Mobile County Public Records

Mobile County public records are maintained by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in the city of Mobile. With over 410,000 residents and records dating back to 1813, Mobile County has one of the most extensive archives in Alabama.

Mobile County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Mobile County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage certificates. The current Probate Judge is C. Mark Erwin. Mobile County was established in 1812, making it one of the oldest counties in Alabama. The courthouse holds some of the oldest records in the state.

The Probate Court building sits in downtown Mobile on Government Street. This location has served the county for many years. The office handles all property transactions, estates, and marriage licenses. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Staff can help you find records or explain the search process. For complex searches, you might want to call ahead.

Search Mobile County Records Online

Mobile County offers one of the most comprehensive online records systems in Alabama. The LANDMARK WEB portal lets you search over 5 million documents for free. You only pay when you view document images. Registration is free and takes just a few minutes.

The online system includes records from 1813 to the present day. This makes Mobile County unique in Alabama. Few other counties have digitized records going back that far. The archives include land grants from the early territorial period, deeds from before Alabama became a state, and records from the Civil War era. Researchers from across the country use the Mobile County system to trace property ownership and family history.

The portal contains these records:

• Deed records: 1813 to current
• Mortgage records: 1813 to current
• Plat maps and surveys
• Marriage certificates
• Military discharges
• Liens and judgments

Mobile County was the first county in Alabama to offer e-recording. They launched this service in 2014. Title companies and attorneys can now submit documents electronically. This speeds up the recording process from days to hours. The county continues to invest in technology to make records more accessible.

Mobile County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk maintains all trial court records in Mobile County. This is separate from the Probate Court. Court records include civil cases, criminal cases, family matters, and traffic cases. You can search these through the state Alacourt system.

AlacourtAccess at pa.alacourt.com covers all Mobile County courts. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Extra cases cost $9.99 each. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. The Circuit Clerk website is at mobile.alacourt.gov.

Mobile County is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit. This circuit only covers Mobile County. The court handles a high volume of cases each year due to the large population. Family court cases are especially common. The courthouse has separate divisions for criminal, civil, and family matters.

If you need older court records, some may be stored at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Cases from the 1800s and early 1900s have been transferred there for preservation. The Archives can help you locate these historical records if the Circuit Clerk does not have them.

Mobile County Recording Fees

Mobile County sets its own fee schedule for recording and copies. Fees can change, so confirm current rates before you send payment. The Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and money orders.

Current fees for Mobile County:

• Copy of recorded document: $1 per page
• Certified copy: $2 per page
• Plat copies: $15 each
• Online image viewing: per-page fee
• Recording fee (first page): Varies by document type
• Recording fee (additional pages): $3 per page

Recording fees include state and county portions. Deed tax is $0.50 per $500 of property value. Mortgage tax is $0.15 per $100 of debt. These are set by state law and apply statewide. For current fee information, contact the Probate Court directly or check their website.

Historical Records in Mobile County

Mobile County has the oldest records in Alabama. The area was settled by the French in 1702. Spain and Britain also controlled the region before it became part of the United States. This history means Mobile County has records in multiple languages from different governments.

The Probate Court has worked to preserve these old documents. Many have been digitized and are available online. But some fragile records require in-person viewing. The staff can help you access these with proper handling procedures.

Researchers often visit Mobile County for:

• Spanish land grants from the 1700s
• French colonial records
• Early American territorial documents
• Civil War-era property transfers
• Reconstruction-period records

The Mobile County Historical Society can also help with historical research. They maintain separate collections that complement the official county records. Genealogists find Mobile County especially valuable for tracing Gulf Coast family history.

How to Request Public Records

Mobile County accepts public records requests through multiple channels. You can submit requests in person, by mail, or by phone. The county must respond within 15 business days for standard requests under the 2024 law changes.

For property records, go directly to the Probate Court. For court records, use Alacourt or visit the Circuit Clerk. Each office has its own process for records requests. The Probate Court can usually provide same-day service for simple requests. More complex searches may take longer.

If you need records from multiple county offices, you may need to submit separate requests to each one. The county does not have a centralized records request system like some other Alabama counties. Plan extra time if you need records from both the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk.

Cities in Mobile County

Mobile County contains over 10 cities and towns. All of them file property records at the Mobile County Probate Court. Court cases go through the Mobile County Circuit Court. The city of Mobile is by far the largest municipality in the county.

Other cities in Mobile County include Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, Bayou La Batre, Citronelle, Satsuma, and Creola. These smaller cities do not have their own record-keeping systems. All records go through the county offices.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Mobile County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below. Baldwin County to the east is especially busy with property transactions due to beach development.