Lauderdale County Court Records Search

Lauderdale County is located in east-central Mississippi with its county seat in Meridian. The county’s judicial system includes the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, County Court, Justice Court, and Municipal Court, each maintaining distinct categories of records. Court files generated across these courts contain complaints, indictments, motions, orders, judgments, docket entries, witness lists, transcripts, and exhibits. These records document criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, divorces, custody proceedings, adoptions, estate administrations, and property transactions throughout the county.

Residents and members of the public searching for Lauderdale County court records can access them through multiple channels. Mississippi court information is available through clerk offices, courthouse public-access terminals, and various online databases. The statewide resource at MississippiCourts.us may assist users in locating publicly available case data. The Mississippi Judiciary also maintains an electronic filing and case-search system that covers many of the state’s trial courts. For Lauderdale County specifically, records can be obtained in person at the courthouse, by written request to the appropriate clerk, or through the state’s online portals described in the sections below.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Lauderdale County?

Lauderdale County court cases can be located using several methods depending on the type of case and the court that handled it.

Online Search Options

Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC): The Mississippi Electronic Courts system serves as the primary online portal for searching court records statewide, including cases filed in Lauderdale County’s Circuit, Chancery, and County Courts. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney name.
Mississippi Judiciary Website: The Mississippi Judiciary provides links to court directories, opinions, rules, and forms that support record searches.
Justice Court Records: Justice Court filings (small claims, misdemeanors, and initial appearances) may require a direct inquiry to the Justice Court Clerk, as these records are not always included in the MEC system.

In-Person Searches

Visit the appropriate clerk’s office at the Lauderdale County Courthouse in Meridian. The courthouse houses multiple clerk offices:

Circuit Clerk’s Office — handles criminal and civil Circuit Court records
Address: 500 Constitution Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301
Phone: (601) 482-9714
Chancery Clerk’s Office — maintains land records, Chancery Court civil and family cases, and vital records
Address: 500 Constitution Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301
Phone: (601) 482-9701
County Court — misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters under the statutory threshold, and preliminary hearings
Phone: (601) 482-9714

Mail Requests

Written requests for copies of court documents should be addressed to the appropriate clerk’s office at 500 Constitution Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301. Include the full case number (if known), party names, approximate filing date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Fees for copies must be prepaid; contact the relevant clerk for the exact amount before mailing a check or money order.

Step-by-Step: Searching on MEC

Navigate to the Mississippi Electronic Courts portal.
Select “Case Search” or the public-access link.
Choose Lauderdale County and the appropriate court division.
Enter the party name, case number, or other identifying information.
Review the results for docket entries, hearing dates, and case status.
To obtain official copies of filed documents, contact the clerk’s office directly or use the e-filing system if available.

Are Court Records Public in Lauderdale County?

Mississippi law establishes a strong presumption that court records are open to the public. The Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.) grants citizens the right to inspect and copy public records maintained by government bodies, including courts and clerks’ offices. Court files in Lauderdale County — whether criminal, civil, or domestic — are generally accessible unless a specific statute, court order, or rule restricts them.

Records That Are Public

Criminal case dockets, charges, plea entries, sentencing orders, and judgments
Civil complaints, answers, motions, and final judgments
Land records (deeds, deeds of trust, liens, easements)
Marriage license applications and certificates
Probate filings (wills admitted to probate, letters testamentary, estate inventories)
Court calendars and hearing schedules
Traffic citations and dispositions

Records That Are Restricted or Confidential

Certain categories of records are shielded from public disclosure:

Juvenile records — proceedings in Youth Court are confidential under Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-261.
Adoption records — sealed upon finalization and accessible only by court order under Miss. Code Ann. § 93-17-25.
Sealed or expunged criminal records — court orders may seal arrest or conviction records under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71 and related provisions.
Mental health commitment records — protected under state mental health statutes.
Records containing personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive data may be redacted before release pursuant to court rules.
Grand jury proceedings — minutes and testimony remain confidential unless disclosed by court order.
Attorney-client privileged materials — excluded from public inspection.

Redaction of personal identifiers is governed by the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure and orders of the presiding judge. When submitting filings, attorneys and self-represented parties are responsible for excluding or redacting protected information. If a record contains both public and confidential material, the clerk may provide a redacted version.

Lauderdale County Criminal Court Records

Criminal matters in Lauderdale County are adjudicated primarily in the Circuit Court (felonies and serious offenses) and the County Court (misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary matters). The Justice Court also handles initial appearances, misdemeanor arraignments, and certain lower-level criminal cases.

Where Criminal Records Are Maintained

Court	Types of Cases	Contact
Circuit Court	Felonies, grand jury indictments, appeals from lower courts	Circuit Clerk: (601) 482-9714
County Court	Misdemeanors, DUI, traffic, preliminary hearings	(601) 482-9714
Justice Court	Misdemeanors, initial appearances, small criminal matters	(601) 482-9804
Municipal Court (Meridian)	City ordinance violations, traffic within city limits	(601) 485-1820

Searching Criminal Case Records

Criminal case information can be searched through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system for Circuit and County Court matters. Justice Court and Municipal Court records typically require a direct request to the respective clerk. The search returns case numbers, charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information for cases in the system.

Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office

Arrest records, booking logs, and inmate information are maintained by the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s department can provide arrest reports, booking photographs, and active warrant information upon request. The department is located at:

Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 2001 5th Street, Meridian, MS 39301
Phone: (601) 482-9806

Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or by mail. The Meridian Police Department handles arrests within Meridian city limits and maintains its own incident and arrest reports.

Criminal Background Checks

For official criminal history reports, individuals can contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Criminal Information Center (CIC), which processes name-based and fingerprint-based background checks. A name-based criminal history search may be submitted through the CIC with applicable fees. Mississippi law (Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-1 et seq.) governs the dissemination of criminal history records and establishes who may obtain non-conviction information.

Expungement

Mississippi permits expungement of certain offenses under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71. Expunged records are removed from public access. Requests for expungement are filed in the court where the conviction occurred, and the Circuit Clerk processes the order once signed by the judge.

Lauderdale County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Lauderdale County is divided among the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, County Court, and Justice Court based on the amount in controversy and subject matter.

Jurisdictional Overview

Circuit Court — civil cases exceeding the County Court’s jurisdictional limit, personal injury, contract disputes, and appeals from administrative agencies.
Chancery Court — equity matters, property disputes, will contests, land title issues, and domestic relations cases. The Chancery Clerk maintains these files.
County Court — civil matters within its statutory monetary jurisdiction, small claims transferred from Justice Court on appeal, and certain contract disputes.
Justice Court — civil claims up to $3,500, eviction actions, and replevin. Justice Court has the lowest filing fees and simplified procedures.

How to Obtain Civil Records

Identify the correct court. Determine whether the case was filed in Circuit, Chancery, County, or Justice Court.
Search online. Use the Mississippi Electronic Courts portal to locate Circuit, Chancery, or County Court civil cases by party name or case number.
Contact the clerk. For certified or uncertified copies, contact:
- Circuit Clerk (Circuit and County Court records): (601) 482-9714
- Chancery Clerk (Chancery Court records and land records): (601) 482-9701
- Justice Court Clerk: (601) 482-9804
Pay applicable fees. Copy fees are set by Mississippi statute. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Contact the clerk’s office for the current fee schedule before submitting payment.

Land and Property Records

Real property records — including deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, lis pendens, and easements — are recorded and maintained by the Chancery Clerk. The Chancery Clerk’s office provides access to land record indexes and instruments at the courthouse. For online access, the Lauderdale County Tax Assessor provides parcel data and property valuations that can supplement a title search. The Mississippi Secretary of State also offers the UCC Lien Search tool for statewide uniform commercial code filings.

Court Forms

The Mississippi Judiciary publishes standardized court forms that may be used in Lauderdale County courts, including civil cover sheets, summons forms, and subpoena templates. Self-represented litigants can obtain these forms from the clerk’s office or download them from the judiciary’s website.

Lauderdale County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Lauderdale County are handled by the Chancery Court, which has jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, and domestic violence protective orders. Certain family-related criminal matters (such as domestic assault) proceed through the Circuit or County Court criminal divisions.

Divorce Records

Divorce decrees and associated pleadings are filed with the Chancery Clerk and can be obtained from that office. To request a copy:

Visit the Chancery Clerk’s Office at 500 Constitution Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301.
Provide the names of both parties and the approximate filing date or case number.
Pay the applicable copy fee (certified or uncertified).

Divorce verification letters may also be obtained from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records office, which maintains an index of divorces granted in Mississippi. The MSDH does not provide copies of the actual decree; it provides only a certificate confirming that a divorce was recorded.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses in Lauderdale County are issued by the Circuit Clerk’s office. Mississippi does not require a waiting period or blood test. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification. The license fee is set by statute. Certified copies of marriage licenses can be requested from:

The Circuit Clerk’s Office: (601) 482-9714
The Mississippi Department of Health Vital Records for statewide marriage verification

Child Custody and Support

Custody and support orders are part of Chancery Court files. Modifications, enforcement actions, and contempt proceedings are also filed in the Chancery Court. The Mississippi Department of Human Services administers the state’s child support enforcement program and can assist with locating active support orders.

Adoption Records

Adoption proceedings are heard in Chancery Court. Once finalized, adoption records are sealed under Miss. Code Ann. § 93-17-25 and cannot be accessed without a court order. The Chancery Clerk’s office can confirm whether an adoption case exists but cannot disclose details from sealed files.

Domestic Violence Protective Orders

Petitions for protection from domestic abuse are filed in Chancery Court under the Mississippi Protection from Domestic Abuse Act. Temporary and permanent protective orders are public records unless the court orders otherwise.

Vital Records — Birth and Death Certificates

Birth and death certificates are vital records maintained by the MSDH, not by the courts. Certified copies can be ordered from:

Mississippi State Department of Health — Vital Records
Address: 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone: (601) 576-7960
Lauderdale County Health Department for local requests

Birth records in Mississippi are restricted for 100 years and death records for 50 years. Only eligible applicants (the individual named, parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives) can obtain certified copies of recent vital records. After the restriction period expires, records become publicly accessible.

Lauderdale County Probate Court Records

In Mississippi, probate matters are heard in the Chancery Court rather than a separate probate court. The Lauderdale County Chancery Court handles all estates, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships within the county.

Types of Probate Records

Last wills and testaments admitted to probate
Letters testamentary and letters of administration
Estate inventories and accountings
Petitions for appointment of personal representatives
Guardianship petitions and orders (minors and incapacitated adults)
Conservatorship filings
Claims against estates
Final settlement and discharge orders

Searching Probate Records

Probate cases filed in Lauderdale County can be searched through the Mississippi Electronic Courts portal if the case is in the system. Older or archived probate records may require an in-person visit to the Chancery Clerk’s Office.

Chancery Clerk’s Office
Address: 500 Constitution Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301
Phone: (601) 482-9701

How to Request Probate Records

Identify the decedent’s name and approximate date of death or filing.
Search the MEC system for the case number and current status.
Contact the Chancery Clerk to request copies — specify whether certified or uncertified copies are needed.
Submit payment for copy fees. Certified copies require the clerk’s seal and signature, which adds to the cost.
If requesting by mail, include the case number, document description, return address, and a check or money order payable to the Chancery Clerk.

Opening an Estate

To initiate probate proceedings in Lauderdale County, the petitioner files a petition for probate of will or petition for letters of administration with the Chancery Clerk. Mississippi law (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1 et seq.) governs the administration of estates. Required documents typically include:

The original will (if one exists)
A certified death certificate
A petition identifying heirs and next of kin
A proposed personal representative’s bond (unless waived by the will)

The Chancery Court appoints the executor or administrator, who then has a duty to inventory assets, notify creditors, pay valid debts, and distribute the estate according to the will or Mississippi’s intestacy statutes.

Guardianship and Conservatorship

Petitions for guardianship of a minor or incapacitated person, and conservatorship of an estate, are filed in Chancery Court. These proceedings require notice to interested parties and a hearing before the chancellor. Guardianship records are generally public, though the court may restrict access to certain sensitive medical or financial information included in the filings.

Estate and Property Tax Records

While not strictly probate records, property tax data relevant to estate administration is available through the Lauderdale County Tax Assessor’s office and the Tax Collector. These offices maintain assessed values, tax payment histories, and parcel information that may be needed when inventorying a decedent’s real property.