Recording a Marriage Certificate in Mobile County
Alabama Act 2019-340 changed the marriage process statewide. Effective August 29, 2019, probate courts no longer issue marriage licenses. Parties instead complete an Alabama Marriage Certificate and deliver it to Probate Court for recording. The Mobile County Probate Court treats the certificate as a contractual agreement between the parties. Once it is properly completed and recorded, the marriage is valid. A ceremony may be performed, but solemnization is not required for Alabama recognition.
Mobile County recording happens at the Mobile County Government Center Annex Recording Office on the first floor at 151 Government Street. Recording windows are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Probate staff are not permitted to notarize documents for the public, so any required notarization must be done in advance.
How to Record a Mobile County Marriage Certificate
Plan ahead. Mobile County requires the Alabama Marriage Certificate form for adults or for minors. Both forms are linked from the Probate Court page. Bring the completed form and the payment method that Probate accepts; the office does not accept personal checks for marriage forms.
- Download the Alabama Marriage Certificate form for adults (or minors) from the ADPH links on the Probate Court page.
- Complete the form following the adult or minor instructions.
- Get any required signatures or notarization before you arrive; Probate staff cannot notarize for the public.
- Deliver the certificate to Mobile County Probate Court for recording at 151 Government Street.
- Pay the $73.00 recording fee with cash, money order, or credit card; no checks for marriage certificate forms.
- Request additional certified copies at $3.00 each at the time of recording or later.
The official adult marriage certificate form is hosted by the Alabama Department of Public Health and linked from Probate Court.
If a minor party is involved, use the minor form and follow the separate instructions printed on that document.
Marriage Certificate Fields
The Alabama Marriage Certificate collects the basic identifying information for both parties, signatures, and any required notary attestation. The field set below summarizes the marriage form for Mobile County Probate recording.
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Party 1 information | Yes | Full legal name, identifying details, signature/notary |
| Party 2 information | Yes | Full legal name, identifying details, signature/notary |
| Affidavit/certification | Yes | Certificate must be properly completed |
| Recording fee | Yes | $73.00 in Mobile County |
| Additional certified copies | Optional | $3.00 each |
Mobile County Marriage and Divorce Fees
Mobile County's marriage certificate recording fee is $73.00, with $3.00 for each additional certified copy. Probate photocopy is $1.00 per page and probate certification is $2.00. Divorce filing fees are set by Alabama court rule and Mobile County circuit clerk fee schedules; confirm the current civil filing fee with the Mobile County Circuit Clerk before filing.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marriage certificate recording | $73.00 |
| Additional certified marriage copy | $3.00 |
| Probate photocopy per page | $1.00 |
| Probate certification | $2.00 |
| Divorce filing fee (circuit clerk) | Confirm current schedule with Mobile County Circuit Clerk |
| Certified divorce decree copy | Set by circuit clerk fee schedule |
How to Look Up Mobile County Marriage Records
Mobile County marriage records are indexed in Landmark WEB. The Probate Court page says marriage records are indexed from 1813 to present and marriage images are viewable from September 2019 to present. Index search is free after Landmark registration. Image purchase costs $0.10 per page; high-volume users can buy a subscription for $125 per month, purchasable in monthly increments up to two years in advance.
To look up an older marriage record, search the Landmark WEB index by party name. For a marriage recorded after September 2019, you can view and purchase the image. For records before that date, only the index entry is online; the original record can be viewed at the Recording Office.
The recording office page is the source for hours, payment rules, and the eRecording vendor list.
How to Find Mobile County Divorce Records
Divorces in Mobile County are domestic relations cases. Domestic relations courtrooms are on the 2nd floor of Government Plaza at 205 Government Street. Divorces are filed and tracked through the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit clerk, not Probate. Search Mobile County court settings through Alacourt using LOC=58 or request records through the Circuit Clerk.
Divorce files may include the complaint, answer or waiver, settlement agreement, child support and custody forms, financial affidavits, the final judgment, and any post-judgment motions. Public access is limited for minors, financial account numbers, abuse or protection issues, and sealed filings. Certified copies of a Mobile County divorce decree are requested from the Circuit Clerk.
Getting Certified Copies
Certified copies of a Mobile County marriage certificate are issued by Probate Court at recording or later for $3 per certified copy. Certified copies of a Mobile County divorce decree are issued by the Circuit Clerk under the court's fee schedule. Plan ahead: certified copies usually require an in-person visit or a mail-in request with the correct fee, and processing times vary. Probate accepts cash, money order, or credit card for marriage certificate work; checks are not accepted for marriage forms.
Alabama Vital Records Office
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) handles vital records statewide. ADPH provides the marriage certificate form Mobile County records, and ADPH may issue certain divorce certificates depending on policy. For statewide vital records information, use the ADPH marriage certificate page.
Alabama Department of Public Health
RSA Tower
Montgomery, AL
State vital records line