Find Mobile County Marriage Records

Mobile County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in downtown Mobile. This is Alabama's second most populous county with over 414,000 residents. Mobile is also the state's oldest city, founded in 1702. The Mobile County Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings. Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. You no longer need a license. The court records the signed marriage certificate that makes your union official. Staff can also search records dating back to 1813.

Mobile County Probate Court

The Mobile County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The Probate Judge Don Davis oversees this office. Staff help with filing new marriage certificates. They also provide copies of existing records. The office is in downtown Mobile on Government Street.

You can file your marriage form in person. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. The office gets busy, so plan for a wait at peak times. It is closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead if you have questions about what to bring or what to expect.

Mobile County has one of the best online record systems in Alabama. The Landmark Web portal has over 5 million documents. You can search and view many records online. This makes research easier. You can find a record online and then order a certified copy if you need one.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Mobile County is straightforward. Alabama changed its system in 2019. The old way with licenses and ceremonies is gone. Marriage is now a contract. Two people sign a form. They file it at the Probate Court. That is all it takes to be married in Mobile County.

Start by getting the marriage certificate form. Download it from the state at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. Two forms exist. One is for adults 18 and older. One is for minors 16 to 17 who need parental consent. Pick the right form. Fill it out with both names, birth dates, addresses, and other required facts.

Both parties must sign the form. You can sign on the same day or different days. The marriage date is the date of the last signature. You must sign in front of an Alabama notary public. This is important. Out-of-state notaries will not work. The Mobile County Probate Court has notaries on staff. They can help you sign when you visit. A small fee may apply.

Bring the signed form to the Probate Court in Mobile. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the $73 recording fee. Cash, checks, and cards are accepted. Staff will record your form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Mobile County, Alabama.

Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1, these rules apply:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Minors aged 16 or 17 need parental consent
• Both parties must have mental capacity
• Neither party can already be married
• The parties cannot be blood relatives
• You must wait 60 days after a divorce to remarry

Mobile County Marriage Fees

Mobile County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. The recording fee is $73. This is lower than many Alabama counties. Call ahead to confirm rates since fees can change. The Probate Court takes cash, checks, and credit cards.

Here are the main fees at the Mobile County Probate Court:

• Marriage certificate recording: $73.00
• Certified copy: $3.00 per page
• Additional certified copies: $3.00 per page
• Notary service: small additional fee

You can also get state copies. The Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. VitalChek is the state's online partner. Orders through VitalChek run about $30 total. The state has records from August 1936 to today. For older Mobile County records, use the Probate Court or its online portal.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

Mobile County offers several ways to get marriage record copies. The Landmark Web portal makes it easy to search online. This is one of the best county record systems in Alabama.

For online searches, visit the Mobile County Records Search. You can search by name and date. Many records appear online for free viewing. If you need a certified copy, you can request one after you find the record. The online system has over 5 million documents going back to 1813.

For in-person service, visit the Probate Court at 151 Government Street. Bring your ID. Give staff the names of both spouses. They can search and make copies. In-person requests are often done the same day. Mail requests are also accepted.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the search and copy. Order online at vitalchek.com for faster service. VitalChek adds a fee. State records go back to 1936.

Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be related to the people named. You do not need a stated reason.

Historical Marriage Records

Mobile County has marriage records going back to 1813. This is among the oldest in Alabama. Mobile was founded by the French in 1702. It has a rich history with French, Spanish, and British colonial periods. The Probate Court holds these historical records.

Records from before 1888 include basic facts. They show bride and groom names. They list bondsmen and the officiant. License bond amounts and marriage dates appear. These old records are handwritten. Some are in French or Spanish from colonial times. The writing can be hard to read.

Starting in 1910, records got more detailed. They added parent names. Physical descriptions appeared. Age, occupation, and prior marriages were listed. These facts help with family history research.

The Mobile County Landmark Web system has many historical records online. FamilySearch and Ancestry also have Mobile County indexes. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has microfilm copies. These sources help genealogy researchers find Mobile County marriage records.

State Records Alternative

The Alabama Department of Public Health also provides marriage records. The state has copies from August 1936 to today. Use this option if you cannot visit Mobile or if you are not sure which county has the record.

State copies cost $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies are $6 each. You can request by mail or online through VitalChek. The address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Phone: (334) 206-5418. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek ships in 3 to 5 days but costs about $30 total.

The Alabama Probate Judges Association at alpja.org has a map of all 67 counties. Use it to find contact info for any Alabama probate court.

Cities in Mobile County

Mobile County has the city of Mobile and many smaller communities. All file marriage certificates at the Mobile County Probate Court. Mobile is the only city in the county with over 50,000 people.

Other places in Mobile County include Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, Citronelle, and Satsuma. All use the Mobile County Probate Court for marriage certificates.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Mobile County. If you live near a county line, check your address. You can file your marriage in any Alabama county, but many people use their home county.