Newton County Court Records

Newton County court records are official documents maintained by the judiciary that provide a comprehensive account of legal proceedings within the county. These records may include case filings, hearing information, orders, and judgments. Searchers may also find Newton County arrest records as part of the court records, where the matter is a criminal case that arose from an arrest.

Are Court Records Public in Newton County?

While the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 (Miss. Code Ann. §§ 25-61-1 et seq.) governs access to government records in Newton County, it doesn't specifically grant public access to court records. Hence, the judiciary does not fully conform to it. Instead, the Supreme Court's Statement of Policy Regarding Openness and Availability of Public Records guides access to Newton County court records. According to the policy, not all court records are open to public inspection.

Newton County Court Records Search

The Newton County Court Clerk is the primary custodian of Newton County court records. Residents or researchers can conduct searches through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) System docket, which provides online access to civil, criminal, family, and other case types. Individuals can also perform a general search for Newton County court records through in-person visits or a written request to the Newton County Court Clerk's Office:

Newton County Circuit Court
Newton County Courthouse
92 W Broad St, P.O. Box 447, Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-2368
Fax: (601) 635-3210

Newton County Courts

The Mississippi trial court system consists of Circuit Courts, Chancery Courts, County Courts, Youth Courts, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts. The following are their directories:

Circuit Courts in Newton County

Newton County Circuit Court
Newton County Courthouse
92 W Broad St, P.O. Box 447, Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-2368
Fax: (601) 635-3210

Newton County Chancery Court
Newton County Courthouse
92 W Broad St, P.O. Box 68, Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-2367
Fax: (601) 635-3479

Newton County Youth Court
Newton County Courthouse
92 W Broad St, P.O. Box 68, Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-2367
Fax: (601) 635-3479

Newton County Justice Court
75 4th Ave, P.O. Box 69, Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-2927
Fax: (601) 635-4047

Chunky Municipal Court
P.O. Box 186, Chunky, MS 39323
Phone: (601) 655-8376

Decatur Municipal Court
66 7th St, P.O. Box 307, Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-2761
Fax: (601) 635-4012

Newton County Criminal and Civil Records

Newton County criminal records cover charges such as misdemeanors, felonies, and violations of state law. They typically include arrest details, court proceedings, plea agreements, sentencing, and post-conviction actions. Criminal records can be obtained from the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) System docket or the Newton County Sheriff's Office. Civil court records involve non-criminal matters such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property issues.

To access criminal or civil records, individuals must visit the Newton County Sheriff's Office:

Newton County Court Clerk's Office
92 West Broad St
Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-3368
Fax: (601) 635-1234

Researchers are required to provide the case number or names of the involved parties and pay the applicable fees recommended by the Clerk's Office.

Newton County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Newton County confirm legal unions and contain details like full names of both spouses, the date and place of marriage, and the officiant's name. These records are not public records, and are restricted to the person whose name is on the record and other individuals with legitimate and tangible interest as defined by the Rules Governing the Registration and Certification of Vital Events.

These records are maintained and can be accessed via the State Department of Health. To obtain a copy, submit a completed Marriage Record Application Form in person or by mail. Individuals must make a personal check, bank or postal money order, or a bank cashier's check in the correct amount payable to:

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

If the marriage record is not on file at the Health Department's office, it would be available at the Newton County Circuit Clerk's Office:

Newton County Court Clerk's Office
92 West Broad St
Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-3368
Fax: (601) 635-1234

Newton County Divorce Records

Divorce records are held by the Newton County Chancery Court. They detail the names of the divorced parties, the grounds for divorce, property division, custody arrangements, and the date the divorce was finalized. To access the divorce records, visit the Chancery Clerk's office and provide the case number or full names of the parties, valid photo ID (for certified copies), and the recommended payment fee:

Newton County Chancery Court
Newton County Courthouse
92 W Broad St, P.O. Box 68, Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-2367
Fax: (601) 635-3479

Certified copies are generally restricted to the parties or their attorneys unless a court order is provided.

Newton Birth Records

Under the Rules Governing the Registration and Certification of Vital Events, birth records in Newton County are issued only to persons with direct and tangible interest in the records. These include the person named on the record, parents, spouse, children, siblings, or legal representatives. These records are often used for travel, employment verification, and genealogy.

To obtain a certified birth certificate from the Office of Vital Records, eligible individuals must complete and sign the Birth Record Application Form, include payment via check or money order (no cash), and attach a copy of a valid photo ID. All documents should be mailed to:

Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH)
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive,
Jackson, MS 39216
P.O. Box 1700,
Phone: (601) 576-7400

Researchers must complete an application, present a valid ID, and pay the recommended fees to:

Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH)
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive,
Jackson, MS 39216
P.O. Box 1700,
Phone: (601) 576-7400

Newton Death Records

Death records in Newton County are also restricted under state law to individuals with legitimate interests. Death records for Newton County from November 1, 1912, onward are maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Bureau of Vital Records. Researchers can request death records in person, by mail, or through the MSDH office:

Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH)
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive,
Jackson, MS 39216
P.O. Box 1700,
Phone: (601) 576-7400

Death records are essential for estate settlement, insurance claims, and genealogical research. Individuals must complete a request form, submit valid IDs, and pay the required fee to obtain them.

Newton County Probate Court Records

Newton County probate court records include wills, estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorship cases. Probate records in Newton County are typically open to the public. These documents are maintained by the Newton County Chancery Clerk, and individuals can obtain them from the Chancery Clerk's office:

Newton County Chancery Court
Newton County Courthouse
92 W Broad St, P.O. Box 68, Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-2367
Fax: (601) 635-3479

Note: Individuals must provide the decedent's name and date of death via a request form from the office of the Chancery Clerk.

Newton County Property Records

Property records in Newton County are managed by the Chancery Clerk's Office and include deeds and titles, mortgage and lien records, property tax records, and maps. There is currently no online system for direct public access to these records, so individuals must visit the Chancery Clerk's office in person or submit a mail-in request to:

Newton County Chancery Court
Newton County Courthouse
92 W Broad St, P.O. Box 68, Decatur, MS 39327
Phone: (601) 635-2367
Fax: (601) 635-3479

Requesters should be prepared to provide the parcel number, property address, or owner's name to streamline the search.

Newton County Court Records Online

Residents may access Newton County criminal and civil court records through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) System portal or by visiting the Newton County Clerk of Courts office. Third-party online resources like Mississippicourtrecords.us offer an alternative way to access Newton County court records, including criminal, civil, and probate cases. These platforms may provide a more user-friendly interface, faster searches, and broader search criteria.

However, they often require subscription fees, and their data may not be as current or comprehensive as official court resources. Also, sensitive or sealed records may not be available through third-party sites, limiting access to specific case details. Official channels remain more reliable and accurate.