel
~30.1 mi →
Marion County Seat: Columbia
~33.4 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Forrest County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Forrest County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Forrest County office is located at Forrest County Courthouse / Recording Office, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (601) 795-6785.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Forrest County?
Under Mississippi statute (Miss. Code § 25-7-9), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Forrest County costs $26.00 for the first page, plus $1.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: None (Mississippi has no real estate transfer tax).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Forrest County, MS?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Forrest County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $21.00 - $36.00. Mississippi requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Forrest County?
In Forrest County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Mississippi Secretary of State with a standard statutory filing fee of $25.00. Fictitious business names are registered online via the Mississippi Secretary of State portal.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Forrest County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $17.00 and death certificates starting at $17.00) can be requested through the Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Vital Records or directly at the Forrest County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.