Bolivar County Public Records /Bolivar County Divorce Records

Bolivar County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Bolivar County in 2026

BolivarRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Bolivar County, Mississippi. Members of the public may use this resource to locate case-related data, including filing dates, party names, and court disposition information. Available record categories may include final divorce decrees, case docket entries, chancery court filings, property settlement documents, and child custody orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Divorce records in Bolivar County are maintained by the Chancery Court, which serves as the court of jurisdiction for all domestic relations matters in Mississippi. Members of the public may search for these records through official court resources, the Chancery Clerk's office, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and select online tools. Under Mississippi Code § 93-5-1, divorce proceedings in Mississippi are filed in the chancery court of the county where either spouse resides.

Online Searches

1. Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) / Chancery Court Case Search

The Bolivar County Chancery Court may provide limited online access to case information through the court's administrative systems. Members of the public seeking case numbers, filing dates, and docket entries may contact the Chancery Clerk's office directly to inquire about available electronic search options.

2. State Vital Records — Mississippi State Department of Health

The Mississippi State Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records maintains records of births, deaths, and other vital events in the state. While the MSDH Vital Records office does not maintain divorce records directly, it offers a five-year index search service to locate the county where a divorce was granted, along with the book and page number in the Chancery Clerk's office where the record is filed. This service covers the period from January 1, 1926, through June 30, 1938, and select subsequent periods. Requesters may submit an application through the MSDH divorce records index search to obtain location information before contacting the appropriate county clerk.

3. Third-Party Aggregator Databases

Select third-party public records platforms aggregate Mississippi chancery court data. These sources may provide preliminary case information but are not official repositories and should be verified against primary court records.

In-Person Searches

Bolivar County Chancery Clerk's Office

The Chancery Clerk's office is the primary custodian of all divorce case files in Bolivar County. Members of the public may visit the office to search case indexes, view documents, request certified copies, and use public access terminals with staff assistance.

Bolivar County Chancery Clerk — Cleveland Office
200 South Court Street
Cleveland, MS 38732
Phone: (662) 843-2071
Bolivar County Official Website

Bolivar County Chancery Clerk — Rosedale Office
(Second county seat — Bolivar County operates under a dual-seat system)
Rosedale, MS 38769
Phone: (662) 759-6215
Bolivar County Official Website

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays.

By Mail

Written Request:

Members of the public may submit written requests for divorce records by mail to the Chancery Clerk's office. Requests should include:

Full legal names of both parties
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing
Case number, if known
Requester's full name and contact information
Purpose of the request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on case volume and whether records require retrieval from archives.

By Phone

The Chancery Clerk's office may be reached at (662) 843-2071 (Cleveland) or (662) 759-6215 (Rosedale). Staff can confirm whether a case exists in the system, provide a case number, confirm case status, and advise on filing dates. Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case information by telephone.

Through Attorneys

Licensed Mississippi attorneys may access divorce case files on behalf of clients, including requesting sealed or restricted documents through appropriate court motions. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the Mississippi Bar Lawyer Referral Service for assistance locating qualified family law counsel.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Bolivar County
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Mississippi law, divorce is filed in the chancery court of the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may use the MSDH five-year divorce index search to identify the correct county before submitting a records request. Searching the county where the marriage occurred is not appropriate unless one spouse also resided there at the time of filing.

Residency Requirement: Under Mississippi Code § 93-5-5, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Mississippi for six months prior to filing for divorce.

Time Considerations

Recent divorces may not appear in searchable indexes immediately following the final hearing; records are typically available within days to several weeks after the final decree is entered.
Older divorces may be archived in paper format and require additional retrieval time; pre-1980 records may not be digitized.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a record may not be located include:

Incorrect county of search
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in indexed names
The case remains pending and has not been finalized
Very old records stored in off-site archives
The case has been sealed by court order

Members of the public encountering these issues may contact the Chancery Clerk's office directly, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the MSDH vital records index search for historical cases.

What Are Bolivar County Divorce Records?

Bolivar County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings in the Chancery Court. These records constitute part of the permanent public court file and are maintained by the Chancery Clerk as the official custodian of domestic relations case files.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files include the complete set of documents filed during the proceeding:

Petition for divorce (complaint)
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
Parenting plans and custody agreements
Settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and hearing notices
Transcripts of court proceedings
Final judgment of divorce

Final Decree of Divorce is the official court order dissolving the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property, any alimony or spousal support awarded, child custody and visitation arrangements, child support obligations, and any court-ordered name changes. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Chancery Clerk's office.

Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure records, property inventories, appraisals, and any post-judgment modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Supporting name change documentation
Facilitating property transfers and estate planning
Providing documentation for immigration proceedings
Supporting Social Security benefit claims
Enabling genealogical and family history research

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The Bolivar County Chancery Clerk is the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The Mississippi State Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records maintains a separate index of divorce records for certain historical periods but does not hold the complete case files. Under Mississippi Code § 93-5-1, the chancery court retains exclusive jurisdiction over divorce proceedings, and all associated records remain in the custody of the Chancery Clerk.

Are Bolivar County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Bolivar County Chancery Court are public court records subject to Mississippi's public records framework. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of both parties
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and scheduled proceedings
Court orders and judgments
Final divorce decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from public-facing documents
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
Salary and income details may carry partial restrictions

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted
Schools children attend are not disclosed
Medical and psychological evaluations of children may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
Child custody evaluations ordered by the court may be sealed

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Medical records submitted as exhibits

Sealed Records: A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public without a court order.

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees.
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view.
Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing.
Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; sealed records require court authorization.

Prohibited Uses: Members of the public may not use divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or any use that violates an existing protective order.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Bolivar County?

The Bolivar County Chancery Clerk charges standard fees for copying and certifying divorce records. Current fees applicable to divorce record requests are as follows:

Service	Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$0.50 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$1.00 per page + certification fee
Certification seal	$1.00 per document
Search fee (when applicable)	Varies by request

Members of the public should contact the Chancery Clerk's office directly to confirm current fees prior to submitting a request, as fee schedules are subject to revision by the court.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Money order (mail requests)
Personal check (mail requests, payable to Bolivar County Chancery Clerk)
Credit or debit card availability varies; members of the public should confirm with the office

What Is Available at No Cost:

Viewing case docket entries at the courthouse public access terminal is available at no charge.
Confirming whether a case exists in the system by phone or in person does not require payment.

Fee Waivers: Mississippi law does not provide a general fee waiver for divorce record copies. Parties who are indigent and represented by legal aid organizations may inquire with the Chancery Clerk regarding applicable provisions.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Bolivar County

A complete Bolivar County divorce case file contains all documents filed from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any subsequent post-judgment actions. The following summarizes the principal categories of documents members of the public may encounter when reviewing a divorce case file.

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name, and assigned judge
Names of petitioner and respondent
Names of attorneys of record
Filing date and case type designation

Initial Pleadings:

The Petition for Divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the grounds for divorce, information regarding any minor children, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested. Mississippi recognizes both fault-based and no-fault grounds for divorce. The Response or Answer reflects the respondent's position, including any admissions, denials, or counterclaims.

Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit obligations.

Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment account records, and business financial statements where applicable.

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory with descriptions and estimated values
Debt inventory covering all joint and individual obligations
Appraisals and expert valuations for real property, businesses, and personal property

Children-Related Documents (where applicable):

Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedules, holiday arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities
Child support calculation worksheets reflecting income, overnight counts, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses
Court-ordered custody evaluations and psychological assessments (which may be sealed)
Guardian ad litem reports (subject to restricted access)

Support Documents:

Alimony or spousal support orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Income and expense analyses supporting support determinations

Settlement Documents:

Marital Settlement Agreement resolving all contested issues, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
Mediation agreements, where applicable

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders addressing custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case
Final Judgment of Divorce containing the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and all dispositive orders
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) directing the division of retirement plan benefits

Post-Judgment Documents (where applicable):

Petitions to modify custody or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and enforcement actions
Income deduction orders

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence-related evidence (may be sealed by court order)
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Bolivar County

Proof of divorce in Bolivar County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce issued by the Bolivar County Chancery Clerk. A certified copy bears the official court seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally recognized for purposes of remarriage, name changes, immigration proceedings, and other official uses.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case. Confirm the case number and filing county. Members of the public uncertain of the filing county may use the MSDH divorce records index search for cases filed between January 1, 1926, and June 30, 1938, or contact the Chancery Clerk's office directly for more recent cases.
Submit a request in person or by mail. Requests may be submitted at either Bolivar County courthouse location. Mail requests should be directed to:

Bolivar County Chancery Clerk
200 South Court Street
Cleveland, MS 38732
Phone: (662) 843-2071
Bolivar County Official Website

Provide identifying information. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
Pay applicable fees. Certified copies are subject to the per-page copy fee plus the certification fee. Payment by money order or check is accepted for mail requests.
Receive the certified copy. In-person requests are fulfilled at the time of the visit when records are available. Mail requests are processed within one to two weeks.

Members of the public who require proof of divorce for a case filed in another Mississippi county may use the MSDH five-year divorce index search to identify the correct county and book and page number before contacting the appropriate Chancery Clerk.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Bolivar County?

A divorce proceeding in Bolivar County may be made confidential, in whole or in part, through a court order sealing the record. Sealing is not automatic and requires a judicial determination that the public interest in confidentiality outweighs the presumption of open access to court records.

Circumstances under which a divorce record or portions thereof may be sealed or restricted include:

Domestic violence cases: Addresses and identifying information of protected parties may be withheld to prevent harm.
Cases involving minor children: Psychological evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and custody assessments may be sealed to protect children's welfare.
Mental health and medical records: Records submitted as exhibits that contain protected health information may be restricted under applicable privacy laws.
Confidential settlements: Terms of settlement reached through mediation are confidential under Mississippi law and are not part of the public record unless incorporated into a filed agreement.
Court-ordered sealing: Any party may petition the court to seal specific documents or the entire file upon a showing of good cause. The court applies a balancing test weighing privacy interests against the public's right of access.

Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the Bolivar County Chancery Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access. The court rules on such requests on a case-by-case basis.

How Long Does Bolivar County Keep Divorce Records?

Bolivar County Chancery Court divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Mississippi court records retention requirements. The following retention periods apply under current Mississippi court administration guidelines:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the permanent court record.
Complete case files: Retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case; many files are retained indefinitely.
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period.
Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file and treated as permanent records.
Archived paper records: Pre-digitization records are maintained in physical archives at the courthouse or an approved off-site storage facility; retrieval may require additional processing time.

Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than ten years ago should contact the Bolivar County Chancery Clerk's office in advance to confirm availability and arrange retrieval from archives. Mississippi court records retention schedules are administered under the authority of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, which establishes minimum retention periods for all county court records. Permanent records, including final divorce decrees, are not subject to destruction and remain accessible to the public in perpetuity subject to applicable confidentiality provisions.