Lee County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Lee County in 2026
LeeCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Lee County, Mississippi. Members of the public may find case filings, final decrees, docket entries, 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 date of filing and the nature of the case.
Divorce records in Lee County are maintained by the Lee County Chancery Court, which serves as the court of jurisdiction for all domestic relations matters in Mississippi, including divorce proceedings. Members of the public may search for these records through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Multiple Search Methods:
Online Searches:
1. Lee County Chancery Records Online
The Lee County Chancery Records Online portal provides internet access to the index of Lee County land and official records. Members of the public may search case indexes at no charge; fees apply for obtaining copies of documents.
2. DuProcess Official Records Online
The DuProcess Official Records Online system, maintained by the Lee County Chancery Clerk's office, allows users to research official records of Lee County. Basic index information is available without charge; document retrieval may require payment.
3. Mississippi State Department of Health – Divorce Indexes
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 outside this range, requesters must contact the county chancery clerk where the divorce was granted.
4. Mississippi First Circuit Court
Lee County falls within the jurisdiction of the Mississippi First Circuit Court, which serves Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, and Tishomingo Counties. Circuit court records related to domestic matters may be accessed through this portal.
In-Person Searches:
Lee County Chancery Clerk's Office
200 Jefferson Street
Tupelo, MS 38804
Phone: (662) 432-2100
Lee County Chancery 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
By Mail:
Written Request:
- Mail to: Lee County Chancery Clerk, 200 Jefferson Street, Tupelo, MS 38804
- Include the following in the written request:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requester'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 approximately 1–2 weeks, depending on volume and record age.
By Phone:
Limited Information Available:
- Chancery Clerk's Office: (662) 432-2100
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number
- Case status
- Filing date
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of documents
- Confidential or restricted 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 proper court procedures. The Mississippi Bar provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in family law matters.
Information Needed for Search:
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Lee County
- Names of minor children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County:
In Mississippi, divorce proceedings are filed in the chancery court of the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing, pursuant to § 93-5-11 of the Mississippi Code. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement:
Under Mississippi law, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for six months prior to filing for divorce, as provided under § 93-5-5 of the Mississippi Code. The divorce is filed in the county of that spouse's residence.
Time Considerations:
- Recent divorces may not appear in online indexes immediately following the final hearing; allow several days to weeks for processing.
- Older divorces, particularly those predating electronic filing, may be archived in paper format and require additional retrieval time.
- Records from the early twentieth century may not be digitized and may require an in-person visit or written request.
What If You Cannot Find a Record:
- Verify the correct county of filing
- Attempt alternate spellings of party names
- Search under both the petitioner's and respondent's names
- Confirm whether the case has been finalized or remains pending
- Contact the Chancery Clerk's office directly at (662) 432-2100
- Review the Mississippi State Department of Health's divorce index search for historical records
What Are Lee County Divorce Records?
Lee County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Lee County Chancery Court. These records constitute part of the permanent public court file and are maintained by the Chancery Clerk as the official custodian of domestic relations case files.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files:
- Petition for divorce or complaint for divorce
- Summons and proof of service
- Response or answer filed by the respondent
- Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
- Proposed or agreed parenting plans
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of divorce or decree of divorce
Final Decree:
The final decree of divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It serves as the primary legal proof of divorce and establishes:
- The date the marriage was 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 through the Lee County Chancery Clerk's office.
Supporting Documents:
- Marriage certificate submitted as evidence
- Financial disclosure documents
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Parenting plan details and modifications
- 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 determinations
Personal Purposes:
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal record-keeping
- Verification of divorce terms and obligations
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in Mississippi are governed by § 93-5-1 of the Mississippi Code, which sets forth the grounds for divorce and the procedural requirements for dissolution of marriage. Public access to court records is governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act, § 25-61-1 et seq., which establishes the presumption that court records are open to public inspection unless otherwise restricted by law or court order.
Are Lee County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Lee County Chancery Court are public court records subject to the Mississippi Public Records Act. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and scheduled proceedings
- 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 public-facing documents
- Bank account and financial account numbers are redacted
- Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
- Salary and income details may carry partial restrictions
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools minor children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children
- Child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order
- Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Mediation communications, which are confidential under Mississippi law
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. Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requester | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents, docket entries, final decree |
| Parties to the case | Full access to their own case file |
| Licensed attorneys | Case files; sealed documents with court authorization |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; sealed records require court order |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to restricted records |
Prohibited Uses:
- Stalking, harassment, or intimidation
- Identity theft or fraud
- Violation of existing protective orders
- Commercial exploitation where prohibited by state law
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Lee County?
The Lee County Chancery Clerk's office 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 chancery clerks for official records services.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| 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) | $5.00 per name searched |
| Online record access (index) | Free |
| Online document retrieval | Varies by document |
- Accepted payment methods at the Chancery Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Lee County Chancery Clerk. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods when submitting requests.
- Fees for online document retrieval through the DuProcess Official Records Online system may differ from in-person copy fees.
- Index searches through the online portal are available at no charge.
- Indigent parties who are active participants in a pending case may petition the court for a fee waiver; fee waivers are not available to third-party requesters.
- Inspection of records at the public access terminal in the Chancery Clerk's office does not require payment of a copy fee unless copies are requested.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Lee County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Lee County Chancery Clerk contains all documents filed with the court from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment actions.
Basic Case Information:
- Case caption including case number, court name, and names of petitioner and respondent
- Name of the assigned chancellor
- Names and contact information of attorneys of record
- Filing date and case type designation
- Jurisdiction basis
Initial Pleadings:
- Complaint for divorce or petition for divorce, including grounds alleged, marriage date and location, identification of minor children, and relief requested
- Summons issued by the clerk
- Proof of service or acceptance of service
- Answer or response filed by the respondent, including any counterclaim
Financial Documents:
- Financial disclosure statements from both parties
- Income documentation including pay stubs and tax returns
- Asset and liability inventories
- Bank and investment account statements
- Retirement account statements
- Business financial records, if applicable
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with valuations
- Real property descriptions and appraisals
- Vehicle titles and valuations
- Debt inventory including mortgages, loans, and credit obligations
- Expert appraisal reports
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan or custody agreement
- Child support calculation worksheets
- Income information used in support calculations
- Health insurance and childcare cost documentation
- Custody evaluations ordered by the court (may be restricted)
- Guardian ad litem reports (subject to access restrictions)
Settlement and Agreement Documents:
- Marital settlement agreement addressing all contested issues
- Property division terms
- Spousal support provisions
- Mediation agreement, if the case was mediated (communications remain confidential)
Court Orders:
- Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property
- Temporary restraining orders or injunctions, if issued
- Final judgment of divorce or final decree of divorce
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts
Post-Judgment Documents:
- Petitions to modify custody or support
- Court orders on modification requests
- Contempt motions and enforcement orders
- Income deduction orders
What Is Typically Redacted or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Minor children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence-related evidence in cases with protective orders
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Lee County?
Proof of divorce in Lee County is obtained through a certified copy of the final decree of divorce issued by the Lee County Chancery Clerk. A certified copy bears the official seal of the court and the signature of the clerk, making it acceptable for legal purposes including remarriage, name changes, and government benefit applications.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Identify the case number and approximate filing date, if known.
- Contact the Lee County Chancery Clerk's office at (662) 432-2100 to confirm the record is on file and to determine current fees.
- Submit a written request in person, by mail, or through the online portal.
- Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if available.
- Pay the applicable certification fee as established under the current fee schedule.
- Receive the certified copy in person or by mail, depending on the method of request.
Members of the public may also search the Lee County Chancery Records Online portal to locate the case index entry before submitting a formal request for a certified copy.
Lee County Chancery Clerk's Office
200 Jefferson Street
Tupelo, MS 38804
Phone: (662) 432-2100
Lee County Chancery Clerk
For historical divorce index searches covering January 1, 1926 through June 30, 1938, members of the public may submit a request to the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office.
Mississippi State Department of Health – Vital Records
571 Stadium Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 576-7960
Mississippi Vital Records
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Lee County?
Divorce proceedings in Lee County are presumptively public under the Mississippi Public Records Act; however, specific portions of a case file or an entire case may be made confidential by court order under defined circumstances.
- A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file, demonstrating good cause such as the presence of domestic violence allegations, minor children's sensitive information, or trade secrets in business valuations.
- Domestic violence victims may request that their residential address and contact information be withheld from public court documents.
- Mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment records, and psychological assessments of minor children are subject to restricted access and are not available to the general public without a court order.
- Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not filed with the court or made part of the public record.
- Guardian ad litem reports and child custody evaluation reports may be sealed by the presiding chancellor to protect the best interests of minor children.
- Cases involving adoption-related matters arising within divorce proceedings may carry additional confidentiality protections under Mississippi adoption statutes.
- A court order sealing a record must identify the specific documents sealed and the legal basis for sealing; blanket sealing of entire case files requires a compelling showing.
Members of the public seeking access to a sealed divorce record must file a written motion with the Lee County Chancery Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does Lee County Keep Divorce Records?
The Lee County Chancery Clerk retains divorce records in accordance with Mississippi court records retention schedules, which require permanent retention of final judgments and decrees.
- Final decrees and judgments are retained permanently and do not expire or become unavailable over time.
- Complete case files, including all pleadings, motions, and supporting documents, are retained for a minimum period established by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History records retention schedule for chancery court records.
- Electronic records for cases filed in recent decades are maintained in the court's case management system and are accessible through the Lee County Chancery Records Online portal.
- Paper records for older cases, particularly those predating electronic filing, are maintained in physical storage and may require additional retrieval time for in-person or mail requests.
- Historical divorce index records from January 1, 1926 through June 30, 1938 are also maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health as part of a statewide index.
- Records that have been sealed by court order are retained for the same periods but are not accessible to the general public without a court order authorizing access.
- Post-judgment modification orders and enforcement actions are retained as part of the original case file and are subject to the same permanent retention requirements as the final decree.