Getting a Marriage License in Holmes County
Marriage licenses in Holmes County are issued by the Circuit Clerk. Brenda Powell-Travis holds that office. Her staff takes the application, collects the fee, and keeps the marriage record once the license is returned. The office sits at 22549 Depot Street in Lexington and answers the phone at 662-834-2476. Both applicants must come in person to apply. There is no online application that replaces this visit.
Details about the office and its duties appear on the Holmes County Circuit Clerk page, which outlines the marriage license process for local couples.
The Circuit Clerk also keeps the marriage record after the ceremony. Once a signed license is returned and recorded, the office can issue certified copies for later use. Mississippi sets the local fee at a flat amount, and the clerk collects it when the application is filed.
Holmes County Circuit Clerk
22549 Depot Street
Lexington, MS 39095
662-834-2476
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
The process is quick when both people bring the right papers. A short call ahead confirms hours and how the office accepts payment. Plan for both applicants to be present the whole time.
- Call the Circuit Clerk at 662-834-2476 to confirm current hours and the payment method.
- Both applicants travel to 22549 Depot Street in Lexington and appear together.
- Bring picture identification or a birth certificate that shows your age.
- Bring parent or legal guardian signatures if either applicant is under 21.
- Bring any required court order for an applicant under the minimum age.
- Pay the $22 filing fee at the time of application.
- After the ceremony, make sure the license is returned and recorded so certified copies can be issued later.
Note: the clerk will not issue a license if either applicant appears intoxicated or unable to understand the nature and consequences of the request.
Marriage License Application Requirements
Both the bride and groom must appear at the Circuit Clerk's office. Each must show an official document that proves age, such as a driver license or birth certificate. Younger applicants face extra rules. Anyone under 21 needs a parent or legal guardian to sign consent. A court order is required when the male applicant is below 17 or the female applicant is below 15.
| Requirement | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bride appears in person | Yes | Both applicants must appear together. |
| Groom appears in person | Yes | Both applicants must appear together. |
| Official age document | Yes | Driver license or birth certificate accepted. |
| Parent or guardian consent | Conditional | Required if either applicant is under 21. |
| Court order | Conditional | Required if male is under 17 or female is under 15. |
| Filing fee | Yes | $22 paid at the time of application. |
Ordering Holmes County Marriage Records
Marriage records are kept by both state and county officials in Mississippi. The Mississippi State Department of Health can provide copies and can search for the county where a license was issued. Its coverage runs from January 1, 1926 to June 30, 1938, and from January 1, 1942 to the present. Records from in-person orders are mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
The full ordering process appears on the MSDH marriage records page, which lists the office address and accepted payment methods.
There are several ways to place an order. Pick the channel that fits your timeline and how you want to pay.
- Mail an application form with a cashier's check or money order.
- Order online or by phone through the private vital records service using a credit card.
- Visit the Ridgeland office at 222 Marketridge Drive, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the license was issued.
Note: not all marriage records required to be registered with the state may be on file with the Office of Vital Records.
Holmes County Marriage and Divorce Fees
Costs split into two parts. The marriage license carries a single local filing fee. Copy charges from the Chancery Clerk depend on who makes the copy and whether you want certification. The figures below come from the county's posted schedules.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marriage license filing fee | $22.00 |
| Self-made photocopy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Clerk-made photocopy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a filed document | $1.00 |
| Records search | Minimum $5.00 |
A certified copy adds the certification fee on top of the per-page charge. Plain copies cost less and work fine for personal reference.
Finding Holmes County Divorce Records
Divorces in Holmes County are handled by the Chancery Court, and the files live with the Chancery Clerk. Charlie Luckett holds that office at 2 Court Square in Lexington. The county FAQ answers the common question plainly: to get a copy of a divorce record, contact the Chancery Clerk's office at 662-834-2508. Details on the office appear on the Holmes County Chancery Clerk page.
The Chancery Court hears divorce, child custody, property division, alimony, and related family matters. The same court also handles estates and guardianships covered on the county Chancery Court records page. Some divorce filings are open to the public. Others carry restrictions, so part of a file may be sealed or redacted before release.
There are a few ways to reach the file. The counter at 2 Court Square serves walk-in requests. A written request by mail works when a trip is not practical. The Chancery Clerk also transmits divorce statistics to Mississippi Vital Records, and electronic dockets may appear through the statewide court system where a case is digital and public.
Requesting Holmes County Divorce Copies
Gathering a few details first makes the request faster. The clerk needs enough information to find the right file among years of records. Older cases may sit in archives or appear through the statewide electronic court system.
- Identify the party names, the approximate filing year, the divorce date if known, and the case number if available.
- Contact the Chancery Clerk at 662-834-2508.
- Ask whether the file is at the courthouse, archived, or available through the statewide MEC or PAMEC system.
- Request a plain copy or a certified copy depending on how it will be used.
- For a mail request, include a written note, the copy fee, the certification fee if needed, and a return envelope.
Have the names and the rough date ready before you call. A case number speeds the search the most. If the decree is recent, the clerk can usually pull it the same day. Archived files take longer, and a sealed matter may need a judge's order first.
Restricted Holmes County Family Records
Family court files often hold sensitive material. Mississippi keeps some of it out of public view to protect children and personal data. A divorce file may be public, yet certain pieces inside it stay closed.
Content that may be restricted or redacted includes child custody details, information about minors, financial identifiers, adoption-related material, and any order the court has sealed. When part of a file is closed, the clerk releases the portions that remain public and withholds the rest. Adoption records in particular receive strong protection. If a request touches a sealed matter, the clerk may direct the requester to seek a court order before any copy is released.
Certified Copies and Vital Records
Certified copies carry the issuing office's seal and stand up as legal proof. People need them for name changes, immigration steps, Social Security matters, and a later marriage. A plain copy reads the same but is not accepted as official proof.
For marriage records, certified copies come from the Circuit Clerk who recorded the license or from the Mississippi State Department of Health. For divorce decrees, certified copies come from the Chancery Clerk. The state vital records office below can also search for the county of issue when a couple is unsure where a license was filed.