Mississippi Public Records

Although Mississippi is considered a closed records state, records are available to the public. This is due to the fact that Mississippi birth records, death and marriage records are restricted. These can be requested by authorized individuals from the Department of Health. Mississippi divorce records, available through the Chancery Court that heard the case, are part of Mississippi public record, as are court records. Both civil and criminal court records are available through the individual Circuit Courts in person. Mississippi criminal records are protected, although a person may request his own criminal record for review purposes, which requires fingerprints, from the Department of Health. The Mississippi Archives in Jackson provide public access to Mississippi public records like vital, cemetery and military records and obituaries.

About Mississippi Public Records

Despite Mississippi being a closed records state, there are still many records available. Mississippi death records, although restricted, are released to the public after 50 years. Mississippi marriage record and birth records are released to the public after 100 years has passed. Otherwise, authorized recipients of certified copies include the person of record, a family member, or a person with a demonstrated legal interest. These Mississippi public records are maintained by the Department of Health with convenient ordering options in place.

Mississippi vital records are restricted because they can be used to establish identity. With the rise in identity theft and to comply with privacy laws, these are restricted. Mississippi divorce records, however, are not maintained by the Department of Health, but by individual Chancery Courts. These are part of Mississippi public records and may be requested by anyone. These requests are usually made in person to the Chancery Court that handled the divorce.

Searching Mississippi Gov Public Records

Although there are restrictions on accessing vital records, Mississippi court records are mostly open to the public. Exceptions are for those cases sealed by a judge or dealing with issues like paternity, adoption or juveniles. Otherwise, civil and criminal court records may be viewed by the public. The Mississippi Administrative Office of the Courts offers a description of the individual courts and their roles in the criminal justice system, but does not offer a central online database to search Mississippi gov public records. However, contact information is provided for the individual courts.

To access Mississippi gov public records like court records or divorce records, you must contact the court that handled the case. Circuit Courts are responsible for hearing civil and criminal matters. Viewing Mississippi criminal court records is the only way to circumnavigate the restrictions on viewing criminal records of a third party. 

Search Public Records in Mississippi

The Mississippi Archives in Jackson offers a great opportunity to dive into genealogy research if you are exploring your Mississippi roots. Mississippi military records, cemetery and vital records, as well as obituaries, are stored here and open to the public. Although visits are welcome, the Archives offers a number of online searchable records databases that can help narrow your search before arriving. For example, there are several Mississippi cemetery records databases available to search online, including by county, state and cemetery name.

Also available at the Archives are access to death records and marriage records, including Freedmen’s Bureau marriage records of freed slaves. Search public records for Mississippi history, and you’ll come across military records for the War of 1812, Civil War, Revolutionary War, Mexican War and Spanish American War, just to name a few. Many of these can be pinpointed using the online search tool provided. If an in-person visit isn’t possible, research requests are accepted for a fee, although in-state residents get one hour of free research. Also, there is no admittance fee, and with so many online resources to help organize a research trip, a visit could be fruitful.