Mobile County Death Index Search
Mobile County death records are at the county health department on North Bayou Street. This is the third largest county in Alabama with over 412,000 people. Mobile County has some of the oldest death records in the state. Certificate recording started back in 1820, which is almost 90 years before the state system began. The health department uses the ViSION system to search death records in Alabama.
Mobile County Quick Facts
Mobile County Health Department
The Mobile County Health Department runs its own vital records office. It works apart from the regular state health system, but still uses the same ViSION database. Staff can search and print death certificates for you. The main office takes credit and debit cards with a small fee.
| Address | 251 North Bayou Street Mobile, AL 36603 |
|---|---|
| General Phone | (251) 690-8158 |
| Vital Records | (251) 690-8150 or (251) 690-8898 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mchd.org/vital-records |
The main office takes credit and debit cards. There is a $1.95 fee for card payments. You can also pay with cash, check, or money order in Mobile County.
Mobile County Probate Court Records
The Mobile County Probate Court has an online records search. It does not have death certificates, but it has estate records and wills. These may hold death info for old cases. The probate court has records back to 1813 in Mobile County. This makes it great for family history work in Alabama.
| Probate Court | probate.mobilecountyal.gov |
|---|
How to Request Death Certificates
You can get Mobile County death certificates in several ways. Pick the one that works best for you. Each method takes a different amount of time.
In Person at the Health Department
Going in person is the fastest way to get death records in Mobile County. Bring a photo ID like a driver's license. Know the full name of the dead person. Also know when they died and how old they were. If the death is in the state system, staff can print your copy while you wait. Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes. Busy times may take longer. You can pay with cash, check, money order, or card at the main office.
By Mail
To order by mail, send a form to Montgomery. Get the death certificate form from the state health website. Fill it out and add a check for $15. Make it out to Center for Health Statistics. Mail to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103. It takes 7 to 10 days to get your copy in Alabama.
Online Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the state's online vendor. They take credit and debit cards. Go to their site or call 1-888-279-9888. Standard shipping takes 7 to 10 days. Rush options cost more. VitalChek adds fees on top of the state fee for death records.
Who Can Get Death Certificates
State law says who can get death records. Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-21, death certificates stay private for 25 years. After that, anyone can ask for a copy in Alabama.
For deaths in the last 25 years, only these people can get copies in Mobile County:
- Parents of the dead person
- Spouse of the dead person
- Children and grandchildren
- Brothers and sisters
- Legal reps of the estate
- The informant on the certificate
- Anyone with a direct interest
State agencies can get records for their work. Researchers may get data with a written deal. Firms cannot get restricted death records for ads in Alabama.
Death Certificate Fees
The State Board of Health sets fees in Alabama. Alabama Code Section 22-9A-23 covers this. Mobile County uses the same fee schedule as the rest of the state.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search with one certified copy | $15.00 |
| Additional copies in same order | $6.00 each |
| Credit/debit card processing | $1.95 (main office only) |
| Expedited processing | $15.00 extra |
| Amendment or correction | $20.00 |
If no record is found, you still pay the search fee. You will get a Certificate of Failure to Find. Fees are not sent back. VitalChek orders cost more.
Historical Death Records
Mobile County has some of the oldest death records in Alabama. Certificate recording began in 1820. This is almost 90 years before state records started in 1908. Mobile County death certificates over 25 years old are now public in Alabama.
For very old records or family history work, check these sources for Mobile County death records:
- Mobile County Probate Court records from 1813
- Church burial records from Mobile area
- Cemetery records including Magnolia Cemetery
- Newspaper obits from Mobile Press-Register
- Federal mortality census from 1850 to 1880
The Alabama Archives has microfilm of many old records. FamilySearch has a free database called Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974. It has images of the original certificates.
Death Investigations
The county coroner looks into certain deaths in Mobile County. These include deaths from violence, accidents, suicide, or unknown causes. Alabama has elected coroners in most counties. The coroner finds the cause and manner of death.
When an autopsy is needed, the coroner works with the state lab. The Mobile regional lab serves Mobile County. It does autopsies and forensic tests for death cases in south Alabama.
Cities in Mobile County
Mobile County includes the city of Mobile. It is both the county seat and a major port city. Death certificates for all Mobile County residents go through the county health department.
Other towns in Mobile County include Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, Citronelle, Bayou La Batre, and Theodore. All death records for these areas go through the Mobile County Health Department.
Nearby Counties
Mobile County borders the Gulf of Mexico to the south. It also touches several other Alabama counties. All county health offices use the same database, so you can get death records from any spot in Alabama.
Start Your Search
Use the tool below to find death records in Mobile County or elsewhere in Alabama.