Getting a Marriage License in Prentiss County
The Prentiss County Circuit Clerk issues marriage licenses. The same office keeps the marriage records that flow from the licenses it grants. That makes the Circuit Clerk the first stop for couples who plan to marry in the county. Circuit Clerk Michael R. Kelley runs the office at 101A North Main Street in Booneville. The mailing address is PO Box 727, Booneville, MS 38829. The counter line is 662-728-4611. Office details and duties are posted on the county Circuit Clerk page, which confirms that this clerk issues licenses and keeps records of marriages.
A Prentiss County marriage license is a legal permit to marry. It is not the same as a marriage certificate. The license comes first, and the signed return after the ceremony becomes the record on file. Both people usually appear together to apply. Rules can shift over time, so a quick call before you drive in is wise.
Mississippi marriage law is set by the state, while the day-to-day counter work happens at the county level. The Circuit Clerk applies current state rules when staff process each application.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Applying is a short, in-person process at the Prentiss County Circuit Clerk counter. Plan ahead so you bring the right papers and the correct payment. The steps below outline the typical path, but the clerk can confirm the current details by phone.
- Call the Circuit Clerk at 662-728-4611 to confirm hours, the current fee, and what each applicant must bring.
- Both parties go to the office at 101A North Main Street in Booneville during posted business hours.
- Present a valid picture ID for each applicant, as the county FAQ currently requests.
- Provide any extra item the clerk asks for, such as proof of age or a parent signature for an applicant under 21.
- Complete and sign the registration form in front of the clerk.
- Pay the marriage license fee using the office's accepted payment method.
- Receive the license, hold the ceremony, and return the signed license so it becomes the official record.
Prentiss County Marriage License Requirements
The county publishes a short list of what applicants should bring. The items below are drawn from the county FAQ as it currently reads. Mississippi marriage rules have changed across counties over the years, so treat the blood-test item with care and confirm it before you rely on it. The Circuit Clerk can tell you what applies today.
| Requirement | As currently stated | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blood test receipt | Listed on county FAQ | The county FAQ currently states the receipt must be dated within the last 30 days. This may be outdated; call 662-728-4611 to confirm. |
| Picture ID | Listed on county FAQ | Each applicant should bring valid photo identification. |
| Parent signature if under 21 | Listed on county FAQ | The county FAQ currently states a parent must sign the registration form when an applicant is under 21. |
Confirm before you go. The county FAQ currently states a blood test receipt is required, but statewide practice has shifted in many Mississippi counties. Call the Circuit Clerk at 662-728-4611 to verify the current requirements before relying on this list.
Prentiss County Marriage and Divorce Fees
Costs depend on what you need and which office handles it. A Prentiss County divorce filing carries a single total fee set by the Chancery Court schedule. A state-level marriage copy carries a flat charge from the health department. The marriage license fee itself is set by the Circuit Clerk, so call the office for the current amount. The table breaks down the published charges.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Divorce filing (versus or joint), total | $149.00 |
| • Clerk portion | $85.00 |
| • State portion | $57.50 |
| • Law library | $5.50 |
| • Archive | $1.00 |
| State certified marriage copy (MSDH) | $17.00 |
| VitalChek online or phone order | $17.00 plus a service fee |
| Answer to a Chancery filing | $10.00 |
Note: The $149 divorce filing fee is the same whether the case is a contested "versus" matter or a joint irreconcilable-differences case.
How to Look Up Prentiss County Marriage Records
Marriage records can be reached through more than one channel. For a license issued in the county, the Circuit Clerk is the keeper of the record. For older marriages or when you are unsure which county issued the license, the Mississippi State Department of Health can search by the county where the license was granted. Pick the path that fits what you know.
| What you need | Where to go | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for a county license | Circuit Clerk | Call 662-728-4611 to confirm current rules, ID, and fee. |
| County marriage record or certified copy | Circuit Clerk | Holds records for licenses issued locally. |
| State record copy or search | MSDH Vital Records | Useful when the issuing county is unknown. |
| Online or phone state order | VitalChek via MSDH | Adds a service fee to the $17 charge. |
| Records fallback | Circuit Clerk or MSDH | Ask about search and copy requirements. |
The state office keeps marriage records for set date ranges. Coverage runs from January 1, 1926 through June 30, 1938, and again from January 1, 1942 to the present. Registration with the health department is required by law, yet not every marriage record reaches that office, so a gap in one channel may still be filled at the county counter. The state marriage page explains ordering options. You can review it on the MSDH marriage records page, which lays out the search and copy process. That page confirms the date ranges above and points to the application form for mail orders.
The screenshot shows how the health department frames marriage-record requests and county clerk referrals. It is a useful starting point when the local Circuit Clerk cannot locate an older marriage.
How to Find Prentiss County Divorce Records
Divorce records are not kept by the same office that issues marriage licenses. In Prentiss County, divorce is a Chancery Court matter. The Chancery Court hears divorce, child custody, property division, alimony, and related family cases. The Chancery Clerk holds those files. David "Bubba" Pounds serves as Chancery Clerk at 100 North Main Street in Booneville, with mail to PO Box 477, Booneville, MS 38829, and a phone line of 662-728-8151. To learn more about the office and its records, see the county Chancery Clerk page. Probate, estate, and guardianship cases run through the same court, covered on the Chancery Court records page.
A divorce can be filed as a joint irreconcilable-differences case or as a contested "versus" case. The papers and process differ between the two. Mississippi sets a residency rule for filing. Under Miss. Code Section 93-5-5, one party must be a bona fide resident of the state for six months before filing, with special rules for military stationing. That statute is legal context, not legal advice. Anyone filing should confirm venue and current steps with the Chancery Clerk first.
Divorce records are state court matters, not federal cases. Family law stays in the county Chancery Court rather than the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, which handles federal questions. You can confirm the federal court's role on the Northern District of Mississippi site. Knowing this split keeps a divorce search pointed at the right courthouse.
The federal court page above is shown only to mark the boundary. A Prentiss County divorce decree comes from the Chancery Clerk, not from this federal office.
Getting Certified Copies
A certified copy carries a seal and is accepted for legal use, such as a name change, a passport, or a benefits claim. The office you ask depends on the record type. For a marriage record from a license issued in the county, request the certified copy from the Circuit Clerk. For a state-held marriage record, order from the health department. For a Prentiss County divorce, the certified copy of the decree comes from the Chancery Clerk, not from the state marriage-record process.
State orders can be placed several ways. You can mail an application with a cashier's check or money order. You can order online or by phone through a private service that uses a credit card. You can also visit the Ridgeland office in person. The online and phone route adds a service fee on top of the $17 charge. To skip that extra fee, order by mail. The MSDH online and phone order page explains how the private vendor handles secure orders and express shipping.
The order page above shows the credit-card and express-shipping options. Records ordered from the state are typically mailed within seven to ten business days. Call Vital Records at 601-206-8200 with questions before you submit a request.
Prentiss County Clerk Contacts
Two clerks handle marriage and divorce records in Prentiss County. The Circuit Clerk issues licenses and keeps marriage records. The Chancery Clerk holds divorce, custody, and other family-court files. Use the right office for the record you need, and call ahead to confirm copy costs and accepted payment.
Prentiss County Circuit Clerk
Michael R. Kelley
101A North Main Street, PO Box 727
Booneville, MS 38829
662-728-4611
Marriage licenses and marriage records
Prentiss County Chancery Clerk
David "Bubba" Pounds
100 North Main Street, PO Box 477
Booneville, MS 38829
662-728-8151
Divorce and family-court records
Note: Marriage licensing sits with the Circuit Clerk, while divorce files sit with the Chancery Clerk, so the office you call depends on the record you want.
Mississippi Vital Records Office
The Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, keeps statewide marriage records within its coverage years. This office is the best route when you do not know which county issued a license or when the record falls inside the state's date ranges. Staff can search by the county where the marriage license was issued and mail a certified copy.
The Ridgeland counter is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. In-person payment can be made by cash, cashier's check, money order, or credit and debit card. For broader court-record needs across the county, the Prentiss County court records overview points to each clerk and court that holds public files.