Mobile County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Mobile County?

Public records in Mobile County are defined according to the Alabama Open Records Act § 36-12-40, which states that "every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute." These records document government activities, transactions, and decisions that affect the public interest.

Mobile County maintains numerous categories of public records accessible to citizens:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the Mobile County Circuit Court and Probate Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments documenting land ownership and transfers
Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited access), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious business names, and corporate filings
Tax Records: Property tax assessments, payments, and delinquencies
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, revenues, audits, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, building permits, and code enforcement actions

The Probate Court of Mobile County serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, particularly those related to property transactions, business filings, and vital records. Court records are maintained by their respective judicial offices, while departmental records are kept by the relevant county agencies.

Is Mobile County an Open Records County?

Mobile County adheres to Alabama's open records laws, specifically the Alabama Open Records Act § 36-12-40, which establishes the public's right to access government records. The statute explicitly states that "every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute."

The Alabama Supreme Court has interpreted this law broadly, ruling in Stone v. Consolidated Publishing Co. that the statute "is remedial and should therefore be liberally construed in favor of public disclosure." This interpretation guides Mobile County's approach to records access.

Mobile County has implemented policies to comply with these state requirements. County offices maintain procedures for processing records requests in accordance with state law, though specific procedures may vary by department. The county also complies with Alabama's Open Meetings Act (§ 36-25A-1), which requires government bodies to conduct business in public view.

While Alabama's open records law is not as comprehensive as some states' sunshine laws, Mobile County strives to provide reasonable access to public information while balancing privacy concerns and administrative efficiency. The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its online records portal and digital access initiatives.

How to Find Public Records in Mobile County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Mobile County may utilize several methods to access information. The county currently provides multiple pathways for obtaining public records:

Online Access: Many records are available through the Probate Court's Online Records Search system, which allows users to search property records, marriage licenses, and other documents maintained by the Probate Court.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records:
- Property records: Probate Court Records Division
- Court records: Circuit Court Clerk's Office or District Court Clerk's Office
- Tax records: Revenue Commissioner's Office
- Vital records: Health Department or Probate Court
Written Requests: Submit a written request to the appropriate department specifying:
- Records being requested (be as specific as possible)
- Preferred format (paper copies, digital files)
- Contact information for follow-up
- Whether inspection or copies are requested
Alabama Secretary of State: For business entity records, the Secretary of State's Government Records Inquiry System provides access to corporate filings.
Judicial Records: The Alabama Judicial System maintains an online portal for accessing certain court records, though some may require subscription or in-person requests.

For records not available online, requestors should contact the specific department that maintains the desired records. Response times vary depending on the complexity of the request and the department's current workload. Under current practices, agencies typically respond to straightforward requests within 10-15 business days.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Mobile County?

Mobile County agencies charge reasonable fees for providing public records as permitted under Alabama law. Current fee structures for public records in Mobile County include:

Standard Copies: $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page for most documents
Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
Marriage Licenses: $79.50 for standard license
Property Record Copies: $1.00-$5.00 per page depending on document type
Court Records: $5.00 search fee plus $1.00 per page for copies
Maps and Plats: $5.00-$25.00 depending on size and complexity
Digital Records: Fees may apply for electronic delivery based on staff time and storage media costs

The Alabama Open Records Act does not specifically limit fees, but requires that they be reasonable and primarily cover the actual cost of providing the records. Mobile County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (where available), though payment methods may vary by department.

Pursuant to Alabama Code § 12-19-90, certain court records have statutorily established fees. Additionally, specialized searches requiring extensive staff time may incur research fees based on the actual cost of staff time required to fulfill the request.

Fee waivers are not explicitly provided for in Alabama law, but some agencies may reduce or waive fees for requests that serve the public interest or for indigent requestors on a case-by-case basis.

Does Mobile County Have Free Public Records?

Mobile County provides free inspection of most public records during regular business hours at the respective government offices. This right of inspection without charge is consistent with the Alabama Open Records Act's provision that citizens have the right to "inspect" public writings.

The following free public records resources are currently available:

In-Person Inspection: Citizens may examine non-exempt records at no cost at the appropriate county office during regular business hours
Online Resources: Several free online databases are maintained by Mobile County:
- Probate Court Records Search - Basic property information and document indexes
- Mobile County Commission Meeting Minutes - Agendas and minutes of commission meetings
- Mobile County GIS Mapping - Basic property information and maps
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals at the Probate Court and other county offices allow free access to certain digital records
Alabama Secretary of State Records: Basic business entity information through the Government Records Inquiry System

While inspection is free, fees typically apply when copies are requested or when specialized searches are required. Additionally, some records available through the Alabama Judicial System may require subscription fees for remote access, though they can be viewed without charge at courthouse terminals.

Who Can Request Public Records in Mobile County?

Under the Alabama Open Records Act, "every citizen" has the right to inspect and take copies of public records. In practice, Mobile County interprets this broadly and generally provides access to:

Alabama residents
Non-residents of Alabama
Media representatives
Business entities
Attorneys and legal representatives
Government agencies

For most general public records, requestors are not required to:

State the purpose of their request
Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
Demonstrate a "need to know" or special interest in the records

However, certain record types have specific eligibility restrictions:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a demonstrated legal interest as specified in Alabama Code § 22-9A-21
Adoption Records: Access is highly restricted to parties involved in the adoption or by court order
Juvenile Court Records: Generally confidential with limited access pursuant to Alabama Code § 12-15-133
Medical Records: Protected under HIPAA and accessible only to the patient or authorized representatives

When requesting records with restricted access, proper identification and documentation of eligibility must be provided. For example, requesting a birth certificate requires government-issued photo identification and proof of relationship if requesting another person's record.

What Records Are Confidential in Mobile County?

Mobile County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with Alabama law and federal regulations. The following record types are exempt from public disclosure:

Juvenile Court Records: Protected under Alabama Code § 12-15-133, except in limited circumstances
Grand Jury Proceedings: Confidential by law and court rule
Adoption Records: Sealed by court order and accessible only through specific legal procedures
Certain Vital Records: Birth certificates less than 125 years old and death certificates less than 25 years old have restricted access under Alabama Code § 22-9A-21
Medical and Mental Health Records: Protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
Social Security Numbers and Financial Account Information: Redacted from public records to prevent identity theft
Ongoing Criminal Investigations: Records that would compromise active law enforcement investigations
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and privileged communications
Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (though basic employment data is public)
Education Records: Protected under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
Trade Secrets and Confidential Commercial Information: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security Information: Details about critical infrastructure, security systems, or emergency response plans
Records Sealed by Court Order: Any records specifically ordered sealed by a judge

The Alabama Supreme Court has established a "rule of reason" balancing test for determining when records may be withheld, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and administrative burdens. This test was established in Stone v. Consolidated Publishing Co. and guides Mobile County agencies in responding to records requests.

When confidential information appears in otherwise public records, Mobile County agencies typically redact the protected information while releasing the remainder of the document.

Mobile County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Mobile County Probate Court Records Division
Mobile Government Plaza
205 Government Street, South Tower, 2nd Floor
Mobile, AL 36644
(251) 574-6080
Mobile County Probate Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Mobile County Revenue Commissioner
Mobile Government Plaza
205 Government Street, South Tower, 1st Floor
Mobile, AL 36644
(251) 574-8530
Mobile County Revenue Commissioner

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Mobile County Circuit Court Clerk
Mobile Government Plaza
205 Government Street, North Tower, 4th Floor
Mobile, AL 36644
(251) 574-8420
Mobile County Circuit Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Mobile County Health Department (Vital Records)
251 North Bayou Street
Mobile, AL 36603
(251) 690-8150
Mobile County Health Department

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays