Divorce records in Madison County, Mississippi, are available through several channels. MadisonCourt.us allows you to search publicly available divorce information in the county. Additionally, you can contact the Chancery Court Clerk's office that issued the ruling or the Mississippi State Department of Health, Vital Records, directly. Online tools, personal visits, and written requests all work for obtaining the necessary documents.
Madison Divorce Records Search
In Madison County, divorce cases are handled by the Chancery Court — this is the court in Mississippi with jurisdiction over family matters. The Chancery Clerk's office keeps the original court decisions (divorce decrees), property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and all related procedural documents.
Separate from the court, the Mississippi State Department of Health maintains statistical records of divorces and issues divorce certificates starting from 1926. These certificates confirm the fact of divorce but do not contain details of property agreements or court decisions.
According to the State Public Records Act, court materials are generally open for inspection, although certain documents — such as financial affidavits or records concerning minors — may be sealed by a judge.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Madison
Understanding where each type of document is filed will save time. Below are the two main offices and what each of them stores.
Chancery Court Clerk — Full Court Dossier
All divorce petitions in the county are filed with the Madison County Chancery Court. Once a judge signs a decree, the office registers it and stores it along with:
- the petition and response,
- property settlement agreement,
- custody and support orders,
- any subsequent modifications.
If you need the full text of a court decision or a copy of a specific document from the case — this is where to go.
Mississippi State Department of Health — Divorce Verification
This office issues standardized certificates (verification letters and certified certificates) that confirm the date of divorce, the names of the parties, and the county where it was filed. For most administrative purposes — name change, remarriage, immigration procedures — such a certificate is sufficient.
In short: for case details go to the Chancery Clerk, and for official divorce verification go to Vital Records.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Madison
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified divorce certificate (State Vital Records) | $17.00 | 2–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional copy of certificate (same order) | $6.00 | With the main request |
| Court record search (Chancery Clerk) | Varies; usually $5.00–$10.00 | Depends on the scope of the request |
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Chancery Clerk) | $0.50 per page + certification fee | 1–5 business days for in-person requests |
| Expedited processing (State Vital Records, VitalChek) | Additional processing and delivery fee | 5–7 business days |