Mobile County Deed Records

Mobile County deed records date back to 1813, making this one of the oldest collections in Alabama. The Landmark Web system provides full online access to these historical and modern records.

Mobile County Probate Court

The Mobile County Probate Court records all deeds in the county. This is the second largest county in Alabama by population. The office on Government Street in downtown Mobile handles thousands of recordings each year. Staff maintain both the modern digital system and the historical records that go back over 200 years.

Mobile County has some of the oldest land records in Alabama. The area was settled before Alabama became a state. French, Spanish, and British colonial records exist alongside American documents. These early records give Mobile County a unique depth of property history that few other counties can match.

Searching Mobile County Deed Records Online

Mobile County uses Landmark Web for online deed searches. You can access it at benchmark.probate.mobilecountyal.gov/LandmarkWeb. This system has records from 1813 to the present. That is over 200 years of property history available from your computer.

The Landmark Web system is one of the best in Alabama. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, date range, or document type. The index shows recording dates and book and page numbers. You can view actual document images for most records. Some images may require a small fee to download.

Mobile County's online records include documents from before Alabama was a state. Early deed books contain transfers under Spanish and French rule. These historical records are invaluable for title searches and genealogy research. Few counties offer such extensive online access to early land records.

Documents available online in Mobile County include:

• Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
• Mortgage documents and releases
• Tax liens and judgment liens
• Easements and rights of way
• Plats and subdivision maps
• Powers of attorney
• Historical colonial land grants

Mobile County Deed Recording Fees

Mobile County has a unique fee structure. Besides the regular recording fees, Mobile County charges a $10 special tax on deeds. This tax is unique to Mobile County. No other Alabama county has it. The special tax adds to your total recording cost.

The first page recording fee is about $15.50 when you include the special tax. The exact amount can vary slightly. Each additional page costs around $3.00. These fees support the Probate Court operations and the online records system.

Recording fees in Mobile County include:

• First page fee: approximately $5.50 base
• Mobile County special tax: $10.00
• Additional pages: about $3.00 each
• Deed transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 value
• RT-1 form: no charge

The state deed transfer tax also applies. Alabama charges $0.50 per $500 of property value. Two thirds goes to the state and one third stays in Mobile County. Some transfers are exempt, such as those between spouses or certain family transfers. Ask the Probate Court about exemptions.

How to Record a Deed in Mobile County

Recording a deed in Mobile County follows Alabama's standard requirements. Your document must have certain information or the Probate Court will reject it. Getting everything right saves time and prevents delays at closing.

Alabama requires every deed to include:

• Grantor name with marital status
• Grantor address
• Grantee name and full mailing address
• Complete legal description of the property
• Derivation clause showing source of title
• Name of who prepared the deed
• Notarized signatures of all grantors

Bring your completed deed to 151 Government Street in downtown Mobile. The Probate Court is in the county government building. Staff will check your document and calculate the fees. You pay the recording fee, special tax, and any deed transfer tax that applies. The clerk stamps your deed with the recording date and book and page number.

Mobile County also requires the RT-1 form. This Real Estate Sales Validation Form shows the sale price or fair market value. The Alabama Department of Revenue requires it statewide. Your deed will not be recorded without the completed RT-1.

Processing times vary based on volume. Mobile County handles a large number of recordings. Call ahead if you have a tight deadline. Staff work with title companies and attorneys daily and understand time-sensitive closings.

Title Searches in Mobile County

Mobile County has some of the most complex title histories in Alabama. The long history of land ownership means title searches can go back centuries. Colonial grants, Spanish land claims, and early American deeds all factor into property ownership in some areas.

Most title searches start with the online Landmark Web system. You look up the current owner and trace backward through prior deeds. Each deed references the earlier one in its derivation clause. Follow this chain as far back as needed. For most purchases, 30 to 50 years of history is enough.

However, some Mobile County properties have unusual title issues. Land near downtown Mobile may have roots in Spanish or French grants. Waterfront property may have been filled in over time, changing boundaries. These complex cases need professional title examiners who know Mobile County history.

A complete title search also checks for:

• Outstanding mortgages
• Tax liens from unpaid property taxes
• Judgment liens from court cases
• Easements affecting the property
• Restrictions from subdivision covenants

Title insurance is essential in Mobile County. Given the complex history, professional protection makes sense. If a title problem appears after closing, insurance covers your loss. All mortgage lenders require it. Smart buyers also get owner's policies.

Property Tax Records in Mobile County

The Mobile County Revenue Commissioner handles property taxes. This office assesses values and collects annual taxes. Tax records are separate from deed records but connected through parcel numbers and legal descriptions.

Mobile County has online tax information. You can look up property values, tax amounts, and payment status. Tax maps show property boundaries and help identify parcels. This information is useful before searching deed records.

Unpaid property taxes create liens that show up in deed records. If you are buying property in Mobile County, check the tax status. The Probate Court records show tax liens, and the Revenue Commissioner shows payment history. Both matter when buying land.

Legal Resources in Mobile County

Mobile County has many real estate attorneys who handle deeds and property matters. The Mobile Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. The Alabama State Bar also offers referrals at (800) 392-5660.

Legal Services Alabama serves low-income residents of Mobile County. They have an office in Mobile that handles some property matters. Call (251) 433-6560 or the statewide line at (866) 456-4995 to ask about qualifying for free help.

The Mobile County Law Library is in the courthouse. It has forms and legal resources for self-help. Staff cannot give legal advice but can show you where to find information about deeds and property law in Alabama.

Cities in Mobile County

Mobile County includes the city of Mobile, which is the only city in the county with population over 100,000. All property records for cities in Mobile County are kept at the Probate Court downtown.

Other communities in Mobile County include Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, and Satsuma. Deed records for all these areas are handled at the Mobile County Probate Court.

Nearby Counties

Mobile County is in southwest Alabama along the Gulf Coast. Property near county lines may be in a neighboring county. Check the exact location before searching.