Hancock County Court Records Search
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Hancock County, Mississippi, operates a multi-tiered court system serving the communities along the Gulf Coast between New Orleans and Biloxi. With its county seat in Bay Saint Louis, the county’s courts handle the full spectrum of legal matters — from felony prosecutions and civil disputes to juvenile proceedings and probate estates. Knowing which court holds jurisdiction over a particular matter, and which office maintains the corresponding records, is essential before making any records request.
Public court records in Mississippi can be searched through official clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Mississippi Electronic Courts system, and subscription-based online databases. MississippiCourts.us is a resource that can help locate publicly available court case information across the state. Researchers should always verify any information obtained online against official records held by the clerk of the relevant court.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hancock County?
The two primary clerks maintaining court records in Hancock County are the Circuit Clerk and the Chancery Clerk. Which office to contact depends on the type of case.
Hancock County Circuit Clerk (criminal, civil, and jury matters)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 152 Main Street, Suite B, Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520 |
| Phone | (228) 467-5265 |
| Fax | (228) 467-2779 |
Hancock County Chancery Clerk (divorce, probate, guardianship, land records)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 152 Main Street, Suite A, Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520 |
| Phone | (228) 467-5406 |
| Chancery Clerk | Tiffany Lee Cowman |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Online Search Options:
- Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC): The MEC system is Mississippi’s statewide electronic filing and case management platform. Both the Hancock County Circuit Court and Chancery Court participate in MEC. Using a single login, the public can access docket information, view case documents, and obtain other case information. Contact the MEC Helpdesk at helpdesk@mec.ms.gov or (601) 576-4650 for access issues.
- Delta Computer Systems: Hancock County Circuit Court records are available through the Delta Computer Systems online records portal. Subscription access to Circuit Court indexes costs $30.00 per month or $330.00 per year. A user account must be created and a subscription purchased before searching indexed records.
- Chancery Land Records: The Hancock County Chancery Clerk’s website offers a complimentary Parcel Watch service providing online access to land records from May 2005 to current dates, with records uploaded daily at 7:00 p.m. Historical records (pre-2005) are available for in-person review at the Government Annex building.
Public Records Request Form: For county agency records, the Hancock County Public Records Request Form is available on the county website. Completed forms, along with payment for applicable fees, may be submitted by mail or email to the Hancock County Administrator, 854 Highway 90, Suite A, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 (email: taxjladner@co.hancock.ms.us).
Are Court Records Public in Hancock County?
Mississippi’s Public Records Act of 1983, codified at Title 25, Chapter 61 of the Mississippi Code, establishes the public’s right to inspect and copy government documents, including most court records. Custodians must make records reasonably available during normal business hours and may charge fees reflecting the actual cost of retrieval and reproduction.
However, several categories of records are withheld from general public access under Mississippi law or by court order:
- Juvenile and Youth Court records — Proceedings involving persons under 18 are confidential by statute and not open to the public. Records may be sealed once a person reaches age 20.
- Family law and custody matters — Certain details within divorce, custody, and protective order files are restricted to protect the parties involved.
- Sealed and expunged records — Under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, individuals may petition the court of conviction to expunge eligible misdemeanor and certain felony convictions five years after completing all terms of the sentence. Once expunged, those records are removed from public access.
- Grand jury proceedings — Grand jury deliberations and materials are confidential under Mississippi law.
- Medical, mental health, and sexual assault records — These are protected from disclosure to preserve the privacy of victims and patients.
- Minor’s identifying information — Details identifying minors involved in any legal proceeding are withheld.
Hancock County Criminal Court Records
The Hancock County Circuit Court holds general jurisdiction over all felony criminal cases in the county. Misdemeanor charges are typically handled by the Justice Court or the applicable municipal court. A felony case generally begins in Justice Court or a municipal court with an initial appearance, and if bound over to the grand jury, proceeds to Circuit Court.
Arrest and Inmate Records: The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office maintains the county detention facility and arrest records. Live inmate custody information is available through the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office inmate lookup.
Hancock County Sheriff’s Office
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 8450 Highway 90, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 |
| Phone | (228) 466-6900 |
| Fax | (228) 255-8246 |
| so2@co.hancock.ms.us |
Circuit Court Criminal Records Search: Criminal case indexes from 2008 to present are searchable through the Delta Computer Systems subscription portal. In-person searches of case files are available at the Circuit Clerk’s office, 152 Main Street, Suite B, during regular business hours.
Selected Circuit Clerk Filing Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal and civil record checks (per ten years) | $10.00 |
| Petition to review/appeal | $161.00 |
| Petition for Hardship License | $211.00 |
| Certified copy | $1.50 |
| Certified copy under Acts of Congress | $3.00 |
| Enrolling judgments from other courts | $5.00 |
| Cancellation of judgment | $1.00 |
Criminal Record Restriction: Under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, persons with eligible convictions may petition the sentencing court for expungement after satisfying all conditions. Charges that were dismissed, nonadjudicated, or resolved through pretrial diversion may be expunged immediately upon dismissal. Once the court grants the petition, the record is removed from public access.
Justice Court: The Hancock County Justice Court handles criminal misdemeanor charges, felony preliminary hearings, and civil actions under $3,500. The court also hears eviction matters.
Hancock County Justice Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 8450 Highway 90, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 |
| Phone | (228) 467-5575 |
| Fax | (228) 255-5851 |
Youth Court: The Hancock County Youth Court handles delinquency, abuse, neglect, and dependency matters involving persons under 18. All Youth Court records and proceedings are confidential under Mississippi Youth Court Law and are not accessible to the general public.
Hancock County Youth Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 856 Highway 90, Suite B, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 |
| Phone | (228) 467-7945 |
Hancock County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Hancock County are divided across several courts depending on the nature and dollar value of the claim.
The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases that exceed the monetary limits of lower courts — typically those involving amounts above $200. The Justice Court handles civil claims up to $3,500, including evictions and small disputes. The Chancery Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over equity matters, including contract disputes requiring equitable relief, real estate partition actions, and other equitable claims.
Civil Filing Fees: The base civil filing fee for Circuit Court cases in Mississippi is $161.00 (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13). Service fees for the Sheriff apply separately on top of filing costs. Parties who cannot afford filing fees may apply for in forma pauperis status through the court.
Searching Civil Records:
- Visit the Circuit Clerk’s office at 152 Main Street, Suite B, for in-person access to Circuit Court civil case files.
- Use the Delta Computer Systems subscription portal for online access to Circuit Court indexes from 2008 onward.
- Access the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system for docket information and available case documents.
- Visit the Chancery Clerk’s office at 152 Main Street, Suite A, for civil matters in equity filed with the Chancery Court.
Property Records: The Chancery Clerk records and maintains documents on real estate ownership and transactions, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Online access to land records from May 2005 forward is available through the Chancery Clerk’s Parcel Watch service. For pre-2005 historical records, in-person review is available at the Government Annex building during business hours, with copies available for a fee. Property tax assessment records are maintained separately by the Hancock County Tax Assessor’s Office.
Municipal Courts: Three cities within Hancock County operate municipal courts that hear ordinance violations and traffic matters:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bay St. Louis Municipal Court | 598 Main Street, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 | (228) 467-9068 |
| Diamondhead Municipal Court | 5000 Diamondhead Circle, Diamondhead, MS 39525 | (228) 222-4626 |
| Waveland Municipal Court | 1602 McLaurin Street, Waveland, MS 39576 | (228) 467-3669 |
Hancock County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Hancock County — including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence — are handled primarily by the Hancock County Chancery Court. The Hancock County Chancery Court at 152 Main Street, Suite A, is the proper venue for most family-related proceedings in the county.
Divorce Records: Divorce petitions are filed with and maintained by the Chancery Clerk. Divorce is governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 93-5 et seq., which allows dissolution on fault-based grounds or on the ground of irreconcilable differences upon joint complaint. To obtain a copy of a divorce decree, contact the Hancock County Chancery Clerk’s Office in person or by mail at 152 Main Street, Suite A. Requesters should provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce filing. Certain financial details within divorce records — including alimony amounts, child support figures, financial account information, and Social Security numbers — are redacted from copies provided to third parties.
Marriage Records: Marriage records from June 1952 onward are maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records. Two request forms are available:
- Request for Search of Marriage Form — for parties seeking a certified copy (available only to the bride and groom)
- Marriage Verification Request Form — for third parties seeking to confirm a marriage took place
The non-refundable search fee is $10.00, with $5.00 for each additional copy if the record is found. Records may also be requested through the MSDH Marriage Records page. For records predating the state archive, contact the Hancock County Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Birth Records: Birth certificates are confidential under Mississippi law and accessible only to the record subject (if 18 or older), parents or legal guardians, immediate family members, and authorized representatives. Certified copies cost $17.00 per certificate, with $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Requests are submitted through the MSDH Birth Certificates page or through VitalChek for online ordering (additional convenience fees apply).
Death Records: Death certificates are similarly restricted. The MSDH Death Certificates page handles statewide requests. The same $17.00 fee structure applies. Death records become accessible to the general public 50 years after the date of death.
Domestic Violence and Protective Orders: Protective orders are filed through the Chancery Court. Certain victim-identifying information within these files is restricted from public disclosure.
Hancock County Probate Court Records
Hancock County does not maintain a separate, standalone probate court. All probate matters are adjudicated by the Hancock County Chancery Court, which has jurisdiction over the administration of decedents’ estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trust administration, intestate successions, and the probate of wills.
Hancock County Chancery Court — Probate Division
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 152 Main Street, Suite A, Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520 |
| Phone | (228) 467-5406 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Types of Probate Matters Handled:
- Formal probate of wills
- Administration of intestate estates (no will)
- Appointment of guardians for minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorship proceedings for individuals unable to manage their own financial affairs
- Trust administration matters
- Partition and escheat proceedings
Requesting Probate Records: Public probate case records may be reviewed in person at the Chancery Clerk’s office or requested by mail. Provide the name of the decedent or the ward, along with the approximate year of filing, to help staff locate the file. Copy fees apply to reproduced documents. Certain probate records involving incapacitated adults or minor children may be restricted from general public access.
Historical Probate Records: Older Hancock County probate records — including case files from the 19th and early 20th centuries — may be accessible through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH). The MDAH is located at 200 North Street, Jackson, MS 39201 (mailing: P.O. Box 571, Jackson, MS 39205-0571); Phone: (601) 576-6850; email Info@mdah.ms.gov. Research hours at the MDAH are Tuesday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – noon. The MDAH’s digital archives also contain searchable collections of historical Mississippi records that may supplement in-person courthouse research for genealogical and legal purposes.