Mobile Deed Records Lookup
Mobile deed records are kept at the Mobile County Probate Court. As Alabama's only saltwater port city, Mobile has a long property history with land records dating back to 1813 available online through the Landmark Web system.
Mobile Quick Facts
Where Are Mobile Deed Records Filed?
The Mobile County Probate Court handles all deed records for the city of Mobile. In Alabama, the Probate Judge records land documents rather than a separate recorder office. Mobile is the county seat, so the main Probate Court office is in downtown Mobile on Government Street.
Mobile has one of the longest property record histories in Alabama. Land records go back to 1813, before Alabama became a state. The area was part of the Mississippi Territory and then Spanish territory before that. This long history means you can trace Mobile property ownership over 200 years.
Every deed transfer in Mobile must be recorded at the Probate Court. The office indexes documents by grantor and grantee names, assigns book and page numbers, and stores the originals. These public records prove who owns what property in Mobile and when ownership changed hands.
Mobile County Probate Court
The Mobile County Probate Court serves residents who need to file or search deed records. The office is in the Mobile Government Plaza on Government Street in downtown Mobile. Staff handle recording, searches, and copies for all properties in the city and county.
| Office | Mobile County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 151 Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 |
| Phone | (251) 574-6001 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | probate.mobilecountyal.gov |
The Government Plaza is in downtown Mobile near other county offices. Parking is available in the building garage and at meters on nearby streets. Security screens visitors at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit to search Mobile deed records.
Search Mobile Deeds Online
Mobile County uses the Landmark Web system for online deed searches. This is the same system used by Jefferson County. Records go back to 1813, making it one of the most complete online archives in Alabama. You can search by name, legal description, or document type.
To search Mobile deed records online:
- Go to benchmark.probate.mobilecountyal.gov/LandmarkWeb
- Create an account or search as a guest
- Choose your search type
- Enter names or other search criteria
- View results and document images
Basic index searches are available to all users. Viewing and downloading document images may require a paid account. The system shows book and page numbers, recording dates, and party names for each document. You can trace the full chain of title for a Mobile property by searching through all related deeds.
The depth of historical records makes this system valuable for title researchers, genealogists, and historians. Few places have 200 years of continuous property records available online. If you are researching old Mobile real estate or family land holdings, this is the primary resource.
Mobile County Special Recording Tax
Mobile County charges a special ten dollar tax on deed recordings. This is unique to Mobile. No other Alabama county has this extra charge. The tax applies in addition to normal state recording fees and the deed transfer tax.
When you record a deed in Mobile, you pay:
- Standard per-page recording fees
- State deed transfer tax ($0.50 per $500 value)
- Mobile County special tax: $10.00
This extra ten dollars adds to your closing costs when buying property in Mobile. It is a small amount compared to the total, but something to know about. The tax helps fund county services and has been in place for many years. Budget for it when planning a property purchase in Mobile.
Mobile Deed Recording Fees
Mobile County charges standard Alabama fees plus the special county tax. The total cost to record a deed depends on page count and property value. Here are the main fees you can expect.
Typical fees for Mobile deed filings:
- First page recording: approximately $15.00
- Each additional page: $3.00
- Deed transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value
- Mobile special tax: $10.00
- Certified copies: varies by page count
The deed transfer tax is set by Code of Alabama Section 40-22-1. Some transfers are exempt, including those between spouses and to family trusts. Call the Probate Court at (251) 574-6001 to confirm current fees before you visit.
Filing a Deed in Mobile
Alabama law requires specific information on every deed. The Mobile County Probate Court will reject documents that do not meet these standards. Check your deed before you bring it to the office.
Every deed filed in Mobile must have:
- Full legal description of the property
- Grantor name, address, and marital status
- Grantee name and mailing address
- Derivation clause showing prior ownership
- Name of person who prepared the deed
- Notarized signatures of all grantors
- RT-1 Real Estate Sales Validation Form
The marital status rule comes from Code of Alabama Section 35-4-73. The Probate Court cannot record a deed without this information. The RT-1 form is required by the Alabama Department of Revenue. Your closing company handles these items during a normal property sale in Mobile.
Mobile County Deed Records
Mobile is in Mobile County, and all deed filings go through the Mobile County Probate Court. The county covers a large coastal area including the city of Mobile and surrounding communities. For more on the county system and additional resources, visit the county deed records page.
Nearby Cities
Mobile is on the Gulf Coast, some distance from other major Alabama cities. The nearest large cities with deed record pages are to the north and east.