Forrest County Court Records Search

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    Forrest County is situated in southeastern Mississippi, with Hattiesburg serving as the county seat. The county’s court system includes the Forrest County Circuit Court, the Forrest County Chancery Court, the Forrest County Justice Court, the County Court, and municipal courts in Hattiesburg and Petal. The Circuit Clerk maintains records for criminal and civil matters heard in Circuit Court, while the Chancery Clerk is the custodian of equity proceedings, land records, divorce filings, and probate matters. Together, these offices hold the official documentation for virtually every legal action filed in Forrest County.

    Individuals looking for court records in Mississippi can use a combination of in-person visits, written requests, and electronic tools. The Mississippi Electronic Courts system, known as MEC, provides electronic filing and case access for courts statewide, including Forrest County’s Circuit and Chancery Courts. The Public Access to MEC (PAMEC) portal allows registered users to search case information, review docket entries, and retrieve filings electronically. Clerk offices at the courthouse in Hattiesburg also accept walk-in and mail inquiries, and MississippiCourts.us may assist users in locating publicly available court case information from jurisdictions across Mississippi.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Forrest County?

    Finding a court case in Forrest County requires identifying which court handled the matter and then using the appropriate search channel. Criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits go through Circuit Court, while divorces, estates, guardianships, and land disputes are handled by Chancery Court. Misdemeanor offenses and minor civil claims fall under Justice Court or the municipal courts.

    Online Search via PAMEC

    The statewide PAMEC system allows registered users to search Forrest County Circuit Court and Chancery Court case records electronically. Users must create an account to access the system. The Forrest County Chancery Court went live on MEC on January 4, 2016, meaning case records from that date forward are accessible electronically. For questions about PAMEC, contact the MEC Helpdesk at (601) 576-4650 or helpdesk@mec.ms.gov.

    In-Person Requests

    Walk-in visitors can inspect case files during regular business hours at the relevant clerk’s office. Both offices are located in downtown Hattiesburg:

    Forrest County Circuit Clerk
    Gwen Wilks, Circuit Clerk
    630 Main Street
    Hattiesburg, MS 39401
    Phone: (601) 582-3213
    Email: gwilks@forrestcountyms.us

    Forrest County Chancery Clerk
    Lance Reid, Chancery Clerk
    Paul B. Johnson Chancery Building
    641 North Main Street
    Hattiesburg, MS 39401
    Phone: (601) 545-6040
    Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Mail Requests

    Written requests for copies of court records should be addressed to the appropriate clerk’s office with sufficient identifying details — party names, approximate filing dates, and case numbers if known. Fees for copies vary by office; contact the relevant clerk to confirm current rates before sending payment.

    Full Court Directory

    CourtAddressPhone
    Circuit Court630 Main St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401(601) 582-3213
    Chancery Court641 N. Main St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401(601) 545-6040
    County Court110 Alcorn Ave., Hattiesburg, MS 39403(601) 545-6100
    Justice Court700 Main St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401(601) 544-3136
    Hattiesburg Municipal Court701 James St., Hattiesburg, MS 39403(601) 545-4933
    Petal Municipal Court127 W. 8th Ave., Petal, MS 39465(601) 582-5351

    Are Court Records Public in Forrest County?

    Mississippi maintains a general policy favoring public access to government records. The Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.) establishes that public records shall be available for inspection by any person unless specifically exempted. It is important to note, however, that the Mississippi judiciary operates as a separate branch of government and is not directly subject to the Public Records Act. Instead, the Mississippi Supreme Court adopted its own Statement of Policy Regarding Openness and Availability of Public Records on August 27, 2008, which governs access to judicial records.

    Under this policy, court records are generally open to the public, but several categories are restricted:

    • Sealed records — Documents filed under seal pursuant to court order are not available for public inspection.
    • Juvenile court records — Most Youth Court proceedings involving minors are confidential under Mississippi law.
    • Adoption records — Adoption proceedings are generally sealed.
    • Mental health commitment records — Involuntary civil commitment filings carry confidentiality protections.
    • Victim identity information — Personal details of victims in sexual offense cases may be restricted.
    • Personal identifiers — Home addresses, telephone numbers, and Social Security numbers may be redacted from publicly available records.
    • Security information — Records concerning security plans, procedures, or office locations are exempt.

    When a records custodian denies a written request, the denial must be issued within 14 days, state the reason for refusal, and inform the requester of their right to appeal to the Supreme Court Administrator within 14 days.

    The Supreme Court Clerk’s Office charges $0.50 per page for regular copies, $2.00 per page for copies from bound volumes, $5.00 for orders from the minute book, and $3.00 for a copy of a mandate. Local clerk offices may have their own fee schedules for case document copies.

    Forrest County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Forrest County are prosecuted primarily in Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over all felonies and civil lawsuits. The Forrest County Circuit Clerk is responsible for maintaining the docket, preserving case records, managing pleas and indictments, and recording all papers that are entered and referenced to the minute book.

    Searching Criminal Court Records

    Registered users of the PAMEC system can search Forrest County Circuit Court criminal cases electronically. In person, criminal case files can be inspected at the Circuit Clerk’s office at 630 Main Street during regular business hours. Contact the Circuit Clerk at (601) 582-3213 for case-specific inquiries.

    The Hattiesburg Municipal Court handles misdemeanor arrests within the city, including police-initiated arrests, traffic citations, personal affidavits, and preliminary hearings for felony defendants. A public computer is available in the Municipal Court lobby for viewing misdemeanor conviction records. For questions about municipal court fines, call (601) 545-4933.

    The Justice Court, with four elected judges serving Districts 1 through 4, has criminal jurisdiction over county violations where punishment does not extend beyond a fine and county jail imprisonment. The Justice Court Clerk, Chris Selman, can be reached at (601) 544-3136 or Cselman@forrestcountyms.us.

    Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office

    The Forrest County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and jail records. All records requests should be submitted by email to fcsorecords@co.forrest.ms.us. The Sheriff’s Office requires advance payment before providing copies.

    Forrest County Sheriff’s Office
    Sheriff Charlie Sims
    55 Arena Drive
    Hattiesburg, MS 39401
    Phone: (601) 544-7800
    Email: csims@forrestcountyms.us

    Public records copy fees at the Sheriff’s Office are structured as follows:

    • Black and white copies: $0.15 per page
    • Color copies: $0.25 per page
    • Flat fee for reports to involved parties (victims, complainants, legal representatives): $5.00
    • USB flash drive or CD: $10.00 each (plus any search and redaction costs)
    • Email files under 25 MB: no charge
    • Search, review, and redaction: based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee, multiplied by actual time spent; may be waived if the task requires less than 15 minutes

    Payment may be made by cash, check, or money order.

    Forrest County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Forrest County is heard in Circuit Court (for cases above the Justice Court’s monetary threshold) and Justice Court (for claims of $3,500 or less). The Circuit Clerk maintains records for all civil lawsuits filed in Circuit Court, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property matters.

    Accessing Civil Records

    Civil case records from Circuit Court can be searched through the PAMEC portal or inspected in person at the Circuit Clerk’s office. Requesters should have the case number or party names available to assist with locating files. Written requests sent by mail should include as much identifying information as possible.

    The Justice Court handles small civil claims where the amount in controversy does not exceed $3,500. Justice Court records are maintained by the Justice Court Clerk at 700 Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Contact the clerk at (601) 544-3136 for copies or case information.

    Property Records

    Land records, deeds, mortgages, and related instruments are maintained by the Chancery Clerk’s land records division. The Forrest County Official Records Web Portal provides online access to the land records index. Users can search by party name or instrument data. Certified copies of documents purchased online are subject to a 3.5% service fee with a $2.00 minimum, and all online purchases are final. For single-day access to the online system, the fee is $7.00.

    The physical land records office is located at 641 Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, and can be reached at (601) 545-6041. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mississippi recording fees for documents filed in the land records are $26.00 (including indexing for the first 10 pages), with additional per-page charges for longer instruments.

    Property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Forrest County Tax Assessor’s Office and the Forrest County Tax Collector. An online property tax search is available through Delta Computer Systems, which returns tax assessment, ownership, and appraisal details.

    Forrest County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Forrest County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence protective orders — are handled by the Chancery Court. The Forrest County Chancery Clerk maintains records for all Chancery Court proceedings.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce cases are filed in and adjudicated by the Chancery Court. The records include the original complaint, responsive pleadings, temporary orders, property settlement agreements, custody arrangements, and the final decree. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the Chancery Clerk’s office in person or by mail. Mail requests should include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Fees apply for copies.

    Chancery Court Services Related to Family Law

    The Chancery Court’s family-related jurisdiction includes:

    • Divorce (contested and uncontested)
    • Paternity actions
    • Adoption proceedings
    • Agreed modifications (when all parties sign)
    • Contempt and modification filings
    • Guardianship and conservatorship of minors and incapacitated adults
    • Involuntary mental commitments
    • Removal of minority (emancipation)
    • Alteration of birth certificates

    For child support payment inquiries, the Chancery Clerk’s office handles child support recording at (601) 545-6014 and (601) 545-6015.

    Marriage Records

    Marriage licenses in Forrest County are issued by the Circuit Clerk’s office. Copies of marriage records can be requested in person or by mail from the Circuit Clerk at 630 Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Statewide, marriage records can also be ordered from the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office by phone at (601) 206-8200, online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person at the Vital Records office at 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death certificates are issued by the Mississippi State Department of Health, not the county courts. The MSDH maintains records from November 1912 to the present. Birth certificates cost $17.00, with additional copies of the same record available for $6.00 each. Mississippi law restricts birth certificate access to immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized representatives. Requests can be made online, by mail, by phone at (601) 206-8200, or in person at the Vital Records office in Ridgeland. The local Forrest County Health Department may also assist with directing requesters to the correct state office for vital records.

    Forrest County Probate Court Records

    In Mississippi, probate matters are handled by the Chancery Court rather than a separate probate court. The Forrest County Chancery Court, part of the Tenth Chancery Court District, has jurisdiction over the administration of estates, the validation of wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and related filings.

    Types of Probate Matters

    The Chancery Court handles:

    • Probate of wills and estate administration (testate and intestate)
    • Appointment of executors and administrators
    • Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults
    • Conservatorship proceedings
    • Trust matters
    • Settlement of small claims against estates
    • Involuntary commitment proceedings related to mental health or substance abuse

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate case records filed since the Chancery Court’s MEC implementation on January 4, 2016, are accessible through the PAMEC system to registered users. Older probate files can be inspected in person at the Chancery Clerk’s office in the Paul B. Johnson Chancery Building at 641 North Main Street. The Chancery Clerk’s staff can assist with locating estate files, guardianship records, and will filings when provided with the decedent’s or ward’s name, case number, or approximate filing date.

    Requesting Copies

    To obtain certified copies of probate documents, visit the Chancery Clerk’s office during business hours or submit a written request by mail to:

    Forrest County Chancery Clerk
    641 North Main Street
    Hattiesburg, MS 39401
    Phone: (601) 545-6040

    Include the full name of the decedent or ward, the case number if known, and the specific documents needed. Fees for copies vary by document type and should be confirmed with the clerk’s office before submitting payment. Most probate records are public documents, but records involving minors, mental health commitments, or adoption proceedings may be restricted or sealed by court order. The County Court, presided over by the Honorable Carol Jones Russell, also has jurisdiction over certain eminent domain matters and Youth Court cases; the Youth Court is located at 110 Alcorn Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS 39403, and the Circuit Clerk serves as clerk for Youth Court proceedings. Youth Court records involving minors are confidential and generally not available to the public. For assistance with Youth Court matters, contact Court Administrator Robyn Day at (601) 545-6100 or rday@forrestcountyms.us.