Monroe County Public Records /Monroe County Divorce Records

Monroe County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Monroe County in 2026

MonroeMSRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Monroe County, Mississippi. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, and final decree information through official court and state resources. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, child custody determinations, and support orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Divorce records in Monroe County may be searched through the Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk's office, the Mississippi Courts online portal, the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and third-party research tools. The following sections detail each available method.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk maintains an index of civil and family law cases, including divorce proceedings. Members of the public may search basic case information at no charge through the court's public access system. Obtaining copies of filed documents requires payment of applicable per-page fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The Mississippi Courts case search portal provides access to case information across Mississippi's court system. Users may search by party name or case number to locate divorce proceedings filed in Monroe County Circuit Court.

3. 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 divorces finalized after that period, the Circuit Court Clerk remains the primary custodian.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Monroe County Circuit Court:

Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk
Monroe County Courthouse, 201 West Commerce Street
Aberdeen, MS 39730
Phone: (662) 369-8143
Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating archived records

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail requests to the Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk at the address listed above. Each written request should include:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date the divorce was finalized
Case number, if known
Requestor's full name and return address
Purpose of the request, if required by the clerk
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope

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

By Phone

Limited Information Available:

Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk: (662) 369-8143
Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, confirm case status, and verify the filing date
Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case 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 of cause, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Mississippi Bar Lawyer Referral Service connects members of the public with qualified family law attorneys for complex record access needs.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of the divorce
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or year of filing
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior addresses in Monroe County
Names of minor children involved
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 non-resident. Members of the public who cannot locate a record in Monroe County should consider whether the divorce may have been filed in an adjacent county. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county where the divorce was filed.

Residency Requirement:

Mississippi law requires that at least one spouse have been a resident of the state for six months immediately preceding the filing of the divorce complaint, pursuant to § 93-5-5.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Newly finalized cases may not appear in online indexes immediately
Allow several business days to weeks after the final hearing for the record to be processed and indexed
Contacting the clerk directly is the most reliable method for recently finalized cases

Older Divorces:

Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in paper archives
Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
Records from before 1938 may be partially indexed through the Mississippi State Department of Health

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

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

Next Steps:

Contact the Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk at (662) 369-8143
Attempt alternate name spellings and both spouses' names
Search the Mississippi Courts portal for statewide results
Check the Mississippi State Department of Health for historical index searches
Engage a licensed Mississippi attorney for sealed or complex record access

What Are Monroe County Divorce Records?

Monroe County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Monroe County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the court's permanent family law case files and are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk as the primary custodian. Divorce records serve as the legal documentation of the dissolution of a marriage and encompass all pleadings, orders, financial disclosures, and final judgments entered in a case.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files include the complete set of documents filed in a dissolution proceeding:

Petition for divorce (complaint for divorce under Mississippi law)
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
Parenting plans and child custody agreements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of divorce

Final Decree of Divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes:

The date the marriage was legally dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal support provisions, if any
Child custody and visitation arrangements, if applicable
Child support obligations, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested

Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Circuit Court Clerk upon payment of applicable fees.

Supporting Documents filed in the case record may include the original marriage certificate, property appraisals, business valuations, retirement account statements, and any post-judgment modification orders entered after the original decree.

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:

Providing proof of marital status for remarriage
Supporting name change documentation with government agencies
Facilitating property transfers and title changes
Supporting immigration proceedings and visa applications
Establishing eligibility for Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
Assisting with estate planning and beneficiary designations
Supporting genealogical and family history research

Legal Framework:

Mississippi divorce proceedings are governed by Mississippi Code § 93-5-1 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, procedural requirements, and the court's authority to divide marital property and award support. The Mississippi Public Records Act governs public access to court records, subject to applicable privacy protections for sensitive family law information.

Are Monroe County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Monroe 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 case files are subject to restriction or redaction to protect sensitive personal and financial data.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Scheduled court hearing dates
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
Certain financial statements may be filed under seal upon court order

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be partially redacted
Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
Medical and psychological evaluations of children may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
Child custody evaluations ordered by the court may be sealed

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are restricted
Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are protected
Medical records incorporated into the case file are subject to HIPAA protections

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Mississippi law and are not part of the public court record.

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of fees; may be required to present identification
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including confidential documents
Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing
Researchers and media: May access public portions of the record; sealed records require a court order; First Amendment considerations apply to news reporting

Prohibited Uses of Divorce Records:

Stalking, harassment, or intimidation of any party
Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
Violation of any protective order entered in the case
Any use prohibited by applicable state or federal law

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

The Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Mississippi law. Current fees applicable to divorce record requests are as follows:

Service	Current 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
Electronic copy (if available)	Varies; contact clerk

Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours
Certified copies of the final judgment of divorce carry an additional certification fee per document
Payment is accepted in the form of cash, money order, or check made payable to the Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk; members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods directly with the clerk's office before submitting mail requests
Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties upon application to the court; members of the public seeking a fee waiver should file a written request with the clerk and demonstrate financial hardship
Fees for records obtained through the Mississippi State Department of Health for historical index searches differ from court copy fees and are set by the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office

What's Included in Divorce Records in Monroe County

A complete Monroe County divorce case file contains all documents filed from the initiation of the proceeding through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The following categories represent the standard contents of a dissolution of marriage case file.

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name, and division
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record for each party
Date of filing and case type designation

Initial Pleadings:

The Complaint for Divorce (Mississippi's term for the initial petition) sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the grounds for divorce as recognized under Mississippi law, information regarding minor children, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested by the petitioner.

The Answer filed by the respondent states the respondent's position on each allegation, admissions or denials, any counterclaim for divorce, and the respondent's requests for relief.

Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly living expenses, marital and separate assets, and all outstanding liabilities.

Property-Related Documents:

Inventory of marital assets including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investment and retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property
Inventory of marital debts including mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card balances, and other obligations
Appraisals and expert valuations of real property, businesses, and personal property

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, visitation schedules, holiday arrangements, and decision-making authority
Child support calculation worksheets reflecting each parent's income, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses
Child support order specifying the amount, payment schedule, and method of payment
Custody evaluations, if ordered by the court (may be sealed)
Guardian ad litem reports, if a guardian was appointed (subject to restricted access)

Support Documents:

Alimony or spousal support orders specifying the type, amount, duration, and conditions for modification or termination
Calculation worksheets supporting the support determination

Settlement Documents:

Marital Settlement Agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related matters
Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation (note: mediation communications themselves are confidential)

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders entered 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 determinations, and name restoration if requested
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), if retirement accounts were divided

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Petitions to modify custody, visitation, 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 as a matter of course)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence details and supporting evidence (may be sealed)
Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Monroe County

Proof of divorce in Monroe County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce issued by the Monroe County Circuit Court 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 marriage was dissolved.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Gather the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce
Contact the Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk by phone at (662) 369-8143 or visit in person at the Monroe County Courthouse to confirm the case number
Submit a written request specifying the case number, the names of both parties, and the specific document needed (Final Judgment of Divorce)
Pay the applicable certification fee at the time of the request
Receive the certified copy in person or by mail, depending on the method of request

Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk
Monroe County Courthouse, 201 West Commerce Street
Aberdeen, MS 39730
Phone: (662) 369-8143
Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk

For divorces finalized between January 1, 1926 and June 30, 1938, members of the public may also request a historical index search through the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office, though the department does not issue certified copies of divorce decrees.

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

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Monroe County?

Divorce proceedings in Monroe County are presumptively public, but Mississippi law and court rules permit certain cases or portions of cases to be sealed or treated as confidential under defined circumstances.

Circumstances Under Which Divorce Records May Be Confidential:

Domestic violence cases: When a party to the divorce is a victim of domestic violence, the court may seal the victim's address, contact information, and related evidence to prevent disclosure to the abusive party
Child protection: Information identifying the residential address or school of a minor child may be withheld from public access to protect the child's safety
Mental health and medical records: Records pertaining to a party's mental health treatment or medical condition that are incorporated into the case file are subject to confidentiality protections under applicable state and federal law
Sealed by court order: Any party may petition the court to seal specific documents or the entire case file upon a showing of good cause; the court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties
Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not filed as part of the public court record
Confidential settlements: Settlement terms that the parties agree to keep confidential may be incorporated by reference into the final decree without being disclosed in the public record

Members of the public seeking access to sealed divorce records must file a motion with the Monroe County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. Mississippi's public records framework is governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act.

How Long Does Monroe County Keep Divorce Records?

Monroe County Circuit Court divorce records are retained for extended periods in accordance with Mississippi court records retention schedules. The retention period varies depending on the type of record and the nature of the case.

Retention Periods for Divorce Records:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the court's permanent record; these documents are never destroyed
Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case, with many records retained permanently
Complete case files (uncontested divorces): Retained according to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History court records retention schedule, which requires preservation of all final orders indefinitely
Financial affidavits and supporting documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; may be microfilmed or digitized for long-term storage
Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention schedule as the underlying case
Archived paper records: Older case files that predate electronic filing are maintained in paper or microfilm format and may require additional retrieval time

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History establishes records retention schedules for county court records throughout the state. Members of the public seeking records from cases closed many years ago should contact the Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk directly to confirm the availability and format of archived materials.

Lookup Divorce Records in Monroe County

Mississippi State Department of Health — Divorce Records index search (1926–1938)