Getting a Copy of Your Mississippi Criminal Record
Which Mississippi agency keeps criminal history records, how to request your own record, and the fee.
Short answer: The Mississippi Department of Public Safety's Criminal Information Center keeps state criminal history records. DPS offers an online Name-Based Background Check that only the person the record belongs to can start or authorize; Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Name-Based Background Check
| Getting a copy of your criminal record | The Mississippi Department of Public Safety's Criminal Information Center keeps state criminal history records. DPS offers an online Name-Based Background Check that only the person the record belongs to can start or authorize; businesses and other third parties cannot request it. Each request costs $32.00, payable by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express credit or debit card. Results can be sent to you or released to a third party you name (by mail or fax), and requests may take up to 30 calendar days. Criminal Information Center: https://www.dps.ms.gov/investigation/criminal-information-center |
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| What relief the state offers | Mississippi uses "expunction": a court order expunging a conviction or case from all public records. A nonpublic record is kept for limited purposes. Expunction is available for dismissed or dropped cases and acquittals, for a first misdemeanor conviction that is not a traffic violation, and for one eligible felony. Separately, nonadjudication lets a court hold a guilty plea and dismiss the case after conditions are completed. The Governor can grant pardons. The text of § 99-19-71 was read from a 2026 Senate bill (SB 2228, which died on the calendar) that reprints the section as it stands, with proposed changes marked; the description here reflects existing law, not the bill's proposed changes. Source: Miss. Code §§ 99-19-71, 99-15-26 |
Where to get help in Mississippi
More Mississippi expungement & criminal records
- Expunging or Sealing a Felony in Mississippi
- Clearing a DUI From Your Record in Mississippi
- How to File for Expungement in Mississippi
- All Mississippi expungement & criminal records rules
FAQ
How do I check my own criminal record in Mississippi?
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety's Criminal Information Center keeps state criminal history records. DPS offers an online Name-Based Background Check that only the person the record belongs to can start or authorize; businesses and other third parties cannot request it. Each request costs $32.00, payable by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express credit or debit card. Results can be sent to you or released to a third party you name (by mail or fax), and requests may take up to 30 calendar days.
Can you get a criminal record expunged in Mississippi?
Mississippi uses "expunction": a court order expunging a conviction or case from all public records. A nonpublic record is kept for limited purposes. Expunction is available for dismissed or dropped cases and acquittals, for a first misdemeanor conviction that is not a traffic violation, and for one eligible felony. Separately, nonadjudication lets a court hold a guilty plea and dismiss the case after conditions are completed. The Governor can grant pardons.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.