Find Dissolution of Marriage in Mobile

Mobile dissolution of marriage records are filed at the Mobile County Circuit Court. Mobile is the county seat and largest city in Mobile County with over 200,000 residents. All divorce cases for Mobile go through the Circuit Clerk office at Government Plaza.

Where to File for Divorce in Mobile

Mobile residents file for divorce at the Mobile County Circuit Court. The court is at Government Plaza in downtown Mobile. The Circuit Clerk office handles all divorce filings and keeps records of completed cases. This is where you file new cases and get copies of divorce decrees in Mobile.

Government Plaza is in the heart of downtown Mobile. Parking is available in the plaza garage and nearby street spots. The building has security at all entrances. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit.

Important: No cell phones are allowed in the Mobile County Courthouse. Leave your phone in your car or at home. Security will not let you bring it inside. This rule applies to everyone, including attorneys. If you need to make calls, do so before you enter. The courthouse strictly enforces this policy.

How to Search Mobile Divorce Records

You can search for divorce records in Mobile online or at the courthouse. Online searches give you basic case info from home. In-person visits let you see the full file and get copies the same day. Both ways give you access to divorce records going back many years in Mobile.

AlacourtAccess is the state court records system that covers Mobile County. You search by name or case number. A name search costs $9.99 and shows one case. Extra cases cost $9.99 each. To see documents, you pay $5.00 for the first 20 pages. Go to pa.alacourt.com to start your search for divorce records in Mobile.

For a search, you need:

• Full name of at least one spouse
• Year the divorce was filed (if known)
• Case number (if you have it)

You can also visit the clerk office at Government Plaza to search records. Staff can look up cases by name or number and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call ahead at (251) 574-8806 to check what you need. For electronic filing, Mobile residents can use AlaFile at alafile.alacourt.gov to submit papers online.

The Mobile County Circuit Clerk website at mobilecircuitclerk.com has info on court procedures and forms. The domestic relations section deals with divorce, custody, and child support cases. For questions about divorce filings in Mobile, contact Tachonda Smith at (251) 574-8441. She handles domestic relations matters and can answer questions about your case status.

Divorce Filing Process in Mobile

Mobile residents follow Alabama state law when filing for divorce. The process is the same across the state. You must file at the right court, which for Mobile is the Mobile County Circuit Court. Each step creates records that go in your case file.

First, you meet the residency rule under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-5. At least one spouse must have lived in Alabama for six months before filing. You do not have to be a Mobile resident the whole time. If you live in Mobile now, you can file here even if you moved from elsewhere in the state.

You file the divorce complaint at the Circuit Clerk office in Mobile. The filing fee is $286 for a basic divorce case. Fees can go up if children are involved or if you need changes later. After filing, you must serve your spouse with the papers. You can use the Mobile County Sheriff, a private server, or certified mail. Proof of service goes in the court file.

Your complaint must state grounds for divorce. Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-1, Mobile residents can file using no-fault grounds. Incompatibility and irretrievable breakdown are the most common. Most divorces in Mobile use one of these. Fault grounds like adultery or abandonment exist but need proof.

Under Code of Alabama Section 30-2-8.1, a 30-day waiting period applies. The court cannot sign the final decree until 30 days after filing. During this time, you can ask for temporary orders on custody, support, or use of the home. If both parties agree on all terms, you set a final hearing after the wait. If not, you may need mediation or trial in Mobile. The final decree ends the marriage and becomes a public record under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40.

Mobile Divorce Fees

Fees for divorce in Mobile are set by Mobile County. The cost to start a new divorce case is $286. Other court actions cost more. Fees can change, so call the clerk at (251) 574-8806 to check current rates before you file.

Common fees for divorce in Mobile include:

• File a divorce complaint: $286.00
• Modify or enforce a decree: $302.00
• Default judgment motion: $50.00
• Sheriff service: $10.00
• Subpoena: $12.00
• Certified copies: varies by page

If you have low income, you may ask for a fee waiver in Mobile. You file an In Forma Pauperis form with proof of your income. The judge reviews your request and decides if you qualify. Legal Services Alabama can help with this process if you qualify for their services.

Getting copies of existing divorce records has its own fees. Plain copies cost less than certified ones. Call the clerk to ask about current copy rates. The domestic relations contact, Tachonda Smith, can also help with questions about fees for divorce cases at (251) 574-8441.

Legal Help for Divorce in Mobile

Several groups offer help with divorce cases in Mobile. Some give free legal aid to low-income residents. Others charge a small fee for a first meeting. These resources can help you understand the law, fill out forms, or find a family law attorney.

Legal Services Alabama has an office in Mobile that serves the Gulf Coast area. They give free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They focus on cases involving domestic violence or child custody. Call (251) 433-6560 or the statewide line at (866) 456-4995 to ask about help with divorce in Mobile. Spanish speakers can call (888) 835-3505. Visit legalservicesalabama.org for more info on services in Mobile.

The Mobile Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that connects you with local attorneys. A first meeting is often at a reduced rate. Call them to get a referral to a family law attorney in Mobile. The Alabama State Bar has a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660 that covers all practice areas.

The Mobile County Law Library has resources for people handling their own divorce. Staff can point you to forms and guides. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find what you need. For general help, Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has guides for people filing pro se in Mobile.

Filing Without a Lawyer in Mobile

Some Mobile residents file for divorce on their own. This is a pro se filing. It works best when both spouses agree on all terms and there are no complex property or custody issues. The court does not give legal advice, but several resources can help you handle your case.

Alabama E-Forms at eforms.alacourt.gov has all the court forms you need to file for divorce. The site has complaint forms, answer forms, and other papers the court needs. Mobile County local forms are available if you need county-specific documents. All forms are free to download and print.

Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has step-by-step guides for pro se filers. The site walks you through the divorce process. If children are part of your case, you need extra forms for child support. Forms CS-41 and CS-42 calculate support based on both parents' income. The clerk can tell you what forms you need to file in Mobile.

Uncontested divorces in Mobile often take 30 to 60 days from filing to final decree. If both parties agree on everything, the process is fairly quick. Contested cases take much longer and usually need a lawyer. If you have complex property, a business, or disputed custody, consider getting legal help even for an uncontested case.

Mobile Court System Overview

Mobile County is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court handles all divorce cases for the county. Mobile is the county seat, so the main courthouse is here. The court has jurisdiction over all family law matters including divorce, custody, child support, and property division.

The Mobile County Circuit Clerk maintains all divorce records for the county. Records are public under Alabama law with some limits. Names and basic case info are available to anyone. Some documents may be sealed if they contain private information about children or finances. The clerk can tell you what is available when you request records in Mobile.

Mobile County has a large caseload. The court handles thousands of family law cases each year. This can mean longer wait times for hearings compared to smaller counties. Plan for delays if your case is contested. Uncontested cases move faster since they need less court time.

Divorce Certificates in Mobile

After a divorce is final in Mobile, you may need a divorce certificate. This is different from the divorce decree. A certificate is a short document from the state health department. It proves the divorce happened. A decree is the full court order with all terms. Most legal matters need the decree, but some only need a certificate.

The Alabama Department of Public Health issues divorce certificates. You can get one from the Mobile County Health Department. Walk-in service is often same-day. The fee is $15 for one certified copy. Extra copies cost $6 each. You can also order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for an added service fee. Call VitalChek at 1-888-279-9888 to order by phone.

For the full divorce decree with all the terms, go to the Circuit Clerk at Government Plaza. The decree shows property division, custody, support, and all court orders. The certificate only has basic facts: names, date, and county. Most people who need to prove their divorce in Mobile will want the decree. It has more detail than the certificate.

Divorce certificates from the health department are available for divorces from 1950 to the present. For older records, contact the court where the case was filed. Records from before 1950 may need an archived file search. Call ahead to ask about older Mobile divorce records.

Mobile County Divorce Records

Mobile is the county seat of Mobile County, and all divorce filings for Mobile residents go through the Mobile County Circuit Court. The court serves the city and all other towns in the county. For more on the county court system, full fee lists, and other resources, visit the Mobile County divorce records page.

View Mobile County Divorce Records

Nearby Alabama Cities

These major Alabama cities have their own pages with local divorce record information and court details.

• Birmingham - Jefferson County (about 250 miles north)
• Montgomery - Montgomery County (about 170 miles north)
• Huntsville - Madison County (about 340 miles north)