Court records of Pearl River County, Mississippi, are available through several channels. PearlriverCourt.us allows you to search publicly accessible information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official state court resources, clerk's offices, and public terminals installed directly in court buildings. For land records, use the online portal of the Chancery Clerk's office.
Pearl River Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Pearl River County, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding jurisdiction will help determine where to look for the desired court record.
Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction for serious cases. It handles criminal felony cases, large civil lawsuits, and appeals from lower courts. Pearl River County is part of the 15th Circuit Court District of Mississippi.
Chancery Court deals with cases related to real estate ownership, family law (divorce, child custody, adoption), probate matters, and mental health cases. The Chancery Clerk's office also maintains land records, which can be viewed through the Official Records Inquiry portal.
County Court has jurisdiction over:
- Civil cases with a claim amount not exceeding the statutory limit
- Criminal misdemeanor cases
- Traffic violations
- Preliminary hearings in criminal cases
Justice Court handles small claims up to $3,500 and some criminal misdemeanor cases. It is the most accessible court for everyday disputes between citizens.
Municipal Court in the city of Picayune and other municipalities in the county handles violations of city ordinances and traffic violations within the city limits.
Pearl River Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out about scheduled hearings for today, tomorrow, or the week, contact the appropriate court's office directly. Pearl River County does not have a single publicly accessible online calendar that combines the schedules of all courts.
Here's how to find current information:
- Call the Circuit Clerk or Chancery Clerk's office and inquire about the hearing schedule for a specific date.
- Visit the courthouse in person — session calendars are usually posted near courtrooms or available on public terminals.
- Check the website of the 15th Circuit Court District of Mississippi, where Circuit Court schedules are sometimes published.
For cases involving inmates, the MDOC inmate search site can help determine the status of a specific individual's case, although it does not replace the court calendar.
Pearl River County Circuit Clerk
How to Get a Copy of a Pearl River Court Document
You can obtain a court document copy in three ways: online, in person, or by mail. The type of copy — regular or certified — affects the cost and processing time of the request.
Certified copy includes an official stamp and clerk's signature, confirming the document's authenticity. Such copies are required for legal proceedings, submission to other courts, or government agencies.
Regular (uncertified) copy is simply a photocopy of the document without official confirmation. Suitable for review.
How to order a copy:
- Online: Chancery Court land and property records are available through the Official Records Inquiry online portal. For Circuit and County Court cases, online access is limited — contact the clerk.
- In person: Visit the Circuit Clerk or Chancery Clerk's office at the courthouse. You will need the party's name, case number, or approximate date.
- By mail: Send a written request specifying case details, type of copy (regular or certified), and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Mailing address for requests:
Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases, sealed cases, and adoption records are usually not available to the general public. If you are unsure whether a specific record is public, ask the clerk.
To check a person's criminal history at the state level, use the DPS background check service. The Mississippi sex offender registry is also available online.
Pearl River Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Mississippi are set by state law and may vary slightly depending on the type of court. Below are approximate fees applicable to Pearl River County. Always verify the exact amount with the appropriate office.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Registry search (per name) | $10–$20 |
| Regular copy (per page) | $0.50–$1.00 |
| Certified document copy | $1.00–$5.00 for the first pages + additional fee for each subsequent page |
| Document certification fee | $1.50–$5.00 |
| Criminal background check (DPS, state level) | $32.00 |
Payment methods depend on the office. Most offices accept:
- Cash
- Money orders
- Cashier's checks
Personal checks and credit cards are not always accepted — check in advance. Online payments through PearlriverCourt.us may be an additional option for some types of records. For mail requests, payment should be sent in the form of a money order made payable to the appropriate clerk (Circuit Clerk or Chancery Clerk).