Search Mobile Marriage Records

Marriage licenses in Mobile are filed at the Mobile County Probate Court. Mobile is Alabama's second largest city with over 201,000 residents. The city is the birthplace of American Mardi Gras and has rich history dating back centuries. Mobile County has the oldest marriage records in Alabama, going back to 1813. The recording fee is $73. This guide explains how to file a marriage license in Mobile and how to find historic records.

Where to File in Mobile

Mobile residents file marriage licenses at the Mobile County Probate Court. The courthouse is at 151 Government Street in downtown Mobile. This is the historic courthouse in the heart of the city.

Cities do not issue or record marriage licenses in Alabama. Only the county Probate Court can file your form. Mobile County serves all residents in the city of Mobile and surrounding areas.

The courthouse is in downtown Mobile near Cathedral Square. Street parking is metered. There are parking garages nearby. Security screening is required at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID.

Note: Mobile County does not accept personal checks for marriage license recording. Cash, credit cards, and debit cards are accepted.

How to Get a Marriage License in Mobile

Alabama does not use marriage licenses anymore. Since August 2019, couples file a marriage license instead. No ceremony is required. No officiant is needed. No witnesses are required.

The process works like this. First, download the official form from dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage. The form must be typed. Handwritten forms will be rejected. Both parties fill out their sections with all required information.

Second, both parties sign the form. Each signature must be notarized. The notary must be in Alabama. Out-of-state notarization is not valid as of June 2022. Many banks and UPS stores offer notary services. Some law offices do too.

Third, file the form at the Probate Court. You have 30 days after the last signature to file. The fee is $73 in Mobile County. The marriage is legal on the date of the last signature, not the filing date.

Bring these items when you file in Mobile:

• Completed marriage license form (typed)
• Both signatures notarized by Alabama notary
• Valid photo ID
• $73 fee (no checks accepted)

Mobile Marriage License Fees

Mobile County charges $73 to record a marriage license. This is near the middle of the range for Alabama counties. The fee includes the $60 Domestic Violence Trust Fund fee required by state law.

Cash, credit cards, and debit cards are accepted at the courthouse. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage filing. For mail requests, use a money order or cashier's check. There may be a card processing fee for credit or debit.

Getting copies later costs extra. The Probate Court charges for certified copies. Call (251) 574-6001 for current copy fees. You can also get copies through the state at VitalChek for $15 plus service fees.

Can You Search Mobile Records Online?

Yes. Mobile County has one of the best online records systems in Alabama. The county uses Landmark WEB. This database has over 5 million documents. Marriage indexes go back to 1813. Images are available from September 2019 forward.

To search Mobile County marriage records online, go to landmarkweb.mobilecountyal.gov. You can search by name or date. Index searches are free. Viewing document images costs $0.10 per page. You can pay online with a credit card.

For records before 1936, this is the best source. The state Center for Health Statistics only has records from August 1936 forward. Mobile County has marriage records from 1813, making it the oldest collection in Alabama.

If you cannot find what you need online, call the Probate Court. Staff can search records and help locate specific documents. They can mail certified copies to you for a fee.

Mobile's Mardi Gras and Historic Records

Mobile has a unique place in American history. The city hosted the first Mardi Gras in the United States, before New Orleans. This long history means Mobile has records going back further than most Alabama counties.

Mobile County's marriage records date to 1813. This is over 200 years of marriage history. The county has worked to preserve and digitize these records. The Landmark WEB system makes many of them searchable online.

For genealogy research, Mobile is a valuable resource. The old records contain names, dates, and sometimes other details. Early records may be handwritten and harder to read. Staff at the Probate Court can help with older documents.

The Mobile Public Library also has genealogy resources. Their Local History and Genealogy Division has indexes and records. This can supplement what you find at the Probate Court.

Alabama Marriage License Laws

Alabama changed its marriage laws in 2019. The state eliminated marriage licenses and switched to licenses. This is under Alabama Code Section 30-1-9.1.

The key requirements are as follows:

• Both parties must be at least 18 (or 16-17 with parental consent)
• Both signatures must be notarized in Alabama
• File within 30 days of the last signature
• No ceremony, officiant, or witnesses required
• No blood test or waiting period

Marriage records are public in Alabama. Anyone can request copies under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21. You do not need to be a spouse or relative to get a copy.

If you were divorced, wait 60 days before filing a new marriage license. This waiting period is required by state law. It starts from the date your divorce became final.

Mobile County Marriage Records

Mobile is in Mobile County. All marriage licenses for Mobile residents are filed at the Mobile County Probate Court. For full details on the courthouse, fees, and online access, see the county page.

View Mobile County Marriage Records

Other Alabama Cities

Looking for marriage license information in another Alabama city? Here are the other major cities with populations over 50,000.

• Huntsville (Madison County)
• Birmingham (Jefferson County)
• Montgomery (Montgomery County)
• Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa County)
• Hoover (Jefferson/Shelby County)
• Auburn (Lee County)
• Dothan (Houston County)
• Madison (Madison County)
• Decatur (Morgan County)

Search Marriage Records

Use our search tool to find marriage records and other public records for Mobile residents.