Mobile Public Records

Mobile public records are available through the City Clerk and Mobile County offices. The city maintains its own records while the county handles property deeds and court cases.

Mobile City Clerk

The Mobile City Clerk handles city government records and public records requests. The office is on the 9th floor of the Government Plaza in downtown Mobile. You can visit in person during business hours or submit requests online. The City Clerk maintains meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other official city documents.

Mobile has its own records request portal at mobileal.justfoia.com/publicportal. This lets you submit requests for city records and track their status online. The system is separate from Mobile County records. For property deeds, court filings, or marriage records, you need to go through the county instead.

Mobile Municipal Court Records

Mobile Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations, traffic tickets, and misdemeanors that occur within city limits. This is separate from the Mobile County Circuit Court, which handles felonies and civil cases. Municipal court records include case filings, judgments, fines, and payment histories.

You can search Mobile Municipal Court cases online at municipalrecordsearch.com/mobileal. This free tool lets you look up cases by name or case number. The search covers traffic cases, city ordinance violations, and criminal misdemeanors heard in municipal court. For more serious cases, you need to check the county court system instead.

The Mobile Municipal Court is located at the Government Plaza building downtown. The court has its own clerk office that handles case records. If you need certified copies of municipal court documents, you must visit in person or submit a written request. The court processes hundreds of cases each week, from parking tickets to minor criminal charges.

Common municipal court records in Mobile include:

• Traffic citations and speeding tickets
• Parking violations and fines
• City code violations
• Misdemeanor criminal cases
• DUI cases (first offense)
• Warrant information

Call the Mobile Municipal Court at (251) 208-7551 for questions about specific cases. Court staff can tell you what records are available and how to get copies. Some records may be sealed or restricted under Alabama law.

Mobile County Records for City Residents

Mobile city residents file property deeds and real estate documents at the Mobile County Probate Court. The county handles all land records for the entire county, including the city of Mobile. Marriage licenses, wills, and estate records also go through the Probate Court. The county courthouse is just a short walk from Government Plaza.

For court cases beyond traffic tickets and minor offenses, the Mobile County Circuit Court has jurisdiction. This includes divorces, civil lawsuits, felony criminal cases, and appeals from municipal court. The Circuit Clerk office maintains all trial court records for Mobile County.

Mobile County offers extensive online access to records. The LANDMARK WEB portal has over 5 million documents dating back to 1813. This is one of the oldest and most complete record collections in Alabama. You can search for free and pay only when you view document images. Registration takes a few minutes.

Key county records for Mobile residents:

• Property deeds and mortgages
• Marriage licenses and certificates
• Divorce decrees and family court orders
• Civil lawsuit filings
• Criminal case records
• Probate and estate files
• Liens and judgments

The county also uses AlacourtAccess for court record searches. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. You can search at pa.alacourt.com for any Mobile County court case.

How to Search Mobile Public Records

Finding public records in Mobile depends on what type of record you need. The city and county each maintain different types of documents. Start by figuring out which office has what you're looking for. Here is a quick guide to help you get started.

For city records like meeting minutes, contracts, or permits, use the City Clerk portal. Submit your request through mobileal.justfoia.com/publicportal and track it online. Response times vary based on the complexity of your request. Simple requests often get answered within a few business days.

For property records, go to the Mobile County Probate Court. You can search online through their LANDMARK WEB portal or visit in person at 151 Government Street. The staff can help you find deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps. Most property searches take just a few minutes with the online system.

For court records, you have two options. Municipal court cases are at municipalrecordsearch.com/mobileal. County court cases are on AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com. The municipal court search is free. Alacourt charges $9.99 per search.

If you are not sure which office has your records, call the City Clerk at (251) 208-7411 or the County Probate Court at (251) 574-6001. They can point you in the right direction. Sometimes a record may be held by a state agency instead of a local office.

Mobile Public Records Fees

Fees for public records in Mobile vary by office and record type. The City Clerk, Municipal Court, and County offices each set their own rates. Most offices charge by the page for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones.

Under Alabama law, agencies can charge reasonable fees for copies. They cannot charge for staff time spent searching or redacting records in most cases. If you get a quote that seems too high, ask for a breakdown of the costs.

Typical fees you may encounter in Mobile:

• City Clerk copies: varies by document type
• Municipal Court certified copies: $2 to $5 per page
• County property deed copies: $1 per page
• County certified copies: $2 per page
• Court record search (Alacourt): $9.99 per name
• Court document images: $5.00 for first 20 pages

Some records may be free to view online but cost money to download or print. The municipal court case search at municipalrecordsearch.com is free to use. The county LANDMARK WEB system lets you search free but charges for document images.

Port and Business Records

Mobile is home to Alabama's only saltwater port. The Port of Mobile handles millions of tons of cargo each year. This creates unique record types that you won't find in other Alabama cities. Import/export records, shipping manifests, and port authority documents may be of interest to researchers and businesses.

The Alabama State Port Authority maintains records related to port operations. For shipping and customs records, you may need to contact federal agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The port's role in international trade means some records fall under federal jurisdiction rather than state or local control.

Business records for Mobile companies are filed with the Alabama Secretary of State. You can search for business entities, corporate filings, and registered agents online at arc-sos.state.al.us. Local business licenses are handled by the Mobile Revenue Office. The city also maintains building permits, zoning records, and inspection reports through various departments.

Historical Records in Mobile

Mobile has a rich history going back over 300 years. The city was founded by the French in 1702, making it one of the oldest settlements on the Gulf Coast. Spanish, British, and American governments have all controlled the area at different times. This complex history left behind records in multiple languages.

The Mobile County Probate Court has some of the oldest records in Alabama. Many date back to 1813 when American control was established. Earlier records from the French and Spanish periods may be held by state archives or historical societies. These old documents include land grants, property transfers, and legal proceedings.

Mobile is also known as America's original Mardi Gras city. The celebration started here before New Orleans. Historical records about Mardi Gras organizations and parades may be found at the Mobile Carnival Museum or local historical societies. These are not government records but can be valuable for research.

For genealogy research, Mobile offers several resources:

• Mobile County Probate Court records (1813 to present)
• Alabama Department of Archives and History
• Mobile Public Library Local History Room
• Mobile Genealogical Society
• Church records from historic congregations

The Mobile Public Library has a Local History and Genealogy Room with maps, newspapers, and city directories going back many decades. Staff can help you navigate the collections and find records about Mobile's past.

Legal Resources in Mobile

If you need help with legal matters related to public records in Mobile, several organizations offer assistance. Legal aid groups help people who cannot afford attorneys. The Mobile Bar Association can refer you to lawyers who specialize in various areas.

Legal Services Alabama has an office in Mobile that serves low-income residents. They can help with civil legal issues including records requests when they relate to housing, family matters, or benefits. Call (251) 433-6560 to ask about services. Their website at legalservicesalabama.org has more information.

The Mobile Bar Lawyer Referral Service connects you with attorneys for an initial consultation fee. Call (251) 433-6691 for a referral. The Alabama State Bar also runs a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660. If you need help understanding your rights under Alabama's public records law, an attorney can advise you.

For self-help resources, Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has guides on many topics. The Mobile County Law Library in the courthouse offers free access to legal research materials. Staff cannot give legal advice but can help you find forms and statutes.

Mobile County Public Records

Mobile is the county seat of Mobile County. All property records, court cases, and vital records for the city are maintained at the county level. The Mobile County Probate Court has one of the most extensive online record systems in Alabama, with documents dating back to 1813. For a full guide to county resources, fees, and search tools, visit the Mobile County page.

View Mobile County Public Records

Nearby Cities

These major Alabama cities are near Mobile. Records may involve multiple jurisdictions if you have connections to these areas.

Smaller cities in Mobile County include Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, and Bayou La Batre. All of these file records through Mobile County offices.