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Free Mississippi Marriage Records Online
Mississippi, the Magnolia State, became the 20th state in the United States in 1817, and its marriage records are a goldmine for genealogists tracing families in the Deep South. Whether your ancestors lived along the Gulf Coast, in the Delta, or in the hill country, Mississippi marriage records can reveal maiden names, parents’ names, and dates that break down brick walls. Because Mississippi did not require statewide marriage licenses statewide until the 20th century, many historic records live in county courthouses and state archives.
This guide covers where to find free Mississippi marriage records online, how to request official copies from the state and county offices, and how to navigate the state’s unique record-keeping systems. For DNA research, many researchers also use AncestryDNA to connect with cousins who share Mississippi roots.
Mississippi Vital Records Office
The Mississippi State Department of Health, Vital Records Unit is the official state repository for marriage records for marriages that occurred in Mississippi from 1926 to the present. The office maintains certified copies of marriage licenses and marriage applications. You can request records by mail or in person at:
Mississippi State Department of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215
For genealogy purposes, the official state office provides certified copies for a fee. For historical research, you can search free indexes online before ordering. The state office does not provide free online access to full marriage records for public research.
Free Online Sources for Mississippi Marriage Records
Several free online databases offer Mississippi marriage indexes and, in some cases, actual images of marriage returns and licenses. These are the best free resources:
- FamilySearch.org – Mississippi Marriages, 1800-1976 — This free FamilySearch collection contains over 1 million marriage records from Mississippi counties, including bonds, licenses, and returns. This is the largest free online index for Mississippi marriages, many with digital images.
- FamilySearch.org – Mississippi, Marriages, 1800-1975 — Another major FamilySearch collection with over 500,000 marriage records from Mississippi counties. This collection covers many 19th and early 20th century marriages, often including the marriage license, return, and sometimes minister’s return.
- Ancestry.com – Mississippi Marriage Records — While Ancestry.com is a subscription site, the free FamilySearch collections above are entirely free.
County-Level Marriage Records in Mississippi
Mississippi has 82 counties, and marriage records are primarily maintained at the county level. Each county’s Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in each county seat holds marriage licenses and marriage applications for marriages that occurred in that county. These county-level records often include the marriage license, marriage return, and sometimes the marriage bond. For historical marriage records, you can visit the county circuit court clerk’s office in the county where the marriage occurred. For more recent marriages (1926-present), you can request copies from the Mississippi State Department of Health.
How to Search Mississippi Marriage Records Step by Step
Searching Mississippi marriage records requires a deliberate approach. Follow these steps to find your Mississippi ancestors:
- Start with the FamilySearch free collections: Begin with the FamilySearch.org Mississippi marriage collections listed above. Search for your ancestor’s name, location, and date. These collections are free and contain actual images of marriage records.
- Search the FamilySearch Mississippi Marriages, 1800-1976 collection first: This FamilySearch collection covers marriages from 1800-1976 for all Mississippi counties. This collection is free and contains digital images of marriage bonds, licenses, and returns.
- Try the FamilySearch Mississippi Marriages, 1800-1975 collection: Another free FamilySearch collection with over 500,000 marriage records from Mississippi counties. This collection covers many 19th and early 20th century marriages, often including the marriage license, return, and sometimes the minister’s return.
- Contact the Mississippi State Department of Health: For marriages that occurred from 1926 to the present, you can request a certified copy from the Mississippi State Department of Health. You can request a certified copy by mail or in person.
- Contact the county circuit court clerk: For marriages that occurred before 1926, you can request a certified copy from the county circuit court clerk in the county where the marriage occurred.
Mississippi Marriage Record Requirements
To obtain an official certified copy of a Mississippi marriage record from the Mississippi State Department of Health, you will need:
- Full names of the couple (both parties): You will need the full names of both the bride and groom.
- Date of marriage: The exact date of the marriage.
- County where the marriage occurred: The county where the marriage occurred.
- Age at marriage: The age of both parties at the time of marriage.
- Occupation of the groom: The occupation of the groom.
- Parents’ names: The names of the parents of both parties.
- Marriage license number (if known): The marriage license number (if known).
Historical Mississippi Marriage Records
Historical Mississippi marriage records are held by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) in Jackson. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) holds marriage bonds, marriage licenses, and marriage returns from all Mississippi counties. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) holds marriage bonds, marriage licenses, and marriage returns from all Mississippi counties.
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) is located at:
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215