Find Marriage Records in Mobile

Mobile marriage records are filed at the Mobile County Probate Court. Mobile is the oldest city in Alabama and the county seat of Mobile County with about 201,000 people. The Probate Judge office handles all marriage certificates for Mobile residents. They record new marriages and issue copies of past records going back to 1813.

How Marriage Works in Mobile

Alabama got rid of marriage licenses in 2019. The state now uses a simple certificate form. Mobile couples follow this same process. You do not need a license. You do not need a ceremony. You do not need an officiant or witnesses beyond the notary. Marriage is a contract. You sign it and file it.

Under Code of Alabama § 30-1-9.1, this is how Mobile couples get married:

• Get the Marriage Certificate form from the state or county
• Fill in names, dates, and required info
• Sign in front of an Alabama notary public
• File at the Mobile County Probate Court
• Pay the recording fee

The marriage starts when you file. That is your legal wedding date. Not the day you sign. Not the day of any party or ceremony. Mobile couples should plan around this. If you want a specific wedding date, file on that day. You can sign the form up to 30 days before filing.

Ceremonies are optional. Many Mobile couples have traditional church weddings. Others have beach ceremonies on the Gulf Coast. Some have backyard parties. Some have nothing at all. All of these are fine. The ceremony has no legal effect. Only the filing at the Probate Court matters under Alabama law.

Where to File in Mobile

Mobile residents file marriage certificates at the Mobile County Probate Court. The office is in downtown Mobile at the Government Street location. This is where you bring your completed, notarized form. Staff will review it, record it, and give you a certified copy.

The Probate Court is in the main government complex on Government Street. Parking is available nearby. The building has security at the entrance. Bring photo ID. Staff can answer basic questions but cannot give legal advice or help fill out your form.

Mobile County has an extensive online records system called Landmark Web. This lets you search existing marriage records from home. It has over 5 million documents. But to file a new marriage, you must go in person or use their eRecording system.

Get Your Marriage Form

You need the official Marriage Certificate form to get married in Mobile. The state portal at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage lets you fill out the form online. It guides you through each section. Print it when done. You can also pick up blank forms at the Mobile County Probate Court.

The form asks for:

• Full legal names of both people
• Birth dates and current ages
• Current addresses in full
• Social Security numbers (kept private)
• Sworn statement that you can legally marry

Both people must sign. An Alabama notary must witness those signatures. The notary adds their seal and commission info. Only Alabama notaries work for this. Out-of-state notaries are not accepted. Mobile has many places that offer notary service. Banks, UPS stores, and shipping centers usually have a notary for a small fee.

Check your form before you go to the Probate Court. Errors mean you have to fix them and come back. Common mistakes include wrong dates, missing info, and signatures in the wrong spot. Read every field twice. Make sure names match legal IDs exactly.

Requirements for Marriage in Mobile

Alabama sets the rules for marriage. Both people must be at least 18. Under Code of Alabama § 30-1-4, people aged 16 or 17 can marry with notarized parental consent. No one under 16 can get married in Alabama, including Mobile.

Other rules that apply to Mobile marriages:

• Cannot marry a close blood relative
• Cannot already be married
• Must enter the marriage willingly
• Must have mental capacity to consent

There is no residency rule. You do not have to live in Mobile. You do not have to live in Alabama. Anyone from anywhere can come to Mobile and get married. The Gulf Coast location makes Mobile a popular spot for destination weddings. Couples come from Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and beyond.

There is no waiting period. You can file the same day you arrive in Mobile. The only wait is if you recently divorced. Alabama requires a 60-day gap between divorce and remarriage. The Probate Court will check this. If your divorce was less than 60 days ago, you cannot file yet.

Common law marriage ended in Alabama on January 1, 2017. Old common law marriages may still be valid. But you cannot start a new one. Mobile couples must use the official form to be legally married now.

Mobile Marriage Fees

The recording fee in Mobile is $73. This is what you pay to file your marriage certificate at the Probate Court. The fee includes one certified copy. You pay at the counter when you file. Cash, checks, and cards are all accepted.

Other Mobile County Probate Court fees:

• Marriage recording (with one certified copy): $73.00
• Extra certified copies: $3.00 each
• Notary service: varies by location

Mobile has one of the lower recording fees in Alabama. The state average is around $75-85. Counties set their own fees, so prices vary. Mobile's $73 fee is a good deal compared to some other large counties.

State copies cost more if ordered from the health department. The fee is $15 for one and $6 for each extra. VitalChek adds about $15 in service fees. For most Mobile couples, county copies at $3 each are the better deal. The Probate Court can issue copies the same day.

How to Search Marriage Records

Mobile County has marriage records from 1813. Mobile was founded in 1702 by the French, but it did not become part of Alabama until later. The county has kept marriage records since shortly after Alabama became a state. These records are public and searchable.

Ways to search Mobile marriage records:

• Use Landmark Web at probate.mobilecountyal.gov
• Visit the Probate Court in person
• Call (251) 574-6001 with your request
• Order a state search through ADPH for $15

Landmark Web is Mobile County's online search system. It has over 5 million documents. You can search by name or date. Some records have scanned images you can view. This is free to search. Certified copies cost extra if you need them for legal use.

Marriage records are public under Code of Alabama § 22-9A-21. Anyone can request copies. You do not need to be on the record. You do not need a reason. This makes research in Mobile easy for genealogists, attorneys, and the general public.

Get Copies of Marriage Records

You have two main options for getting Mobile marriage records. The county Probate Court has local records back to 1813. The state health department has records from August 1936 forward. County copies are cheaper. State copies work better if you live far from Mobile.

At the Mobile County Probate Court:

• Visit 151 Government Street
• Provide names and marriage date
• Pay $3.00 per certified copy
• Get copies the same day

From the Alabama Department of Public Health:

• Order online at VitalChek
• Mail Form HS-14 with payment
• Pay $15 for first copy, $6 for extras
• Wait 4-6 weeks for mail orders

The state mailing address is: Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Their phone is (334) 206-5418. VitalChek phone orders go to 1-888-279-9888. Online orders are faster than mail, usually 2-3 weeks.

About Mobile

Mobile is the oldest city in Alabama. The French founded it in 1702. It was later ruled by Spain and Britain before becoming American. This history shows in the city's culture and architecture. Mobile is the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America, celebrating since 1703.

The city sits on Mobile Bay near the Gulf of Mexico. It is Alabama's only seaport. The port drives much of the local economy. Mobile is also home to several major employers including Austal USA, which builds ships for the Navy.

Mobile has produced many famous people. Baseball Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Satchel Paige were born here. The city has a rich music tradition. Mardi Gras draws visitors from around the region every year. Mobile's French, Spanish, and Creole heritage makes it different from other Alabama cities.

For marriage ceremonies, Mobile offers many options. Beach weddings on the Gulf Coast are popular. Historic venues downtown provide elegant settings. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a landmark for Catholic weddings. But remember, the ceremony is optional. The legal marriage happens at the Probate Court.

Legal Help in Mobile

Getting married is simple. Most couples do not need legal help. But if you have questions about prenuptial agreements, name changes, or property issues, attorneys in Mobile can help. Some offer free or low-cost services.

Legal Services Alabama serves Mobile and the Gulf Coast region. They help people with low income. Call (251) 433-6560 for the Mobile office or (866) 456-4995 toll-free. Their site at legalservicesalabama.org has details.

The Mobile Bar Association can refer you to a family law attorney. Call them for a referral. The Alabama State Bar line is 1-800-392-5660. The Probate Judges Association at alpja.org lists all 67 county courts.

Historical Marriage Records

Mobile County has over 200 years of marriage records. Early records from the 1800s look different from modern ones. They often include the names of bondsmen and the marriage license bond amount. By 1910, records added more detail like parents' names, occupations, and ages.

For genealogy research in Mobile:

• Contact the Probate Court for records from 1813 forward
• Visit the Mobile Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division
• Check the Alabama Department of Archives for microfilm
• Search FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com for digitized indexes

The Mobile Public Library has an excellent genealogy collection. They have microfilm of early marriage records. Staff can help with research questions. The library is at 700 Government Street, not far from the Probate Court. The Alabama Archives in Montgomery also has Mobile County records on microfilm.

Mobile County Marriage Records

Mobile is the county seat of Mobile County, and all marriage filings go through the Mobile County Probate Court. The county handles records for the city of Mobile and surrounding communities along the Gulf Coast. For more on the county probate office, complete fee lists, nearby areas, and other resources, visit the Mobile County marriage records page.

View Mobile County Marriage Records