Prentiss County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Prentiss County in 2026
PrentissRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Prentiss County, Mississippi. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, child custody arrangements, and post-judgment modifications. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Divorce records in Prentiss County may be searched through the Circuit Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and select online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking these records.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Prentiss County Circuit Clerk maintains court case records. At present, Mississippi does not operate a statewide online case search portal that provides full document access for all counties; however, members of the public may contact the Circuit Clerk directly to inquire about available electronic search options. Basic case information is available at no charge, while certified copies require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Vital Records
The Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office does not maintain divorce records directly. However, a five-year search of county divorce indexes is available for the period January 1, 1926 through June 30, 1938. For divorces outside that range, the Circuit Clerk's office in the county where the divorce was filed serves as the primary custodian. Members of the public may also order vital records online or by phone through VitalChek, a private company authorized by the Mississippi State Department of Health to process certain vital record requests.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Prentiss County Courthouse
Prentiss County Circuit Clerk
101 North Main Street
Booneville, MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8151
Mississippi First Circuit Court — Courthouse Locations
Members of the public may appear in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees or other filed documents
- Receive staff assistance with locating records
Historical and archived cases may require additional retrieval time. Older paper records that have not been digitized may be subject to extended processing.
By Mail
Written requests for divorce records may be submitted by mail to the Circuit Clerk's office. Each request should include:
- Full legal names of both parties (including maiden names where applicable)
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of the request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Mail requests to:
Prentiss County Circuit Clerk
P.O. Box 727
Booneville, MS 38829
Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on case volume and record availability.
By Phone
The Circuit Clerk's office may be reached at (662) 728-8151. Staff can confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- The assigned case number
- Current case status
- The original filing date
Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case information by telephone.
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Mississippi may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the Mississippi Bar Association for attorney referral services, particularly in complex or contested matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Mississippi
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under Mississippi law, divorce actions are filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.
Mississippi requires that at least one spouse be a bona fide resident of the state for six months prior to filing, pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 93-5-5. The divorce action must be filed in the chancery court of the county where the plaintiff or defendant resides.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Records may not appear in the system immediately following a final hearing
- Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final decree is entered
- Electronic filing systems may reflect updates more quickly than paper-based indexes
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper form
- Archived records may require special retrieval requests
- Allow additional time for older case retrieval
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- The divorce was filed in a different county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case is still pending and has not been finalized
- Very old records stored in off-site archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Circuit Clerk at (662) 728-8151
- Try alternate name spellings for both parties
- Search under both spouses' names
- Check the Mississippi State Department of Health divorce index for applicable date ranges
- Consult a licensed Mississippi attorney for sealed or complex records
What Are Prentiss County Divorce Records?
Prentiss County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Chancery Court of Prentiss County, Mississippi. These records constitute part of the permanent court file and are maintained by the Circuit Clerk as the official custodian of court records.
Types of Divorce Records
Court case files in Prentiss County divorce proceedings include:
- Petition for divorce (complaint for divorce)
- Response or answer filed by the respondent
- Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
- Parenting plans and child custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, orders, and hearing notices
- Transcripts of court proceedings
- Final decree of divorce
Final Decree of Divorce:
The final decree is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes:
- The date the marriage is legally dissolved
- Division of marital property and debts
- Alimony or spousal support, if awarded
- Child custody and visitation arrangements, if applicable
- Child support obligations, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Circuit Clerk's office upon payment of applicable fees.
Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, property appraisals, business valuations, parenting plan attachments, and post-judgment modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records
Divorce records serve multiple legal and personal purposes, including:
- Proof of marital status for remarriage
- Name change documentation
- Property transfer and title purposes
- Estate planning and beneficiary designations
- Immigration proceedings
- Social Security and federal benefits claims
- Genealogical and family history research
Who Maintains Divorce Records
The Prentiss County Circuit Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The Mississippi State Department of Health maintains a limited divorce index for certain historical periods but does not hold complete case files.
Mississippi divorce proceedings are governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 93-5-1 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, procedural requirements, and the jurisdiction of the chancery court over dissolution of marriage actions.
Are Prentiss County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Prentiss County are public court records subject to the Mississippi Public Records Act. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest. However, certain categories of information within divorce files are restricted or may be sealed by court order.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and scheduled proceedings
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status and docket entries
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted pursuant to court rules)
- Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)
- Certain income and asset disclosures (subject to protective orders)
Children's Information:
- Residential addresses of minor children
- Names of schools children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children
- Child custody evaluations (may be sealed)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse records
- Medical records submitted as exhibits
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Sealed Records:
A party may petition the chancery court to seal specific documents or an entire case file upon a showing of good cause. Courts apply a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public absent a court order granting access.
Legal Basis for Public Access:
The Mississippi Public Records Act, codified at Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq., establishes the presumption that public records are open to inspection by any person. Court records are subject to this presumption, with exceptions recognized under applicable court rules and statutes protecting sensitive personal information.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of fees
- Parties to the case: Entitled to full access to their own case file, including documents otherwise restricted from public view
- Attorneys of record: Access to complete case files; may petition for sealed documents upon a proper showing
- Researchers and media: Access to public portions of the record; sealed records require court authorization
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or in violation of any protective order issued by the court.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Prentiss County?
The Prentiss County Circuit Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of court records. Current fees applicable to divorce records are as follows:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $1.00 per page + certification fee |
| Certification fee | $1.00 per document |
| Search fee (if applicable) | Varies; contact clerk |
- Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours.
- Certified copies of the final decree of divorce carry a per-page fee plus a certification charge.
- Fees for mail requests include applicable copy and certification charges; payment by check or money order made payable to the Prentiss County Circuit Clerk is accepted.
- In-person payments may be made by cash, check, or money order; members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods with the clerk's office prior to visiting.
- Fee waivers are not routinely available for divorce record requests; parties who believe they qualify for a waiver based on indigency may inquire with the clerk's office.
- Electronic copies, where available, may be subject to the same per-page fee structure as paper copies.
Members of the public seeking only basic case information — such as case number, filing date, and case status — may obtain that information at no charge by contacting the clerk's office directly.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Prentiss County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Prentiss County Circuit Clerk contains the following categories of documents, subject to applicable confidentiality restrictions:
Basic Case Information:
- Case number and court division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge assigned to the matter
- Attorneys of record and their contact information
- Filing date and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
- Complaint for divorce, identifying the grounds for dissolution under Mississippi law
- Summons issued to the respondent
- Answer or response filed by the respondent
- Counterclaim, if filed by the respondent
- Grounds alleged, which under Mississippi law include both fault-based grounds (such as adultery, habitual cruel and inhuman treatment, and desertion) and irreconcilable differences under Miss. Code Ann. § 93-5-2
Financial Affidavits and Disclosures:
- Income statements for both parties
- Monthly expense schedules
- Asset inventories (real property, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, personal property)
- Liability schedules (mortgages, loans, credit card debt)
- Tax returns and pay stubs submitted as exhibits (subject to redaction)
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with valuations
- Debt allocation schedules
- Real property appraisals
- Business valuations, if applicable
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody
- Timesharing schedule (regular, holiday, summer, and vacation provisions)
- Child support calculation worksheets
- Income deduction orders for child support
- Custody evaluations ordered by the court (may be restricted)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Support Documents:
- Alimony or spousal support orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Temporary support orders entered during the pendency of the case
Settlement Documents:
- Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) resolving all contested issues
- Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation
Court Orders and Final Judgment:
- Temporary orders entered during the case
- Final Decree of Divorce, which is the court's official order dissolving the marriage and resolving all issues
- Post-judgment modification orders, if any
Post-Judgment Documents:
- Petitions to modify custody or support
- Contempt motions and enforcement orders
- Income deduction orders and liens
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Residential addresses of minor children
- Domestic violence allegations and related evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Prentiss County
Proof of divorce in Prentiss County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce issued by the Prentiss County Circuit Clerk. A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature, confirming it as a true and accurate reproduction of the original court record. This document is accepted by government agencies, financial institutions, and other entities as legal proof that a marriage has been dissolved.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Identify the county where the divorce was filed. In Mississippi, divorce actions are filed in the chancery court of the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing.
- Contact the Prentiss County Circuit Clerk's office at (662) 728-8151 to confirm the case exists and obtain the case number.
- Submit a request in person, by mail, or as otherwise directed by the clerk's office.
- Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
- Pay the applicable certification and per-page copy fees.
- Receive the certified copy in person or by mail, depending on the method of request.
Prentiss County Circuit Clerk
101 North Main Street
Booneville, MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8151
Mississippi First Circuit Court — Courthouse Locations
For divorces occurring between January 1, 1926 and June 30, 1938, members of the public may also request a search of the Mississippi divorce index maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health, which provides limited index information for that period. For all other periods, the Circuit Clerk's office is the sole official source of certified divorce records in Prentiss County.
Mississippi State Department of Health — Vital Records
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 576-7960
Mississippi State Department of Health
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Prentiss County?
A divorce proceeding in Prentiss County may be made confidential, in whole or in part, through a court order sealing specific documents or the entire case file. Confidentiality is not automatic; a party must petition the chancery court and demonstrate good cause for restricting public access.
- Domestic violence cases: Courts may seal identifying information, residential addresses, and evidence related to abuse allegations to protect the safety of victims and minor children.
- Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and evaluations pertaining to minor children are subject to heightened protection and may be redacted or sealed.
- Financial records: Tax returns, account numbers, and Social Security numbers are redacted from public filings as a matter of standard court practice.
- Mental health and medical records: Records submitted as exhibits that contain protected health information may be filed under seal pursuant to applicable privacy laws.
- Mediation communications: Under Mississippi law, communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public record.
- Sealed cases: In cases involving high-profile parties or extraordinary circumstances, the court may seal the entire file upon a proper showing. Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
The Mississippi Public Records Act and applicable chancery court rules govern the standards for sealing court records and the procedures for challenging or obtaining access to sealed materials.
How Long Does Prentiss County Keep Divorce Records?
Prentiss County divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Mississippi court records retention schedules and the permanent nature of final judgments.
- Final decrees of divorce are considered permanent court records and are retained indefinitely by the Prentiss County Circuit Clerk. These records do not expire and remain accessible to authorized parties without time limitation.
- Complete case files, including pleadings, financial affidavits, and supporting documents, are retained pursuant to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History records retention schedules applicable to chancery court records.
- Post-judgment documents, including modification orders and enforcement actions, are added to the original case file and retained as part of the permanent record.
- Older paper records predating electronic filing systems may be stored in off-site archives or transferred to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for long-term preservation. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time.
- Electronic records created under current e-filing systems are maintained in the court's case management system and are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records.
- Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History provides guidance on the retention of state and county government records under applicable Mississippi law.