Records of divorce in Lafayette County, Mississippi, are available through several channels. On the website LafayetteCourt.us, you can start a search for publicly available divorce information. Additionally, records are kept at the Chancery Court office that issued the decision, as well as at the Mississippi State Department of Health, which issues divorce certificates. To obtain copies, you can contact the appropriate office in person, by mail, or by phone.
Lafayette Divorce Records Search
In Lafayette County, divorce cases are handled by the Chancery Court — this is the court in Mississippi that has jurisdiction over family matters. The Chancery Clerk's office keeps the original court decisions, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related documents.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Related court documents (motions, petitions)
Divorce certificates — a statistical document confirming the fact of divorce without case details — are issued by the Mississippi State Department of Health, Vital Records Office. This office has been keeping records since 1926.
Lafayette County Chancery Clerk
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Lafayette
The structure of divorce record storage depends on the specific document you need. Below are the two main offices and the difference between them.
Chancery Court Clerk — Court Records
The Chancery Court handles all divorce cases in Lafayette County. After a judge's decision, the Chancery Clerk's office registers the decree and keeps the complete court file. If you need a copy of the court decision with details — property division, alimony, custody — contact this office.
Mississippi Vital Records — Certificates
The State Department of Health maintains a separate registry. A divorce certificate is a brief document confirming the fact and date of divorce, the names of the parties, and the county. It does not contain case details. Contact Vital Records if you need this format — for example, for a name change or confirmation of marital status.
In short:
- Full court decision, agreements, custody orders → Chancery Clerk in Oxford
- Certificate of divorce fact → Mississippi Vital Records in Jackson
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Lafayette
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (Vital Records) | $17.00 | 2–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional copy of same certificate (same order) | $6.00 | With the main order |
| Court record copy (Chancery Clerk) — per page | $0.50 | Usually 1–5 business days |
| Certification fee (Chancery Clerk) | $1.00–$3.00 | With the copy |