State Vital Records in Mississippi
The Mississippi State Department of Health - Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Mississippi. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Mississippi State Department of Health - Vital Records
State Vital Records in Mississippi: key facts
- Administering office
- Mississippi State Department of Health - Vital Records.
- Contact
- Phone 601-206-8200; email VRInfo@msdh.ms.gov.
- Office location
- 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS. 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
- Mail orders
- Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700.
- Certificate fee
- $17 for the first certified copy; $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Processing time
- 7-10 business days.
- Who may order
- Registrant; Spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, child, grandchild, guardian, or legal representative.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 50 years after the death.
- Records available from
- November 1912.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Mississippi — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek
- By phone: Call MSDH Vital Records at 601-206-8200
- By mail: Mail application with check, money order, or cashier's check
- In person: Visit customer service window in Ridgeland
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Completed application
- Valid photo ID
- Proof of guardianship/legal representation if applicable
- Allow the office's processing time (7-10 business days).
Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call MSDH Vital Records at 601-206-8200. by mail: Mail application with check, money order, or cashier's check. in person: Visit customer service window in Ridgeland. Mail orders go to Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700.
The death certificate must be filed within 5 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Completed application; Valid photo ID; Proof of guardianship/legal representation if applicable. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Mississippi primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Mississippi State Department of Health - Vital Records