Rankin County, Mississippi court records are available through several channels. RankinCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, official court resources, the Clerk of Court's office, and public terminals in the courthouse provide access to case materials, hearing schedules, and documents. Below is a practical guide to the county's court system and ways to obtain records.
Rankin Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Rankin County, each handling specific categories of cases. Knowing where to go is half the battle.
Circuit Court is the main court of general jurisdiction. It hears serious criminal cases (felonies), large civil lawsuits, and appeals from lower courts. This is where cases involving murder, robbery, and civil disputes over amounts exceeding $3,500 are heard.
County Court operates differently — it handles:
- Misdemeanors, including DUI
- Civil cases where the claim amount does not exceed $200,000
- Appeals from Justice Court
- Eminent domain cases
Chancery Court deals with cases related to equity law: divorce, child custody, adoption, real estate disputes, and probate (the process of administering a deceased person's estate). Divorce records are kept here, although the State Department of Health maintains a separate divorce index since 1926.
Justice Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. Small civil claims up to $3,500, minor offenses, and initial hearings in criminal cases all go here. Traffic violation cases often also start in Justice Court.
Youth Court handles juvenile cases. These records are generally closed to public access.
Rankin Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which cases are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, contact the relevant court's office directly. Mississippi does not have a single online portal where all county court calendars are published.
Here's what you can do:
- Call the Circuit Clerk's office at (601) 825-1469 and ask for the schedule for a specific date.
- Visit the official Rankin County website, where meeting announcements are sometimes posted.
- Personally visit the courthouse in Brandon — a daily schedule is posted on the bulletin board near the courtrooms.
Some judges maintain their own calendars and provide them upon request. If you are interested in a specific case, the clerk can confirm the date and time of the next hearing by case number or party name.
To check the status of inmates awaiting court hearings, use the Department of Corrections inmate search.
How to Get a Copy of a Rankin Court Document
You can obtain a court document copy in three ways: in person, by mail, or — in limited cases — online.
Certified and Uncertified Copies
A certified copy has the clerk's seal and signature, confirming its authenticity. It is required for official purposes — for example, for submission to another court or government agency. An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Determine which court heard the case (Circuit, County, Chancery, or Justice Court).
- Prepare identification information: case number, party names, or approximate date.
- Contact the Circuit Clerk — this office keeps records for Circuit Court and County Court. For Chancery Court cases, contact the Chancery Clerk.
- Pay the appropriate fee (see the table below).
Request by Mail
Send a written request with case details and a check or money order to:
For Chancery Court records:
Birth, death, and marriage records are kept by the Mississippi State Vital Records Bureau. They can be ordered online or by phone.
State-level criminal history is administered by the Criminal Information Center at the Department of Public Safety.
Rankin Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court records in Mississippi are regulated by state law (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13 and other applicable sections). Specific amounts may vary depending on the type of document and court. Below are approximate fees — to confirm current rates, call the office.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (per name) | $10 – $15 |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Certified document copy | $5 – $10 (plus copying cost) |
| Court judgment copy | Depends on document volume |
| Apostille or additional certification | Check with the office |
Payment is usually accepted in cash, money order, or cashier's check. Some offices also accept credit and debit cards, but there may be an additional fee for this. Personal checks are not always accepted — it's best to confirm in advance.
For records from the Rankin County Sheriff's Office (e.g., arrest reports), a separate public records request procedure may apply. Check the state sex offender registry — it is available for free.