Mobile County, Alabama Court Records
Mobile County court records are official documents that document legal proceedings and court actions within the county’s judicial system. These records are generated and maintained by the local courts and serve as a formal accounting of cases handled at the trial court level within the judicial system. The purpose of such a record is to provide clear records of cases and show accountability, transparency, and continuity within the justice system. The clerks of the trial courts, including the circuit, district, family, and municipal courts, serve as the custodians of such records.
Mobile County court records are created throughout a case, from the original filings through its rulings, motions, hearings, orders, and final judgments. They are maintained in accordance with standards set down by Alabama’s Public Record Act and the Alabama Rules of Court. These laws establish the standards for record keeping, public access, and confidentiality. While many court records are public information, access may be restricted.
Mobile County court records are related to other public records, including vital records and arrest records. Vital records, such as marriage and death records, may intersect with divorce and probate cases, while criminal court records may often include or correspond with arrest records in the custody of law enforcement agencies. In contrast, federal case records are not part of the local court system and are handled separately via the United States District Court.
Are Mobile County Court Records Public?
Under Alabama’s Public Record Law, a general presumption is established that government records, including most court records, are public and open to inspection. In practice, most civil and criminal case records considered Mobile County court records are public records. These include filings, dockets, petitions, rulings, judgments, and other documents detailing criminal prosecutions, contract disputes, and property cases. Members of the public may request access to these records via the appropriate court clerks, subject to any applicable administrative procedures and court rules.
Although most records are considered public, some case types or specific information may be restricted or confidential under court orders or certain statutes. Sensitive information such as financial disclosure, information concerning minor children, and other parts of family law cases may be restricted or redacted from public records. Juvenile court records, adoption records, and child protection matters are also generally restricted from public access. Additionally, any documents that have been expunged or sealed by court order or designated as confidential under state laws are also not available for public inspection.
What Information is Available in Mobile County Court Records?
Mobile County court records generally contain a wide selection of information generated by the county courts. This information documents the life cycle of various cases heard in the courts, including criminal, civil, traffic, probate, and family law cases. Even though the specific contents of these records may vary according to the court department and case type, most records have a standard structure designed to preserve the official accounts of court proceedings.
Most court records include basic case identifiers such as case numbers, court location, filing date, case type, and current case status. Information about the parties involved in the case is also important and includes the names of defendants and plaintiffs in civil cases, the accused in criminal cases, and their attorneys of record. Criminal case records often include charges, hearing dates, bond details, and dispositions, while civil cases include pleadings, claims, and documents relating to custody, support, or asset division. Other types of case files include the petitions, motions, affidavits, complaints, and responses filed by the parties involved.
The court records also document judicial activity during the case and outcomes. They include court minutes, dockets, rulings, judgments, sentencing orders, probation details, and final decrees. Additional material may appear in specific cases, such as warrants, service of process receipts, exhibits, and payment histories detailing fees, fines, and court-ordered restitution. Records involving cases with minors or juveniles, sealed or expunged matters, and sensitive personal information may be restricted by law or court order.
Mobile County Court Records Search
There are several methods available for searching and accessing Mobile County court records, including online, in-person, and by mail. The procedures, tools, and requirements to obtain court records may vary by record type, and not all documents are equally accessible. Some records may be confidential or sealed.
Online Access: Mobile County court records can be obtained online using the Just One Look public access portal. Users can perform case number or name searches for trial court records or criminal, civil, domestic, small claims, and traffic cases. Probate records are available online from the Mobile County Probate Court Records Search System. Record seekers may be required to register an account and pay a search fee to use the resources on the online databases.
In-Person Access: Records can be requested in person from the correct division of the Mobile County Circuit Court. Requests can be made in the clerk’s office at the Government Plaza courthouse. Visitors can also use the public computer terminals to perform searches using the public access portals. During requests, record seekers are required to provide identifying details such as party names and case numbers. Clerk Staff can also assist by providing request forms and advising on fees and other procedures.
Mail Access: Mailed requests can be made by completing the Civil or Criminal record search and copy request forms. In the completed form, payment for searches and copies, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope must be mailed to the mailing address provided in the form. Payment is accepted in the form of cashier’s checks and money orders, which are included with mailed requests. Record seekers should consider a minimum of two weeks processing time for mailed requests. Searches can also be requested verbally over the phone. For more information on record searches in Mobile Court, requesters may call (251) 574-8420 for civil, (251) 574-8441 for domestic relations, or (251) 574-8430 for the criminal division.
Fees for Court Records in Mobile County
The following are some of the costs involved when requesting court records in Mobile County,
- Computer-based searches for phone or in-person requests cost $10
- Paper records/archive searches cost $20
- Microfilm record searches cost $25 per search
- Electronic or paper copies cost $5 for the first 20 pages and $0.50 for each additional page per case number.
- Certification of records costs $5 per case number.
- Searches on the Just One Look online portal cost $9.99 for each name search or case number search. Image downloads cost $5 for the first 20 pages and $0.50 for each additional page per search.
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) cost $15 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
For the court records, payment is accepted in cash, cashier’s check, money order, Visa, or Mastercard. Payment is due upon request and non-refundable.
Mobile County Courthouse Locations
The following list shows the locations of the courthouses operating in Mobile County, Alabama.
Mobile County Circuit Court
Government Plaza
205 Government St,
Mobile, AL 36644
Phone: (251)574-8806
Fax: (251)574-8796
Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all types of cases and handle any cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts in the county.
Mobile County Family Court
Strickland Youth Facility
2315 Costarides St, Mobile, AL 36617
Phone: (251)574-1450
This court handles juvenile and family law matters.
Mobile County District Court
Government Plaza
205 Government St, #913,
Mobile, AL 36644
Phone: (251)574-8806
Fax: (251)574-8796
District courts hear certain lower-level criminal and civil matters, such as misdemeanors, ordinance violations, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and civil small claims cases.
Mobile County Probate Court
Mobile County Government Center Annex
151 Government St, PO Box 7,
Mobile, AL 36601
Phone: (251)574-6001
Fax: (251)574-6005
Probate court handles cases involving probate of wills, estate administration, involuntary commitments, guardianship, conservatorships, name changes, and
Bayou La Batre Municipal Court
13785 S Wintzell Ave,
Bayou La Batre, AL 36509
Phone: (251)824-1825
Fax: (251)824-7434
Contact information is for the court office in City Hall. Court sessions are held at Bayou La Batre Community Center, 12745 Padgett Switch Road, Irvington, AL 36544.
Chickasaw Municipal Court
224 N Craft Hwy,
PO Box 11307, Chickasaw, AL 36671
Phone: (251)452-6450
Fax: (251)452-6468
Citronelle Municipal Court
19135 S Main St,
Citronelle, AL 36522
Phone: (251)866-0221
Creola Municipal Court
9615 Old Hwy 43,
PO Box 490, Creola, AL 36525
Phone: (251)675-8148
Dauphin Island Municipal Court
1011 Bienville Blvd,
Dauphin Island, AL 36528
Phone: (251)861-5525
Mobile Municipal Court
205 Government St,
PO Box 2446, Mobile, AL 36652
Phone: (251)208-7055
Mount Vernon Municipal Court
Mount Vernon Town Hall
1565 Boyles Ave, PO Box 309,
Mount Vernon, AL 36560
Phone: (251)829-6633
Prichard Municipal Court
A J Cooper Municipal Complex
216 E Prichard Ave, PO Box 10427,
Prichard, AL 36610
Phone: (251)452-7927
Fax: (251)452-7924
Saraland Municipal Court
937 Hwy 43 S,
Saraland, AL 36571
Phone: (251)675-5393
Satsuma Municipal Court
5464 Old Hwy 43,
PO Box 517, Satsuma, AL 36572
Phone: (251)662-5306
Criminal Records Access in Mobile County
In Alabama, official criminal histories and background checks are different from county criminal case records. These records are generated, maintained, and released by different government agencies. Case records are handled by the county circuit court where the case was heard, while state law enforcement agencies maintain criminal history records.
The Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency maintains statewide criminal history/background checks in Alabama. To order one, applicants must complete the Application to Review Criminal History form and provide fingerprints, a current photo ID, the application, and a payment of $25 in check or money order to the division in person or by mail. For any inquiries, record seekers may call (334)575-7897.
Criminal case records can be obtained in person or by mail by submitting the Request for Record Search and/or Copies of Court Records form to the Criminal Division of the Mobile County Circuit Court in person or by mail. A criminal record request can also be made online using the Just One Look state public access portal.
Mobile County Probate Records
Mobile County probate records are documents detailing probate matters handled by the Mobile County Probate Court. Cases handled by the local probate court include matters concerning a person’s estate and personal affairs during both life and death. They also handle the rights and assets of minors and incapacitated adults. In Mobile County, the probate court appoints notary publics and serves as the custodian of deeds, mortgages, and other real estate public records.
Probate records cover a range of case types in Mobile County. The more common examples include wills and estate administration, which outline how a decedent’s property should be distributed and the appointment of someone to handle the estate, including asset distribution and debt settlements. Other cases include guardianships and conservatorships, which involve giving court-approved authority over a minor or an incapacitated adult’s personal and financial affairs.
To obtain Mobile County probate records, record seekers may search online using the Probate Court Records Search System. Access to register and search the database may be free, but viewing or purchasing the records will incur a fee for downloading or printing each page. Record searches can also be made using the computer station in the Records Division for public use. Staff are also available to answer any inquiries or provide assistance. For any inquiries, interested parties may contact the Records Division at (251) 574-6070.
Mobile County Family Court Records
Mobile County family court records document legal matters concerning family relationships and domestic issues heard in the county’s trial-level courts. In Mobile County, these matters are handled by the Domestic Relations Division or Family Court of the Mobile County Circuit Court.
The types of records typically document cases relating to divorce, child custody, paternity cases, adoption, and child or spousal support. These records typically include docket entries, filing dates, party names, and case numbers. However, access may vary according to case type, as certain information in divorce cases may be limited, and adoption and custody records are typically restricted.
Access to these records may be provided in person or online. The Clerk’s office provides public terminals for self-searches and clerk-assisted searches. Clerk’s office staff may assist with searches and answer any questions about access limitations and copy fees. The state public access portal, Just One Look, also provides options for name-based or case number searches for records and basic case information in custody of the domestic relations division. To obtain certified copies, record seekers must usually apply to the clerk’s office, either in person or by mail, and pay any applicable copy and certification fees.
Federal Court Records in Mobile County
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama is responsible for federal court cases connected to or in the jurisdiction of Mobile County. While the local state or county courts typically handle most local cases, the federal courts are responsible for cases that involve federal statutes, constitutional issues, and certain criminal cases from charges brought by the United States government.
The U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office manages federal case records, including official filings, documents, petitions, and court orders for federal civil and criminal cases. Interested members of the public may request and inspect non-confidential federal case records in person at the clerk’s office during office hours. Most federal records are also available online through the PACER(Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER allows users to search case dockets, review filings, and track case activity nationwide for a nominal per-page fee. However, certain case records, such as sealed cases, cases involving juveniles or minors, and other sensitive information, are not accessible through PACER. These types of records are only accessible in person with the appropriate court authorization.
