MS Health Department 2026: Services, Phone & Records
Most people searching for the MS Health Department, Mississippi Health Department, MSDH, Mississippi Department of Health phone number, or Mississippi vital records need a direct route—not a long agency history. They need to know which official page to open, which phone number to call, what documents to prepare, and whether their issue belongs with the state office, a county health department, Vital Records, WIC, professional licensure, food safety, or a complaint unit.
This guide is written in plain U.S. English for Mississippi residents, seniors, caregivers, parents, license applicants, employers, restaurant customers, and out-of-state family members who need Mississippi birth, death, marriage, immunization, license, complaint, food safety, or public record help. It is not the official MSDH website; it helps you use the official pages correctly before you pay, mail documents, call, or visit.
Quick answer: what the MS Health Department helps with in 2026
The Mississippi State Department of Health, commonly searched as MS Health Department, Mississippi Health Department, MSDH, Mississippi Department of Health, HealthyMS, or state health department Mississippi, handles statewide public health services, county health departments, Vital Records, immunization records, WIC, food safety, restaurant complaints, health facility complaints, professional licensure for certain health-related professions, public records, data requests, and public health emergency routing.
| What you need | Best official route | Prepare first | Helpful tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Health Department phone number | MSDH Locations, Contact and General Information | Topic, county, callback number, appointment question, or record order question | Ask for the correct program page before explaining a long story. |
| Mississippi county health department appointment | County Health Departments / appointment line | County, service needed, ID, insurance or payment question, and transportation needs | Call 855-767-0170 before visiting because walk-ins can be limited. |
| Mississippi birth certificate | MSDH Vital Records / Birth Certificates | Full name, date of birth, place of birth, valid ID, application, fee, and mailing address | MSDH says birth records are available from November 1912 to present. |
| Mississippi death certificate | MSDH Vital Records / Death Certificates | Decedent name, date of death, county, valid ID, application, fee, and number of copies | Ask the bank, insurer, attorney or benefits office how many certified copies it needs. |
| Mississippi marriage record | MSDH Marriage Records or Circuit Clerk when needed | Names, date, county or place license was issued, valid photo ID, and fee | Some older or specific records may need the circuit clerk route. |
| Mississippi divorce record | MSDH Search Divorce Records or Chancery Clerk for decree/court file | Names, county, approximate date, and whether you need a court-certified decree | A divorce search and a certified decree are not always the same thing. |
| Mississippi immunization records / Form 121 | MyIR or Mississippi Immunization Registry | Name, date of birth, phone, email, parent details for a child, and school requirement | MyIR can let families print Form 121 when records are found and up to date. |
| Mississippi WIC appointment | WIC Call Center / local county health department or WIC clinic | ID, proof of residency, income documents, pregnancy or child details, and appointment availability | Use 1-800-338-6747 for WIC appointment and benefit help. |
| Mississippi license verification | Professional Licensure Division or the correct health licensing board | Profession, license number, name, last name, or partial name | MSDH licenses some health-related professions; doctors and nurses may use separate boards. |
| Restaurant complaint or foodborne illness | MSDH Food Safety / Retail Food | Restaurant name, full address, county, date, time, food item, symptoms, receipt, and photos | Food complaints are stronger with location and timeline details. |
| Public records or MSDH medical records | Data and Public Records Requests | Program, date range, record type, names, facility, clinic or service received | For services provided by MSDH, the Medical Records Division phone is 601-576-7267. |
Do not start every Mississippi health task at the same phone number. Use Vital Records for certificates, MyIR for immunization records, WIC for nutrition appointments, County Health Departments for local services, Food Safety for restaurant issues, Professional Licensure for certain licensed professions, and Public Records for agency-held records.
MSDH route finder: choose the right official Mississippi health service
Use this route finder before calling, paying, mailing forms, filing a complaint, or driving to Jackson, Ridgeland, or a county health department.
MS Health Department task router
Select your need. The guide will show the safest next route.
MS Health Department phone number, toll-free line, emergency line and call script
The Mississippi State Department of Health contact page lists the central office at 570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216, the main phone number 601-576-7400, and toll-free 1-866-HLTHY4U / 866-458-4948. For public health emergencies, MSDH lists 601-576-7400 with agency personnel available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
601-576-7400
Use for general Mississippi State Department of Health routing when you do not already know the program.
Open contact866-458-4948
Listed as 1-866-HLTHY4U for statewide contact help and general information routing.
Open hotlines855-767-0170
Use for county health department appointment scheduling, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
County officesUse a short Mississippi call script
Say: “I need help with [birth certificate, death certificate, marriage record, county health department appointment, WIC, immunization record, professional license, food complaint, health facility complaint, public records, or medical records]. My county is [county name]. Which official MSDH page or phone number should I use?”
Use direct program numbers when you already know the topic
Call Vital Records at 601-206-8200 for certificates, WIC at 1-800-338-6747 for appointment or benefit help, Food Protection at 601-364-2832 for food safety and permits, Professional Licensure at 601-364-7360 for certain health-related licenses, and the complaint hotline at 800-227-7308 for health facility complaints.
If your issue is local, say the county name early: Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Harrison, Jackson, DeSoto, Lee, Forrest, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Warren, Adams, Oktibbeha, Leflore, Bolivar, Coahoma, or your correct county. Local routing depends on county office availability and service type.
Mississippi Vital Records: birth, death, marriage, divorce search, corrections and fees
MSDH Vital Records maintains Mississippi birth and death records and provides marriage record and divorce record search routes. The office lists 601-206-8200, fax 601-206-8272, and email VRInfo@msdh.ms.gov. The customer service window is at 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Birth, death and marriage
MSDH lists certified birth, death and marriage certificates at $17, with additional same-record copies at $6 when ordered at the same time.
Vital records Q&AVitalChek phone route
MSDH lists phone orders through VitalChek by contacting the Vital Records Office at 601-206-8200.
Online or phoneChanges and corrections
For birth or death record corrections, call Vital Records or email VRInfo@msdh.ms.gov before sending documents.
Open Vital Records| Record or task | Useful official detail | Before you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi birth certificate | MSDH lists $17 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional same-record copy ordered at the same time. | Confirm name, date, place of birth, ID, application and mailing or pickup route. |
| Mississippi death certificate | MSDH lists $17 for a certified copy and $6 for each additional same-record copy ordered at the same time. | Ask the receiving agency whether it needs a certified copy and how many copies. |
| Mississippi marriage record | MSDH lists a $17 search/certified copy fee and $6 for additional same-time copies. | Prepare both names, date, place of marriage, county/city where the license was issued and photo ID. |
| Mississippi divorce record search | Use MSDH divorce record search for index/search help; court-certified decrees may require the Chancery Clerk. | Clarify whether you need a search result, court decree, or complete case file. |
| In-person Vital Records | MSDH lists 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS; customer service window 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday. | Check payment methods, ID and application before driving. |
MSDH says personal checks are not accepted for vital record requests, and mail requests can be paid by money order or cashier’s check. Do not send cash in the mail. Always confirm current fees and payment instructions on the official MSDH page before mailing anything.
Mississippi birth certificate: order online, by phone, by mail or in person
Use this section if you need a Mississippi birth certificate for a passport, driver’s license, school registration, Social Security, benefits, insurance, family records, or legal proof. MSDH states that birth certificates are available from the Vital Records office in person, by phone, by mail, and online.
| Prepare | Why it matters | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Full name on the birth record | Vital Records must match the exact record. | Using a married name or nickname instead of the birth name. |
| Date and place of birth | Needed to locate the record in Mississippi’s vital records system. | Not knowing whether the birth occurred in Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Tupelo, Biloxi, Greenville, Oxford or another city. |
| Valid identification | Certified certificate requests require identity verification. | Sending an expired, blurry or unreadable ID copy. |
| Completed application | MSDH application instructions tell users to complete all information and sign the application. | Mailing payment without a signed application. |
| Correct payment method | Payment methods differ for in-person, mail, online and phone orders. | Mailing cash or a personal check. |
Start with the official Birth Certificates page
MSDH says the Vital Records division maintains Mississippi birth and death records from November 1912 to the present. It also explains online, mail, in-person and phone ordering routes.
Choose the right order route for your timeline
Online and phone ordering use a private records service for an added fee and credit card payment. Mail may avoid added convenience fees but can take longer. In-person pickup still requires the correct ID, application and payment.
If you are ordering for a parent, child, spouse, or another family member, confirm eligibility and ID rules before mailing a request. Do not send original documents unless the official instructions specifically require them.
Mississippi death certificate: estate, insurance, bank, benefits and funeral checklist
A Mississippi death certificate may be needed for banks, estates, life insurance, Social Security, probate, pensions, veterans benefits, vehicle title transfer, real estate, tax records, and family records. Before ordering, ask each receiving agency whether it needs a certified copy and how many copies are required.
Official transactions
Certified death certificates are often needed for banks, insurance claims, estate matters, property transfers and benefits.
Older corrections may need court help
MSDH death certificate instructions note that if incorrect items are on a certificate and the death occurred more than one year ago, a court order may be required.
Use the official death certificate route
MSDH death certificate pages explain how to order, where the Ridgeland office is located, and what payment methods are listed for in-person service.
Use the death certificate application instructions for mail requests
The application instructions explain the $17 certified copy fee, $6 additional same-time copy fee, and five-year search rule when the date of death is uncertain.
Ask the bank, insurer, attorney, benefits office, and vehicle title office exactly what they accept. Some offices need a certified original; others may accept a copy after seeing the certified record.
Mississippi marriage record and divorce record search: certificate versus court file
MSDH vital records can help with marriage record searches and divorce record searches, but a search result or certificate is not always the same as a full court file, decree, order or legal judgment. Confirm the required document before paying.
MSDH marriage route
Marriage records have been kept by state and county officials since January 1, 1926, with a special gap where some records were only kept by the circuit court clerk.
Marriage instructionsUse court route if needed
If the receiving agency asks for a decree, final judgment, court-certified order or case file, the Chancery Clerk in the county of divorce may be required.
Open MS.govAsk what document is required
For marriage or divorce records, ask the receiving office whether it needs a certified marriage record, a divorce search, a divorce decree, or a court-certified judgment. The wording matters.
Mississippi immunization records, MyIR, Form 121 and school entry help
If your search for “MS Health Department records” means vaccination records, school immunization form, COVID vaccine record, or Mississippi Form 121, do not use Vital Records. Use MyIR, the Mississippi Immunization Registry, your doctor, or a county health department.
Online record access
MyIR lets individuals and families access immunization records maintained by MSDH, including records for children.
Open MyIRSchool entry form
MSDH says users can print Form 121 online if a child is up to date and the record is found through MyIR.
Form 121 helpTry MyIR first when possible
MyIR is built for families who need immunization records and Mississippi school immunization entry forms without an unnecessary office visit.
Use Immunization Office help if the record is missing or wrong
For vaccination record errors or difficulty locating records, MSDH lists the Immunization Office phone number as 601-576-7751. Older records, out-of-state vaccines, paper records, or non-participating provider records may need extra follow-up.
Ask the school, daycare, college or program exactly what form it needs before printing or requesting records. For many Mississippi school-entry situations, Form 121 is the key phrase.
Mississippi WIC: appointment phone, benefits, clinic help and breastfeeding support
Mississippi WIC provides nutrition support for eligible women, infants and children. If you searched for “MS Health Department WIC,” “Mississippi WIC appointment,” or “WIC phone number Mississippi,” use the WIC call center or county health department/WIC clinic route.
1-800-338-6747
Use for appointment trouble, WIC questions and benefit help.
Contact WIC601-991-6000
MSDH lists Mississippi WIC Program office in Ridgeland and a toll-free WIC line outside Jackson.
Open WICCounty health department or WIC clinic
MSDH says you can apply for WIC at a local county health department or WIC clinic.
How to applyBefore going to a WIC appointment, ask what ID, proof of residency, income documents, pregnancy information, child documents, breastfeeding questions, or eWIC card details you should bring.
Mississippi county health department near me: appointments, local services and office search
Many local tasks should start with a Mississippi county health department, not the central office. County health departments may help with clinic services, WIC, immunizations, Form 121, family planning, environmental health, permits, and local public health services depending on availability.
855-767-0170
MSDH lists this scheduling number for county health department appointments, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Find local office
Search by region or county before traveling to a health department office.
Services vary
Some clinical services may not be available every day, and walk-ins can be limited.
Plan your visit
Ask what ID, payment, insurance, proof, appointment, or forms are required.
Jackson area users may need Hinds, Rankin or Madison County routing. Gulf Coast users may need Harrison, Hancock, Jackson, Pearl River, George or Stone County routing. North Mississippi users may need DeSoto, Lee, Lafayette, Panola, Coahoma, Bolivar, Grenada or Tippah routing. Always confirm with the official MSDH county page before visiting.
MS Health Department license lookup, professional licensure and wrong-board warning
The phrase “MS Health Department license lookup” can refer to different systems. MSDH Professional Licensure regulates and licenses certain health-related professions in Mississippi. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and some other professions may belong to separate boards, so use the correct official board for individual professional verification.
MSDH regulated professions
Use MSDH Professional Licensure for professions listed under that division, including certain therapists, dietitians, telemedicine, tattoo artists and other health-related professions.
Open licensureSearch by number or name
MSDH’s verification page lets users search by license or registration number, full name, last name or partial name.
Verify or renew601-364-7360
MSDH Professional Licensure Division lists 143B Lefleur’s Square, Jackson, MS 39211, phone 601-364-7360.
Licensure contact| Search need | Best route | Important warning |
|---|---|---|
| MSDH-regulated health-related profession | MSDH Professional Licensure / Public License Search | Search by license number first when possible. |
| Doctor, physician assistant or medical board license | Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure | Do not assume every healthcare license is verified on MSDH’s Professional Licensure page. |
| Nurse license | Mississippi Board of Nursing | Use nursing board verification for RN, LPN, APRN and related nursing questions. |
| Health facility license or complaint | MSDH Regulation and Licensure / Health Facilities | Facility rules are different from individual professional license rules. |
For hiring, credentialing or patient safety checks, save the official source page, search date, license number, name, profession, expiration or status, and any disciplinary or complaint route shown. Do not rely only on a screenshot from a third-party website.
MSDH complaints: health facility complaint, nursing home concern, discrimination, water, wastewater and WIC routes
Mississippi complaint routing depends on what happened and where it happened. MSDH lists different complaint routes for nursing homes and other health care facilities, child care facilities, drinking water, on-site wastewater, restaurants and food facilities, WIC, and Office Against Interpersonal Violence discrimination concerns.
800-227-7308
MSDH says users who prefer to make a complaint by phone can call 800-227-7308 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
File complaintMake it specific
Prepare facility name, address, county, dates, names if known, facts, documents, photos and whether there is immediate risk.
Complaint routesCheck whether MSDH is the right complaint agency
Before filing, identify whether your issue involves a health care facility, child care facility, restaurant, food product, water system, wastewater, WIC, licensure, or discrimination complaint. The wrong complaint route can delay review.
Use a timeline instead of a long general complaint
Write what happened, where it happened, when it happened, who was involved, what documents support it, and what risk exists now. A clear timeline is easier to review than a long message without dates and facts.
If someone is in immediate danger, has severe symptoms, injury, poisoning, abuse in progress, trouble breathing, chest pain, signs of stroke, or a life-threatening emergency, call emergency services first. Do not wait for an online complaint response.
Mississippi food safety complaint, restaurant inspection, caterer and foodborne illness report
If you got sick after eating at a restaurant, saw unsafe food handling, need a food facility inspection report, or want to complain about a caterer or retail food facility, use MSDH Food Safety and Retail Food routes. A strong report includes the location, time, nature of the problem, food item, symptoms, and proof when available.
| Collect this | Example | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Business name and full address | Restaurant, caterer, grocery, food truck, school kitchen, event booth | Helps MSDH identify the exact facility. |
| County and city | Hinds, Harrison, DeSoto, Jackson, Rankin, Madison, Lee, Forrest, Lauderdale | Food complaint routing can depend on county and facility type. |
| Date and time | When you ate, bought, handled or saw the issue | Supports inspection or illness investigation. |
| Food item and symptoms | Dish, drink, packaged food, symptom start time, who became sick | Helps connect the report to possible foodborne illness. |
| Proof if available | Receipt, order number, photos, product label, packaging or leftovers | Gives investigators details beyond memory. |
Use MSDH Food Safety for restaurant and caterer issues
MSDH lists restaurant inspection reports, licensed caterer search, restaurant complaint search and food safety complaint routes. It also says users can email details of the time, place and nature of the problem to food@msdh.ms.gov.
Use manufactured food route when the product is not a restaurant meal
For manufactured food facility complaints, MSDH lists 601-364-2832, email mfgfoods@msdh.ms.gov, and details to provide such as facility name, facility ID if known, contact number and complaint information.
A report saying “the food was bad” is weak. A report with business name, address, date, time, food item, symptoms, receipt and photos is much easier for MSDH or county food safety staff to act on.
MSDH public records request, data request and medical records request
Public records requests, data requests, immunization records, personal medical records, and vital records are different routes. Do not use the wrong request type just because all of them contain the word “records.”
Agency-held records
Use this for public records requests to MSDH when the record is not a certificate, immunization record or personal medical chart.
Public recordsAgency-held data
MSDH says a data request is for agency-held data not sought through the public records request process.
Data requestMSDH clinic/program records
For services provided by MSDH, the Medical Records Division phone is 601-576-7267.
Records requestUse the right record category
Use Vital Records for birth, death and marriage certificates. Use MyIR for immunization records. Use Medical Records for services provided by MSDH. Use public records or data requests for agency-held records or datasets.
MSDH says it will not have copies of personal medical records for services received outside an MSDH clinic or program. If you were treated by a hospital, private doctor, urgent care, pharmacy or outside clinic, contact that healthcare provider’s records office directly.
MS Health Department office maps: Jackson central office, Ridgeland Vital Records and licensure office
Do not drive to a Mississippi Department of Health address just because it appears in search. The main central office, Vital Records, Professional Licensure Division and county health department offices may be different locations.
| Office or service | Address or route | Before you visit |
|---|---|---|
| MSDH Central Office | 570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216 | Call 601-576-7400 or check the contact page before visiting. |
| Vital Records customer service | 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS; customer service window 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday | Confirm ID, application, fee, payment method and certificate type. |
| Professional Licensure Division | 143B Lefleur’s Square, Jackson, MS 39211; phone 601-364-7360 | Confirm your profession belongs to MSDH Professional Licensure. |
| County health department | Use MSDH county office directory and appointment line 855-767-0170 | Check service days, appointment rules, WIC hours, and documents locally. |
MSDH Central Office map
MSDH Vital Records Ridgeland map
For many services, the correct route is online, phone, mail or a local county office—not the Jackson central office. Check the official MSDH page before driving.
Official MS Health Department links used in this guide
Use these official MSDH pages for final details, forms, fees, phone numbers, office hours, ID rules, payment, complaints, records, licensing and service locations. This independent guide does not process records, accept payments, file complaints, verify licenses or replace MSDH.ms.gov.
People also search for: MS Health Department Google and Bing intent guide
These search-style phrases help match common user intent for the Mississippi State Department of Health without stuffing keywords. Each phrase points to a useful route and official action.
MS Health Department phone number
Use the phone section for 601-576-7400, 866-458-4948, county appointment scheduling, Vital Records and WIC numbers.
Phone routeMississippi county health department
Use the county office route for appointments, local services, WIC, immunizations and county-specific hours.
County routeMississippi birth certificate
Use Vital Records birth certificate instructions for order routes, fees, ID, application and correction questions.
Birth routeMississippi death certificate
Use the death certificate route for estates, insurance, banks, benefits, probate and certified copy planning.
Death routeMSDH immunization records
Use MyIR, Mississippi Immunization Registry, Form 121 and county health department routes.
Shots routeMississippi WIC appointment
Use the WIC call center and WIC clinic route before visiting or collecting documents.
WIC routeMS Health Department license lookup
Use MSDH Professional Licensure for covered professions and the correct board for doctors, nurses and other licenses.
License routeMSDH complaint form
Use complaint routing for health facilities, restaurants, food safety, water, WIC or other specific topics.
Complaint routePrivacy, emergency and independent guide notice
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent help guide. It is not the official Mississippi State Department of Health website, not MSDH.ms.gov, not Vital Records, not MyIR, not WIC, not a county health department, not a licensing board, and not a complaint intake portal.
Do not send Social Security numbers, birth certificates, death certificates, driver licenses, passports, immunization records, Form 121, WIC documents, medical records, complaint evidence, credit cards or patient information to an independent guide page. Use only official secure pages for final submission.
Fees, office hours, phone numbers, ID rules, payment methods, appointment availability, forms, license rules and complaint routes can change. Confirm final details on official MSDH, county health department, Vital Records, MyIR, WIC, Professional Licensure or licensing board pages before taking action.
MS Health Department FAQs
What is the MS Health Department phone number?
The main Mississippi State Department of Health phone number is 601-576-7400. MSDH also lists toll-free 1-866-HLTHY4U / 866-458-4948. County health department appointments can be scheduled at 855-767-0170, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
What is the Mississippi State Department of Health address?
The MSDH central office address is 570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216. Vital Records customer service is located at 222 Marketridge Drive in Ridgeland. Professional Licensure Division lists 143B Lefleur’s Square, Jackson, MS 39211.
How do I order a Mississippi birth certificate?
Use the official MSDH Birth Certificates page. Prepare the full name on the birth record, date and place of birth, valid ID, completed application, correct payment and mailing or pickup details. MSDH lists birth certificate ordering online, by phone, by mail and in person.
How much does a Mississippi birth, death or marriage certificate cost?
MSDH’s Vital Records Q&A says birth, death and marriage certificates are $17, and additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $6. Online or phone orders through a private records service can add fees, so check the official page before paying.
How do I order a Mississippi death certificate?
Use the official MSDH Death Certificates page or death certificate application instructions. Prepare the decedent name, date of death, county or place of death, valid ID, application, payment and number of certified copies needed.
Can MSDH help with Mississippi divorce records?
MSDH provides a divorce record search route, but a court-certified divorce decree or complete court file may need to come from the Chancery Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Ask the receiving agency exactly which document it requires.
How do I get Mississippi immunization records or Form 121?
Use MyIR or the Mississippi Immunization Registry route. MSDH says MyIR lets individuals and families access immunization records and print Mississippi school immunization Form 121 when a child is up to date and records are found.
How do I contact Mississippi WIC?
For Mississippi WIC appointment trouble, WIC questions or benefit help, MSDH lists the WIC Call Center at 1-800-338-6747. The WIC program page also lists 601-991-6000 and toll-free 800-545-6747 outside Jackson.
How do I verify a Mississippi health-related professional license?
Use MSDH Professional Licensure and Public License Search for professions regulated by MSDH. Search by license or registration number, full name, last name or partial name. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and some other professionals may require separate Mississippi licensing boards.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org the official MS Health Department website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It does not process records, accept payments, file complaints, schedule appointments, verify licenses, issue Form 121, provide WIC benefits or replace MSDH.ms.gov, county health departments, Vital Records, MyIR, WIC or professional licensing boards.