Madison County Court Records Search

Madison County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Mississippi, with its county seat in Canton and major population centers in the cities of Madison and Ridgeland. The county’s court system comprises a Circuit Court, Chancery Court, County Court, Justice Court, Youth Court, and four Municipal Courts. Court records generated by these tribunals document the legal proceedings, orders, judgments, and filings that shape the county’s judicial history. Individuals searching for case information — whether related to a criminal charge, a civil lawsuit, a divorce, or a probate matter — can access records through multiple channels, including clerk offices in Canton, electronic court portals, and written request procedures.

Residents and members of the public looking for Madison County court records can begin by consulting official Mississippi judicial resources. The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) portal provides registered users with electronic access to filings and docket information across the state’s trial courts, including the Madison County Circuit Court and Chancery Court. Additional case information and court directories may be available through MississippiCourts.us. Records can also be obtained by visiting clerk offices in person, using public access terminals at the courthouse, or submitting written requests by mail.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Madison County?

The method for locating a case in Madison County depends on the type of case and which court handled the matter. Criminal and civil cases heard in Circuit Court or County Court fall under the custody of the Circuit Clerk, while family law, probate, and equity matters heard in Chancery Court are maintained by the Chancery Clerk.

Online Case Searches

Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) — Register for an account on the MEC portal to search and view digital court filings. The system covers cases filed in the Madison County Circuit Court (circuit and county divisions) and the Madison County Chancery Court.
Chancery Court Case Index (1871–2009) — The Chancery Clerk provides free online access to historical case indexes spanning more than a century:
Judgment Roll Search — The Circuit Clerk offers a judgment roll search tool for locating recorded judgments and executions.

In-Person and Mail Requests

For records not available through electronic systems, contact the appropriate clerk office directly:

Office	Address	Phone	Fax
Madison County Circuit Clerk	128 West North Street, P.O. Box 1626, Canton, MS 39046	(601) 859-4365	(601) 859-8555
Madison County Chancery Clerk	146 West Center Street, P.O. Box 404, Canton, MS 39046	(601) 859-1177	(601) 859-5759

Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. When submitting a mail request, include specific identifying details such as the case number, party names, and approximate filing dates. Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Record Search Fees at the Circuit Clerk’s Office

Civil records search: $10.00 per name
Criminal records search: $10.00 per name
Marriage records search: $10.00 per name

A records request form is available through the Circuit Clerk’s website.

Are Court Records Public in Madison County?

Mississippi law establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.), records created or maintained by public bodies — including court clerks — must be made available for inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

Most court filings in Madison County are accessible to the public, including complaints, motions, orders, judgments, docket entries, and sentencing records. However, several categories of records are restricted or exempt from disclosure:

Sealed or expunged records — Cases that have been sealed by court order or criminal records that have been expunged under Mississippi statutes (e.g., Miss. Code Ann. § 99-15-26, § 99-19-71, or § 41-29-150)
Juvenile and Youth Court records — Proceedings involving minors are handled by the Madison County Youth Court and are generally confidential
Trade secrets and confidential commercial information
Medical records
Privileged or confidential communications
Investigative reports — Including witness statements, police radio logs, taped communications, and officers’ daily reports
Records exempt under federal law

When requesting copies of public records from the Chancery Clerk’s office, the following copy fees apply:

Copies made by the public: $0.25 per page
Copies made by clerk staff: $0.50 per page
Certified copies: $1.00 per page

At the Circuit Clerk’s office, copy fees are $1.00 per page when made by staff and $0.25 per page when made by the requester. Certifying a filed document costs $1.00 per document.

Madison County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Madison County are prosecuted in Circuit Court for felony offenses and in County Court for misdemeanor matters and felony cases transferred from Circuit Court. The Madison County Circuit Clerk serves as custodian of all criminal case records for both courts. The Justice Court handles criminal matters such as traffic citations, wildlife violations, and initial appearances, while the four Municipal Courts — in Canton, Flora, Madison, and Ridgeland — adjudicate offenses arising under municipal ordinances.

Searching Criminal Case Records

Criminal court records can be searched through the MEC portal or by contacting the Circuit Clerk’s office at (601) 859-4365. An in-person or mail-based criminal records search costs $10.00 per name.

Criminal History Background Checks

Statewide criminal history information is administered by the Criminal Information Center (CIC) within the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. To request a personal criminal history record:

Complete the Criminal History Record for Employment form available from the Department of Public Safety
Enclose a money order for $32.00
Submit in person at the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Office: 3891 Highway 468 West, Pearl, MS 39208

Processing takes approximately 30 days. If a third party is authorized to receive the results, their name must be listed in the authorization section.

Healthcare and Childcare Facility Checks

The Mississippi State Department of Health operates a separate criminal history check service exclusively for state-licensed child care and healthcare facilities. Facility employees can be screened through the Department’s fingerprint transmission system. The cost is $50.00, payable by money order, cashier’s check, or business check. An online payment portal is also available. Walk-in fingerprinting at the MSDH Licensure Office (143B LeFleur’s Square, Jackson, MS 39211) is offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Sheriff’s Office Records

The Madison County Sheriff’s Department maintains incident reports, arrest records, and sex offender registrations. The Sheriff’s Records Division handles requests for copies of incident reports and criminal histories, as well as background checks for firearms, Housing and Urban Development purposes, alcohol privilege licenses, child care, and military clearances.

Expungement Filings

Individuals seeking to expunge a criminal record in Madison County file a petition with the Circuit Clerk. Filing fees vary by statute:

Non-adjudication (non-drug offenses) under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-15-26: $161.00
Non-adjudication (drug offenses) under Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-150: $161.00
Conviction-based expungement under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71: $311.00

Madison County Civil Court Records

Civil lawsuits in Madison County are filed in the Circuit Court or County Court, depending on the nature and amount in controversy. The County Court holds concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court and Chancery Court over matters of law and equity where the amount does not exceed $200,000. The County Court also shares jurisdiction with the Justice Court over smaller civil and criminal disputes. Civil case records from both Circuit Court and County Court are maintained by the Circuit Clerk.

Filing Fees for Civil Cases

Filing Type	Fee
New complaint or petition (Circuit or County Court)	$161.00
Petition for driver’s license suspension review	$161.00
Petition for hardship license	$181.00
Supreme Court appeal	$200.00
Out-of-state subpoena request	$161.00
Foreign judgment enrollment	$161.00
Garnishment, execution, or judgment renewal	$36.00
Transfer fee	$85.00
Appeal from Justice Court or Municipal Court (civil)	$85.00 plus 125% of judgment
Appeal from administrative agency	$85.00
Abstract or enroll a judgment	$5.00

Accessing Civil Court Records

To obtain civil case documents, visit the Circuit Clerk’s office during business hours (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday) or submit a written request by mail to P.O. Box 1626, Canton, MS 39046. Include a check or money order payable to the Madison County Circuit Clerk, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. A civil records search costs $10.00 per name.

Copy fees at the Circuit Clerk’s office are $1.00 per page for staff-produced copies and $0.25 per page for self-service copies. Document certification is $1.00 per document.

Justice Court Civil Matters

Small claims and minor civil disputes are handled by the Madison County Justice Court, located at 2961 South Liberty Street, Canton, MS 39046, Phone: (601) 859-6337 The Justice Court also processes all traffic citations issued within the county by the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the Sheriff’s Department, the Public Service Commission, and the Madison County Constables.

Madison County Family Court Records

Family law proceedings in Madison County are heard by the Chancery Court, which has jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, adoption, guardianship, and domestic violence matters. The Youth Court shares jurisdiction with the Chancery Court over paternity and child support issues. All Chancery Court records are maintained by the Chancery Clerk.

Searching Family Court Records

Family law cases filed from 2009 onward can be searched through the MEC portal. For historical cases, the Chancery Clerk’s online indexes cover 1871 through 2009:

Requesting Family Court Records

In-person or mail requests should be directed to:

Madison County Chancery Clerk
Address: 146 West Center Street, P.O. Box 404, Canton, MS 39046
Phone: (601) 859-1177
Toll Free: (800) 428-0584
Fax: (601) 859-5759

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the Madison County Chancery Clerk along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Copy fees are $0.25 per page (self-service), $0.50 per page (staff-produced), and $1.00 per certified copy.

Certain family court records may be sealed or restricted, particularly those involving minor children, abuse or neglect allegations, and adoption proceedings. Access to such documents may require proof of identity or a demonstrated legal interest in the case.

Marriage Licenses and Records

Marriage licenses in Madison County are issued by the Circuit Clerk. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification. The license fee is $37.00 (cash) or $38.00 (credit card). There is no waiting period or blood test requirement. Licenses are issued from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and do not expire once issued. Both parties must be 21 years of age; applicants under 21 require a parent or legal guardian to be present. A marriage license application form can be completed in advance.

Certified copies of marriage records cost $17.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy purchased the same day. The Mississippi State Department of Health also issues certified marriage records. Requesters may complete the Application for Certified Mississippi Statistical Record of Marriage and mail it with payment and a copy of valid identification to: Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215. Walk-in requests are accepted at 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The fee is $17.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy.

Birth and Death Certificates

Certified copies of Madison County birth and death records are available through the Mississippi Department of Health. The applicable forms are the Application for Certified Mississippi Birth Certificate and the Application for Certified Mississippi Death Certificate. Fees are $17.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 per additional copy ordered simultaneously. Submissions can be mailed to Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215, or made in person at the Ridgeland office.

Madison County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Madison County — including estate administration, will contests, guardianship of incapacitated adults, and conservatorships — are heard by the Chancery Court. The Chancery Clerk maintains all probate case files and is responsible for accepting filings related to wills, estate inventories, accountings, and distributions.

Searching Probate Records

The Chancery Clerk provides online access to historical probate indexes and will records:

For probate cases filed after 2009, the MEC portal is the primary online search tool.

Requesting Probate Records

Copies of probate filings — including wills admitted to probate, letters testamentary, letters of administration, and estate accountings — can be obtained by visiting or writing to:

Madison County Chancery Clerk
Address: 146 West Center Street, P.O. Box 404, Canton, MS 39046
Phone: (601) 859-1177
Fax: (601) 859-5759

Include the decedent’s full name, approximate date of death, and the estate file number if available. Enclose payment for copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope with any mailed request. The Chancery Clerk’s office also provides information about filing fees for Chancery Court proceedings.

Land and Property Records

Because property transfers often intersect with estate administration, researchers may also need to consult the Chancery Clerk’s land records. An online search portal provides access to land records from July 2002 to the present. The Tax Assessor’s office maintains a separate real property search tool that can be queried by owner name, parcel number, or street address. Land records recorded before January 1, 2000, are official only in hard copy format at the Chancery Clerk’s office in Canton. Digital images of records recorded after that date are official when accessed through public terminals in the Chancery Clerk’s office, though online versions remain unofficial and should be verified against the original records.