Coahoma County Public Records /Coahoma County Divorce Records

Coahoma County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Coahoma County in 2026

Members of the public seeking divorce records in Coahoma County may access publicly available information through CoahomaRecords.us and official government sources. Divorce records in Coahoma County may include final decrees, case filings, settlement agreements, and related court documents. Available record categories include dissolution judgments, custody orders, property division records, and support agreements. Access and completeness vary by case age, filing method, and applicable privacy restrictions.

Records may be searched through the Coahoma County Circuit Clerk's office, the Mississippi court system's online portal, state vital records resources, and public access terminals located at the courthouse. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Coahoma County Circuit Clerk maintains court case records, including divorce proceedings filed in the county. Members of the public may search available case information through the clerk's office directly. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for document copies and certified records.

2. Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) Portal

The Mississippi Electronic Courts system provides online access to case information for participating courts. Users may search across jurisdictions and access consolidated case data where electronic filing is in use.

3. Mississippi State Department of Health – 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 this range, the Circuit Clerk's office is the appropriate custodian.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court – Family Division:

Coahoma County Circuit Clerk
115 First Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: (662) 624-3014
Coahoma County Circuit 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 documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating records

Records Department:

Historical and archived divorce case files are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Older records that have not been digitized may require additional retrieval time. Certified copy requests for archived cases are accepted at the clerk's office counter.

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Coahoma County Circuit Clerk, 115 First Street, Clarksdale, MS 38614
Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Processing time: Requests are processed within 1–2 weeks, subject to volume and record availability

By Phone

Limited Information Available:

Coahoma County Circuit Clerk: (662) 624-3014
Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted case information

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Mississippi may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, including requesting sealed or restricted documents through appropriate court procedures. The Mississippi Bar Lawyer Referral Service connects members of the public with qualified family law attorneys. Legal representation is particularly useful in cases involving sealed records, complex property matters, or post-judgment modifications.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Coahoma County
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Where Divorce Was Filed:

Under Mississippi Code § 93-5-11, 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. A divorce is not filed in the county where the marriage occurred unless one spouse also resided there at the time of filing.

Residency Requirement:

Mississippi law requires that at least one spouse be a resident of the state for six months prior to filing. The divorce action is filed in the county of that spouse's residence.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately
Allow several days to weeks after the final hearing for processing
Contact the clerk's office to confirm availability

Older Divorces:

Records predating electronic filing may be stored in paper archives
Digitization of older records varies; some files require manual retrieval
Allow additional processing time for archived case requests

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

Record filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
Case still pending and not yet finalized
Very old records held in off-site storage
Case sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Circuit Clerk at (662) 624-3014
Attempt alternate name spellings
Search under both spouses' names
Check the Mississippi State Department of Health divorce index for applicable date ranges
Engage a professional records search service
Consult a licensed Mississippi attorney

What Are Coahoma County Divorce Records?

Coahoma County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the county's chancery court. These records constitute part of the permanent court file and are maintained by the Circuit Clerk as public records subject to applicable privacy restrictions.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files:

Petition for divorce or dissolution of marriage
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and custody agreements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and hearing notices
Transcripts of court proceedings
Final judgment of divorce

Final Decree:

The final decree is the official court order dissolving the marriage. It serves as legal proof of divorce and establishes:

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

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Circuit Clerk's office.

Supporting Documents:

Original marriage certificate (submitted as exhibit)
Financial disclosure statements
Property inventories and appraisals
Parenting plan attachments
Post-judgment modification orders

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Legal Purposes:

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Name change documentation
Property transfer and title recording
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Immigration proceedings
Social Security benefit claims
Legal status verification in civil proceedings

Personal Purposes:

Genealogical and family history research
Personal recordkeeping
Verification of divorce terms and obligations

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

Clerk of Court:

The Coahoma County Circuit Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The clerk's office indexes records by party name, maintains complete case files, and provides certified copies upon request.

State Vital Records Office:

The Mississippi State Department of Health does not maintain divorce records as vital records. A limited county divorce index search is available for the period January 1, 1926, through June 30, 1938, only.

Legal Framework:

Divorce proceedings in Mississippi are governed by Mississippi Code § 93-5-1, which establishes the grounds and procedures for dissolution of marriage. Public access to court records is governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act, Mississippi Code § 25-61-1, which establishes a presumption of public access to government records while permitting restrictions for sensitive personal information.

Are Coahoma County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Coahoma County are public court records subject to the Mississippi Public Records Act. Members of the public may access basic case information, court orders, and final judgments. Certain categories of information within divorce files are restricted or redacted to protect sensitive personal data.

Public Access Policy:

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of parties to the proceeding
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 are redacted from all public filings
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be filed under seal or with restricted access
Salary and income details may carry limited access protections

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted
Schools attended by children are not disclosed publicly
Medical and psychological evaluations of children may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports are restricted in most circumstances
Child custody evaluations ordered by the court may be sealed

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Medical records submitted as exhibits
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders

Sealed Records:

Cases sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public
Cases involving abuse or domestic violence may carry protective sealing orders
Mediation communications are confidential and not part of the public record
Confidential settlement terms may be filed under seal

Legal Basis for Public Access:

The presumption of public access to court records is established under Mississippi Code § 25-61-1. Restrictions require a specific legal basis, and courts apply a balancing test weighing transparency against individual privacy interests.

Privacy Protections:

State-Specific Protections:

Mississippi family law confidentiality rules protect children's identifying information
Domestic violence victims may petition for address confidentiality
Child protection statutes restrict disclosure of records involving minors

Federal Protections:

HIPAA governs medical information submitted in proceedings
Federal domestic violence protections apply in applicable cases
Children's privacy laws restrict disclosure of minors' identifying data

Who Can Access Records:

General Public:

May access most case information and public documents
May view docket summaries and filed orders
May obtain copies upon payment of applicable fees
May be required to present identification at the clerk's counter

Parties to the Case:

Have full access to their own case file
May obtain all documents, including those with restricted public access
No additional showing is required for access to one's own records

Attorneys:

Have access to case files on behalf of clients
May petition the court for access to sealed documents upon a showing of good cause
Are subject to professional responsibility obligations regarding confidential information

Researchers and Media:

May access the public portions of divorce case files
Must obtain court permission to access sealed records
First Amendment protections apply to news reporting on public court proceedings

Restrictions on Use:

Prohibited uses of divorce record information include stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, and violation of protective orders. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, academic research, and personal verification of marital status.

Obtaining Confidential Records:

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court evaluates each request individually, provides notice to the parties, and applies a balancing test before granting access. Certain parties, including law enforcement, child protective services, and court-appointed evaluators, may be entitled to access by statute.

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

The Coahoma County Circuit 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	Standard Fee
Copies (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee
Record search (clerk-assisted)	Fees may apply for extended searches
Electronic copies (where available)	Fees vary; contact clerk's office

Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours
Certification of documents requires an additional fee per document
Payment methods accepted include cash, money order, and checks made payable to the Coahoma County Circuit Clerk; members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods directly with the clerk's office
Fee waivers are not routinely available for divorce record requests; indigent parties involved in active proceedings may petition the court for fee relief
No fee is charged to view a case docket summary at a public access terminal

Mississippi law governing court fees is found under Mississippi Code § 25-7-9, which establishes the schedule of fees applicable to clerks of court. Fees are subject to change; members of the public are advised to confirm current rates with the Circuit Clerk's office prior to submitting a request.

What Is Available at No Cost:

Viewing case docket entries at the courthouse
Confirming whether a case exists in the system
Obtaining a case number and filing date verbally

What's Included in Divorce Records in Coahoma County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Coahoma County Circuit Clerk contains documents generated throughout the proceedings, from initial filing through final judgment and any post-judgment actions.

Basic Case Information:

Case Caption:

Case number assigned at filing
Court name and division
Petitioner and respondent names
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record for each party

Filing Information:

Date the petition was filed
Filing fees paid and receipts
Case type designation
Basis for jurisdiction

Initial Pleadings:

Petition for Divorce:

Petitioner's identifying information
Respondent's identifying information
Date and location of marriage
Date of separation, if applicable
Grounds for divorce as stated under Mississippi law
Information regarding minor children, if any
Property and debt claims
Requests for spousal support and child support
Relief sought from the court

Response/Answer:

Respondent's position on each allegation
Admissions, denials, and affirmative defenses
Counterpetition, if filed
Respondent's independent requests for relief

Financial Affidavits:

Income from all sources for each party
Monthly living expenses
Assets including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and personal property
Liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit obligations
Standard of living during the marriage

Discovery Documents:

Financial Disclosure:

Recent tax returns
Pay stubs and income verification
Bank and investment account statements
Retirement account statements
Credit card and loan statements
Business financial records, if applicable

Interrogatories:

Written questions submitted by each party
Sworn answers to interrogatories
Background, financial, and custody-related information

Requests for Production:

Document requests and responses
Property inventories
Financial records produced in discovery

Property-Related Documents:

Marital Asset Inventory:

Real property descriptions and appraised values
Vehicles and current values
Bank and investment account balances
Retirement account values
Business interests and valuations
Personal property, jewelry, art, and collectibles

Debt Inventory:

Mortgage balances
Vehicle loan balances
Credit card debt
Personal and business loans
Tax obligations
Other liabilities

Appraisals and Valuations:

Real property appraisal reports
Business valuation reports
Personal property appraisals
Expert witness reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting Plan:

Legal custody designation (decision-making authority)
Physical custody and primary residence
Regular timesharing schedule
Holiday, summer, and vacation schedules
Transportation arrangements
Communication protocols between parents and with children
Decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities
Relocation restrictions

Child Support:

Child support calculation worksheet
Income information for both parties
Number of overnight visits per year
Health insurance and childcare cost allocations
Support amount ordered and payment schedule
Income deduction order, if applicable
Provisions for modification

Custody Evaluations (if ordered):

Psychologist or evaluator reports
Home study findings
Parenting assessments
Recommendations to the court

Guardian ad Litem Reports (if appointed):

Attorney for children's findings
Best interests analysis
Recommendations on custody and timesharing

Support Documents:

Alimony/Spousal Support:

Type of alimony awarded
Monthly amount and duration
Payment schedule and method
Conditions for modification or termination
Tax treatment provisions

Settlement Documents:

Marital Settlement Agreement:

Comprehensive resolution of all contested issues
Real and personal property distribution
Asset and debt allocation
Spousal support terms
Child-related provisions, if applicable
Tax filing provisions
Attorney fee allocation
Signatures of both parties and notarization

Mediation Agreement (if applicable):

Terms reached through mediation
Incorporation into the marital settlement agreement
Mediator identification

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary Orders:

Temporary custody and timesharing
Temporary support amounts
Temporary use and possession of property
Temporary restraining orders or injunctions

Final Judgment of Divorce:

Official court order dissolving the marriage
Date of dissolution
Findings of fact and conclusions of law
Property division awards to each party
Debt allocation
Real property transfer orders
Spousal support orders
Child custody and timesharing orders
Child support orders
Name restoration, if requested
Judge's signature and court seal

Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO):

Separate order dividing retirement plan benefits
Instructions to the plan administrator
Applicable where retirement accounts are divided

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Modifications:

Petitions to modify custody, timesharing, or support
Evidence of changed circumstances
Court orders on modification requests

Contempt Motions:

Allegations of non-compliance with court orders
Support enforcement actions
Custody violation claims and court responses

Enforcement Actions:

Income deduction orders
Liens filed against property
Contempt proceedings and outcomes

Miscellaneous Documents:

Service of Process:

Proof of service of the initial petition
Summons and return of service
Acceptance of service, if applicable

Certificates and Notices:

Certificates of service for all filings
Notices of hearings and depositions
Notice to creditors, if applicable

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers (redacted from all public documents)
Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence details (may be sealed by court order)
Mental health evaluations (restricted access)
Substance abuse treatment records
Trade secrets in business valuations
Settlement negotiations (not filed with the court)
Mediation communications (confidential by law)

How Information Is Organized:

Documents within a divorce case file are maintained in chronological order of filing. Each document is assigned a filing date, and the case docket reflects the complete sequence of filings. An index of documents is maintained within the case file. Recent cases are maintained electronically through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system; older cases may exist in paper format or as scanned digital copies.

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Coahoma County

Proof of divorce in Coahoma County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of divorce issued by the Coahoma County Circuit Clerk. A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature, confirming the document as a true and accurate reproduction of the court record.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the county where the divorce was filed. If the filing county is uncertain, contact the Coahoma County Circuit Clerk at (662) 624-3014 to confirm whether a record exists.
Submit a request in person, by mail, or by phone to the Circuit Clerk's office. In-person requests receive same-day service when records are available.
Provide the full legal names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
Pay the applicable certification fee at the time of the request.
Receive the certified copy directly from the clerk's office or by mail, depending on the method of request.

Coahoma County Circuit Clerk
115 First Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: (662) 624-3014
Coahoma County Circuit Clerk

For divorces occurring between January 1, 1926, and June 30, 1938, a county divorce index search may be requested through the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office. This search provides index information only and does not yield a certified copy of the court record.

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

Members of the public who require proof of divorce for immigration, Social Security, or other federal purposes should obtain a certified copy of the final decree directly from the Circuit Clerk, as this document is the authoritative legal proof of dissolution of marriage recognized by federal agencies.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Coahoma County?

Divorce proceedings in Coahoma County are presumptively public under Mississippi law; however, specific portions of a case file may be sealed or restricted upon a showing of good cause or by operation of statute.

Circumstances Under Which Divorce Records May Be Confidential:

Domestic violence cases: Courts may seal identifying information, including addresses and contact details, to protect victims of domestic violence from further harm.
Cases involving minor children: Certain documents, including custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and children's identifying information, may be restricted or sealed to protect the welfare of minors.
Mental health and medical records: Records containing mental health evaluations or medical information submitted as exhibits may be filed under seal.
Substance abuse treatment records: Federal law protects the confidentiality of substance abuse treatment records, which may be submitted under seal in divorce proceedings.
Mediation communications: Under Mississippi law, communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public court record.
Court-ordered sealing: Any party may petition the court to seal specific documents or the entire case file. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test between the public interest in transparency and the individual's privacy interest.
Confidential settlements: Settlement terms that the parties agree to keep confidential may be filed under seal, with only the final judgment referencing the agreement made part of the public record.

Members of the public seeking to seal divorce records must file a motion with the Coahoma County Chancery Court and demonstrate a specific legal basis for confidentiality. The Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure govern the procedures applicable to sealing motions in civil cases, including divorce proceedings.

How Long Does Coahoma County Keep Divorce Records?

Coahoma County divorce records are retained for extended periods in accordance with Mississippi court records retention schedules. The retention period varies by document type and case classification.

Retention Periods for Divorce Records:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the permanent court record. Final divorce decrees are never destroyed and remain accessible indefinitely.
Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case, with many records retained permanently due to their legal significance.
Complete case files (uncontested divorces): Retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case.
Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file for the duration of the retention period applicable to that file.
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; some financial documents may be purged earlier in accordance with court rules.
Electronic records: Cases filed through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system are maintained in the electronic system for the applicable retention period.
Archived paper records: Older paper records that have been transferred to archives remain accessible through the Circuit Clerk's office, though retrieval may require additional processing time.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History provides guidance on public records retention schedules applicable to county court records. Members of the public seeking records from closed or archived cases should contact the Coahoma County Circuit Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.

Permanent retention applies to all final judgments of divorce
Records predating electronic filing are maintained in paper or microfilm format
No divorce record is routinely destroyed within the first ten years following case closure
Requests for archived records may require additional processing time beyond standard requests

Lookup Divorce Records in Coahoma County

Mississippi divorce index search for records from January 1, 1926 to June 30, 1938