Hinds County Court Records Search
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Hinds County is Mississippi’s most populous county and the seat of state government in Jackson. The county operates within the 7th Circuit Court District and maintains a multi-court system that includes two Circuit Court districts, two Chancery Court districts, a County Court, a Youth Court, a Justice Court, and several Municipal Courts. Court records generated across these courts are managed by the Circuit Clerk (for criminal and civil matters in Circuit and County Court) and the Chancery Clerk (for equity, domestic, land, and probate matters in Chancery Court). Understanding which office holds the records you need is the essential first step in any search.
Mississippi residents and members of the public can search for court records through several channels. The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system serves as the statewide electronic filing and case management platform for all Circuit, Chancery, and County Courts. Hinds County also maintains its own set of online databases covering Circuit Court civil cases, County Court civil cases, judgment rolls, and land records. Additionally, MississippiCourts.us may help locate publicly available case information. In-person searches at the relevant clerk’s office and written mail requests remain available for records not accessible online.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hinds County?
Identifying the correct court is critical. Criminal felonies and civil cases exceeding $250,000 in damages are heard in the Circuit Court. The Chancery Court handles divorce, custody, estate probate, land matters, and equity cases. The County Court has concurrent jurisdiction over certain misdemeanors and civil disputes, and the Justice Court handles small claims and minor offenses.
Online Search via MEC
- Visit the Hinds County Circuit Court MEC portal for Circuit and County Court cases.
- Registration may be required. Once logged in, search by case number or party name.
- For Chancery Court matters, access the Hinds County Chancery Court through the main MEC page.
- Results display docket entries, case status, filing dates, party names, and judicial officer information.
Hinds County Online Databases
The county provides free public databases at co.hinds.ms.us for searching:
- Circuit Court civil cases
- County Court civil cases
- Judgment rolls
- Justice Court civil docket
- Land roll and personal property records
- Tax assessor and tax collector records
In-Person Requests
Visitors may inspect records at the appropriate courthouse during office hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday, except legal holidays). The primary locations are:
| Court/Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk (1st District) | 407 E. Pascagoula St., Jackson, MS 39205 | (601) 968-6628 |
| Circuit Clerk (2nd District) | 127 W. Main St., Raymond, MS 39154 | (601) 857-8038 |
| Chancery Clerk (1st District) | 316 S. President St., Jackson, MS 39201 | (601) 968-6508 |
| Chancery Clerk (2nd District) | 127 W. Main St., Raymond, MS 39154 | (601) 857-8055 |
| Justice Court | 407 E. Pascagoula St., Jackson, MS 39205 | (601) 965-8800 |
In-person inspection of records is generally free. Copies cost $0.50 per page when produced by the clerk, and certified copies are $1.00 per complete document.
Mail Requests
Written requests can be sent to the appropriate clerk’s office. Include the case number or party names, the type of record requested, and any additional details to assist staff in locating the file. Enclose a check or money order for the anticipated copy fees.
Are Court Records Public in Hinds County?
The Mississippi judiciary operates under a public records policy adopted by the Supreme Court in 2008. This policy affirms that public access to court records is consistent with the state’s commitment to open courts and an independent judiciary. However, the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.) does not directly govern judicial records — the courts maintain their own framework for access.
Records available for public inspection include dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, and case dispositions in most civil and criminal matters. The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records, including Youth Court proceedings
- Sealed records — those closed by court order or statute
- Records of ongoing investigations that could compromise case integrity
- Information revealing the identity of victims or confidential informants
- Records posing a risk to personal safety
- Private or personal information, including home addresses, personal telephone numbers, and Social Security numbers of court personnel
- Documents filed under seal pursuant to court rules
A records custodian may deny a request that would substantially and unreasonably impede routine court operations. Denials must be issued in writing within 14 days, with stated reasons. Anyone denied access may appeal to the Supreme Court Administrator within 14 days of receiving the denial notice, by writing to: Post Office Box 117, Jackson, MS 39205-0117.
Hinds County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Hinds County are prosecuted in the Circuit Court (felonies and serious misdemeanors) and the County Court (lesser offenses). The Circuit Clerk’s office serves as the custodian of all criminal filings, indictments, motions, and dispositions in both courts. Municipal Courts handle city-level misdemeanors and traffic violations within their respective jurisdictions.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The MEC system is the primary online tool for locating criminal dockets in Circuit and County Court. Users can search by defendant name or case number through the 7th Circuit MEC portal. Sealed and confidential records will not appear in search results.
In-person searches can be conducted at either Circuit Clerk location. Staff will research records upon written, faxed, or personal request for government agencies such as law enforcement and military recruitment offices. Members of the general public may inspect files independently during regular hours.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
The Hinds County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (601) 974-2900. An online inmate search tool is available for looking up current detainees. Arrest records are generally maintained by the arresting law enforcement agency and may not be as readily available as court records.
Criminal Background Checks
Under Mississippi law, law enforcement criminal history records are not classified as public records and require authorization for access. Individuals seeking their own criminal history can submit a request through the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation by completing the requestor information form. The fee is $32 for a name-based search, and only the subject of the record may initiate this request. FBI background checks are available separately for $18.
Key Criminal Fee Schedule (Circuit Clerk)
Copies and printouts from case files cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per complete document. Extended research conducted by staff may incur additional charges.
Hinds County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Hinds County are distributed across multiple courts based on the nature and value of the claim. The Circuit Court handles civil matters involving damages above $250,000. The County Court has jurisdiction over smaller civil claims and concurrent authority with the Circuit Court for certain cases. The Justice Court manages small claims and minor disputes, and Municipal Courts address city-level civil infractions.
Where Civil Records Are Maintained
The Circuit Clerk maintains civil case files for the Circuit and County Courts. The Chancery Clerk maintains records for civil matters under the Chancery Court’s jurisdiction, including land disputes, equity actions, and domestic matters. The Justice Court maintains its own civil docket, which is searchable through the Justice Court civil docket database.
Online Access
Civil case records from the Circuit and County Courts can be searched through:
- The Hinds County online databases, which provide free access to Circuit Court civil cases, County Court civil cases, and judgment rolls
- The MEC system for electronically filed cases
Fees for Copies
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copies (by clerk or employee) | $0.50 per page |
| Copies (by other person) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copies | $1.00 per complete document |
Land and Property Records
The Chancery Clerk’s office is the official keeper of land records in Hinds County, including deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, and related instruments. The recording fee schedule, effective June 29, 2020, sets the following charges (Hinds County collects the $1.00 archive fee):
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, leases, plats, and similar instruments: $26.00 (includes indexing for first 5 pages), $1.00 per additional page
- Assignments, releases, modifications, and similar instruments: $27.00 (includes first 5 pages and marginal notation)
Property information can also be accessed through the Tax Assessor’s databases on the Hinds County online portal, which includes land roll data, personal property records, and tax collection information. The Tax Assessor’s offices can be reached at (601) 968-6616 (1st District, Jackson) or (601) 857-8787 (2nd District, Raymond). A public request form can be submitted to the Assessor’s Office for specific records.
Hinds County Family Court Records
Hinds County does not operate a separate family court. Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, domestic violence, and annulment — are handled by the Chancery Court. Because of the sensitive nature of many family proceedings, certain records are classified as confidential and accessible only to parties, their attorneys, and other authorized individuals.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
Divorce and annulment cases are filed in the Chancery Court in the district where the dissolution was finalized. Individuals seeking copies of divorce decrees or dissolution records should contact the Chancery Clerk’s office and provide the names of the parties, the approximate date of the event, and any known case numbers. Public docket information for Chancery Court cases may be available through MEC.
Marriage Records
The Circuit Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records in Hinds County. Marriage certificates can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk’s office where the ceremony took place. The fee for a certified copy of a marriage certificate is $17, with additional copies at $6 each.
Marriage records from January 1926 to June 1938 and January 1942 to the present are also available through the Mississippi State Department of Health. Requests can be made in person, by mail, online (through an authorized vendor), or by phone. Mail requests require a completed Application for Certified Copy of Record of Marriage and a check or money order for $17 payable to the department. Processing takes approximately 7–10 business days.
Birth and Death Records
Under Mississippi Code § 41-57-2, vital records are excluded from the Mississippi Public Records Act. Only individuals who can establish their identity and eligibility may request birth and death certificates. Records are available from November 1912 to the present through the Mississippi Department of Health.
Mail requests require the appropriate form: the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate for birth records or the Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate for death records. The fee is $17 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
Hinds County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Hinds County are adjudicated by the Chancery Court. The Chancery Court’s probate jurisdiction covers estate administration, wills, guardianships of minors and incapacitated persons, conservatorships, trusts, claims against estates, and related filings. The Chancery Clerk serves as the custodian of all probate records.
Where Probate Records Are Held
Hinds County Chancery Clerk — 1st District
Address: 316 S. President St., Jackson, MS 39201
Mailing: P.O. Box 686, Jackson, MS 39205
Phone: (601) 968-6508
Fax: (601) 968-5535
Hinds County Chancery Clerk — 2nd District
Address: 127 W. Main St., Raymond, MS 39154
Mailing: P.O. Box 88, Raymond, MS 39154
Phone: (601) 857-8055
Fax: (601) 857-4953
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday (except legal holidays)
Searching and Requesting Probate Records
Probate case information may be available through the MEC system for electronically filed cases. Individuals can also visit either Chancery Clerk location to inspect dockets, petitions, wills, estate accounts, guardianship files, and other probate documents. Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate district office. Requesters should include the decedent’s name, the case or estate number if known, date of death, and the specific documents sought.
Certain probate records, particularly those involving guardianships of minors or sealed estates, may be restricted. Confidential records are accessible only to parties directly involved in the case, their legal counsel, or other individuals authorized by court order. Copy fees follow the standard schedule of $0.50 per page for regular copies and $1.00 per complete document for certification.