Mississippi Vital Records Search

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What are Mississippi Vital Records?

The Mississippi State Department of Health is the agency in charge of all vital records for the state. These records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Their office is located in Ridgeland, Mississippi. They have partnered with VitalChek to allow you to get copies by phone or online. You can also visit their office in person to get them the same day or order through the mail by downloading the application and paying a fee. This office provides a phone number and email address if you have any questions. Vital records in Mississippi are kept private. Therefore, only certain people can get a copy by proving they have a "direct and tangible interest" and showing proper ID.

Mississippi Birth Records

Mississippi has been keeping birth records since November 1, 1912. The Mississippi State Department of Health is tasked with collecting, storing, and issuing birth certificates for all residents and vital events for the state. They allow residents to get copies of their birth certificate by phone, in person, through the mail, or using the VitalChek service and ordering them online. Birth records are not public records; therefore, only certain people can get a copy for someone other than themselves. Birth records are needed when you apply for a driver's license, passport, special licenses, and permits, applying for government jobs, starting school, and even signing up for sports.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Mississippi?

Contact the Mississippi State Department of Health. They are the agency in charge of all birth records, and they allow you to request copies through the mail, by phone, in person, and online, using the VitalChek network.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Mississippi?

Download a copy of their birth certificate application. Fill it out and submit it with payment through the mail or visit their offices in person to get a copy quicker.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Mississippi?

A certified copy of a birth record is $17 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy. Photo ID is required when getting copies.

Who can request birth records?

Birth records are kept private in Mississippi for 100 years, so only certain people can get a copy. That list includes:

  1. "Registrant (the child named on the record), if of legal age.
  2. Parent(s) listed on the birth record if VR office has not been notified of termination of parental rights.
  3. Spouse, sibling(s), or grandparent(s)/child(ren) of registrant
  4. Legal Guardian, guardianship papers must be provided.
  5. Legal representative of one of the above persons, proof of representation must be provided.
  6. Licensed adoption agencies working within the statutory authority of §93-17-205.
  7. Other person(s) by court order, certified copy of court order must be provided.

For Genealogy purposes - Genealogy must be stated as the purpose of the certificate. A relationship with the applicant must be provided. Plain paper copies are provided for genealogy purposes."

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Mississippi birth certificate?

When ordering copies of birth certificates, you must include some information such as:

  1. Full name on the birth record.
  2. Date of birth.
  3. Place of birth.
  4. Gender.
  5. Race.
  6. Mother's full name.
  7. Father's full name.
  8. Relationship to the person on the certificate.
  9. State file number (if known).

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, ID, and paperwork supporting your relationship to the person.

Where can I find historical vital records in Mississippi for genealogy research?

Anyone requiring records for genealogy purposes can also contact the Mississippi State Department of Health for records. They have them going back to 1912.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

To correct errors on Mississippi Vital Records, you must either call or email the Mississippi State Department of Health office for help with that.

Can I get a refund if my Mississippi birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable. However, you will receive a "Not-On-File" notice if they cannot find your records.

Mississippi Death Records

Mississippi has been keeping Death Records since 1912. Death records in Mississippi are confidential and kept private for 50 years; then they become public records. The Mississippi State Department of Health is the government agency in charge of death records, and they allow you to request a copy of someone's death certificate if you are eligible. You can get them via phone, in person, online using VitalChek, and through the mail. Death records are helpful when you file a life insurance claim, get remarried, or need to verify someone's passing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi Death Records

How do I find death records in Mississippi?

The Mississippi State Department of Health is the agency that handles all death records going back to November 1, 1912. You can contact them to request a copy through the mail, phone, in person, or online.

Are death records public in Mississippi?

No, right away. Death records in Mississippi are kept private for 50 years, and then they become public records.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Mississippi?

A Mississippi death certificate costs $17 for the first copy, and each additional copy is another $6. You may order as many copies as you wish when you order.

How long does it take to get a copy of a Mississippi death record?

If you visit their offices in person, you can get one the same day. If you order through the mail or through VitalChek, you may have to wait about 7-10 days.

Who can request death records?

Since death records are kept private until they reach the age of 50, only certain people can get copies. Those people include:

  1. "Parent(s) listed on the death record.
  2. Spouse, sibling(s), or grandparent(s)/child(ren) of registrant, proof of relationship required.
  3. Informant must be listed on the death record.
  4. Legal Guardian, guardianship papers must be provided.
  5. Legal representative of one of the above persons, proof of representation must be provided.
  6. Other person(s) by court order, certified copy of court order must be provided.
  7. Funeral Home must be the funeral home on record that took possession of the body.

For Genealogy purposes - Genealogy must be stated as the purpose of the certificate. A relationship with the applicant must be provided. Plain paper copies are provided for genealogy purposes."

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Mississippi death certificate?

When ordering a copy of someone's death certificate, you will need some information such as:

  1. Full name of the deceased.
  2. Date of death.
  3. Place of death.
  4. Gender.
  5. Race.
  6. Social security number.
  7. Age at death.
  8. Father's full name.
  9. Mother's full name.
  10. Funeral director's name.
  11. Relationship to the person listed on the certificate.

As the requestor, you also need to supply your information, ID, and proof of your relationship/eligibility to receive it.

Where can I find historical death records in Mississippi?

The Mississippi State Department of Health has all death records going back to 1912. These should be suitable for all genealogy requests.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

To correct an error on someone's death certificate or request an amendment, you need to contact the Mississippi State Department of Health via phone or email.

Can I get a refund if my Mississippi death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable. You will, however, receive a "Not-On-File" notice if they cannot find your records.

Mississippi Marriage Records

Although marriage records are maintained by state and county officials, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has the ability to provide you with copies through the mail, online or by phone using VitalChek, or in person at their office in Ridgeland. You also have the option of contacting the county clerk in the courthouse where your marriage license was filed. Not all records are on file with the MSDH, so you may have to consult the courts. Marriage records come in handy when you have to change your name, apply for a driver's license or credit card, or you need to validate your identity. When searching for records, they will perform a search spanning five years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi Marriage Records

Are Mississippi marriage records public?

No. Only someone with direct and tangible interest may get a copy.

What Mississippi marriage records are available?

The Mississippi State Department of Health has the following marriage records available: "January 1, 1926, to June 30, 1938, and for January 1, 1942, to present."

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Mississippi?

If you show up at the Mississippi State Department of Health in person, you can get one instantly. Otherwise, you will wait 7-10 days to get it through the mail, phone, or online.

How much does a Mississippi marriage certificate cost?

The cost of a Mississippi marriage certificate costs $17 for the first copy and $6 for each copy after that. You can order as many copies as you need, you are not limited.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When requesting copies of marriage records, you need to supply some information such as:

  1. Full names of both parties.
  2. Date of the marriage.
  3. Place of the marriage.
  4. Place the marriage license was issued.
  5. Relationship to either of the parties.

Marriage records are only available to people with a legitimate and tangible interest. They are not open to the public.

How do I get a copy of a Mississippi marriage record?

Either visit the Mississippi State Health Department or download the form and mail it in. You can also use the VitalChek service to order copies online or by phone.

What if I didn't get married in Mississippi?

If you were not married in Mississippi, you must contact the vital records office or the courthouse where your marriage license was filed to get copies.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Marriage records are not public records. Therefore, only the following people can get copies of yours:

  1. "Registrant(s), persons listed on the record.
  2. Parent(s) of the registrant listed on the marriage record, proof of relationship required.
  3. Spouse, sibling(s), or grandparent(s)/child(ren) of registrant, proof of relationship required.
  4. Legal representative of one of the above persons, proof of representation must be provided.
  5. Other person(s) by court order, certified copy of court order must be provided.

For Genealogy purposes – Genealogy must be stated as the purpose of the certificate. A relationship with the applicant must be provided. Plain paper copies are provided for genealogy purposes."

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Mississippi?

To correct a marriage certificate, you must contact either the county clerk in the court where your marriage was filed or the Mississippi State Department of Health for help.

Mississippi Divorce Records

The Mississippi State Department of Health does not maintain divorce records. However, they can do a five-year search and provide you with a divorce confirmation from January 1, 1926, to June 30, 1938, and for January 1, 1942, to present. You must pay a fee for this service, however. When you request a confirmation, you will get the "county where the divorce was granted, the book, and the page number in the Chancery Clerk's office where it was recorded. The Chancery Clerk's office will need to be contacted directly to obtain a certified copy of the divorce decree." You can also contact the State of Mississippi Judiciary directly to request a copy of your divorce decree or a certificate confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Mississippi?

No. You must contact the Chancery Clerk's office in the county where your divorce took place. They supply records. The Mississippi State Department of Health can verify some divorce records, but not all.

How do I find old divorce records?

You must contact the Chancery Clerk's office in the county where the divorce took place. They should have records going back to when they first started keeping them. The MSDH has records only from January 1, 1926, to June 30, 1938, and for January 1, 1942, to present.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

Contact the Chancery Clerk's office in the county where the divorce took place.

What information is needed to search for a Mississippi divorce record?

When requesting a copy of your divorce decree or a divorce confirmation, you must supply both parties' names, the date of the divorce, the place of divorce, and other information that the court requests to find the record.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Mississippi?


If you were divorced outside of Mississippi, contact the vital records office or the courthouse in the state where you were divorced.

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