Are Mississippi Vital Records Open to the Public?
Per the Mississippi Vital Statistics Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 41-57-2), persons with a tangible, legitimate interest in a vital record may access and obtain copies of vital records in Mississippi. These vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and death records maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
What Information Shows Up in Mississippi Vital Records?
Mississippi vital records are official documents that serve as legal proof of an individual's major life events, such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce, enabling access to various benefits, services, and rights. These records are essential for determining eligibility for public assistance programs and proving citizenship in the state.
What Information Do I Need to Search for Mississippi Vital Records Online?
Requesters or immediate family members with direct interest who wish to obtain vital records in Mississippi must provide details such as:
- The full name on the certificate
- Gender on certificate
- The location of the birth, death, or marriage
- The date when the birth, death, or marriage occurred
- The reason/purpose for the certificate/ record request
- The applicant's relationship to the person(s) named on the certificate/record
How Do I Obtain Mississippi Vital Records?
Vital records can be obtained by contacting the Mississippi State Department of Health. Generally, the process to obtain vital records requires the applicant to:
- Complete and sign an application form relevant to the request.
- Provide a copy of a valid photo ID.
- Attach payment for the relevant fees, typically a check or money order, but in-person requesters can pay cash.
- Show proof of guardianship or legal representation, if applicable.
Publicly available vital records are managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a reliable jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.
Requesters must provide relevant information associated with the record to conduct an online search for vital records. Some of these include:
- The registrant's name
- Date of the event
- Place of the event
- City or county where the life event occurred
- First and last name of parents
- Presiding judge (for marriage or divorce records)
Certified Copy vs. Informational Copy: Understanding the Difference
Generally, informational copies of vital records are documents given to persons who wish to obtain vital records for genealogy research or informational purposes. Such documents are considered 'unofficial' by the issuer and usually do not have any legal standing to establish identity.
On the other hand, certified copies of vital records are admissible for official purposes, including home applications, licensing, job applications, and immigration purposes. Certified copies are regarded as legal documents, making them equal to the original record. The Bureau of Vital Statistics issues certified vital records to persons who have sufficiently proved legitimate and tangible interest in the vital record.
Are Mississippi Marriage Records Public Information?
Marriage records in Mississippi are available to persons who can prove tangible interest in the marriage record. Public marriage records of marriages that happened before 1926 are available for public perusal.
How Do I Obtain Marriage Records in Mississippi?
Requests for certified copies of marriage records for marriages that happened after 1926 go to the Department of Health. These applicants must submit an application for marriage records in person, via mail, or online. On the other hand, publicly available records of marriages that happened before 1926 are available for public perusal through the Mississippi State Archives.
Note that persons looking to obtain certified marriage records must pay a non-refundable search fee and provide a copy of a valid, state-issued photo ID. These requests typically take seven to ten days to process. Thus, it is best to submit applications early. In-person and mail requests go to:
Mississippi Vital Records
222 Marketridge Drive
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Phone: (601) 206-8200
How to Get a Mississippi Marriage Certificate
Obtain a Mississippi Marriage Certificate from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) or the Circuit Clerk's office in the county where the marriage was recorded. Couples who legally wed in Mississippi are eligible to request a certificate.
Are Mississippi Divorce Records Public Information?
Certified copies of Mississippi divorce records are only available to persons who can prove a direct interest in the divorce records. A public index of divorces in Mississippi is available for public perusal.
How Do I Obtain Divorce Records in Mississippi?
Requesters who want to obtain Divorce records have to visit the clerk's office in the chancery court where the divorce was granted. The Mississippi Department Department of Health does not maintain divorce records. However, a five-year index of divorces is available at the State Archives. Note that each divorce record search by name costs a non-refundable $17.00. The State Archives is located at:
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
200 North Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601) 576-6850
How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in Mississippi
Certified Divorce Certificates can be acquired through the MSDH or Chancery Clerk's office in the county where the divorce was granted. Either party involved in the divorce or their legal representatives can obtain the certificate.
Are Mississippi Birth Records Public Information?
Birth records in Mississippi are only available to persons who can demonstrate a legitimate, tangible interest in the birth record. On the other hand, birth records for certain counties are available for public perusal in the state archives. However, these birth records are for specific periods before 1980.
How Do I Obtain Mississippi Birth Records?
Certified birth records from November 1st, 1912, are kept by the Mississippi State Department of Health. Persons who wish to order birth certificates and birth certificate replacements in Mississippi must submit an application in person, by mail, or by order online. Generally, applicants are required to complete an application for a certified Mississippi birth certificate. Furthermore, the requester must pay the required fees and provide a valid, government-issued photo ID. Send mail requests to
Mississippi Vital Records
222 Marketridge Drive
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Phone: (601) 206-8200
Are Birth Certificates Public in Mississippi?
Mississippi Birth Certificates are not public. Miss. Code Ann. § 41-57-1 et seq. outlines the state's provisions for the disclosure of birth certificates in the state.
Are Mississippi Death Records Open to the Public?
Mississippi death records are open to requesters who can demonstrate a legitimate interest in the record. These typically include the deceased's immediate family members and legal representatives. Still, persons who can provide a document such as property deeds can obtain death records.
How Do I Obtain Death Records in Mississippi?
Requesters who want to locate and order death records from 1912 to the present may use the walk-in service at the Department of Health's Ridgeland Office. Provisions are also made for applicants who wish to make their requests by telephone or mail. Each death certificate search and a certified copy of a death record cost $17.00. Additional copies requested at the same time cost $6.00 each. Generally, individuals must complete an application for a certified death record. The requester must also attach a copy of a valid, government-issued photo ID and the check or money order for applicable fees. Send mail requests for Mississippi death records to
Mississippi Vital Records
222 Marketridge Drive
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Phone: (601) 206-8200
How Do I Obtain Sealed Vital Records in Mississippi?
Sealed vital records are restricted to persons named on the document, immediate family members, legal representatives, and persons who are statutorily eligible to obtain the vital record. Persons who wish to obtain sealed vital records must demonstrate a tangible and direct interest in this record in a competent court of jurisdiction.
This requirement is fulfilled by showing documents that give the requester claim to the vital record, e.g., property deeds showing the requester's name and the name of the person named on the vital record. If the requester satisfies this requirement, the court shall issue a court order granting access. Even at that, the record custodian shall redact parts of the record containing sensitive information such as social security numbers.
What are Vital Statistics in Mississippi?
Vital statistics encompass essential life events, such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The Mississippi State Department of Health manages these data, which are crucial in monitoring public health trends, informing policy decisions, and allocating resources accordingly. Understanding these statistics helps address health disparities, disease control and target interventions effectively.
