Marion County Court Records Search
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Marion County, Mississippi is located in the Pine Belt region of the state, with its county seat in Columbia. The county's court system encompasses several trial courts handling a wide range of civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Court records produced by these courts — including case filings, motions, orders, judgments, exhibits, and docket entries — serve as the official documentation of every legal proceeding conducted within the county. They provide accountability and transparency within the justice system and give individuals a way to research legal history, enforce judgments, conduct background checks, and pursue appeals.
Two offices share responsibility for Marion County court records: the Marion County Circuit Clerk maintains records from the Circuit Court and related proceedings, while the Marion County Chancery Clerk holds records from the Chancery Court, including family, probate, and equity matters. Both offices are located in the Marion County Courthouse in Columbia.
Court records in Mississippi can be searched through official court clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and online tools available through the state judiciary. MississippiCourts.us may assist you in locating publicly available case information maintained across Mississippi's court system, including circuit, chancery, and justice courts. The following guide explains how to locate, request, and access specific categories of Marion County court records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Marion County?
Marion County's court records are divided among several courts depending on the type of case. Identifying which court handled a matter is the essential first step before requesting records.
Marion County Court Locations:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 15th Circuit Court | 250 Broad Street, Suite 1, Columbia, MS 39429 | (601) 736-8246 |
| 10th District Chancery Court | 250 Broad Street, Suite 2, Columbia, MS 39429 | (601) 736-2691 |
| Youth Court | 250 Broad Street, Suite 2, Columbia, MS 39729 | (601) 736-2220 |
| Justice Court | 500 Courthouse Square, Suite 2, Columbia, MS 39429 | (601) 736-2572 |
| Columbia Municipal Court | 205 2nd Street, Columbia, MS 39429 | (601) 736-4418 |
For online case access, the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system is the official state portal for electronic court filings and records. The public can view digital court documents through the subscriber-based PAMEC (Public Access Mississippi Electronic Case Management) portal at $0.20 per page. Registration is required; questions can be directed to the MEC Helpdesk at helpdesk@mec.ms.gov or (601) 576-4650.
For offline access, contact or visit the Circuit Clerk or Chancery Clerk directly:
Marion County Circuit Clerk
Address: 250 Broad Street, Suite 1, Columbia, MS 39429
Phone: (601) 736-8246 | Fax: (601) 731-6344
Email: circuitclerk@marioncountyms.gov
Marion County Chancery Clerk
Address: 250 Broad Street, Suite 2, Columbia, MS 39429
Phone: (601) 736-2691 | Fax: (601) 444-0206
Email: elisha@marioncountyms.gov
Marion County Chancery records — primarily land records — are also available through the Chancery Clerk's Online Records Search Portal, which allows index searches of official recorded documents. Records are verified throughout the day by the Chancery Clerk's office.
Are Court Records Public in Marion County?
Court records in Marion County are presumptively public under Title 25, Chapter 61 of the Mississippi Code Annotated, which establishes the Mississippi Public Records Act. This law declares it the policy of the state legislature that public records must be available for inspection by any person, and it requires public bodies to produce records within seven working days of a request.
However, certain categories of court records are restricted by statute. Mississippi Code § 9-1-38 specifically exempts certain judicial records from the general public access requirement. Records restricted from public disclosure in Marion County include:
- Sealed or expunged records — removed from public view by court order or by operation of law
- Youth Court records — proceedings involving juveniles are confidential under Mississippi law
- Grand jury proceedings — grand jury materials are not subject to public inspection
- Victim and witness information — personally identifying information for victims and witnesses may be withheld
- Medical and mental health records — records involving mental health commitments and medical data are restricted
- Law enforcement and court personnel information — certain operational records of law enforcement are exempt
- Records protected by state or federal statute — any record specifically shielded by another applicable law
Even when certain portions of a record are restricted, the Chancery Clerk and Circuit Clerk are required to redact sensitive information — such as details about minors and financial account data in divorce filings — before releasing otherwise public documents. Requesters who are denied access to records they believe are public may pursue review under the Mississippi Public Records Act.
Marion County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Marion County flow through several courts depending on the stage and severity of the case. The Marion County Justice Court handles the initial appearance of all felony defendants within three days of arrest and presides over DUI charges, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and county ordinance violations. The 15th Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all felony prosecutions and serious criminal matters not exclusively assigned to another court. Most Circuit Court criminal cases are tried before juries.
To search criminal court records:
- Online via MEC/PAMEC — Register at the Mississippi Electronic Courts portal and log in to search Circuit Court criminal case files. Document viewing costs $0.20 per page.
- In person at the Circuit Clerk's Office — Visit 250 Broad Street, Suite 1, Columbia, during business hours. Bring the defendant's name or case number to request records.
- By mail or email — Submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk at (601) 736-8246 or circuitclerk@marioncountyms.gov, identifying the case with sufficient particularity.
Arrest records and current inmate information are maintained separately by law enforcement. The Marion County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency for county-level arrests and jail records.
Marion County Sheriff's Office
Address: 219 Broad Street, Columbia, MS 39429
Phone: (601) 736-5051 | Fax: (601) 731-3780
Administrative Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Inmates currently held at the Marion County Correctional Facility are searchable through the Sheriff's Office inmate records portal. These records are classified as public record. The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) also maintains a statewide inmate search tool for individuals in state custody.
Marion County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Marion County is shared between the Circuit Court and the Chancery Court based on the nature of the claim. The 15th Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over general civil matters not exclusively assigned to another court, including suits involving significant monetary claims and jury trials. The 10th District Chancery Court handles equity matters, property disputes over $50,000, contract enforcement, and other matters of equity. The Justice Court handles civil suits within its limited monetary jurisdiction, and the Columbia Municipal Court handles civil infractions within city limits.
The Circuit Clerk at 250 Broad Street, Suite 1, maintains civil case files from Circuit Court proceedings. Chancery civil records are held by the Chancery Clerk at Suite 2 in the same building. Both offices accept in-person visits, mail requests, and — for the Circuit Clerk — email requests during regular business hours.
For online civil records, the MEC/PAMEC system provides subscriber access to electronic civil case filings from both courts. The Marion County Chancery Records Online portal provides an additional direct index search specifically for Chancery-recorded documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and lis pendens.
Justice Court fines and payments can be handled online at www.myfinepayment.com or by calling the Justice Court Clerk directly at (601) 736-2572.
Marion County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Marion County — including divorce, child custody, child support, property division, adoptions, alimony, and emancipation of minors — fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the 10th District Chancery Court. The Chancery Court also handles insurance settlements involving minors and commitments of mentally disabled individuals. Juvenile delinquency and child abuse and neglect cases are heard by the Marion County Youth Court, which operates under the Chancery Court's administrative umbrella.
The Marion County Chancery Clerk, Elisha Moree, is the records custodian for all family court proceedings. To request family court records:
- In person: Visit 250 Broad Street, Suite 2, Columbia, MS 39429
- By phone: (601) 736-2691
- By email: elisha@marioncountyms.gov
- Online: Use the MEC/PAMEC portal for electronic access to Chancery case files
Records involving minors — including all Youth Court proceedings — are confidential under Mississippi law and are not subject to public disclosure. Divorce records are public but may be partially redacted to protect information about minor children and private financial data.
Marriage Records are maintained by both the Circuit Clerk and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). The Marion County Circuit Clerk offers a free Marriage License Search tool online. If a record cannot be located through the online search, a manual search is available for a $10.00 fee. Marriage licenses in Marion County are issued at the Circuit Clerk's Office for $37.00 (cash or credit/debit card accepted); applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
Certified copies of marriage records can also be obtained from the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records Division. The fee is $17.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Requests can be submitted:
- Online or by phone: through the MSDH Marriage Records page or via VitalChek (additional service fees apply)
- By mail: Complete the Marriage Records Application Form and mail it with payment to Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700
- In person (walk-in): at the MSDH Vital Records Office, 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Birth certificates are restricted to the registrant, their immediate family, and authorized legal representatives under Mississippi law. They are available from MSDH at $17.00 per certified copy ($6.00 for additional copies). Submit the Birth Certificate Application Form by mail with a copy of valid photo ID and payment to Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700, or visit the Ridgeland office in person.
Death certificates are restricted to eligible parties — the decedent's spouse, parents listed on the certificate, legal representatives, or others with a legitimate and tangible interest — for 50 years after the date of death, after which they become public records under Mississippi Code Ann. § 41-57-2. The fee is also $17.00 per copy ($6.00 for additional copies). The Death Certificate page on the MSDH website provides online ordering options; mail-in requests use the death certificate application form available through the same portal.
Marion County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Marion County are handled by the 10th District Chancery Court, with the Chancery Clerk as the clerk of record. The Chancery Court's probate jurisdiction covers the full range of estate and protective matters:
- Administration of decedent estates (testate and intestate)
- Will contests and probate of wills
- Trust administration
- Guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships
- Escheat proceedings (unclaimed estates reverting to the state)
All probate case files are maintained by the Chancery Clerk at 250 Broad Street, Suite 2, Columbia. To request probate records, contact the office during regular business hours:
Marion County Chancery Clerk — Probate Records
Address: 250 Broad Street, Suite 2, Columbia, MS 39429
Phone: (601) 736-2691
Fax: (601) 444-0206
Email: elisha@marioncountyms.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Electronic access to probate case records is available through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, which includes Chancery Court filings. You must register for a PAMEC account and pay the applicable $0.20 per page document viewing fee. The Marion County Chancery Records Online portal also provides index-level access to certain Chancery records, though full document viewing for probate case files is generally handled through the MEC system or in person at the Clerk's office.