Mobile County Genealogy Records

Mobile County genealogy records are among the oldest in Alabama. Death records date back to 1820, making this county a prime spot for family history research in the Deep South. Birth records start in 1871. The county was formed in 1812 from Spanish territory, so records predate Alabama statehood. Mobile is the county seat and the state's only major seaport. The Mobile County Probate Court runs a Landmark WEB portal with over 5 million documents, some from as early as 1813. This gives researchers a huge head start when tracing ancestors who lived along the Gulf Coast.

What Records Are Available

Mobile County has one of the deepest record collections in Alabama. This comes from its long history as a port town under French, British, and Spanish rule before the United States took over. Some records go back to the early 1800s. The probate court alone holds over 5 million indexed documents.

Types of genealogy records you can find:

• Death records from 1820 to present
• Birth records from 1871 to present
• Marriage records from 1813 to present
• Divorce records from Circuit Court
• Probate and estate files from 1813
• Land and deed records
• Military discharge records
• Court case files
• Tax records and voter rolls

The early death records are rare for Alabama. Most counties did not keep death records until 1908 when the state started requiring them. Mobile County's 1820 start date gives you almost 90 extra years of data. These old records may be handwritten and hard to read, but they exist. The same goes for the 1871 birth records, which predate the state system by 37 years.

Some records from the Spanish and French periods still exist too. These are mostly land grants and legal documents. The Alabama Department of Archives and History holds some of these early files. Church records from old Catholic parishes in Mobile also fill gaps for births, deaths, and marriages before civil records began.

Mobile County Probate Court

The Mobile County Probate Court is the main source for genealogy records. The court has been keeping records since 1813, just one year after the county was formed. Today, the probate court handles marriage licenses, wills, estates, adoptions, and mental health matters. The probate judge also serves as the head of county government.

The court runs a Landmark WEB portal for online searches. This system holds over 5 million documents. You can search by name, date range, and record type. The index shows basic data like names, dates, and case numbers. Full document images are not always online, but you can use the index to find what you need. Then order copies by mail or in person.

The Landmark system covers many record types. Marriage licenses from 1813 are in there. Probate case files going way back are indexed. Deed records, liens, and plats are searchable too. This is one of the best county record portals in Alabama. It is free to use and open to all.

Marriage records at the probate court are public. Anyone can ask for a copy. You do not need to be related to the people on the record. This makes marriage records great for genealogy work. The court has marriage indexes from 1813, which is older than Alabama itself.

County Health Department

The Mobile County Health Department issues certified copies of vital records. They connect to the Alabama ViSION network, so they can pull any birth, death, marriage, or divorce record from across the state. You do not have to visit the county where the event happened. Any Alabama county health office can access state records.

Access rules apply to vital records. Birth records less than 125 years old are restricted. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal rep can get a copy. Death records less than 25 years old have some limits too. After these time frames pass, records open up for genealogy use by anyone.

The local records from 1820 and 1871 are a different story. These predate the state system and may have different access rules. Ask staff about the older Mobile County records when you visit. They can tell you what is open and what has limits.

Walk-in service is often same day. Staff search the database and print your record while you wait. Bring a valid ID. Know the name and date of the record you need. If you are not on the record, bring proof of your right to access it. Mail requests take longer but work fine for non-urgent needs.

How to Search Records

You have several ways to search genealogy records in Mobile County. Online searches are the best starting point. In-person visits let you see full documents and get staff help. Mail requests work when you know exactly what you need.

Start with the Landmark WEB portal. This is the probate court's online search tool. Go to the Mobile County website and find the probate section. Click on the online records link. You can search by name, date, and record type. Results show index data with case numbers and dates. Use that info to order copies.

The Landmark system has a few quirks. Names may be spelled differently in old records. Try alternate spellings if you do not find your ancestor at first. Dates may be wrong too. Search a range of years if you are not sure of the exact date. The system is powerful but needs patience.

For vital records, you have three main options:

• Visit the county health department in person
• Mail a request with payment and ID copy
• Order online through VitalChek

VitalChek is the state's online ordering partner. You can order birth, death, marriage, and divorce records there. They add a service fee on top of the state fee. Go to vitalchek.com to place an order. This is fast if you cannot visit in person, but it costs more.

The Mobile Public Library has a Local History and Genealogy Division. This room holds old city directories, newspaper archives, family files, and local history books. Staff know the area and can point you to sources. The library also offers free access to Ancestry and other paid databases.

Online Access Options

Mobile County has strong online access thanks to the Landmark WEB system. The portal holds over 5 million records from 1813 to now. It covers marriages, probate files, deeds, liens, and more. This is free to use. No account is needed. Search by name, date, or record type and note the case numbers for copies.

Other online resources for Mobile County genealogy:

• AlacourtAccess for court records at pa.alacourt.com
• Alabama Department of Archives digital collection at digital.archives.alabama.gov
• FamilySearch free records at familysearch.org
• Ancestry subscription database at ancestry.com
• Mobile Genealogical Society website resources

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has digitized many old records. Mobile County items include early land grants, Spanish period documents, and old photographs. Their digital collection is free and searchable online. This is a great place to find records from before Alabama became a state.

FamilySearch has free Alabama records with no subscription needed. They have indexed vital records, census data, military records, and church records. Their Mobile County collection grows as volunteers add more data. Make a free account to use all their tools and save your research.

In-Person Access

Visiting in person gives you the best access to full records. Staff can help you search and explain what is on file. You may find items that do not show up in online indexes. Bring a notebook, a valid ID, and a list of what you want to find.

The Mobile County Probate Court is in downtown Mobile on Royal Street. Go to the records section and ask for help. Staff can search indexes and pull files for you to view. You can take notes or order copies on the spot. The office is busy, so give yourself time.

The Mobile Public Library has a Local History and Genealogy Division. The room is on the main floor of the Ben May Main Library. They hold old Mobile city directories from the 1800s, newspaper archives on microfilm, and family history files. Staff know local history well. The library has computers with free access to Ancestry, Fold3, and other paid sites.

The History Museum of Mobile has archives too. Their collection includes photographs, maps, and documents from the French and Spanish periods. This can help with very early family history in the Mobile area. Call ahead to see what they have for your research.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery is worth a trip. They hold state records that may include Mobile County items, especially from before 1908. The drive from Mobile takes about three hours. Plan to spend a full day there if you go.

Record Request Tips

Getting records from Mobile County takes some prep work. For vital records from the health department, you need to bring ID and know the details of the record you want. Have names spelled correctly. Know the date or at least the year. Have a backup plan if the first search fails.

The probate court charges per page for copies. Marriage license copies, will copies, and deed copies all have different rates. Ask the clerk before ordering so you know what to expect. The Landmark WEB portal is free to search, but copies cost money.

VitalChek adds service fees on top of state fees. The cost depends on how fast you need the record. Standard mail costs less than rush delivery. Phone orders may have a small extra charge. In-person or mail requests to the county office avoid these extra fees.

Some old records may need special handling. The 1820 death records and 1871 birth records are very old. Pages may be fragile. Staff might need to make a copy for you rather than hand over the original book. Be patient with older material.

The Mobile Public Library offers free access to its genealogy room. Viewing records costs nothing. Printing pages has a small fee. Microfilm readers are free. Internet access for databases is free at the library too. This is a low-cost way to do a lot of research.

Local Genealogy Tips

Mobile County has a unique history. The area was under French rule from 1702, then British, then Spanish, before the United States took control in 1813. This means records may be in different languages and formats. Learn a few French and Spanish words to help with old documents.

The Port of Mobile shaped the county's growth. Sailors, merchants, and workers came from all over the world. Your ancestor may have arrived by ship. Check ship passenger lists and port records. The National Archives has manifests from Mobile's port.

African American genealogy in Mobile has strong sources. The Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail highlights local history. Freedmen's Bureau records cover the post-Civil War era. Church records from Black congregations date back many years. The Mobile County Training School records are at the Alabama Archives too.

Catholic records are key in Mobile. The city has had Catholic churches since French colonial times. The Archdiocese of Mobile may have baptism, marriage, and burial records that predate civil records. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parish records go back to the 1700s.

Military records matter here too. Fort Conde was a major post. The USS Alabama battleship memorial shows the area's naval ties. If your ancestor served, check military discharge records at the probate court. They also hold DD-214 forms for veterans who filed them locally.

The Mobile Genealogical Society meets regularly. Members share tips and work on local projects. Their website has guides for Mobile County research. Joining a group like this can speed up your work and connect you with others tracing the same families.

Cities in Mobile County

Mobile County has many cities and towns. All use the Mobile County Probate Court for marriage records and the county health department for vital records. The city of Mobile is by far the largest and serves as the county seat.

Other places in Mobile County include Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, Citronelle, Satsuma, and Bayou La Batre. All of these use the Mobile County offices for genealogy records. Prichard is the second largest city in the county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Mobile County. If your family lived near the county line, check records in both places. County borders changed over time, so an ancestor may appear in a different county than expected. Mobile County also borders Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico.