Warren County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Warren County in 2026
WarrenCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Warren County, Mississippi. Members of the public may find case filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents through official channels. Record categories available through authorized sources include divorce decrees, dissolution judgments, case docket entries, property settlement agreements, and custody orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Divorce records in Warren County may be searched through official resources including the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk's office, the Mississippi Courts online portal, and the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking these records.
Online Searches
1. Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) / Court Portal
The Mississippi Courts case search portal provides online access to circuit court case information statewide, including Warren County. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for document retrieval.
- Search by party name or case number
- Provides docket entries, filing dates, and case status
- Document copies may require a fee
- Available 24 hours a day
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 records outside that range, requests must be directed to the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
- Divorce certificates are not issued by the state vital records office
- Index searches cover a limited historical period
- Current divorce records are held exclusively by the circuit court
In-Person Searches
Warren County Circuit Court Clerk — Family Division
Members of the public may inspect divorce case files in person at the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk's office during regular business hours.
Warren County Circuit Court Clerk
1009 Cherry Street
Vicksburg, MS 39183
Phone: (601) 636-4415
Warren County Circuit Court Clerk
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Services available: case file searches, document viewing, certified copy requests, public access terminals, and staff assistance
- Photo identification may be required
By Mail
Written Request:
Mail requests to the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk at the address above. Include the following:
- Full names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request (may be required)
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
- Processing time: 1–2 weeks
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Warren County Circuit Court Clerk: (601) 636-4415
- Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide a case number, confirm case status, and verify the filing date
- Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of records, or confidential 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, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Mississippi Bar Lawyer Referral Service can assist members of the public in locating qualified family law counsel.
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 Warren County
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under Mississippi Code § 93-5-11, a divorce action must be filed in the county where the defendant resides, or in the county where the parties last cohabited, or in the county of the complainant's residence if the defendant is a nonresident. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce cannot be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless that county also satisfies the residency requirement.
Residency Requirement:
Mississippi law requires that at least one spouse be a resident of the state for six months prior to filing. The divorce is filed in the appropriate county of residence as described above.
Time Considerations
- Recent divorces: Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing. Allow several days to a few weeks for processing and indexing.
- Older divorces: Pre-digital records may be archived in paper format, may not be digitized, and may require additional retrieval time. Contact the clerk's office directly for records predating electronic filing.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- Incorrect county of search
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences or clerical errors
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records held in off-site storage
- Case sealed or subject to confidentiality order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk at (601) 636-4415
- Try alternate name spellings and both spouses' names
- Search the Mississippi Courts statewide portal
- Check the Mississippi State Department of Health for historical index searches
- Engage a professional records search service
- Consult a licensed Mississippi attorney
What Are Warren County Divorce Records?
Warren County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Warren County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the permanent public court file and are maintained by the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk as the primary custodian. Pursuant to Mississippi's public records framework and the Mississippi Public Records Act, court records are presumptively open to inspection by members of the public, subject to specific statutory and judicial exceptions.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include:
- Petition for divorce or complaint for divorce
- Summons and proof of service
- Response or answer filed by the respondent
- Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Motions, orders, and hearing notices
- Transcripts of court proceedings
- Final judgment of divorce or decree of dissolution
Final Decree:
The final decree is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property, any alimony or spousal support awarded, child custody and visitation arrangements, child support obligations, and any court-ordered name changes. Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk.
Supporting Documents include:
- Original marriage certificate (submitted as exhibit)
- Financial disclosure documents
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Parenting plan details
- Post-judgment modification orders
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:
- Legal purposes: Proof of marital status for remarriage, name change documentation, property transfer, estate planning, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit claims
- Personal purposes: Genealogical and family history research, personal record-keeping, and verification of divorce terms
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in Mississippi are governed by Mississippi Code § 93-5-1 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, procedural requirements, and the court's authority to adjudicate property, support, and custody matters. The Warren County Circuit Court exercises jurisdiction over all divorce matters filed within the county.
Are Warren County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Warren County Circuit Court are public court records under Mississippi law. 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 subject to restriction, redaction, or sealing pursuant to court rules and state statute.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (both spouses)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and scheduled events
- Court orders and judgments
- Final divorce 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)
- Salary and income details (subject to limited access in some circumstances)
Children's Information:
- Names and addresses of minor children (may be redacted)
- Schools children attend
- Medical and psychological information about children
- Child custody evaluations (may be sealed by court order)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses of domestic violence victims
- Medical records submitted as exhibits
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Circumstances that may warrant sealing include cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, confidential settlement terms, and mediation communications, which are confidential by statute under Mississippi law.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requestor | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents and docket entries |
| Parties to the case | Full access to their own case file |
| Licensed attorneys | Case files; sealed documents upon proper showing |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to certain restricted information |
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 Warren County?
The Warren County Circuit Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to Mississippi Code § 25-7-9, which governs fees charged by circuit court clerks.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee |
| Search fee (when applicable) | Varies; contact clerk's office |
| Electronic copy (if available) | Varies by case |
- Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public court records at no charge during regular business hours at the clerk's office.
- Certified copies: A certification fee applies in addition to the per-page copy fee. Certified copies of the final decree are the standard form of proof of divorce accepted by government agencies, financial institutions, and courts.
- Payment methods: The Warren County Circuit Court Clerk accepts cash, money orders, and checks made payable to the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk. Members of the public should contact the clerk's office to confirm currently accepted payment methods prior to submitting a mail request.
- Fee waivers: Fee waivers are not routinely available for record copy requests. Parties who are indigent and represented by counsel in an active case may petition the court for waiver of certain fees.
- Online access: Basic case information available through the Mississippi Courts portal is accessible at no charge. Fees apply for document downloads or certified copies ordered through the system.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Warren County
A complete Warren County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the circuit court from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The following summarizes the principal categories of documents found in a divorce case file.
Basic Case Information:
- Case number, court name, and division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge assigned to the case
- Attorneys of record and their contact information
- Filing date and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
The petition for divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce as recognized under Mississippi law, information regarding minor children, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer addresses each allegation and may include a counterclaim for divorce.
Financial Affidavits:
Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and retirement accounts, and all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with descriptions and values
- Debt inventory
- Real property appraisals
- Business valuations, if applicable
- Expert reports on asset values
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan specifying legal and physical custody
- Timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, and summer provisions
- Child support calculation worksheet
- Income information for both parties
- Health insurance and childcare cost documentation
- Child support order specifying amount, payment method, and schedule
- Custody evaluations, if ordered by the court
- Guardian ad litem reports, if a guardian was appointed
Support Documents:
- Alimony or spousal support order specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Calculation worksheets supporting support determinations
Settlement Documents:
- Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) resolving all contested issues, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
- Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders addressing custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case
- Final Judgment of Divorce containing the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and timesharing provisions, and any name restoration
- Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), if retirement accounts were divided
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
- Petitions to modify custody or support
- Court orders on modification requests
- Contempt motions and enforcement actions
- Income deduction orders
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details (may be sealed)
- Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Warren County
Proof of divorce in Warren County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce issued by the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk. A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature and is accepted as legal proof of divorce by government agencies, courts, financial institutions, and other official bodies.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
-
In person: Visit the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk's office at 1009 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of divorce. Pay the applicable certification and copy fees.
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By mail: Submit a written request to the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk including the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, the case number if known, the requestor's contact information, and payment for applicable fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
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Online: Access the Mississippi Courts portal to locate the case and determine whether electronic certified copies are available for the specific case.
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Through the Mississippi State Department of Health: The MSDH Vital Records office does not issue divorce certificates but maintains a historical index for the period January 1, 1926 through June 30, 1938. For all other periods, the circuit court clerk is the sole source of certified divorce records.
Warren County Circuit Court Clerk
1009 Cherry Street
Vicksburg, MS 39183
Phone: (601) 636-4415
Warren County Circuit Court Clerk
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Warren County?
Certain portions of a Warren County divorce case file may be made confidential by court order or by operation of law, though the default presumption under Mississippi law is that court records are open to public inspection.
Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:
- Domestic violence cases: Addresses and identifying information of domestic violence victims may be withheld from public access to protect victim safety.
- Sealed records: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children.
- Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical or psychological information pertaining to minor children may be redacted or restricted pursuant to court rules designed to protect minors.
- Mental health and medical records: Records submitted as exhibits that contain protected health information may be filed under seal or with restricted access.
- Mediation communications: Under Mississippi law, communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public court record.
- Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: These are redacted from all publicly accessible documents pursuant to court filing rules.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed or restricted portions of a divorce file must file a motion with the Warren County Circuit Court demonstrating good cause for access.
How Long Does Warren County Keep Divorce Records?
Warren County Circuit Court divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Mississippi court records retention requirements. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History establishes records retention schedules applicable to circuit court records statewide.
Retention periods for Warren County divorce records include:
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. Final divorce decrees are considered permanent court records and are not subject to destruction.
- Complete case files: Circuit court case files, including all pleadings, orders, and supporting documents, are retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case, with permanent retention for cases involving final judgments.
- Historical records: Divorce records dating to the early twentieth century are maintained in archival storage. Some older records have been microfilmed or digitized and may be accessible through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
- Post-judgment modification files: Records of post-judgment proceedings, including custody and support modifications, are retained as part of the original case file and follow the same retention schedule.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system are retained in the electronic filing system consistent with applicable retention schedules.
Members of the public seeking very old divorce records that may have been transferred to archival storage should contact the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.