Tippah County Court Records Search

Tippah County, Mississippi, located in the northeastern part of the state, is served by a network of courts based in Ripley that handle the full spectrum of legal matters — criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law proceedings, probate administration, and minor civil and traffic cases. The court records from these proceedings document the official history of legal activity in the county and are maintained by the Circuit Clerk, Chancery Clerk, and various lower court offices, each with defined custodial responsibilities.

If you're not sure where to start, MississippiCourts.us can help you navigate the state court system and identify where publicly available case information may be found. In Tippah County, records can be accessed through in-person visits to courthouse offices in Ripley, by written mail requests, or electronically through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, which now covers all 82 Mississippi counties, including Tippah County's Circuit and Chancery Courts.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Tippah County?

The two primary keepers of court records in Tippah County are the Circuit Clerk, who handles criminal and civil Circuit Court records, and the Chancery Clerk, who maintains chancery proceedings covering family law, probate, property, and equity matters. The Justice Court clerk handles lower-level civil and criminal case records independently.

Online Access via MEC/PAMEC

The Tippah County Circuit Court went live on the MEC system with mandatory e-filing beginning February 10, 2025. The Public Access Mississippi Electronic Case Management (PAMEC) portal allows registered members of the public to search case dockets and view digital documents remotely. To use PAMEC:

Register for an account through the MEC portal
Pay the annual registration fee of $10
Search by party name, case number, or docket entry
View and download documents at $0.20 per page

In-Person Access

All primary court offices in Tippah County are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The key courthouse locations are:

Court/Office	Address	Phone	Fax
Circuit Clerk	102-A North Main Street, Ripley, MS 38663	(662) 837-7370	(662) 837-1030
Chancery Clerk (Shana Lowry)	101 East Spring Street, Ripley, MS 38663	(662) 837-7374	(662) 837-7148
Justice Court Clerk (Gloria White)	205-B West Spring Street, Ripley, MS 38663	(662) 837-8842	(662) 837-1398

Mail Requests

Written record requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate clerk's office. Include the full names of the parties, the approximate date or year of the case, and the case number if you have it. Contact the clerk in advance to confirm current copy fees and acceptable payment methods.

Municipal Courts

For cases resolved at the municipal level, contact the appropriate court:

Ripley Municipal Court — 500 S. Main St., Ripley, MS 38663 | Phone: (662) 837-3659 | Fax: (662) 837-2212
Blue Mountain Municipal Court — P.O. Box 116, Blue Mountain, MS 38610 | Phone: (662) 685-4721 | Fax: (662) 685-4031
Walnut Municipal Court — P.O. Box 540, Walnut, MS 38683 | Phone: (662) 223-4405 | Fax: (662) 223-4374

Are Court Records Public in Tippah County?

The Mississippi Public Records Act (MPRA), Miss. Code Ann. §§ 25-61-1 et seq., establishes that public records are the property of the state and are generally open to inspection by any person unless specifically exempted. At the same time, the judiciary operates under a distinct framework set by the Mississippi Supreme Court's Statement of Policy Regarding Openness and Availability of Public Records, which supplements the MPRA with judicial-specific access rules. Under this combined framework, most civil, criminal, and chancery court records involving adult parties are presumptively public — but meaningful categories of records are withheld from public inspection.

Records that are restricted or exempted in Tippah County include:

Juvenile and Youth Court records — sealed by statute; accessible only by court order or specifically authorized individuals
Adoption records — confidential by law; unsealing requires a court order from the Chancery Court
Mental health and commitment records — governed by separate statutory protections
Sealed case files — restricted by individual court orders
Expunged records — removed from public access once an expungement order is granted
Records containing personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account details, victim identities, and confidential informant identities are subject to mandatory redaction under court rules

For records that remain open to the public, any person may inspect them at the appropriate clerk's office during regular business hours, or search them electronically through the MEC/PAMEC system.

Tippah County Criminal Court Records

Tippah County falls within Mississippi's Third Circuit Court District, which also serves Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Marshall, and Union counties. Three judges preside over the Tippah County Circuit Court: the Honorable J. Kelly Luther, the Honorable Gray Tollison, and the Honorable Kent Smith. The Circuit Court holds original jurisdiction over all felony prosecutions and serious criminal matters. Misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, DUI matters, and felony initial appearances are handled by the Justice Court.

Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Circuit Clerk at 102-A North Main Street, Ripley maintains all circuit-level criminal filings, including indictments, motions, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgment rolls. Records filed from February 10, 2025 onward are electronically searchable through PAMEC. Pre-MEC records require an in-person visit or a written mail request.

Justice Court Criminal Jurisdiction

The Tippah County Justice Court, presided over by Judge Benny Jackson (North) and Judge Sonny Meeks (South), holds court sessions at the county jail three times weekly to ensure initial court appearances within three days of arrest. All felony cases begin in Justice Court for the initial appearance and affidavit filing before transfer to the Circuit Court. Traffic tickets issued by the State Highway Patrol and the Sheriff's Department, DUI cases, and violations of county ordinances are also resolved here.

Sheriff's Office and Arrest Records

The Tippah County Sheriff's Office is the primary custodian of arrest records and booking information.

Tippah County Sheriff's Office
Address: 205 West Spring Street, Ripley, MS 38663
Phone: (662) 837-9336
Website: co.tippah.ms.us/sheriff

Sheriff Karl Gaillard heads the office. Arrest records and incident reports can be requested directly from the Sheriff's Office in person or by written request.

Criminal Background Checks

For a statewide criminal history check, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides a name-based background check system accessible through ms.gov. The DPS Criminal Information Center also processes fingerprint-based background checks for a more thorough statewide search.

Expungement

Under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, qualifying misdemeanor convictions and certain felony convictions may be expunged from public records. Felony expungements require a five-year waiting period after successful completion of all sentence terms, and only one felony expungement is permitted per person. The court filing fee for an expungement petition is $150 under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-72. Petitions are filed in the court where the original conviction occurred.

Tippah County Civil Court Records

Civil matters in Tippah County are split between the Circuit Court and the Chancery Court depending on the type of claim. The Circuit Court handles tort actions, breach of contract claims, personal injury suits, and other civil matters not vested exclusively in another court. The Chancery Court (18th Chancery District) addresses property disputes involving amounts over $50,000, contract disputes, quiet title actions, and equity matters. Minor civil disputes fall under Justice Court jurisdiction.

Justice Court Small Claims

The Tippah County Justice Court has jurisdiction over small claims civil cases involving amounts of $3,500 or less, as well as misdemeanor cases and traffic offenses outside municipality limits. The Justice Court also resolves Public Service tickets, Gaming, Fishing, and Marine Reserve tickets, and delinquent mobile home tax matters.

Civil Filings and Fees

To file a civil complaint at the Circuit Court level, submit the petition and applicable fees to the Circuit Clerk at 102-A North Main Street. Filing fees for civil actions in Mississippi Circuit Courts are governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13. Call the Circuit Clerk at (662) 837-7370 to confirm current fee schedules before filing.

Property Records

Real property records — including land deeds, mortgages, construction liens, federal tax liens, and Lis Pendens notices — are recorded and maintained by the Tippah County Chancery Clerk's Office at 101 East Spring Street. For property tax assessments, tax payment history, appraisal data, and exemption information, the Tippah County Tax Assessor's Office is the appropriate contact. The Delta Computer Systems online records search for Tippah County provides remote access to appraisal and property tax records for a subscription fee of $30 per year.

Tippah County Family Court Records

Family and domestic relations matters in Tippah County fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the 18th Chancery District Court, presided over by the Honorable Lawrence (Larry) Little and the Honorable Robert Q. Whitwell. Divorce, child custody, child support, property division, alimony, adoptions, emancipation proceedings, insurance settlements to minors, and commitments of the mentally disabled all go through the Chancery Court.

Divorce Records

Divorce records are maintained by the Chancery Clerk and are generally public documents in Tippah County. Files typically contain the complaint, decree, property division terms, custody arrangements, and settlement agreements. To request a divorce record, visit the Chancery Clerk's Office at 101 East Spring Street, Ripley, MS 38663, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate filing year. Photocopies are available for a nominal fee.

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records division also maintains limited divorce verification records. To request a certified divorce verification by mail, complete the application form available on the MSDH Vital Records page and mail it with a copy of a valid photo ID and a check or money order for $17.00 payable to Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700.

Marriage Records

Marriage records are managed by the Circuit Clerk's Office in Tippah County and are restricted to persons with a legitimate and tangible interest under Mississippi's Rules Governing the Registration and Certification of Vital Events. To obtain a certified marriage record in person, visit the Circuit Clerk at 102-A North Main Street, Ripley, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties along with the approximate marriage date. The fee is $17.00 for the first certified copy, with additional copies at $6.00 each when ordered simultaneously.

To request a certified marriage record by mail from the MSDH, complete the Application for Certified Record of Marriage Form and mail it with a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order payable to Mississippi Vital Records to the address above.

Birth Records

Tippah County birth records are restricted under Miss. Code § 41-57-2 to eligible individuals with a direct and legitimate interest, including the person named on the record, immediate family members, and legal representatives. Certified copies are available through the MSDH 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.

To request by mail, complete the Birth Certificate Application Form, attach a copy of a valid photo ID and the appropriate fee, and mail to Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700. Walk-in service is also available at 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Online ordering through VitalChek is available with an additional convenience fee.

Death Records

Death records for Tippah County date back to 1912 and are maintained by the MSDH. Access is restricted to those who can demonstrate a qualifying relationship or legitimate legal interest. The fee structure and submission process mirror those for birth certificates: $17.00 for the first certified copy, $6.00 for each additional copy. Complete the Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate and submit it with identification and payment by mail or in person at the Ridgeland office.

Adoption Records

Adoption proceedings before the Chancery Court are sealed by operation of law. These records are not available for public inspection and can only be accessed by court order. If you need guidance on the court order process, contact the Chancery Clerk at (662) 837-7374.

Tippah County Probate Court Records

Probate jurisdiction in Tippah County rests with the 18th Chancery District Court, and the Chancery Clerk is the official custodian of all probate and estate administration files. The court handles the full range of probate matters, including estates of decedents, wills, letters of administration, guardianships, and conservatorships.

What Probate Records Include

A typical probate file may contain the following documents:

Original wills and testaments
Petitions to open the estate
Letters testamentary or letters of administration
Inventories of estate assets and liabilities
Annual and final accountings
Letters of guardianship
Conservatorship petitions and orders
Final settlement and distribution orders

Requesting Probate Records

Most probate records are public documents accessible at the Chancery Clerk's Office. In-person requests are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 101 East Spring Street, Ripley, MS 38663. Copies are available at $0.50 per page, or $1.00 for a certified copy of a complete document. Mail requests may be directed to the Chancery Clerk's mailing address.

Tippah County Chancery Clerk
Address: 101 East Spring Street, Ripley, MS 38663
Phone: (662) 837-7374
Fax: (662) 837-7148
Chancery Clerk: Shana Lowry | Email: slowry@co.tippah.ms.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

When submitting a request for probate records, provide the name of the deceased or ward and the approximate year the matter was filed. The Chancery Clerk will confirm availability and any applicable fees. More recently filed probate records may also be accessible electronically through the MEC/PAMEC system for registered users.