Jones County Court Records

Jones County court records contain vital information about court cases filed with and handled by the county judicial system. Court records are made up of different documents, including but not limited to pleadings, motions, dockets, trial transcripts, evidence, exhibits, subpoenas, orders, and judgments. Court records provide detailed insight into the adjudication of cases, promoting transparency of the judicial processes and improving public trust in these processes. Furthermore, court records can be evidence in future legal proceedings, especially during appeals.

Are Court Records Public in Jones County?

Yes. Under The Mississippi Public Records Act (MPRA), the general public has the legal right to inspect and copy records maintained by public bodies that are not otherwise exempted by law. Court records are subject to the provisions of the MPRA. As a result, most court records in Jones County are considered part of Jones County Public Records. However, several records and information are exempt from the MPRA's provisions, and they include and are not limited to:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Medical records
• Attorney-client privilege information.
• Certain personal information (i.e., social security number).

Jones County Court Records Search

Record seekers can conduct searches for Jones County court records through the following places:

• The courthouse where the case originated
• The Clerk's office of the originating courthouse.
• Reputable third-party resources that provide court record search services

Jones County Courts

Jones County trial court system comprises six (6) types of court, each with varying jurisdictions over different types of legal issues that may arise in the county. They include two (2) Circuit Courts, two (2) Chancery Courts, two (2) County Courts, a Youth Court, a Justice Court, and four (4) Municipal Courts. The physical addresses and contact information of these courts are detailed below:

Jones County Circuit Courts

Jones County Circuit Court - 1st District
101 Court Street, Suite B,
Ellisville, MS 39437
Phone: (601) 477-8538
Fax: (601) 477-8539

Jones County Circuit Court - 2nd District
415 N 5th Avenue,
P.O. Box 1336,
Laurel, MS 39441
Phone: (601) 425-2556
Fax: (601) 399-4774

Jones County Chancery Courts

Jones County Chancery Court - 1st District
101 N Court Street, Suite D,
P.O. Box 248,
Ellisville, MS 39437
Phone: (601) 477-3307
Fax: (601) 477-1240

Jones County Chancery Court - 2nd District
415 N 5th Avenue,
P.O. Box 1468,
Laurel, MS 39441
Phone: (601) 428-0527
Fax: (601) 428-3610

Jones County County Courts

County Court of Jones County - 1st District
101 Court St, Suite B,
Ellisville, MS 39437
Phone: (601) 477-8538
Fax: (601) 477-8539

County Court of Jones County - 2nd District
415 N 5th Ave,
P.O. Box 1336,
Laurel, MS 39441
Phone: (601) 425-2556
Fax: (601) 399-4774

Jones County Youth Court

Jones County Justice Court
Jones County Justice Court
5180 Hwy 11 N,
Ellisville, MS 39437
Phone: (601) 428-3137
Fax: (601) 428-0526

Jones County Municipal Courts

Ellisville Municipal Court
102 W Holly St,
Ellisville, MS 39437
Phone: (601) 477-9252
Fax: (601) 477-3929

Laurel Municipal Court
317 S Magnolia St,
Laurel, MS 39440
Phone: (601) 428-6517
Fax: (601) 399-4460

Sandersville Municipal Court
P.O. Box 692,
Sandersville, MS 39477
Phone: (601) 649-3068
Fax: (601) 649-3622

Soso Municipal Court
P.O. Box 99,
Soso, MS 39480
Phone: (601) 729-2958
Fax: (601) 729-2186

Jones County Criminal Records

Jones County criminal records contain information about an individual's criminal background in Jones County. They are generated and maintained by local law enforcement agencies and courthouses. They typically include information about arrests, charges, bookings, and convictions an individual has accumulated in the county over time.

Those looking for Jones County criminal records can query local courthouses and law enforcement agencies for specific types of criminal records they maintain. For instance, interested persons can query the County Sheriff's Department for Jones County arrest records. The County Sheriff's Department also publicizes information on sex offenders, County Detention Center inmates, and wanted persons. For questions and inquiries about criminal records they maintain the Jones County Sheriff's Department main office can be contacted or visited at:

419 Yates Avenue
Laurel, MS 39441
Phone: (601) 425-3147

At the state level, interested persons can obtain criminal records through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) by conducting a name-based criminal background check. DPS charges $32.00 per request, and background checks may take up to 30 calendar days to fulfill. Questions regarding background checks should be directed to the DPS at (601) 933-2600.

Get Jones County Civil Court Records

In Jones County, the County Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over civil cases, whereas the County Justice Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving small claims of $3,500 or less. Hence, interested persons can get Jones County Civil Court Records through the County Circuit or Justice Court, depending on which court handled the civil case. Queries for court records should be directed to the Clerk's office of these courts.

Jones County has two (2) Circuit Courts (1st and 2nd district), each with separate Circuit Clerk's offices at their respective courthouses. Record seekers can query these Clerk's offices to get civil court records of cases handled at the respective courts. Queries can be made in person at the Clerk's office by visiting their respective courthouses or by contacting the office by phone or fax. The Clerk's office's contact information and courthouse addresses have been provided in previous sections (i.e., "Jones County Courts") and are also listed on the Mississippi judiciary's Circuit Clerk PDF.

Similarly, interested persons can visit the Jones County Justice Court or query the Court's Clerk's office to find court records of civil cases handled by the County Justice Court.

Jones County Marriage Records

Jones County marriage records are official documents that provide information about marriages recorded in the county. Typically, marriage records contain the bride and groom's names, marriage date, and location.

In Jones County, a marriage's records are maintained by the County Circuit Court that issued the marriage's license. Hence, interested persons can query the Clerk's Office of the appropriate Circuit Court to obtain Jones County Marriage Records. Queries can be made in person by visiting the appropriate Circuit Courthouse during regular office hours. Record seekers must provide specific information about the marriage, such as party name or the marriage date, to aid the Clerk in identifying the desired record. Furthermore, record seekers may be charged certain fees for requesting a Jones County Marriage certificate from a Circuit Clerk's Office.

It is worth noting that Jones County marriage records from January 1, 1926, to June 30, 1938, and from January 1, 1942, to the present are available through the Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH). The MSDH accepts in-person and by-mail requests for these records. The MSDH provides a dedicated marriage record application form that record seekers can use to facilitate their requests. The application form contains instructions on making requests, including required fees and other items. Marriage records can also be ordered online and by phone through third-party websites.

For more information and inquiries, interested persons can contact the MSDH's Vital Records office at (601) 206-8200.

Jones County Divorce Records

In Jones County, divorce proceedings are handled by the County Chancery Court. Remember that there are two Chancery Courthouses (the First Judicial District and the Second Judicial District Chancery Court), and either court can handle divorce proceedings.

Individuals who wish to review or copy Jones County Divorce records can query the County Chancery Clerk. The Chancery Clerk's offices at each county Chancery Courthouse process divorce record requests for cases their respective courthouse handles. Requests can be made in person at a Chancery Clerk's office during regular office hours. Note that Requesters must be able to supply information about the divorce to identify the desired record, such as the divorcee's name or the divorce date. Furthermore, divorce record requests may be subject to a certain fee. For more information, contact the appropriate Chancery Clerk's office by phone.

It is worth noting that interested persons conduct a five-year search of county divorce indexes to confirm a divorce occurred in Jones County or other Mississippi Counties for a fee of $17 through MSDH's Vital Records office. Searches are limited to divorces recorded between January 1, 1926, to June 30, 1938, and January 1, 1942 to present

Jones County Birth and Death Records

The Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records Division is the official custodian of Jones County vital records, including birth and death records. Birth and death certificates in Mississippi from November 1912 to the present are kept on file by the MSDH Vital Records Division. These records are considered confidential. As a result, certified copies of a birth or death certificate can only be issuable to eligible persons or entities with a legitimate and tangible interest in the certificate. These include:

• For Jones County birth records,

  • The registrant (provided they are of legal age "18 years or above")
  • The parents listed on the birth record
  • The registrant's spouse, sibling, or grandparent
  • The registrant's legal guardian
  • Authorized legal representatives
  • Licensed adoption agencies per §93-17-205.
  • Other person(s) per court order

• For Jones County death records,

  • The parent listed on the record
  • The decedent’s spouse, sibling(s), grandparent(s), or child(ren)
  • Informant(s) listed on the record
  • The decedent's legal guardian
  • Authorized legal representatives
  • Other person(s) per court order
  • The funeral home that took possession of the body

Furthermore, records seekers are required to provide valid photo identification, such as a Driver's License or a state-issued photo I.D., when requesting death or birth records from the MSDH Vital Records Division. Requesters are also charged a $17 fee for one certified copy of the Jones County birth or death certificate and $6 for additional copies.

The MSDH Vital Records Division offers specialized request forms that eligible persons can use to request copies of vital records. These include the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate form (also available in Spanish) and the Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate form (also available in Spanish). Eligible persons can complete The appropriate request application and submit it along with all other required items (a copy of the requester's I.D. and payments of the required fees) to the MSDH Vital Records Division by mail or in person. For in-person requests, visit 222 Marketridge Drive in Ridgeland, off Highland Colony Parkway (Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.). Meanwhile, mail-in requests should be sent to:

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

Jones County Probate Court Records

The County Chancery Court has jurisdiction over probate cases in Jones County. Among other matters, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, trusts, wills, and administration of estates are examples of probate cases. Interested persons can obtain Jones County Probate Court Records by querying the County Chancery Court Clerk's offices.

Jones County Property Records

Jones County property records are legal documents that provide pertinent information about real estate in the county. They include and are not limited to deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. These documents contain information about a property's ownership, tax information, liens, and other encumbrances against a property. The County Chancery Court records and preserves most property records in Jones County. Hence, interested persons can query the Chancery Court Clerk's offices to obtain property records.

Jones County Court Records Online

Traditional government channels, like the Jones County Circuit Clerk and Chancery Clerk offices, do not provide online access to Jones County court records. Nonetheless, interested parties can use third-party websites like mississippicourtrecords.us to look up Jones County Court records by party name or case number online. This website offers a user-friendly interface for conducting court records searches, making it an easy and convenient alternative to visiting local courthouses. However, third-party websites are independent and separate from government authorities, so their records may be partial or inaccurate.