Coahoma County Court Records

Under Mississippi Code 9-1-51, a court record is broadly defined as any material held within the official file or docket of a case. In practice, a Coahoma court record typically captures the essential facts of a case, along with all documents, notations, or filings related to it. Depending on the matter, the record may also feature minutes, docket entries, financial or procedural ledgers, evidentiary materials, motions, judicial orders, pleadings, transcripts, and final court judgments. For criminal proceedings, documentation may include Coahoma County arrest records, as well as the charges, filings, and rulings that shape the case.

Coahoma court records provide reliable resources for later review, legal and historical research, academic study, and general public information, ensuring that the court's actions remain transparent and accessible.

Are Court Records Public in Coahoma County?

Yes. The Mississippi Supreme Court's Public Records Policy provides public access to documents created and maintained by the judiciary. Under this policy, members of the public are generally entitled to review and obtain copies of these materials maintained by courts in Coahoma County. This openness, however, is not absolute. Specific categories of records may be withheld when another state law, a particular exception, or a court order designates the information as confidential.

Information that falls outside public reach includes medical documentation, attorney work products, examination materials, and records involving individuals who present a substantial risk of self-harm or flight. These restrictions are often designed to protect both individual privacy and the integrity of legal proceedings. Additionally, Ms. Code § 9-1-38 identifies specific judicial documents that remain private, such as internal communications between judges and their staff.

Even so, access to exempt records is not entirely closed. Individuals expressly authorized by law or those who obtain a court order may review documents that are otherwise confidential.

Coahoma County Court Records Search

Individuals can peruse or obtain copies of Coahoma court records through several methods. These include accessing case information online through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, submitting mail requests to the respective Clerk's Office, or conducting an in-person search at the courthouse where the case was heard. Each option offers a different level of convenience and is suited to different types of court records inquiries.

Coahoma County Courts

The trial-level judiciary in Coahoma, Mississippi, comprises several divisions: the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, County Court, Youth Court, and various Municipal Courts. Each forum oversees its own categories of proceedings, with some exercising broad jurisdiction and others functioning as limited-authority courts that address specific types of cases. These courts can be found at the following locations:

Circuit Court
Coahoma County Courthouse
115 1st Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: (662) 624-3014
Fax: (662) 624-3075

Chancery Court
Coahoma County Courthouse
115 1st Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: (662) 624-3000
Fax: (662) 624-3040

County Court
Coahoma County Courthouse
115 1st Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: (662) 624-3014
Fax: (662) 624-3075

Youth Court
Coahoma County Courthouse
115 1st Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: (662) 624-3014
Fax: (662) 624-3075

Justice Court
144 Ritch Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: (662) 624-3060
Fax: (662) 624-5528

Clarksdale Municipal Court
121 Sunflower Avenue
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: (662) 621-8136
Fax: (662) 621-8130

Friars Point Municipal Court
P.O. Box 185
Friars Point, MS 38631
Phone: (662) 383-2233
Fax: (662) 383-2403

Jonestown Municipal Court
P.O. Box 110
Jonestown, MS 38639
Phone: (662) 358-4328
Fax: (662) 358-4337

Lula Municipal Court
118 2nd Street
Lula, MS38644
Phone: (662) 337-4579
Fax: (662) 337-4577

Lyon Municipal Court
P.O. Box 511
Lyon, MS 38645
Fax: (662) 627-1600
Fax: (662) 627-1600

Coahoma County Criminal and Civil Records

Generally, court records fall into two main categories: civil records document disputes between private parties or organizations, while criminal records chronicle proceedings connected to a criminal charge.

A Coahoma County civil record contains only the filing and documentation related to civil matters. A Coahoma County criminal case record, however, may include certain Coahoma County arrest records and other corresponding court records. Both forms of documentation are ordinarily open to the public for inspection or duplication, although specific files or information may be restricted by law.

Court records are generally preserved by the specific court that handled the case. Individuals have three primary ways to obtain a desired record: by using the state's MEC (Mississippi Electronic Courts) system, by mailing a request directly to the appropriate courthouse, or by conducting an in-person search at the court.

Regardless of the method chosen, requesters must typically provide identifying information—such as a party's name, the case number, or filing dates—to facilitate the location of the correct record. While an annual subscription fee is required to utilize the MEC system, a $10 fee is charged for documents that require the assistance of a court staff member to locate.

Coahoma County Marriage Records

Coahoma County marriage records are typically documented and preserved for unions where a license was issued within the county. While these records are generally considered public under MS Code § 25-61-1, access to the actual Coahoma marriage certificates is limited to the individuals named on the certificate. However, the uncertified records may be released upon request.

Anyone seeking a specific Coahoma marriage record may contact Mississippi's Department of Health MSDH. Requests can be made by mail or in person, and applicants must complete the official marriage record application form. For mail-in requests, correspondence should be directed to:

Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700

Those appearing in person may stop by the Vital Records Division at 222 Marketridge Drive in Ridgeland, located off Highland Colony Parkway. Requesters may also submit an online order through the state-approved private vendor authorized to process vital records requests. Available Coahoma marriage records span the periods from January 1, 1926, through June 30, 1938, and then from January 1, 1942, to the present.

Members of the public who wish to obtain a certified copy of their marriage certificates may also contact the Circuit Court Clerk who issued the license. Requests may be mailed or submitted in person. The fee for a Coahoma marriage certificate is $17 for an initial copy and $6 for each additional copy purchased in the same order.

Coahoma County Divorce Records

The MSDH does not keep divorce records, but it offers a five-year search of county divorce indexes. These indexes may be reviewed for the periods from January 1, 1926, through June 30, 1938, and then from January 1, 1942, to the present. The fee for conducting this search is $17. An index search can help an inquirer identify the county where the divorce was finalized, as well as the book and page number in the Chancery Clerk's office where the record is archived.

An official copy of a divorce decree may be required to prove one's legal marital status. This proof is necessary in various situations, such as when asserting a right to certain benefits like spousal support or when planning to remarry. To obtain a Coahoma divorce decree, individuals must contact the Coahoma Chancery Court Clerk directly.

Although anyone may request access to a divorce index through the MSDH, a divorce decree is restricted to the parties involved in the case or their legal representative.

Coahoma Birth Records

The MSDH maintains records of all birth registrations that have taken place within the state, including those from Coahoma. These records date back to November 1912 and continue through the present. Anyone seeking their birth certificate may request one through the available channels for a standard fee of $17, provided they qualify under the legal criteria outlined in MS § 41-57-2.

Eligible individuals may obtain a Coahoma birth certificate through the following methods:

• Online or by phone: Requests can be submitted through the state-approved private service provider, which charges an additional processing fee.
• By mail: Applicants may send a written request, along with a completed Application for a Certified Birth Certificate. Additionally, a copy of a current government-issued photo identification is typically required. Payments may be made using a personal check, a bank or postal money order, or a cashier's check. Cash is not accepted, and the office assumes no responsibility for mailed currency.
• In person: Individuals may visit the Vital Records Office during regular business hours to submit their request directly and collect the certificate once it has been processed.

Birth certificates frequently serve as proof of age when applying for documents such as a driver's license. In certain situations, they may be used to establish or support claims of paternity.

Coahoma Death Records

Often required as proof when claiming benefits or entitlements associated with a deceased individual, death certificates in Coahoma County are restricted documents. Access is limited to persons who can demonstrate a valid, legally recognized interest. As with birth records, these documents are not considered public records.

The MSDH is the agency responsible for preserving and issuing all official death records. The procedure for obtaining a death certificate closely parallels the process used for birth certificates, with one key difference: applicants will need to complete the Death Certificate Application form.

Processing typically takes 7 to 10 business days, regardless of whether the request was submitted by mail or in person. The standard fee for a death certificate is $17, with an additional $6 charged for each extra copy ordered at the same time.

Coahoma County Probate Court Records

The Chancery Court oversees probate matters in Coahoma County. This court manages a broad range of issues, including the transfer of property, identification of rightful heirs, administration of wills and trusts, estate settlements, guardianships, conservatorships, child support proceedings, and legal name changes. Documentation generated from these proceedings is collectively categorized as probate records. While most judicial records are generally accessible to the public, certain probate files, particularly those carrying sensitive personal or financial information, may be restricted from open inspection.

Individuals seeking access to publicly available Coahoma County probate records can obtain them through the avenues provided by the court, including online portals, mail-in requests, or an in-person visit to the Chancery Court. As with other judicial records, requesters must supply identifying details, such as the case number or the name of an involved party, to enable record retrieval.

Coahoma County Property Records

Property records contain information and documents related to real estate located in Coahoma County. The Coahoma County Chancery Court is responsible for recording deeds, mortgages, tax-related filings, construction or mechanic liens, and other documentation that reflects a property's legal or financial status. Anyone wishing to obtain property-related records may contact the Chancery Court by mail or in person. Property records typically include details such as the property's location, ownership history, structural or descriptive features, existing liens, and applicable tax or assessment data.

Coahoma County Court Records Online

In addition to avenues offered by the judiciary, privately operated platforms also host aggregated databases of court records. These third-party sites, such as Mississippicourtrecords.us, enable users to search for Coahoma County court records from anywhere and often feature interfaces designed for quick and easy navigation.

However, individuals using these services should verify the accuracy and reliability of the information they retrieve, as privately managed databases may not always reflect the most current updates. Many of these platforms also charge retrieval fees for access, which vary depending on the specific service.