Copiah County Court Records

Copiah County court records comprise information about legal proceedings heard in a county court. They generally include case filings, evidence logs, transcripts, sentencing information, and other relevant information and documents. In Copiah County, Mississippi, these records are especially vital to judicial operations, as they help the court stay accountable to the public and serve as legal references when necessary.

Are Court Records Public in Copiah County?

Yes. Court records are presumed public records in Copiah County per the Mississippi Supreme Court’s Public Records Policy. Although court records are open to the public, their accessibility is not guided by the Mississippi Public Records Act, which broadly governs Copiah County public records. Further, while most Copiah court records are accessible to the public, some are exempt due to specific court rules and state laws. These exceptions include:

• Adoption records
• Juvenile records
• Grand jury records and transcripts
• Mental health commitment proceedings
• Sealed court records

Court clerks (the official custodians of court records) may also deny a record request if processing the request will significantly affect court operations. Individuals seeking access to a confidential court record may need a court order.

Copiah County Court Records Search

Individuals may obtain a court record in Copiah County as follows:

• By visiting the Clerk of Court’s Office
• By searching online third-party databases

Copiah County Courts

The Copiah County court system comprises several courts, each responsible for handling different types of legal matters within the county. The county's courts include a Circuit Court, Chancery Court, and Justice Court. Below are their addresses and contact details:

Copiah County Circuit Court
100 Caldwell Drive
Hazlehurst, MS 39083
Phone: (601) 894-1241
Fax: (601) 894-3026

Copiah County Justice Court
121 West Frost Street
Hazlehurst, MS 39083
Phone: (601) 894-3218
Phone: (601) 894-4403
Fax: (601) 894-6038

Copiah County Chancery Court
122 South Lowe Street
Hazlehurst, MS 39083
Phone: (601) 894-3021
Fax: (601) 894-4081

Copiah County Criminal and Civil Records

Court records in Copiah County are generally divided into criminal and civil records. Copiah County criminal records document an individual’s involvement with the criminal justice system, often beginning with an arrest. Details related to arrest incidents can be found in Copiah County arrest records. Meanwhile, details of the legal proceedings initiated because of an arrest, indictment, or accusation can be found in Copiah County criminal court records.

In contrast, civil court records contain information about legal disputes or claims between two or more parties, such as divorce, property issues, and contract disputes.

In Copiah, the circuit court handles major criminal cases, while the justice court oversees misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations. Civil matters may be addressed in the circuit, chancery, or justice court, depending on the case.

Individuals may obtain a court record at the appropriate court clerk’s office during business hours. Requesters may need to provide the clerk with a name or case number to locate a record. The fee for copying a court record is generally 50 cents per page.

Copiah County Marriage Records

The Circuit Clerk is the official registrar of Copiah County marriage records in the county. These records are considered public and are available to residents upon request. Individuals interested in obtaining a marriage record can contact or visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office.

Standard copies are available for 50 cents per page. A certified Copiah County marriage certificate may be required for official use, which comes with an additional fee. Requesters typically need to provide the full names of both spouses and the marriage date to help locate a marriage record.

Copiah County Divorce Records

Copiah County divorce records comprise information about divorce cases filed in the county. The Chancery Clerk is the custodian of the county’s divorce records. Therefore, persons seeking copies or record inspection may visit the clerk’s office and provide relevant information about the divorce, such as the names of the divorce parties. Fees apply for copying a record.

Copiah County Birth Records

Copiah County birth records are maintained for various purposes, including verifying an individual’s age and identity. Along with death records, they form part of the Copiah County vital records. However, in Mississippi, birth records are confidential. Access is restricted to the person named on the record, their immediate family members, legal guardians, or authorized legal representatives.

The State of Mississippi maintains a centralized system for managing and issuing birth certificates across all counties. Individuals can obtain a Copiah County birth certificate by submitting a request to the Mississippi Department of Health's Vital Records Office. Requests can be made in person, by mail, online, or by phone. However, online and phone requests are processed by a private vendor.

Mail-in requests can be made by completing and forwarding a completed Birth Certificate Application Form to the vital records office. The request should also include a copy of the requester’s photo ID and payment (cash is not accepted). The mailing and in-person request address is:

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

A birth certificate order costs $17 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy requested simultaneously.

Copiah County Death Records

Copiah County death records remain confidential for 50 years from the date of creation. During this period, access is restricted to immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct and legitimate interest, as determined by the court.

Copiah County death records are maintained by the state’s Department of Health's Vital Records Office and can be ordered in person or by mail. Orders can also be submitted online or by phone through a private records service. For mail requests, applicants must complete the Death Record Application Form, attach a copy of their valid photo ID, and submit the appropriate payment (not cash) to the state vital records office. The fee for a certified copy of a death record is the same as that for a certified birth record.

Copiah County Probate Court Records

The Copiah County Chancery Clerk is the official custodian of the county’s probate records. The chancery court handles guardianships, conservatorships, estate administration, and probate of wills.

An individual may visit the clerk’s office to obtain a Copiah probate record. If they request a copy, inquirers may pay a fee, typically 50 cents per page. However, access to certain documents, such as those containing sensitive guardianship information, may be restricted or limited by law to certain parties.

Copiah County Property Records

Copiah County property records contain significant information about real estate in Copiah. They include deeds, land surveys, contracts, titles, and mortgages, and are maintained by the Chancery Clerk's office.

Residents may inspect or obtain copies of property records by visiting the Chancery Clerk’s Office or submitting a request by mail. Mailed requests should include payment by check/money order and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to return records. Copying fees are 25 cents per page if done by the public and 50 cents per page if completed by court staff.

Copiah County Court Records Online

Copiah court records may also be accessed online through third-party providers like Mississippicourtrecords.us. These platforms typically allow visitors to search for records by name or case number. However, third-party vendors generally require users to pay a fee to access extensive records.

Depending on the circumstances, third-party providers may be a convenient option for a public records search. Researchers should note, however, that third-party vendors can not issue certified copies of court records or provide confidential information.