Lamar County Court Records

A Lamar County court record is any item (such as data, information, or document) generated, received, or collected and maintained by the court. The records can be stored in any form, whether physical or electronic, and contain information on civil, criminal, probate, and family cases. Court records are vital to the judicial process for several reasons. For example, they provide members of the public with an accurate record of what transpired during a judicial proceeding. This is imperative when case parties are disputing what was discussed or what evidence was presented in court. Judges and lawyers refer to court records to ensure all case parties follow proper legal procedures. Access to these records helps ensure that judicial proceedings are conducted fairly and impartially and provide evidence for future legal proceedings.

Are Court Records Public in Lamar County?

Yes. Public access to court records is consistent with the Mississippi Public Records Act (MPRA) mandate and the Statement of Policy Regarding Openness and Availability of Public Records. The Act permits public inspection and copying of records maintained by the Clerk of the Court during regular business hours. However, the Clerk will not make confidential court records available to the public. Examples of such records are:

• Adoption proceeding
• Juvenile court records
• Guardianship and conservatorship records
• Security plans, procedures, or locations of offices
• Court records revealing an informant or witness's identity
• Court records whose disclosure would deprive a person of a right to an impartial adjudication or a fair trial
• Personnel information reflecting a person's home address, social security number, home or personal telephone number, or family members

Lamar County Court Records Search

Individuals can perform Lamar County court records searches in person at the court where the case was heard. Knowing the case party's name or case number is advisable to help locate the appropriate record. Copies of court records attract a fee. Alternatively, requesters can submit court record requests on third-party platforms. Users must enter the appropriate criteria in the search field to find the desired record.

Lamar County Courts

Lamar County has trial courts, including two general and three limited jurisdiction courts. The general jurisdiction courts are Chancery and Circuit Courts, while the courts of limited jurisdiction are County, Justice, and Municipal Courts. These courts are located at:

Lamar County Circuit Court
203 Main Street
P.O. Box 369
Purvis, MS 39475
Phone: (601) 794-8504

Lamar County Chancery Court
403 Main Street
P.O. Box 247
Purvis, MS 39475
Phone: (601) 794-8504

Lamar County Justice Court
205 Main Street Ste A
P.O. Box 1010
Purvis, MS 39475
Phone: (601) 794-2950

Lumberton Municipal Court
P.O. Box 211
Lumberton, MS 39455

Purvis Municipal Court
P.O. Box 308
Purvis, MS 39475

Sumrall Municipal Court
P.O. Box 247
Sumrall, MS 39482

Lamar County Criminal Records

The Lamar County Sheriff's Office provides criminal records to residents in person during business hours. Before the record is released, requesters must complete an application form and pay the appropriate copy fees. It is advisable to bring along a valid photo I.D. on such visits. Individuals interested in viewing or copying Larmar County arrest records can do so online using the Inmate Search tool or in person at the office.

Subjects of records can obtain copies of Lamar County criminal records from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS). This DPS permits online name-based record checks for its customers. Each request costs $32 and is payable by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express). The processing time can take up to 30 calendar days. The DPS will deliver the desired record by fax or mail.

Get Lamar County Civil Court Records

Lamar County has several courts that handle civil cases with different levels of jurisdiction. For example, the Circuit Clerk's Civil Division handles civil cases, including tax, probate, mental health, dissolution, family, eminent domain, and orders of protection. The Lamar County Justice Court Civil Division has jurisdiction over civil cases like small claims worth $3,500 or less, replevins, garnishments, and evictions. The County Court has jurisdiction over civil cases with a maximum limit of $200,000. Record seekers can visit the specific court where the case was heard to locate a civil court record. The staff will need a name or case number to perform the search for a fee.

Lamar County Marriage Records

Lamar County marriage records are available at the Circuit Clerk's office during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Any of the couple's name or marriage date will be required to process the request. When the record is located, the requester will be asked to pay a copy fee before receiving the record. Individuals can also order Lamar County marriage certificates at the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Bureau of Vital Records. The search and certified copy fees are $17; additional copies ordered simultaneously cost $6 each. Requests can be made through the following means:

• Online & Phone: These orders can be made through an approved third-party vendor. Customers might have to pay an extra processing fee using major credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard, Discover, and Visa.
• By mail: Requesters have to complete an Application for Certified Copy of Record of Marriage (English or Spanish) Form to obtain marriage records by mail. The form, alongside the appropriate fee (check or money order), a valid I.D., and a self-addressed stamped legal-size envelope, should be sent to:

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

• In-person: Visit the Bureau of Vital Records Office between Monday and Friday, 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., to obtain certified copies of marriage records. The copying fees can be paid by money order, check cash, or credit card/debit card.

Lamar County Divorce Records

The Lamar County Chancery Clerk of the Court makes divorce records available to the public at the courthouse. Customers might have to complete a form to help locate the record. Aftward, they have to pay a fee of $0.50 per page and $1 per complete document for certified copies of the record. Individuals who cannot visit the courthouse can call the Clerk at (601) 794-8504 to inquire about other search options.

Lamar Birth and Death Records

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) maintains Lamar County's vital records of births and deaths from 1912 till date. Certified copies of these records are only issued to individuals with legitimate and tangible interests, including:

• The child named on the Lamar County birth record
• Parents, spouse, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings
• Legal guardians, legal representatives, and licensed adoption agencies
• People with court orders
• Funeral Home (for death certificates)

Individuals can order birth and death certificates online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the MSDH's Bureau Vital Records. The first copies of the record cost $17, and each additional copy cost $6. Online and phone orders are processed through an approved third-party vendor. Credit cards like American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa can pay fees. To order by mail, send a completed Application for Certified Copy of Birth (English or Spanish) or Death (English or Spanish) Certificate Form, appropriate fee, and required photo identification to the Bureau. Payments for mail requests should be made by bank or postal money order, personal check, or a bank cashier's check. Individuals can appear at the office from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. In-person requests can be paid for in cash, check, money order, or credit card/debit card. The order will be delivered by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The Bureau's physical addresses are:

Mississippi Vital Records
222 Marketridge Dr,
Ridgeland, MS 39157

Lamar County Probate Court Records

Most of the records in the custody of the Chancery Clerk of the Court and Circuit Court are included in the Lamar County public records and are open to anyone who requests them. These records, including probate court records, are available in person at the courthouse. The Clerk charges $0.50 per page for probate court records, and certified copies cost $1 per complete document.

Lamar County Property Records

The Chancery Clerk of Court and the Tax Assessor / Collector are the custodians of property records such as deeds, liens, plats, and property taxes in Lamar County. These records are available in their offices during business hours. Property records searches performed by the Chancery Clerk cost $0.50 per page, and those performed by other persons cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $1 per complete document. Those who cannot visit any of the custodian offices can conduct property records online through the following portals:

• Online Official Records Web Portal: Users must create an account and log in to the portal using an email/username or password. They have to enter a search criteria in the appropriate field to conduct the search.
• Online GIS Map: The search criteria are parcel pin, parcel number, owner name, parcel addresses, subdivision, or section/township/rage
• Online record search: Users can conduct property tax record searches by name (first or last), address (street or number), parcel number, section/township/range, or PPIN.

Lamar County Court Records Online

Several third-party websites like mississippicourtrecords.us offer access to publicly available court records. To search on these sites, users have to enter the case party's name or case number in the appropriate search field. The search will return limited information sufficient to locate the record without charges. However, in-depth information about the record will require a fee. The only disadvantage of using third-party sites is that they are less reliable than official ones. Therefore, confirming all information obtained from such sites before using them for official purposes is important.