Petal, MS

To order a birth record in Hattiesburg, MS (Forrest County), use the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records at https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/31,0,109.html for $17 per certified copy. Records since 1912 are at the state level. Order online via VitalChek, by mail to 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157, or in person at the State Vital Records office. Only the registrant, parents, spouse, children, or legal representatives can obtain certified copies under Miss. Code §41-57-2; records become public 100 years after birth. Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code §25-61) governs disclosure. Sources: MSDH Vital Records (https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/31,0,109.html), MS Public Records Act (https://www.ago.state.ms.us/).

To check if someone has an outstanding warrant in Mississippi, contact the local sheriff or police where the warrant was issued. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety holds the statewide warrant database (CJIS), restricted to law enforcement; individuals must check by phone with the issuing court or agency. Many counties post most-wanted lists publicly (e.g., Hinds County at https://hindscountysheriff.org/, Harrison County at https://www.co.harrison.ms.us/). Court bench warrants appear on the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) at https://courts.ms.gov/. Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code §25-61) governs disclosure. Sources: MS DPS (https://www.dps.ms.gov/), MS Courts (https://courts.ms.gov/).

To get a copy of a will in Gulfport, MS (Harrison County), contact the Harrison County Chancery Clerk at 1801 23rd Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501 (228-865-4036). In Mississippi, probate is handled in Chancery Court, not Circuit Court. Once a will is admitted to probate it becomes a public court record under Miss. Code §91-7-1. Search the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) at https://courts.ms.gov/ for Harrison County probate cases. Certified copies of probated wills cost about $1-$2 per page at the Chancery Clerk. Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code §25-61) governs disclosure. Sources: Harrison County (https://www.co.harrison.ms.us/), MS Courts (https://courts.ms.gov/).

To look up a marriage license in Biloxi, MS (Harrison County), contact the Harrison County Circuit Clerk at 1801 23rd Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501 (228-865-4036), with online searches at https://www.co.harrison.ms.us/. Marriage licenses are issued by Circuit Court Clerks in Mississippi (not Chancery). Statewide marriage records since 1926 are at the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records at https://msdh.ms.gov/page/31,0,109.html for $19 per certified copy. Marriage licenses are public records under Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code §25-61); certified copies typically cost $5 at the Circuit Clerk. Sources: MSDH Vital Records (https://msdh.ms.gov/), Harrison County (https://www.co.harrison.ms.us/).

For information about a specific lawsuit in Grenada County, MS, contact the Grenada County Circuit Clerk at 59 Green Street, Grenada, MS 38901 (662-226-1941) for civil case files, or the Grenada County Chancery Clerk at 59 Green Street (662-226-1821) for chancery cases (divorce, probate, equity matters). Lawsuits filed in federal court covering Grenada are at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi at https://www.msnd.uscourts.gov/. Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) at https://courts.ms.gov/ provides case search. Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code §25-61) governs disclosure. Sources: Grenada County (https://www.grenadams.com/), MS Courts (https://courts.ms.gov/).

To confirm someone has died in Mississippi, the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records at https://msdh.ms.gov/page/31,0,109.html issues certified death certificates for $19 (records from 1912 forward). Order online via VitalChek, by mail to PO Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215 (601-206-8200), or at the Jackson office. Only the spouse, parents, children, siblings, or legal representatives can obtain certified copies under Miss. Code §41-57-2 within 50 years. The Social Security Administration's Death Master File (DMF) provides confirmation of deceased Social Security numbers. Local newspaper obituary archives often confirm deaths. Sources: MSDH Vital Records (https://msdh.ms.gov/), Miss. Code §41-57-2 (https://www.ago.state.ms.us/).