Forrest County, MS Property Records
Property records in Forrest, Mississippi, document key details about real estate, including ownership history, parcel boundaries, assessed values, tax information, legal descriptions, deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded transfers. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, property owners, attorneys, lenders, and researchers who need to verify ownership, review tax assessments, confirm property boundaries, or investigate a property’s transaction history.
Official Forrest property records are typically maintained at the county level. Users can access assessment and parcel information through the Forrest County Tax Assessor’s office, while recorded land documents such as deeds and liens are handled by the Forrest County Chancery Clerk. For official office information and access points, visit the county’s official Forrest County property records resources.
Forrest County, MS Property Records & Statistics
Forrest County, home to Hattiesburg, has a pricier housing market than the Mississippi average. The median rent of $887.50 is above the state's $725.50 and the national $840.25. The median home value of $181,500 is well above the state figure of $102,350 and also higher than the national $173,750.
The county's median property tax rate of 0.77% is slightly higher than the state rate of 0.73% and the national rate of 0.74%. With higher home values, that rate translates into larger tax bills than in many other Mississippi counties.
Median household income is $66,004.50, far above Mississippi's $44,600 and just above the national $65,108, which helps support the higher housing costs. The unemployment rate of 4.28% is higher than the state's 3.54% and the national 2.87%, so the strong incomes come alongside a looser job market.
Renter-occupied housing makes up 31.57% of homes, well above the state's 23.88% and the national 21.81%, a pattern consistent with a college-influenced city. Overall, Forrest County is a higher-cost, higher-income market with a large rental sector.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Forrest
Forrest County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 42,175 total parcels, including 27,624 residential and 2,230 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 82.37% of the population for the 2023 assessment year. Recorded documents include 49,945 deeds and 47,320 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 21,546 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 42,175 |
| Residential Parcels | 27,624 |
| Commercial Parcels | 2,230 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 82.37% |
| Assessment Year | 2023 |
| Deed Records | 49,945 |
| Mortgage Records | 47,320 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 21,546 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Trustee Sale Records | 2,286 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment documents that a mortgage was transferred from one lender or loan holder to another, while a release shows that the loan was satisfied and the lien removed from the property.
Forrest County has 48,956 assignment and release records available for research. They include 5,427 assignment documents, recorded from September 9, 2002, through August 4, 2025, and 43,477 release documents, recorded from January 18, 2001, through August 4, 2025, plus 52 other documents.
These records let buyers, owners, and researchers see who holds a mortgage, follow a loan as it moved between lenders, and confirm that older mortgages were released. They are especially helpful before a sale or refinance, when an open lien could affect the transaction. The date ranges also help narrow a search to the period that matters for a particular property.
How to Search Forrest County, MS Property Records
Forrest County land records are kept by the Chancery Clerk's Office at 641 N Main Street, Hattiesburg, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Its records cover deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases, and foreclosure notices related to the county's 42,175 parcels.
For information about the office, visit the Forrest County Chancery Clerk page. To look up recorded documents online, use the Forrest County Chancery Clerk records search, which provides access to deeds, mortgages, and other filed instruments.
Start with an owner name or other known document details. Review the results, open the entry that matches your property, and write down the recording date, document type, and book and page numbers. Deeds show ownership transfers, and mortgage and release records show loan activity and whether liens were cleared.
For certified copies or help with documents not found online, call the Chancery Clerk at 601-545-6046 or visit the office in Hattiesburg.
Forrest Registrar of Deeds
The Forrest County Probate Office is located at 641 N Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401 and can be reached at 601-545-6046. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Records can be accessed through co.forrest.ms.us or the official website forrestcountyms.us.
Forrest County Chancery Clerk's Office
Forrest County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Forrest County property records by address?
Use the Forrest County Chancery Clerk records search to find recorded documents, which usually works best with owner names or document details. If you only have an address, call the Chancery Clerk at 601-545-6046 or visit 641 N Main Street in Hattiesburg for help.
How can I find property owners in Forrest County?
Search the Forrest County Chancery Clerk records search for the latest deed on the property, which names the buyer and seller. The Chancery Clerk page provides office details, and staff at 601-545-6046 can assist if you need help tracing a parcel.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Forrest County?
Assessed values come from county assessment records, which cover 42,175 parcels and reflect the 2023 assessment year. Call the Chancery Clerk at 601-545-6046 to be directed to the assessment office for a specific parcel, or see the county page for contacts.
Where can I find Forrest County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax bills and payments are managed by county tax officials rather than the land records index. Call the Chancery Clerk at 601-545-6046 to learn where to request a bill or payment record in Hattiesburg, and have the parcel number or owner name available.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Forrest County?
Use the Forrest County Chancery Clerk records search to find deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents. The county's deed records run from January 2, 2007, to July 30, 2025. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM for in-person help.
Where can I access Forrest County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps are maintained with assessment records. Call the Chancery Clerk at 601-545-6046 to ask where a map for a specific parcel can be viewed or requested. Parcel maps show approximate boundaries and are not a substitute for a licensed survey.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Forrest County?
Permit and zoning rules depend on location, and properties inside Hattiesburg or Petal may follow city requirements. Call the Chancery Clerk at 601-545-6046 and ask which county or city office handles permits and zoning for your address before beginning a project.
How can I create a list of property owners in Forrest County?
Online searching is built for individual lookups, so a list means searching parcel by parcel. For a larger request, call the Chancery Clerk at 601-545-6046 and ask what bulk copies or reports the county can provide, and what fees or procedures apply.