Prentiss County Court Records

Prentiss County court records document the legal history of cases adjudicated in the county, including hearings, motions, filings, orders, and judgments. The Prentiss County Circuit Clerk and Chancery Clerk generate, maintain, and organize these records from the filing to the conclusion of cases.

Prentiss County court records promote transparency and accountability within the local judicial system, as they allow the public to access case information and outcomes, follow proceedings, and support legal research.

Are Court Records Public in Prentiss County?

Yes. Court records are public in Prentiss County under the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.). This law statutorily grants the public the right to inspect and request copies of government agency records, including court records. As a result, individuals in Prentiss County may request to inspect or make copies of court records from their custodians.

However, under § 25-61-11, certain court records deemed confidential or privileged by constitutional, state, or federal law or legal orders are exempt from public disclosure. These records include:

• Sealed or expunged court records
• Records related to jurors (i.e., juror questionnaires, lists, or personal information)
• Medical records of litigants or defendants
• Victim information in certain cases (§ 25-61-12(2)(d))
• Records of mental commitment cases
• Trade Secrets (§ 25-61-9)
• Adoption records
• Juvenile court records, including child custody case records
• Grand jury proceedings
• Attorney work product and privileged communications.

Prentiss County Court Records Search

Interested individuals can perform a Prentiss County court records search at or through the following:

• Prentiss County Circuit Clerk's Office (in-person visit, phone call, email, mail, or fax)
• Prentiss County Chancery Clerk's Office (in-person visit, phone call, email, mail, or fax)
• Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) Portal
• Third-party online resources.

Prentiss County Courts

The Prentiss County court system consists of the Circuit Court, Chancery District Court, Justice Court, Youth Court, and Municipal Courts. The location and contact information of these courts are listed below:

Prentiss County Circuit Court
101 North Main Street
P.O. Box 727
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-4611
Fax: (662) 728-2006

Prentiss County Chancery District Court
Prentiss County Government Annex
200 Bridge Street
P.O. Box 477
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8151
Fax: (662) 728-2007

Prentiss County Youth Court
105 South Main Street
P.O. Box 59
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-9453
Fax: (662) 728-9455

Prentiss County Justice Court
1901C East Chambers Drive
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8696
Fax: (662) 728-2009

Booneville Municipal Court
1901 East Chambers Drive,
Suite D
Booneville, MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-5961
Fax: (662) 728-8836

Prentiss County Criminal and Civil Records

Prentiss County criminal and civil cases are handled in these courts: the Circuit Court (felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $200,000), the Chancery Court (property disputes over $50,000, land title issues), and the Justice Court (misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small civil claims up to $3,500).

Civil court records are case files on matters like contract disputes, personal injury cases, title disputes, small claims, and torts. The custodians of these records in Prentiss County are the Prentiss County Circuit Clerk (custodian of records for the Circuit Court), the Prentiss County Chancery Clerk (maintains records for the Chancery Court), and the Justice Court Clerk (responsible for records of the Justice Court).

Interested persons can request public access or obtain copies of Prentiss County criminal or civil court records through in-person visits, mail, phone, email, or fax requests to the relevant custodian. Note that searching and copying fees may apply:

Circuit Clerk
101A North Main Street
P.O. Box 727
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-4611
Fax: (662) 728-2006

Chancery Clerk's Office
100 North Main Street
P.O. Box 477
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8151
Fax: (662) 728-2007

Justice Court Clerk
1901C East Chambers Drive
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8696
Fax: (662) 728-2009
Email: pcjclerk@co.prentiss.ms.us.

Alternatively, individuals may search for these records online through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) Portal. MEC is a subscriber-based platform, and as such, users must register and pay applicable fees to access court records through the portal.

Prentiss County Marriage Records

The Prentiss County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is responsible for Prentiss County marriage records. Interested individuals can request these records from the circuit clerk's office in person, by email, or by mail. Copy fees apply:

Circuit Clerk
101A North Main Street
P.O. Box 727
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-4611
Fax: (662) 728-2006

Alternatively, certified copies of marriage records can be obtained from the Mississippi State Department of Health's Vital Records office for $17 for the first copy (and $6 for additional copies). To do this, submit a completed "marriage record application form" by mail to:

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

Prentiss County Divorce Records

The Prentiss County Chancery Clerk is the official custodian of divorce records, as divorces happen in the Chancery Court. Interested individuals can request a Prentiss County divorce record by reaching out directly to the Chancery Clerk's office in person, by mail, by email, or by fax:

Chancery Clerk's Office
100 North Main Street
P.O. Box 477
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8151
Fax: (662) 728-2007

Prentiss County Birth Records

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records office is the primary custodian of Prentiss County birth records. These records are not public in Mississippi under Section 41-57-2 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. Only the individual named on the record, immediate family members, or those with a legitimate interest can request certified birth records from the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Because birth records can be used to verify a person's identity, age, and citizenship, they're mostly required for school enrollment and to obtain a driver's license, passport, etc.

Birth records from the MSDH Vital Records office cost $17 per certificate, with a $6 fee for additional copies of the same record. To request a Prentiss County birth certificate, eligible individuals should submit a completed "Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate" form in person to:

MSDH Vital Records office
222 Marketridge Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157.

Or the completed form alongside the certificate fee (in check or money order) can be forwarded by mail to:

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

Alternatively, individuals can order these records online through the MSDH's authorized vendor or call (601) 206-8200 to order by phone.

Prentiss County Death Records

Prentiss County death records are not public records. Per Mississippi Code Ann. 41-57-2, death certificates are confidential for 50 years and available only to eligible persons with a legitimate interest, such as the decedent's spouse, parents, legal guardian, or legal representative. After 50 years, they become public.

Death records serve different purposes, including being used to settle estates, claim insurance benefits, close financial accounts, transfer property, and conduct genealogical research.

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is the custodian of Prentiss County death records, and eligible individuals can obtain these records by ordering them online or by phone or by submitting a completed "Death Certificate Application Form" in person to the MSDH vital records office at 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157, or by mail to:

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

A death certificate costs $17 per certified copy, with $6 for each additional copy ordered together.

Prentiss County Probate Court Records

Prentiss County probate court records include documents on wills, estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship matters handled in the county. The Prentiss County Chancery Clerk is the custodian of probate records, and interested individuals can contact the clerk's office to request access or copies of these records.

Prentiss County Chancery Clerk's Office
100 North Main Street
P.O. Box 477
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8151
Fax: (662) 728-2007

Prentiss County Property Records

Prentiss County property records document property and real estate information. They contain deeds, mortgages, liens, leases, plats, powers of attorney, lis pendens, UCC filings, etc. The Chancery Clerk's office is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining property documents in the county. To request Prentiss County property records, interested persons should contact the clerk's office.

Chancery Clerk's Office
100 North Main Street
P.O. Box 477
Booneville MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8151
Fax: (662) 728-2007

Alternatively, individuals can utilize the county's "Official Land Records" portal to search for and purchase copies of these records online.

Prentiss County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources, such as Mississippicourtrecords.us, provide a convenient alternative to official government sources for accessing Prentiss County court records. These sites offer searchable databases that allow users to locate court records from Prentiss County's Circuit, Chancery, and other courts by searching with details like case numbers and party names. However, because these services are privately owned and operated, the availability, accuracy, and completeness of the court records they provide may vary.