Mobile County Court Records Search
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Mobile County, located in southwestern Alabama along the Gulf Coast, is the second-most populated county in the state and home to the city of Mobile. Its judicial system processes a high volume of cases each year across multiple court divisions. Whether you need to look up a criminal case, verify a civil judgment, locate divorce records, or research a probate matter, understanding how the county’s courts are organized and how records are maintained will save significant time. This guide covers each major record category, the offices that maintain them, fees, search methods, and the rules governing public access.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Mobile County?
Mobile County falls within Alabama’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. The state’s trial court records — including circuit, district, and domestic relations cases — are indexed through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts. The AlabamaCourts.us website may help users locate publicly available court case information. Beyond that resource, records can be searched through the clerk’s office at the courthouse, online state portals, and the Probate Court’s own digital tools.
Online Search Options
The primary tool for looking up circuit and district court cases is Just One Look, available through the Alacourt Access system. This on-demand service covers civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic cases filed in Mobile County’s state courts without requiring a subscription. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. A paid subscription through Alacourt Access provides expanded features for high-volume users.
For probate, real property, marriage, and estate matters, the Mobile County Probate Court maintains a separate system called Landmark WEB. Registration is free, and users can search among more than five million documents. Viewing and downloading document images costs $0.10 per page, and images remain available for 10 days after purchase. A monthly subscription at $125 per month is available for frequent users.
Judicial cases in probate court (guardianships, conservatorships, estates, adoptions) can be searched through Benchmark WEB, the court’s separate judicial case management portal.
In-Person and Mail Searches
Requesters may visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office or the Probate Court during business hours. When submitting a request in person, be prepared to provide the party name or case number, complete a request form, show identification, and pay applicable fees. Mail requests should be directed to the appropriate office with a cover letter describing the records sought and a check or money order for any fees.
| Search Method | Resource | Record Types |
|---|---|---|
| Online – State Courts | Just One Look / Alacourt Access | Circuit civil, circuit criminal, district civil, district criminal, domestic relations, traffic |
| Online – Probate | Landmark WEB | Real property, marriage, estate claims, election records |
| Online – Probate Judicial | Benchmark WEB | Guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, estates |
| In Person / Mail | Circuit Clerk’s Office | All circuit and district filings |
| In Person / Mail | Probate Court | Probate, property, marriage, estate matters |
Circuit Clerk’s Office
Government Plaza
205 Government Street, Suite 913
Mobile, AL 36644-2913
Phone: (251) 574-8806
Fax: (251) 574-8796
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
Mobile County Probate Court
Mobile County Government Center Annex
151 Government Street, P.O. Box 7
Mobile, AL 36601
Phone: (251) 574-6001
Fax: (251) 574-6005
Email: probatecourt@probate.mobilecountyal.gov
Are Court Records Public in Mobile County?
Alabama’s open records framework, codified in Alabama Code § 36-12-40, establishes that every resident has the right to inspect and copy public writings of the state. Court records generated by Mobile County’s circuit, district, and probate courts generally fall within this right. Under Title 36, Chapter 12 of the Alabama Code, government agencies must make records available upon request and payment of applicable fees.
However, several categories of records are restricted or sealed by operation of law:
- Adoption records – Sealed under Alabama adoption statutes; disclosure of identifying information requires a separate petition and a $1,000 filing fee in Mobile County Probate Court.
- Juvenile records – Confidential under Alabama law and not accessible through public case search systems.
- Sealed and expunged records – Under the Alabama Redeemer Act and Alabama Code § 15-27-1 et seq., certain misdemeanor and nonviolent felony convictions may be expunged. Once sealed, these records are removed from public access.
- Domestic violence protection order records – May contain restricted victim information.
- Mental health commitment records – Treated as confidential.
- Records protected under federal statute – Including those governed by HIPAA, federal substance abuse treatment confidentiality rules, and similar protections.
When requesting records, clerks may ask the requester to identify the purpose of the request. Certain sensitive records may require the requester to demonstrate a legitimate legal interest before copies are released. Record copying fees in the district court division are $5.00 for the first 20 pages and $0.50 per additional page. Certifications cost $5.00 each. A computerized records search carries a $10.00 fee, a paper records search costs $20.00, and archived or microfilmed record searches are $25.00.
Mobile County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Mobile County are divided between the Circuit Court’s Criminal Division (felony cases) and the District Court’s Criminal Division (misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and traffic offenses). The Mobile Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations.
Circuit Criminal Division
Supervisor: Terrie Geter
Phone: (251) 574-8430
Email: terrie.geter@alacourt.gov
District Criminal Division
Supervisor: Michelle Patronas
Phone: (251) 574-8511
Email: michelle.patronas@alacourt.gov
Searching Criminal Case Records Online
Criminal case dockets can be looked up through the Just One Look portal at no charge. Users can search by defendant name or case number to view docket entries, charges, and case status. Traffic tickets and district criminal fines may be paid online through AlaPay.
The Mobile Municipal Court provides a separate search tool at municipalrecordsearch.com/mobileal for city ordinance and traffic violations.
Arrest and Booking Records
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and current custody information. The Sheriff’s website offers several useful tools:
- Who’s in Jail – Current inmate roster searchable by name
- 24-Hour Booking – Recent arrests within the past 24 hours
- Warrant Search – Active warrant information
- Sex Offender Search – Registry lookup
For formal arrest record requests, contact the Sheriff’s Office at (251) 574-2423 or submit a written request to:
P.O. Box 113
Mobile, AL 36601
In-person requests can be made at:
510 South Royal StreetMobile, AL 36603
Criminal History Through ALEA
Statewide criminal history reports may be obtained through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Requests submitted through ALEA’s website require a $20.00 non-refundable processing fee. Time-intensive requests are billed at $20.00 per hour, and document copies cost $0.50 per page for standard 8.5 x 11 paper.
The Mobile Police Department also maintains records of incidents and arrests within the city limits and can be contacted separately for incident reports.
Mobile County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Mobile County are handled at two levels. The Circuit Court’s Civil Division has jurisdiction over lawsuits exceeding $20,000 (and all claims involving real property, equitable relief, declaratory judgments, and injunctions). The District Court’s Civil and Small Claims Division handles cases up to $20,000, unlawful detainer actions, and small claims.
Circuit Civil Division
Supervisor: Marsha Guy
Phone: (251) 574-8420
Email: marsha.guy@alacourt.gov
District Civil & Small Claims Division
Supervisor: Geraldine Williams
Phone: (251) 574-8525
Email: geraldine.williams@alacourt.gov
Circuit Civil Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil suit up to $50,000 (one plaintiff) | $260.00 |
| Civil suit exceeding $50,000 (one plaintiff) | $360.00 |
| Each additional plaintiff | $100.00 |
| Workers’ Compensation | $208.00 |
| Counter-claims, cross-claims, third-party complaints | $297.00 |
| Default / summary judgment motions | $50.00 |
| Jury demand | $100.00 |
| Subpoena | $12.00 |
| Garnishment / Execution | $30.00 |
District Civil & Small Claims Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Fee (one defendant) |
|---|---|
| Up to $1,500.00 | $61.00 |
| $1,500.01 – $3,000.00 | $135.00 |
| $3,000.01 – $6,000.00 | $224.00 |
| $6,000.01 – $20,000.00 | $256.00 |
| Unlawful Detainer | $256.00 |
Civil case records typically include docket entries, pleadings, affidavits, depositions, court orders, judgments, and decrees. Records can be searched through Alacourt Access or requested in person at the Government Plaza courthouse.
Available Civil Forms
The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit provides downloadable forms on its website, including the Small Claims Complaint for Money (SM-1), Small Claims Complaint for Specific Property (SM-2), Unlawful Detainer (C-59), and Affidavit of Substantial Hardship for fee waivers. Pro se litigants may also register for electronic filing through AlaFile.
Mobile County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Mobile County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court’s Domestic Relations Division and the Family Court division, which operates from the Strickland Youth Center. Cases handled include divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, domestic violence protection orders, adoption, guardianship, alimony, and juvenile delinquency and dependency matters.
Domestic Relations Division
205 Government Street, Room C 909
Mobile, AL 36644-2909
Supervisor: Valerie Young
Phone: (251) 574-8441
Email: 13jcdomesticrelations@alacourt.gov
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday (no lunch closure)
Payment Window: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mobile County Family Court (Youth Center)
Strickland Youth Facility
2315 Costarides Street
Mobile, AL 36617
Supervisor: Amber Degerstrom
Phone: (251) 574-1450
Email: amber.degerstrom@alacourt.gov
Divorce Filing Fees
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| New divorce filing | $208.00 |
| Post-judgment motions / cross-claims | $311.00 |
| Default judgment | $50.00 |
| Subpoena | $12.00 |
| New wage withholding | $28.00 |
| Termination of wage withholding | $28.00 |
| Garnishment | $30.00 |
| Execution | $30.00 |
| Appeal to Court of Civil Appeals | $200.00 |
The Domestic Relations Division provides several forms on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit website, including checklists for uncontested divorce with children and without children, the Child Support Information Sheet, Parenting Guidelines, and the Divorce Pre-Trial Order.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage certificates are recorded by the Mobile County Probate Court. The fee to record a marriage certificate is $73.00, and additional certified copies cost $3.00 each. Marriage records indexed from 1813 to the present are searchable through Landmark WEB, with viewable images available from September 2019 forward. Divorce decrees issued by the circuit court are maintained by the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Statewide copies of marriage and divorce certificates can also be obtained through the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Vital Records Services. Mail-in applications should be sent to:
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Access Limitations
Certain family court records carry access restrictions. Juvenile dependency and delinquency records are confidential. Adoption records are sealed. Domestic violence protection orders may contain restricted victim information. Requesters who are not parties to a family law case may need to show a legitimate purpose and present identification before records are released.
Birth and Death Records
Although not court records, birth and death certificates are frequently sought alongside family law matters. In Alabama, these records are maintained by the Department of Public Health. Birth certificates become publicly accessible 125 years after the date of birth, and death certificates become public 25 years after the date of death. Prior to those timeframes, access is limited to the individual named on the record, their immediate family, or authorized representatives.
Mobile County Probate Court Records
The Mobile County Probate Court exercises jurisdiction over estate administration, wills, conservatorships, guardianships, adoptions, legitimations, name changes, involuntary commitments of the mentally ill, and condemnation of land for public use. The court also serves as the county’s recording office for real property documents, marriage certificates, and business entity filings.
Probate Case Types and Filing Fees
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Related Adoption | $65.00 |
| Non-Related Adoption | $111.00 |
| Disclosure of Identifying Adoption Information | $1,000.00 |
| Legitimation | $66.00 |
| Change of Name | $58.00 |
A complete list of judicial court costs is available in PDF form on the Probate Court’s website. Claims against an estate carry a $4.50 filing fee.
Searching Probate Records
The Probate Court’s Landmark WEB system provides access to real property records dating to 1813, estate claims filed through the Recording Division through July 2013, marriage indexes from 1813, and election records. Searching the index is free; image purchases are $0.10 per page.
For judicial probate cases — including guardianships, conservatorships, and estate proceedings — Benchmark WEB allows searches by case number, party name, attorney, or calendar date.
Estate Administration Resources
The Probate Court publishes helpful guides for personal representatives handling estates, including the Administrator Handbook, Conservator Handbook, and information about the Revised Alabama Small Estates Act. Estate-related documents — wills, letters of administration, inventories, and final accountings — can be requested by contacting the court directly or visiting during business hours.
Attorneys may register for Benchmark WEB attorney access, which includes electronic filing capability and access to judicial forms that are only available through the portal.
Property Records
Real property records including deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and UCC filings are recorded and maintained by the Probate Court’s Recording Division. Recording fees start at $2.50 per page for deeds, plus a $1.00 recordation stamp and a $2.00 special recording fee. Taxable documents carry an additional $10.00 Mobile County Special Tax. Property assessment and tax information is separately maintained by the Mobile County Revenue Commission and can be searched through their property search tool.
For those needing volunteer legal assistance with probate or other civil matters, the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program offers free services to qualifying low-income residents and can be reached at (251) 438-1102. The Alabama State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 392-5660 offers initial 30-minute consultations for no more than $50 through participating attorneys.