Mobile County Property Records
What Is Mobile County Property Records
Mobile County property records are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property (land and buildings) within Mobile County, Alabama. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout the county. Property records in Mobile County are maintained primarily by the Mobile County Probate Court and the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner's Office.
The purpose of property records in Mobile County includes:
- Establishing legal ownership and chain of title
- Providing public notice of property interests
- Protecting property rights of owners and lienholders
- Facilitating real estate transactions
- Supporting property tax assessment and collection
Property recording requirements in Mobile County are governed by Alabama Code § 35-4-50, which mandates that instruments conveying title to real property must be recorded in the probate court of the county where the property is situated. This statutory requirement ensures that all property transactions are properly documented and accessible to the public.
Mobile County Probate Court
Mobile Government Plaza
205 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36644
(251) 574-6000
Mobile County Probate Court
Are Property Records Public Information In Mobile County?
Property records in Mobile County are public information and accessible to all citizens pursuant to Alabama law. The Alabama Public Records Law, codified in Alabama Code § 36-12-40, establishes 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." Property records fall squarely within this definition of public records.
The legal basis for public access to property records includes:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public accessibility to provide constructive notice
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Public access facilitates real estate transactions and property research
Any member of the public may access Mobile County property records without demonstrating a specific interest or providing a reason for their request. This open access policy supports transparency in government and facilitates informed decision-making in real estate matters.
The Alabama Department of Revenue oversees property tax administration statewide and supports the public nature of property records through its guidance to county revenue offices.
How To Search Property Records in Mobile County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to search property records in Mobile County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains comprehensive systems for property record searches that accommodate both in-person and remote inquiries.
To search property records in Mobile County:
- Visit the Mobile County Probate Court Records Division in person or online
- Access the Mobile County Official Records Search system
- Contact the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner's Office for property tax and assessment records
- Submit a written request for certified copies of specific documents
- Utilize public computer terminals available at the Probate Court
For in-person searches, visitors should proceed to:
Mobile County Probate Court Records Division
Mobile Government Plaza
205 Government Street, 2nd Floor South Tower, Mobile, AL 36644
(251) 574-6080
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mobile County Probate Court Records Division
For property tax and assessment records, contact:
Mobile County Revenue Commissioner
3925 Michael Square, Suite G, Mobile, AL 36609
(251) 574-8530
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mobile County Revenue Commissioner
How To Find Property Records in Mobile County Online?
Mobile County offers comprehensive online access to property records through several digital platforms. These online resources allow citizens to search and retrieve property information without visiting county offices in person.
To find property records online in Mobile County:
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Access the Mobile County Probate Court's Online Records Search system
- Create a free account or log in as a guest
- Select search criteria (name, document type, date range, etc.)
- Review search results and view document images
- Print or save documents as needed
-
Visit the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner's property search portal
- Search by owner name, property address, or parcel ID
- View property tax assessment information
- Access property valuation data
- Review tax payment history
-
Utilize the Mobile County Online Services portal
- Navigate to the property records section
- Select the appropriate record type
- Enter search parameters
- Review and download available documents
The online systems provide access to various property records including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property tax information. Most recent records are available immediately, while older records may have limited online availability.
How To Look Up Mobile County Property Records for Free?
Mobile County provides several free options for accessing property records. These no-cost services ensure that all citizens can obtain property information regardless of financial resources.
Free methods to look up Mobile County property records include:
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Using the Mobile County Probate Court's public access terminals
- Available during regular business hours
- Located in the Records Division
- No fee for searching or viewing records
- Printing fees may apply (typically $1.00 per page)
-
Accessing the Mobile County Official Records Search as a guest user
- No account creation required for basic searches
- Limited to 5 searches per day for guest users
- View document images at no charge
- Download restrictions may apply
-
Visiting the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner's Office in person
- Staff assistance available for property searches
- No fee for general information requests
- Certified copies may incur fees
-
Utilizing the Alabama Secretary of State's land records portal for state-level property information
- Complements county-level records
- Provides historical context for land grants
- No charge for basic searches
While searching records is free, fees may apply for certified copies, extensive research assistance, or large volume document reproduction. The current fee schedule is available at the Probate Court Records Division.
What's Included in a Mobile County Property Record?
Mobile County property records encompass a wide range of documents and information related to real property within the county. These records are maintained by multiple county offices, primarily the Probate Court and Revenue Commissioner.
Property records in Mobile County typically include:
-
Ownership Documents
- Warranty deeds
- Quitclaim deeds
- Trustee's deeds
- Executor's deeds
- Tax deeds
-
Financial Encumbrances
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Liens (tax, mechanic's, judgment)
- Releases and satisfactions
- Assignments of mortgage
-
Property Description Information
- Legal description
- Plat maps and surveys
- Subdivision information
- Boundary descriptions
-
Assessment and Taxation Data
- Property valuation
- Tax assessment history
- Exemption status
- Tax payment records
-
Additional Property Documents
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Condominium declarations
- Power of attorney documents
The information contained in these records is governed by Alabama Code § 35-4-110, which establishes requirements for document content and format. Real property records pertain to land and permanently attached structures, while personal property records (vehicles, equipment, etc.) are maintained separately by the Mobile County License Commission.
How Long Does Mobile County Keep Property Records?
Mobile County maintains property records permanently in accordance with Alabama state law and county records retention policies. The permanent retention of property records ensures the continuous chain of title and protects property rights across generations.
The retention schedule for Mobile County property records includes:
- Deeds and conveyances: Permanent retention
- Mortgages and liens: Permanent retention
- Plats and surveys: Permanent retention
- Property tax records: Minimum 10 years, with permanent retention of assessment rolls
- Building permits and inspections: 7-10 years after structure demolition
This retention schedule is established pursuant to Alabama Code § 41-13-23, which authorizes the State Records Commission to establish records disposition requirements for state and local government records.
While all property records are retained permanently, the format and accessibility may vary:
- Recent records (approximately 1980-present): Available in digital format
- Older records (pre-1980): May exist in microfilm or physical format only
- Historical records: May require special handling and research assistance
The Mobile County Probate Court has undertaken digitization efforts to improve accessibility to historical property records, though this process is ongoing. Records not yet digitized remain available for in-person inspection at the Records Division.
How To Find Liens on Property In Mobile County?
Liens on property in Mobile County are public records that can be searched through several official channels. A lien search is an essential component of due diligence in real estate transactions to identify potential claims against a property.
To find liens on property in Mobile County:
-
Search the Mobile County Probate Court Records
- Use the property owner's name as the primary search term
- Filter results by document type (select "Lien" or specific lien types)
- Review results chronologically to identify active liens
- Check for lien releases or satisfactions that may cancel earlier liens
-
Check with the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner for tax liens
- Search by property address or parcel ID
- Review tax payment history
- Identify any delinquent taxes that may constitute a lien
-
Search federal tax liens at the Probate Court
- Federal tax liens are filed at the county level
- Search by property owner's name
- Note that these liens may not appear in standard property searches
-
Check for judgment liens at the Mobile County Circuit Court
- Judgments against property owners may constitute liens
- Search by property owner's name
- Review civil case records for monetary judgments
Common types of liens found in Mobile County property records include:
- Tax liens (property tax, income tax)
- Mortgage liens
- Mechanic's and materialmen's liens
- Judgment liens
- Homeowners association liens
- Child support liens
- Special assessment liens
Professional title companies often perform comprehensive lien searches as part of title examinations for property transactions. Their services may be advisable for complex properties or when absolute certainty is required.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Mobile County?
The property owner rule in Mobile County refers to the legal principles governing property ownership, recording requirements, and the rights and responsibilities of property owners under Alabama law. These rules establish the framework for property ownership and transactions within the county.
Key aspects of the property owner rule in Mobile County include:
-
Recording Requirements
- All instruments conveying title must be recorded with the Probate Court
- Unrecorded deeds are valid between parties but may not protect against third-party claims
- Recording establishes constructive notice to the world of ownership interests
- Documents must meet formatting requirements under Alabama Code § 35-4-120
-
Property Tax Obligations
- Property owners must pay annual property taxes
- Tax rates are determined by property classification and location
- Homestead exemptions are available for primary residences
- Failure to pay taxes may result in tax liens and eventual tax sale
-
Ownership Rights and Restrictions
- Fee simple ownership conveys complete property rights
- Easements and covenants may restrict certain uses
- Zoning regulations impose additional use limitations
- Eminent domain allows government acquisition for public use with just compensation
-
Transfer Requirements
- Deeds must contain specific elements to be valid
- Property description must be legally sufficient
- Proper signatures and notarization are required
- Documentary transfer tax must be paid based on property value
The property owner rule also encompasses the principle of "first in time, first in right," meaning that properly recorded interests generally take priority in the order they are recorded. This underscores the importance of prompt recording of property documents to establish legal priority.
Lookup Property Records in Mobile County
County Offices/Appraisal and Assessment Records
Mobile County Official Records Search
Online Services : Mobile County
Mobile County License Commission