Are Mississippi Marriage Records Public?
In Mississippi, the availability of marriage records varies depending on the nature of the records and the type of access requested. Generally, marriage licenses are available for viewing to members of the public, while marriage certificates are not accessible to everyone. Parties named in a marriage license and certificate are granted unhindered access to these records. Their immediate family members and attorneys of record may also access these documents if they present valid proof of relationship. Requests made by third parties must be approved by court order.
Generally, uncertified or plain copies of marriage records are publicly accessible in Mississippi. The state readily approves requests for these records meant for genealogical purposes. A marriage record is available at the office of the county court clerk where the marriage license was issued and also from the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Family court records can include marriage records and divorce records. These records contain the personal information of those involved, and their maintenance is critical should anyone wish to make changes. Because of this, marriage and divorce records can be considered more difficult to locate and obtain than other public records and may not be available through government sources or third-party public record websites.
How to Find Mississippi Marriage Records
Mississippi marriage records refer to state-issued documents providing details and proof of marital union contracts. The two types of marriage records available are marriage licenses and marriage certificates. While some of these are deemed a part of Mississippi public records, access to others is restricted. The Bureau of Vital Records of the Mississippi State Department of Health maintains marriage records and other state vital statistics records like divorce certificates.
How to Find Out if Someone is Married in Mississippi
Anyone seeking to find out if someone is married in Mississippi can search Mississippi public records or the individual's personal records to confirm if any married record or marriage certificate has been filed in any county bearing the subject's full name. Individuals can start the search with the county where they reside or have lived before. The inquirer can
- Search through the county's website
- Contact the State Department of Health to search for a marriage license that any county might have issued in the name of the individual
- Visit the circuit clerk in the county where the person resides to search for their marriage license
- Search for marriage records for the person of interest through third-party sites
How to Check Marriage Status Online
Individuals can check the marriage status of state residents online, either through government databases or third-party sites. For instance, individuals can search through the specific county website. On the website, they can follow the link to search for records and supply the person's details to look for their marriage license if available. On the other hand, individuals can visit any of the available third-party sites and input the details of the person of interest to search for their marriage records to confirm their marriage status. It is possible to access the county website for free and search for marriage records. However, searching through third-party sites comes with a fee.
What is Considered a Marriage Record in Mississippi?
A Mississippi marriage record established the legality of a marriage held in the state. While some are issued before actual marriage ceremonies, others are provided after these events. Circuit court clerks maintain most marriage records in Mississippi. Some marriage records are also available from the Mississippi Vital Records Office.
Both government websites and organizations may offer dissolution of marriage and marriage records. Similarly, third-party public record websites can also provide these types of records. But because third-party organizations are not operated or sponsored by the government, record availability may vary. Further, marriage and divorce records are considered highly private and are often sealed, meaning the availability of these types of records cannot be guaranteed.
How to Check Marriage Records for Free in Mississippi
To check marriage records for free in Mississippi, interested persons can search the state's official website, specifically the marriage index. Individuals can also search for marriage records at the Circuit Clerk's office. Most circuit clerk offices have a marriage license database accessible to the public during office hours. Some offices had scanned the records into the computer for easy access. However, the requester must pay a certain prescribed fee to obtain copies of the original or certified marriage records with a raised seal. Searches could be conducted using the subject's full name, marriage date, marriage license number, birth date, or other personal or identifying information.
How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Mississippi
The first step to changing your name after marriage in Mississippi is to obtain a marriage license. Next, the party must submit the document to each agency. First, parties should update their social security information by submitting an SS-5 form to any Social Security Administration (SSA) office around them. The party must provide a valid photo ID and a copy of their marriage record when submitting the form.
Initiating a name change on a driver's license is also necessary. The party will need to submit an application form to the Mississippi Department of Motor Vehicles in person and provide a copy of their marriage certificate as proof of name change.
What is Considered a Marriage Certificate in Mississippi?
A Mississippi marriage certificate is a state-issued declaration that two people were legally married in the state. Marriage certificates are issued only for marriages approved to proceed following the issuance of marriage licenses. In Mississippi, the officiant (usually a clergy or court-approved official) presents a marriage certificate to the couple after the wedding ceremony. The information provided in a Mississippi marriage certificate are:
- Full names of the parties joined in marriage (as written in the marriage license)
- Date and place of the marriage event
- Identity of the officiant
- Signatures of the couple and the officiant
Witnesses do not attest signatures to marriage certificates in Mississippi because they are not required for the ceremony. In Mississippi, a married individual with a valid marriage certificate enjoys certain benefits including those related to tax, estate planning, insurance, social security, consumer rights, and child support.
How Do I Obtain a Copy of My Marriage Certificate in Mississippi?
It is not difficult to find a marriage certificate and other marriage records in Mississippi. Individuals can obtain copies of a marriage certificate in Mississippi at the Mississippi State Department of Health, or at the county where the marriage license was issued. To request for copies of this vital record, start by downloading and completing the state’s Marriage Record application form. Provide the full names of the parties named on the record as well as the date and location of the marriage solemnization. If the inquirer is not one of the married individuals named on the certificate, they must state their relationship to one of the married parties and provide the purpose of the request. Each request must include a copy of the requester’s photo ID as well as the appropriate fees. Send the request to:
Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Or come in person to the Mississippi Vital Office during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) located at:
222, Marketridge Dr
Ridgeland, MS 39157
It takes 7 - 10 business days for requested copies of marriage certificates to be ready. The Vital Records Office charges $17 for a certified copy of this vital record and $6 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously. Copy fees are payable with a check or money order. Make it payable to Mississippi Vital Records.
The Vital Records Office also processes orders for a marriage record search. Call (601) 206-8200 to make inquiries, or send an email to VRInfo@HealthyMS.com.
Alternatively, contact the circuit clerk's office in the county where the marriage license was issued for copies of a marriage certificate. Processing fees vary by county.
What is Considered a Marriage License in Mississippi?
A Mississippi marriage license is a legal document that gives approval to a couple to get married in the state. A prospective couple must obtain this license before solemnizing their union. The couple must apply for this license at the office of the circuit court clerk in the county where they intend to be married. Circuit clerks only issue marriage licenses to individuals who have met the state’s requirements for marriage.
Mississippi Formal Marriage Licenses
Formal marriages in Mississippi involve the approval of the state. Formal marriage licenses are the only ones issued in Mississippi. They serve as government approval for marital unions for individuals who have met state-stipulated requirements for marriage.
Mississippi Common Law Marriage Licenses
Common law marriages refer to marriages contracted without legal participation of the state. This kind of marriage is not recognized in Mississippi. Therefore, marriage licenses are not issued for common law unions in the state.
How to Get a Marriage License in Mississippi?
Marriage licenses are handled by the circuit court clerks of the various counties. Persons intending to marry must appear in person at the office of the court clerk of the county in which they wish to get married. The first step to applying for this license is completing a marriage license application at the office of the circuit court clerk. When submitting the completed application, attach copies of proof of age of each party. This can be a birth certificate, baptismal record, armed service ID, school record, or any state-approved photo ID that discloses the ages of both applicants.
The most important requirement is age. Mississippi sets the minimum marriage age at 21 but makes exceptions for certain underage applicants as long as they provide parental consents and court approvals. Males aged 17 - 20 years and females aged 15 - 20 years may apply for marriage licenses with written consents from their parents/guardians as well as valid court orders.
If one of the applicants has been through a divorce within the last six months, a copy of the divorce decree will be required.
Prospective couples must also pay for marriage licenses when applying for them. This fee, payable in cash, varies from county to county. In Mississippi, successful applicants are issued their marriage license in person on the same day.
Are Prenups Public Record in Mississippi?
Yes. Prenups, otherwise known as prenuptial agreements, are contracts agreed upon by intending couples. The agreement explains how the partners want to handle issues or ownership and division of property in case of divorce or death. There are rules governing prenups, which only become operational after marriage.
Prenups are private documents. However, it can be recorded at the County Recorder of Deeds office. Some sensitive information can be redacted before registering the document. Once the document is filed with the recorder of deeds, the document becomes a public record that anyone in the state can access upon request.
