Divorce records in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, are available through several official sources. LauderdaleMSCourt.us allows you to view publicly accessible information about divorce records in the county. Additionally, you can contact the court that issued the divorce decree, the office of the county clerk, or the Mississippi State Department of Health, which maintains the vital records registry. Each of these sources provides different types of documents depending on your needs.
Lauderdale Divorce Records Search
In Lauderdale County, divorce records are maintained by two main institutions. The Chancery Court Clerk's Office keeps court cases — divorce decrees, settlement agreements, child custody orders, and all related procedural documents. This is the complete court archive.
Separately, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) maintains divorce certificates — brief statistical records that confirm the fact of divorce but do not contain details of property division or custody arrangements. MSDH records have been kept since 1926.
To search for court documents, contact the Lauderdale County Chancery Clerk's Office:
Lauderdale County Chancery Clerk
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Lauderdale
In Mississippi, divorce cases are handled by the Chancery Court — a court with jurisdiction over family matters, including divorce, property division, and custody issues. Once a judge issues a decree, the original remains in the Lauderdale County Chancery Clerk's Office. This is where you should go if you need a full copy of the court's decision or any documents from the case.
If you only need confirmation of the divorce — for example, for a name change or remarriage — it is sufficient to order a certificate from the state registry. Here are the contacts for both institutions:
Lauderdale County Chancery Court / Clerk
Mississippi State Department of Health — Vital Records
- Full copy of the court decision (decree, settlement agreement, custody order) — contact the Lauderdale County Chancery Clerk.
- Divorce certificate for statistical or administrative purposes — order through MSDH Vital Records.
Note: Some cases involving minor children may have restricted access. Check with the office to see if a specific case is public.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Lauderdale
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified divorce certificate (MSDH) | $17.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Additional copy of same certificate (same order, MSDH) | $6.00 | With the main order |
| MSDH search fee (if record not found) | $17.00 (non-refundable) | 2–4 weeks |
| Court record copy (Chancery Clerk) — per page | $0.50 | Usually 1–5 business days |
| Certification fee (Chancery Clerk) | $1.00–$5.00 (depending on the document) | 1–5 business days |