Records

The Records of the Probate Court of Mobile County

Records created by local governments touch the lives of ordinary citizens more directly and more frequently than any other kinds of records. Since 1812, the Judge of Probate of Mobile County has been the custodian of Mobile citizens' records. These records contain a wealth of information for historians, attorneys, surveyors, genealogists and other researchers.

In August of 1948, a microfilm team from the Alabama Department of Archives and History came to Mobile and began the first microfilming of the Probate Court's documents. On September 15, 1958, Probate Court began operating its own Micrographic Section. In 1992, this section became the first micrographics laboratory in the state to be certified by the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

In 2000 the Probate Court initiated use of digital computerized scanning technology to record documents.  At this time the Probate Court began providing access to recorded documents through its Internet website. The Probate Court was one of the first Alabama probate courts to offer this service. As time progressed the Probate Court facilitated additional recorded documents being available through its Internet website. In 2014 the Court initiated electronic recordation of documents - one of the first Alabama probate courts to do so.  In 2019 the Probate Court completed the digitization of all of its mircofilm images and direct and reverse name indices.   Access to these documents is available to the general public through the Probate Court’s Internet website.

The Probate Court’s records library is the largest amongst Alabama probate courts.  This distinction is largely based upon the age and population of Mobile County.

A courteous and professional staff is available to assist in locating records or to explain how to use our indexing system to those interested in researching records.

Rules Regarding Requests to Inspect Documents of the Mobile County Probate Court under the Alabama Open Records Act-Ala. Code 36-12-40 et seq.

You may view a schedule of applicable fees by clicking this link: Schedule of fees.

RECORDS DIVISION
GENERAL RECORDS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON MICROFILM/DIGITAL IN THE RECORDS DIVISION:

• Administrative, Executor, Guardianship Bond Books (1962-1985)
• Boundary Maps (1978-1990)
• Candidate Reports (1952-present)
• Census Books (1870-1880)
• Citations (1962-1980)
• Claim Books (1850-1959)
• Commission Form of Government Book (1911-1985)
• Complaints/Evaluation Forms (1988-1989)
• Condominium Books (1970- present)
• Discharge Record Books (1919-present)
• Elections (1968-present)
• Exempt Property Book (1877-1958)
• Hospital Lien Books (1955-1958)
• Incorporation Books (1876-1958)
• Judgement Books (1874-1958)
• Judicial Cases (1946-1958)
• Lien Books (1876-1958)
• Limited Co-Partnership Books (1920-1958)
• Lis Pendens Books (1915-1958)
• Marks and Brands Books (1872-1965)
• Marriage License Books (1813-present)
• Medical License Books (1878-present)
• M&O Railroad Swamp and Overflow Lands (1868-1902)
• Notary Applications (1963-1985)
• Personal Property Books (1958-present)
• Poll Tax Record Books (1901-1970)
• Tax Decree Books (1873-1935)
• Tax Sales Books (1879-1957)
• Tract Books (no date)
• Translated Record Books (1715-1841)
• Warehouseman's Bond Books (1919-present)
• Will Books (1812-present)

RECORDS DIVISION - COMPUTER INFORMATION

Computer stations are provided in the Records Division for the public's use in researching certain records. These computers are connected on-line to the Court's web site www.Probate.MobileCountyAL.gov. This same program can be accessed, through the Internet, from any home or office computer.

The staff is always "on-hand" should anyone need assistance or have questions.

GENERAL RECORDS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON COMPUTER IN THE RECORDS DIVISION:

• Administrative Account Books (1814-1946)
• Deed Books (1813-1958)
• Map Books (1872-present)
• Minute Books (1814-1984)
• Miscellaneous Books (1819-1958)
• Mortgage Books (1851-1958)
• Real Property Books (1958-present)
• Real Property indexes 1984 - present
• Real Property document images September 1995 - present
• Sheriff's Deed Book (1942)
• Sheriff's Deed Book (1955-1958)
• Marriage License index Book A - present
• Judicial record indexes 1965 - present
• Judicial case images 1995 - present
• Will images 1997 - present
• Uniform Commercial Code (active) images 1972-present

Click here to go to the records search page.



ARCHIVES SECTION

Records Archives

In 1989 the Archives Section was created after the Court's colonial and historic records were found in the attic of the Mobile County Courthouse. Within these documents French and Spanish Colonial records were discovered. The Historic Record index designates those records "found" in book form. The Archival File index designates those records "found" as loose records or housed in record keeping envelopes.

HISTORIC RECORDS OF THE ARCHIVES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON MICROFILM/DIGITAL IN THE RECORDS DIVISION:

• Alabama Plats/St. Stephens Meridian Map Collection (1800's)
• Accounts of Administrators & Executors (1837-1882)
• Birth Record Books (1908-1949)
• Boat Book (03/19/1895-06/07/1897)
• Child Labor Affidavits (1908-1914)
• Confederate States Marine Book - Captain J. Ernest Meiere's Journal (10/02/1862-06/07/1864)
• Death Record Books (1920-1946)
• Dog License Book (10//17/1888-9/1/1926)
• Estray Book (1/1/1891-7/5/1923)
• Hall of Lee Benevolent Association Minute Book (1875-1881)
• Hall of Lee Benevolent Association Ledger Book (1/1/1876-12/00/1882)
• Hunters License Book (1907-1914)
• Judicial Cases (Original) (1813-1932)
• Methodist Church Records of the Mobile District Convention (1871-1888)
• Naturalization Record Books - Index ONLY (1833-1871)
• Official Bond Books (original documents) (1813-1871)
• Orphans Court Docket Book & Jury List (1839-1844)
• Orphans Court Estate & Appraisal Book (1818-1822)
• Confederate Pensioners Book 1 (1915-1919)
• Run-Away Slave Book (08/24/1857-03/30/1865)
• Spanish/French Records (original documents) (01/12/1786-12/27/1978)
• Survey of Fractional Township 4 South Range 1 West (04/08/1844)
• Survey of Washington and Mobile County Line (11/03/1893)
• Township Map Books (late 1840's -1890's)
• Translated Record Books (1715-1841)
• Troost Maps (1840/revised 1910)
• U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Surveys Map Collection (1771-1883)
• Miscellaneous Books A - Z (1819 - 1909)
• Ft. Gaines and Ft. Morgan Repairs and Miscellaneous Colonial Maps (no date-1866)
• Voters Registration Oath Book 1 (1870-1874)
• Ward Books (1896)
• Wills (original documents) (1813-1927)
• White Marriage License Book A - original license & bonds (03/13/1813-04/14/1820)
• White Marriage License Book 1 - original license & bonds (04/19/1823-09/19/1825)
• Women's Voter List Books 1 & 2 (1920-1921)

ARCHIVAL FILES OF THE ARCHIVES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON MICROFILM IN THE RECORDS DIVISION:

• File 1 - Bounty Paid on Wolves (1820)
• File 2 - Rent Paid for Use of Houses to Hold Court (1814-1845)
• File 3 - Census of Mon Louis Island (1814)
• File 4 - Road Records (1814-1850)
• File 5 - Certificate as Juror (1815-1848)
• File 6 - Ferry Records (1818-1851)
• File 7 - Emancipations (1818-1859)
• File 8 - Tax (1822-1850)
• File 9 - Apprenticeship (1814-1850)
• File 10 - Grist Mill Records (1813-1814)
• File 11 - License (1816-1851)
• File 12 - Treasurer Reports (1814-1851)
• File 13 - Coroner's Office (1814-1851)
• File 14 - Certificate as Witness (1825-1845)
• File 15 - Bridge Records (1821-1850)
• File 16 - Auction (1848-1850)
• File 17 - Bonds (1813-1846)
• File 18 - Construction of Jails and/or Courthouses (1816-1850)
• File 19 - Acts (1848-1850)
• File 20 - Slave Records (1820-1850)
• File 21 - Alhambra Hotel and/or Hagan Buildings (1843-1850)
• File 22 - Alabama Militia Record (1847)
• File 23 - Certificate as Bailiff (1821-1850)
• File 24 - Neptune Fire Company (1826-1830)
• File 25 - Oaths (1826-1849)
• File 26 - Case Records (1814-1850)
• File 27 - Commitments to Jail (1831-1833)
• File 28 - Charles Boyington (1834-1835)
• File 29 - Citations (1821-1849)
• File 30 - Forbes and Company (1814-1831)
• File 31 - Orphan Asylum (1841-1850)
• File 32 - Elections/Appointments/Resignations (1813-1850)
• File 33 - Court Accounts Paid (1814-1850)
• File 34 - Assessment Protest (1849)
• File 35 - Minutes/Orders/Resolutions/Correspondence (1836-1850)
• File 36 - Amnesty/Proclamation Oaths (1865)
• File 37 - Amnesty/Proclamation Oaths (1868)
• File 38 - Original Presidential Patents (1831-1834)
• File 39 - Motorcycle License (1907-1914)
• File 40 - Petitions to Become a Slave (1860-1862)
• File 41 - St. Louis Tract Presidential Patent (1901)
• File 42 - Confederate Records (1861-1967)
• File 43 - Confederate Records (1861-1967)
• File 44 - Confederate Records (1861-1967)
• File 45 - Confederate Records (1861-1967)
• File 46 - Confederate Records (1861-1967)

OTHER SOURCES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN MOBILE

Historic Mobile Preservation Society Archives
300 Oakleigh Place, Mobile, Al 36604
(251) 432-6161
Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
but you must call or write for appointment.

Mobile Historic Development Commission
200 Government Street, Government Plaza
P.O. Box 1827, Mobile, Al 36633
(251) 208-7281 Fax: (251) 208-7968
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mobile Municipal Archives
457 Church Street, Mobile, AL 36633
P.O. Box 1827, Mobile, AL 36633
(251) 208-7740 
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Archdiocese of Mobile
14 S. Franklin Street, Mobile, AL 36602
(251) 415-3850
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. but you must call or write for an appointment.

Museum of the City of Mobile
111 S. Royal Street, Mobile, AL 36602
(251) 208-7569 
Hours: Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Mobile Public Library 
Local History and Genealogy Branch
753 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602 
(251) 494-2190 Fax: (251)490-2733
Hours: Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

University of South Alabama Archives
The Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library
5901 USA Drive North, Suite 300, Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 341-3900 
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 
Family History Center 
5520 Zeigler Boulevard, Mobile, Al 36608
(251) 344-9270 or (251) 753-0089 
fhc.lds.mobile@gmail.com
Hours: Tuesday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Other days by appointment only.