Jackson County Court Records Search
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Jackson County, Mississippi, is situated along the Gulf Coast with its county seat in Pascagoula. The county’s court system includes several courts of general and limited jurisdiction: the Circuit Court, the Chancery Court, the County Court (which includes a Youth Court division), the Justice Court, and multiple municipal courts. Two separate elected clerks maintain court records — the Circuit Clerk serves as the custodian of Circuit Court and County Court records, while the Chancery Clerk maintains Chancery Court filings, land records, and estate files. Understanding which clerk manages a particular record type is essential for anyone attempting to locate case information in Jackson County.
Mississippi maintains a statewide electronic case management system that can be used to search court filings across the state’s trial courts. MississippiCourts.us may help users identify publicly available court case data. In addition, the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system provides direct access to electronic dockets and case documents filed in both Circuit and Chancery Courts. Clerk offices in Pascagoula also allow in-person inspection of records during business hours, and written requests submitted by mail are accepted by both the Circuit Clerk and the Chancery Clerk.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Jackson County?
Locating a court case in Jackson County requires identifying the correct court and the clerk responsible for maintaining its records. The county operates under a dual-clerk system, so the type of case determines where to direct your search.
Step 1 — Determine the Court
- Felonies, civil actions over $75,000, and misdemeanor appeals: Circuit Court
- Divorce, custody, probate, land disputes, and equity matters: Chancery Court
- Misdemeanors, civil actions between $3,500 and $200,000, and felony preliminaries: County Court
- Civil actions under $3,500, traffic citations, and criminal misdemeanors: Justice Court
- City ordinance violations and traffic offenses within municipal limits: Municipal courts in Gautier, Moss Point, Ocean Springs, or Pascagoula
Step 2 — Contact the Appropriate Clerk
| Clerk Office | Address | Phone | Fax | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk | 3104 Magnolia Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567 | (228) 769-3040 | (228) 769-3180 | Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM |
| Chancery Clerk | 2915 Canty Street, Suite R, Pascagoula, MS 39567 | (228) 769-3131 | (228) 769-3397 | Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM |
Mailing address for both: P.O. Box 998, Pascagoula, MS 39568-0998.
Step 3 — Search Online or Visit in Person
For Circuit Court and County Court records, the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) portal provides 24/7 access to electronic dockets and filed documents. Registration is required, and an annual user fee of $10 applies. To register, visit the MEC registration page. Chancery Court records — including family, probate, and land cases — can be accessed through the Chancery Court’s electronic public access portal, which also requires registration and the $10 annual fee.
For in-person visits, both clerk offices allow inspection of case files during regular business hours. Bring identifying details such as the case number, party names, or approximate filing date. Copies made by clerk staff cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies of documents cost $1.00 per document.
Step 4 — Submit a Written Request by Mail
Mail requests should be sent to the appropriate clerk’s office at P.O. Box 998, Pascagoula, MS 39568-0998. Include the case number or party names, a description of the records needed, and a check or money order for anticipated copy fees.
Are Court Records Public in Jackson County?
Mississippi law establishes a strong presumption of public access to government records, including court files. The Mississippi Public Records Act, codified at Miss. Code Ann. §§ 25-61-1 through 25-61-19, provides that records created or retained by a government entity in the performance of official duties constitute public property. Court filings maintained by the Circuit Clerk and Chancery Clerk fall within this definition and are generally open to inspection and copying by any person.
No requester is obligated to state a reason for seeking access to public court records. A verbal or written request to the custodial clerk’s office is sufficient.
Records Presumed Open to the Public
- Criminal complaints, indictments, pleas, sentences, and judgments
- Civil petitions, answers, motions, and court orders
- Divorce and custody filings (subject to certain exceptions)
- Probate petitions, estate inventories, and administration orders
- Land records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Traffic citations and Justice Court dispositions
Records That Are Exempt or Restricted
The Mississippi Public Records Act and various statutory provisions create exemptions for certain categories of records. The following are generally not available for public inspection:
- Juvenile and Youth Court records (Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-261)
- Adoption records
- Records that have been expunged by court order (Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71)
- Child abuse and neglect investigation records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Attorney work product and attorney-client privileged communications
- Medical and mental health records submitted under seal
When records contain both public and exempt material, the clerk may redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. Requesters who believe access has been improperly denied may seek judicial relief under the Public Records Act.
Jackson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Jackson County are divided among several courts depending on the severity of the offense. Felony cases proceed through the Circuit Court after indictment by a grand jury or a preliminary hearing bind-over. Misdemeanor offenses may be tried in the County Court, the Justice Court, or one of the county’s municipal courts.
Where Criminal Records Are Maintained
The Circuit Clerk is the custodian of all felony case records filed in the Circuit Court and misdemeanor records from the County Court. Justice Court maintains its own criminal case files at its Pascagoula location. As of October 2024, the Justice Court’s Pascagoula office relocated to:
Jackson County Justice Court — Pascagoula
1720 Telephone Road
Pascagoula, MS 39567
Phone: (Tickets): (228) 769-3096, (228) 769-3097
Phone: (Criminal): (228) 769-3080, (228) 769-3387
Fax: (228) 769-3364
Jackson County Justice Court — West Office (Ocean Springs)
6904 Washington Avenue
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Phone: (Tickets): (228) 875-4125
Phone: (Criminal): (228) 875-4157
Fax: (228) 875-0525
Searching Criminal Records Online
Circuit Court and County Court criminal dockets can be searched through the MEC system after creating an account and paying the $10 annual registration fee. Searches can be conducted by defendant name or case number.
Arrest and Booking Information
Arrest records are maintained by the law enforcement agency that made the arrest — not by the courts. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office provides an online Inmate Lookup tool for checking the current jail population. The Sheriff’s Office also maintains a Sex Offender Lookup database.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
3104 Magnolia Street
Pascagoula, MS 39567
Phone: (228) 769-3063
Local criminal background checks are available from the arresting agency for a uniform fee of $15. These searches only reveal records held by the specific agency queried. Requesters must typically provide a written application, a valid photo ID, and legible fingerprints. Criminal background checks cannot be obtained on behalf of another person.
Expungement
Under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, individuals may petition to have certain criminal records expunged. Eligible records include cases that resulted in dismissal, acquittal, or no formal charges within twelve months of arrest. Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions may also qualify for expungement after completion of the sentence and applicable waiting periods. An expunged record is removed from public access, though law enforcement agencies may retain it for limited internal purposes.
Jackson County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Jackson County is distributed across multiple courts based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil actions exceeding $75,000, while the County Court handles civil matters involving amounts between $3,500 and $200,000. The Justice Court adjudicates claims under $3,500. The Chancery Court, meanwhile, handles equity matters — including land disputes, foreclosures, and partition suits — regardless of amount.
Filing Fees — Chancery Court
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Complaints (general) | $158.00 |
| Counter Claim or Cross Claim | $148.00 |
| Foreign Judgment | $148.00 |
| Injunction | $158.00 |
| Land Dispute | $158.00 |
| Partition Suit | $158.00 |
| Writ of Garnishment | $148.00 |
All personal service of process and publication costs are paid separately by the filing party. Fees listed above became effective January 1, 2020; confirm current amounts with the Chancery Clerk’s office.
Searching Civil Records
Civil cases filed in the Circuit Court or County Court can be searched through the MEC portal. Chancery Court civil matters — including land and equity cases — are accessible through the Chancery Court’s MEC portal. Both require registration.
For in-person searches, visit the appropriate clerk’s office at the Jackson County Courthouse, 3104 Magnolia Street, Pascagoula, during regular business hours. Staff can assist in locating cases by party name, case number, or filing date. Copy fees are $0.50 per page when made by clerk staff and $0.25 per page when made by the requester using the clerk’s copy machine. Certified copies cost $1.00 per document.
Justice Court Civil Filings
The Justice Court hears small civil disputes under $3,500. Filing fee schedules are available from the Justice Court’s office. The court also provides downloadable forms, including a Declaration form, a Request for Warrant of Removal, and a Suggestion for Garnishment, all accessible from the Justice Court’s webpage.
Property and Land Records
The Chancery Clerk also serves as the official recorder and custodian of Jackson County land records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and powers of attorney. Recording fees start at $26.00 for the first five pages and $1.00 for each additional page. The Land Records division of the Chancery Clerk’s Office provides a detailed fee schedule and accepts searches at its Canty Street location. Federal tax lien searches cost $5.00 per name.
Jackson County Family Court Records
Domestic relations and family law matters in Jackson County are heard by the Chancery Court. This includes divorce (both contested and uncontested), child custody, paternity, child support, guardianship, adoption, and separate maintenance actions. Records from these proceedings are maintained by the Chancery Clerk.
Divorce and Dissolution
To initiate a divorce in Jackson County, one party must file a complaint with the Chancery Clerk’s office. Filing fees depend on whether the action is contested or uncontested:
- Uncontested (joint) divorce: $148.00
- Contested divorce: $158.00
- Separate maintenance: $158.00
- Uncontested Divorce Master’s fee (paid by separate check): $20.00
Records from divorce proceedings — including the complaint, answer, property settlement agreements, parenting plans, and the final judgment — are part of the Chancery Court file and generally open to public inspection. Certain financial disclosures or sensitive information about children may be restricted by court order.
The Chancery Court’s website offers links to the electronic docket, case indexes, and the MEC public access portal for reviewing family case information remotely.
Custody, Paternity, and Support
Custody, paternity, and child support cases are filed in the Chancery Court. Filing fees include $158.00 for a paternity action, $158.00 for a guardianship petition, and $148.00 for a joint modification. Post-judgment modifications (contempt or modification actions) cost $158.00 to file.
Adoption
Adoption proceedings are filed in the Chancery Court. Uncontested adoptions carry a filing fee of $148.00, and contested adoptions cost $158.00. Adoption records in Mississippi are confidential and sealed from public inspection. Access requires a court order.
Youth Court
The Jackson County Youth Court is a division of the County Court and handles matters involving minors classified as delinquent, in need of supervision, or neglected/abused. Youth Court records are confidential under Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-261 and are not open to the general public. Access is limited to parties, their attorneys, and individuals authorized by court order.
Jackson County Youth Court
4903 Telephone Road
Pascagoula, MS 39567
Phone: (228) 762-7370, (228) 769-3076
Fax: (228) 762-7385
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses in Jackson County are issued by the Circuit Clerk. Both parties must appear at the Circuit Clerk’s office at 3104 Magnolia Street, Pascagoula. The filing fee is $37 per marriage record prepared. The Circuit Clerk can be reached at (228) 769-3040 for questions about licensing requirements. You may also submit inquiries through the Circuit Clerk’s online contact form.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are not court records. In Mississippi, they are maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). The first certified copy costs $17, with additional copies at $6 each when ordered simultaneously. Applications can be submitted online, by phone, in person at the MSDH’s Ridgeland office, or by mail using the appropriate form — the birth certificate application or the death certificate application. Mail orders should be sent to Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700. Mississippi law restricts access to vital records; only individuals with a “legitimate and tangible interest” — such as the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or persons with a court order — may obtain certified copies.
Jackson County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate administration in Jackson County fall under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court. The Chancery Clerk maintains all records related to estate proceedings, including petitions for administration, wills, inventories, accountings, heirship determinations, and orders of distribution.
Types of Probate Matters
The Chancery Court handles several categories of probate-related cases:
- Testate estates (where a valid will exists)
- Intestate estates (where no will was left)
- Heirship determinations
- Conservatorships
- Guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults
- Minority removal petitions
- Minor’s settlements
Filing Fees for Probate and Estate Cases
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estate — Testate or Intestate (includes $26.00 land records recording fee) | $184.00 |
| Heirship (includes $26.00 land records recording fee) | $184.00 |
| Muniment of Title (includes $26.00 land records recording fee) | $174.00 |
| Conservatorship | $158.00 |
| Guardianship | $158.00 |
| Minor’s Settlement (under or over $10,000) | $158.00 |
| Minority Removal | $158.00 |
Filing fees are current as of the most recent Chancery Court fee schedule. Special master fees and process costs are the responsibility of the filing party and are paid in addition to the amounts listed above.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case files can be searched through the Chancery Court’s electronic public access portal within the MEC system. In-person access is available at the Chancery Clerk’s Office, 2915 Canty Street, Suite R, Pascagoula, during regular business hours. Staff can retrieve case files by decedent name, case number, or estate representative name.
Requesting Copies
To request copies of probate documents by mail, send a written request to the Chancery Clerk at P.O. Box 998, Pascagoula, MS 39568-0998. Include identifying details about the estate (decedent name, case number, or approximate filing date) and a check or money order payable to the Jackson County Chancery Clerk. Copies made by clerk staff are $0.50 per page, and certified documents cost $1.00 each.
Commitment Proceedings
The Chancery Court also handles involuntary and voluntary commitment proceedings for mental illness and substance abuse. Filing fees are $158.00 for mental commitments and involuntary alcohol/drug commitments, and $148.00 for voluntary alcohol/drug commitments. Records from these proceedings may contain sensitive medical information and may be restricted from public access by court order or statutory exemption.