Scott County Public Records /Scott County Divorce Records

Scott County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Scott County in 2026

ScottCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Scott County, Mississippi. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents through official county and state resources. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and post-judgment modifications. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Records may be searched through the Scott County Chancery Court, state vital records resources, public access terminals at the courthouse, and select online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records in Scott County.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Scott County Chancery Clerk serves as the primary custodian of divorce records in Scott County. In Mississippi, divorce proceedings are filed in Chancery Court, not Circuit Court. Members of the public may contact the Chancery Clerk's office directly to inquire about available online case search tools. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document reproduction.

2. Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC)

The Mississippi Electronic Courts system provides online access to certain Chancery Court filings for registered users. Attorneys and parties of record may access case documents through this portal. Members of the general public seeking access to specific case documents not available through the clerk's office may submit a written request.

3. State Vital Records

The Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office does not maintain divorce records directly. However, MSDH offers a five-year search of county divorce indexes covering January 1, 1926 through June 30, 1938, and January 1, 1942 through December 31, 1977. For divorces outside those periods, requests must be directed to the Chancery Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Members of the public may also access vital records request forms through the MSDH website.

In-Person Searches

Scott County Chancery Clerk's Office
100 East Main Street
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-1922
Chancery Clerk | Scott County, Mississippi

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Services available in person include:

Searching case files by party name or case number
Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
Staff assistance for locating historical or archived records

By Mail

Members of the public may submit written requests for divorce records to the Chancery Clerk's office by mail. Requests should be addressed to:

Scott County Chancery Clerk
P.O. Box 630
Forest, MS 39074

Each written 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 name, mailing address, and contact information
Stated purpose of the request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on case volume and whether records require retrieval from archives.

By Phone

Limited information is available by telephone. Members of the public may contact the Chancery Clerk at (601) 469-1922 to confirm whether a case exists, obtain a case number, verify case status, or confirm a filing date. Staff are not able to provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case information by telephone.

Through Attorneys

Licensed attorneys may access divorce case files on behalf of clients, including requesting sealed or restricted documents through appropriate court procedures. Members of the public who require access to restricted records or who are involved in complex post-judgment matters may consult the Mississippi Bar Lawyer Referral Service for assistance locating qualified family law counsel.

Information Needed for Search

To conduct an effective search, the following information is recommended:

Full legal names of both spouses, including maiden names
Approximate date of divorce or year of filing
Case number, if previously obtained
County where either spouse resided at the time of filing

Additional helpful information includes the date of marriage, names of attorneys of record, and any prior case numbers associated with the matter.

Search in the Correct County

Under Mississippi law, divorce actions are filed in the Chancery Court of the county where either spouse resides. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county where the divorce was filed.

Residency Requirement

Pursuant to Mississippi Code § 93-5-5, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Mississippi for six months prior to filing for divorce. The action is filed in the Chancery Court of the county where either party resides.

Time Considerations

Recent divorce filings may not appear in searchable indexes immediately following the final hearing. Members of the public should allow several days to several weeks for processing after a final decree is entered. Older records, particularly those predating electronic filing systems, may be archived and require additional retrieval time.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a record may not be located include:

The divorce was filed in a different county
Name variations or spelling differences between maiden and married names
The case is still pending and has not been finalized
Very old records stored in physical archives
The case has been sealed by court order

Members of the public encountering difficulty locating a record should contact the Chancery Clerk's office directly, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, and consult the MSDH divorce index for records within the covered date ranges.

What Are Scott County Divorce Records?

Scott County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Scott County Chancery Court. These records constitute part of the permanent court file and are maintained by the Chancery Clerk as required by Mississippi law. As the Scott County Chancery Clerk's office notes, the Clerk handles county records throughout their active use lifespan and beyond, preserving them for public access and legal reference.

Types of Divorce Records

Divorce case files in Scott County contain a range of documents depending on the complexity of the proceeding:

Petition for Divorce: The initiating pleading filed by the petitioner, identifying both parties, the grounds for divorce, and the relief requested, including property division, support, and custody arrangements where applicable.
Response or Answer: The respondent's formal reply to the petition, including any counterclaims.
Financial Affidavits: Sworn statements from both parties disclosing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
Parenting Plans and Custody Orders: Documents establishing legal and physical custody, visitation schedules, and decision-making authority for minor children.
Marital Settlement Agreement: A comprehensive written agreement resolving all contested issues, including property division, debt allocation, and spousal support.
Final Decree of Divorce: The court's official order dissolving the marriage, signed by the Chancery Court judge. This document serves as legal proof of divorce and establishes all terms of the dissolution.
Post-Judgment Modifications: Subsequent court orders modifying custody, support, or other provisions of the original decree.

Purpose of Divorce Records

Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Supporting name change documentation
Facilitating property transfers and estate planning
Providing evidence in immigration proceedings
Supporting Social Security benefit claims
Enabling genealogical and family history research

Legal Framework

Divorce proceedings in Mississippi are governed by Mississippi Code § 93-5-1 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, residency requirements, and procedural rules applicable in Chancery Court. Public access to court records is further governed by Mississippi's public records statutes, which establish a presumption of openness for court filings.

Are Scott County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Scott County Chancery Court are public court records, accessible to members of the public under Mississippi's open records framework. The presumption of public access applies to most documents in a divorce case file, though specific categories of information are subject to restriction or redaction under state and federal law.

What Is Public

The following information is accessible to members of the public:

Case number and filing date
Names of both parties
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted

Certain categories of information within divorce case files are subject to restriction, redaction, or sealing:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from public filings pursuant to court rules
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns and financial statements may be subject to limited access

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be restricted
Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed by court order
Psychological evaluations of children are restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed
Mental health and substance abuse records are protected
Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are withheld

Sealed Records

A Chancery Court judge may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public without a court order. Parties seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for disclosure.

Who Can Access Records

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees.
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents not available to the general public.
Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed materials.
Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires court authorization.

Prohibited Uses

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order issued by the court.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Scott County?

The Scott County Chancery Clerk's office charges standard fees for copying and certifying divorce records. Current fees applicable to divorce record requests are as follows:

Service	Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee
Search fee (when applicable)	Varies by request
Exemplified/authenticated copy	Additional fee may apply

Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public divorce records at the Chancery Clerk's office at no charge during regular business hours.
Copies: Reproduction fees are charged per page for paper copies.
Certified copies: A certification fee is added to the per-page copy fee for documents bearing the clerk's official seal and certification.
Electronic copies: Availability and fees for electronic copies should be confirmed directly with the Chancery Clerk's office, as practices may vary.
Payment methods: The Chancery Clerk's office accepts cash, money orders, and checks made payable to the Scott County Chancery Clerk. Members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods prior to submitting mail requests.

Fee schedules for Mississippi Chancery Court records are established pursuant to Mississippi Code § 25-7-9, which governs fees charged by clerks of court for official services. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly available for divorce record requests; parties who are indigent and require records for active litigation may petition the court for a fee waiver in connection with their case.

Members of the public who require only basic case information, such as a case number or filing date, may obtain that information at no charge by contacting the Chancery Clerk's office by telephone or in person.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Scott County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Scott County Chancery Clerk contains all documents filed with the court from the initiation of the proceeding through final judgment and any subsequent post-judgment actions. The scope of documents varies depending on whether the divorce was uncontested or contested and whether children or significant assets were involved.

Basic Case Information

Every divorce case file includes a case caption identifying the case number, court name, names of the petitioner and respondent, the assigned judge, and attorneys of record. Filing information reflects the date the petition was filed, the case type, and the jurisdictional basis for the action.

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 grounds for divorce under Mississippi law, information regarding minor children, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer addresses each allegation and may include a counterpetition seeking affirmative relief.

Financial Affidavits

Both parties are required to submit sworn financial affidavits disclosing all sources of income, monthly expenses, real and personal property assets, retirement accounts, investment accounts, and outstanding liabilities. These documents form the evidentiary basis for property division and support determinations.

Property-Related Documents

Contested divorce files contain inventories of marital assets and debts, real property appraisals, business valuations, and expert reports on the value of specific assets. The final decree or marital settlement agreement specifies the distribution of all identified marital property and the allocation of marital debts.

Children-Related Documents

Where minor children are involved, the case file contains a parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, a detailed timesharing schedule including holidays and vacations, a child support calculation worksheet, and any orders for health insurance and childcare cost allocation. If a custody evaluation was ordered, the evaluator's report may be included, subject to any sealing order entered by the court.

Final Judgment of Dissolution

The final decree of divorce is the court's official order dissolving the marriage. It contains the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division determinations, spousal support orders if applicable, child custody and support provisions, and any authorized name restoration. The decree bears the judge's signature and the court's official seal.

Post-Judgment Documents

Following entry of the final decree, the case file may be supplemented with petitions to modify custody or support, orders on those petitions, contempt motions, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) dividing retirement accounts are filed as separate orders and are part of the permanent case record.

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed

The following categories of information are redacted from public filings or may be sealed by court order:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
Mediation communications, which are confidential under Mississippi law
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed agreements

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Scott County?

Proof of divorce in Scott County is obtained through a certified copy of the final decree of divorce issued by the Scott County Chancery Clerk. A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature and is accepted by government agencies, financial institutions, and courts as legal proof that a divorce was granted.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy

Identify the correct county. Confirm that the divorce was filed in Scott County Chancery Court. If uncertain, contact the MSDH Vital Records office to search the divorce records index for cases within the covered date ranges.
Obtain the case number. Contact the Scott County Chancery Clerk at (601) 469-1922 to obtain the case number using the names of both parties and the approximate year of divorce.
Submit a request. Members of the public may request a certified copy in person at the Chancery Clerk's office, by mail, or by following any online request procedures currently available through the clerk's office.
Pay applicable fees. Certified copy fees are charged per page plus a certification fee. Payment should be submitted with the request.
Receive the certified copy. In-person requests are typically fulfilled on the same business day. Mail requests are processed within one to two weeks.

Scott County Chancery Clerk's Office
100 East Main Street
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-1922
Chancery Clerk | Scott County, Mississippi

For divorces occurring between January 1, 1926 and June 30, 1938, or January 1, 1942 and December 31, 1977, members of the public may also request a search of the statewide divorce index through the Mississippi State Department of Health. The MSDH index search provides confirmation of a divorce within the covered period but does not substitute for a certified copy of the decree itself.

Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 576-7960
Mississippi Vital Records – Divorce Records

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Scott County?

Divorce proceedings in Scott County are presumptively public, but Mississippi law and Chancery Court rules permit certain records or portions of records to be treated as confidential under defined circumstances.

The following categories of information may be subject to confidentiality protections:

Sealed case files: A Chancery Court judge may seal an entire case file or specific documents upon a showing of good cause, such as the presence of domestic violence, child abuse allegations, or other compelling circumstances requiring protection of a party or child.
Redacted financial information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar identifying financial data are redacted from public filings as a matter of standard court practice.
Children's identifying information: The residential addresses, school information, and other identifying details of minor children may be withheld from public access to protect their safety and privacy.
Domestic violence protections: Where a party has obtained a protective order or where domestic violence is alleged, the court may restrict public access to address information and related evidence.
Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential under Mississippi law and are not part of the public case file.
Mental health and medical records: Psychological evaluations, medical records, and substance abuse treatment information submitted in connection with custody proceedings may be sealed by court order.

Members of the public seeking access to sealed or confidential divorce records must file a motion with the Scott County Chancery Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for disclosure. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved.

How Long Does Scott County Keep Divorce Records?

Scott County Chancery Court divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Mississippi's court records retention requirements. The retention schedule applicable to Chancery Court records reflects the permanent legal significance of divorce decrees and related orders.

The following retention periods apply to divorce records in Scott County:

Final decrees of divorce: Retained permanently. Final judgments dissolving a marriage are part of the permanent court record and are not subject to destruction.
Complete case files: Chancery 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 applicable to final judgments and decrees.
Post-judgment modification records: Orders modifying custody, support, or other provisions of a final decree are retained as part of the original case file and are subject to the same retention schedule.
Archived records: Older case files that have exceeded their active retention period may be transferred to archival storage. Members of the public requesting archived records should allow additional retrieval time and contact the Chancery Clerk's office in advance.
Electronic records: Cases filed through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system are maintained in electronic format and are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records.

Mississippi court records retention schedules are established by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in coordination with the Administrative Office of Courts. Members of the public seeking records from closed or archived cases should contact the Scott County Chancery Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.