Mobile Birth Records
Birth records for Mobile residents go through the Mobile County Health Department. This office runs on its own, separate from the state system. Mobile is Alabama's second largest city with more than 201,000 people. The city started keeping birth records in 1871. That was decades before Alabama made it a rule in 1908. So some old records exist here that are not in the state database. The health department can pull from both the statewide system and its older local files. Walk-in service is at the Keeler Memorial Building on North Bayou Street. Staff can handle most requests the same day.
Mobile Quick Facts
Where Mobile Residents Get Birth Certificates
The Mobile County Health Department is one of just two independent health departments in Alabama. Most county offices are branches of the state system. Mobile runs its own show. This goes back to the early days of public health in the state. Even so, the department can tap into the statewide vital records database. They can print certified birth certificates for anyone born in Alabama.
| Office | Mobile County Health Department (Vital Records) |
|---|---|
| Building | Keeler Memorial Building |
| Address | 251 North Bayou Street, Mobile, AL 36603 |
| Phone | (251) 690-8150 or (251) 690-8898 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
The vital records office is in the Keeler Memorial Building in downtown Mobile. You can park nearby. The office opens at 7:30 AM, earlier than most government offices. That helps if you need to get a birth certificate before work.
Mobile County Courthouse
The courthouse deals with legal cases that can change birth records. This includes adoptions, paternity cases, and name changes. The Probate Court is where you file and settle these cases.
| Courthouse | Mobile County Courthouse |
|---|---|
| Address | 109 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602 |
Fees and Costs
Mobile County charges the same fees as the rest of Alabama. You can pay with cash, check, money order, or a card. Card payments add a $1.95 fee. That fee goes to the payment company, not the health department.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search (includes one certified copy) | $15.00 |
| Additional copies (same order) | $6.00 each |
| Credit/debit card convenience fee | $1.95 |
| Expedited processing | $15.00 additional |
| Delayed registration | $20.00 |
Make checks out to "Mobile County Health Dept." Bring a backup way to pay in case they cannot take your check.
How to Request a Birth Certificate
Getting a birth certificate in Mobile works like anywhere else in Alabama. Go to the health department. Fill out the form. Show your ID. Pay the fee. Get your certificate. The Mobile office usually gets it done in 30 minutes or less.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in service is open during business hours. Bring a photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Fill out the form at the counter. Staff will look up the record and print it if they find it.
Mail Requests
For mail requests, include the filled-out form, a copy of your ID, and payment by check or money order. Send it to the Mobile County Health Department or the state office in Montgomery. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days plus time in the mail.
Online Requests
The Mobile County Health Department website has info on vital records services. You can also order through VitalChek online. It costs more because of service and shipping fees.
Legal Requirements and Eligibility
Access to birth certificates less than 125 years old is restricted under Alabama law. Alabama Code § 22-9A-22 establishes who may receive certified copies, and Alabama Administrative Code 420-7-1-.22 specifies the identification requirements.
Eligible Requesters
- The registrant (must be at least 14 years old)
- Parents named on the birth certificate
- Current spouse of the registrant
- Children of the registrant
- Siblings of the registrant
- Grandparents of the registrant
- Legal guardians with court documentation
- Attorneys representing eligible parties
- Government agencies for official purposes
Not on the list? You need written approval from someone who is. It must be notarized. Include a copy of their ID too.
Birth Registration
Alabama Code § 22-9A-7 requires births to be registered within five days. Hospitals and birth centers file birth certificates on behalf of parents. For home births, the attending midwife or physician is responsible for filing.
Historical Birth Records in Mobile
Mobile has a special spot in Alabama vital records history. The city began keeping birth records in 1871. That was more than 30 years before the state made it a rule in 1908. Death records go back to 1820. So the health department may have records that are not in the state database at all.
If you are doing family tree research or need very old records, Mobile is a good place to check. The department keeps old records alongside the modern state system. Staff can search both when they help you find what you need.
Delayed Birth Registration
If a birth was never filed right, you can apply for delayed registration. What you need depends on how long it has been. Within one year? Standard forms. Between one and five years? It gets marked "Delayed Registration." After five years? You need proof from outside sources and a sworn statement from someone at least ten years older than you.
Amendments and Corrections
Birth certificate changes must go through the state office in Montgomery, not the local one. It costs $20. Under Alabama Code § 22-9A-19, changes made more than one year after filing make the certificate show "AMENDED."
Common changes include adding a father's name, fixing spelling, and updates after court orders. Call (334) 206-2637 for questions about changes.
Adoptee Access
Alabama lets adult adoptees see their original records. If you are 19 or older, were born here, and your certificate was sealed due to adoption, you can ask for a non-certified copy. It costs $25. The sealed file often has court papers from the adoption too. You must sign the request in ink. No online option for this.
Local Legal Aid
Need legal help with birth certificate issues? Contact Legal Services Alabama. They give free civil legal help to low-income people who qualify.
| Organization | Legal Services Alabama - Mobile Office |
|---|---|
| Toll-Free | 1-866-456-4995 |
| Spanish | 1-888-835-3505 |
They can help with delayed registration, name changes, and getting documents for court cases or benefits.
Hospitals in Mobile
Mobile has several big hospitals where babies are born. These include places run by Infirmary Health and other systems. Hospitals file birth certificates with the state for parents. You can ask the hospital for medical birth records. But for certified birth certificates, you still have to go to the health department.
Special Considerations for Mobile
Mobile is a Gulf Coast port city with a diverse mix of people. Some folks need birth certificates for immigration or to prove citizenship. The health department can help with these requests. Complex cases may need extra paperwork.
Mobile County sits next to Mississippi. If you were born in Mississippi, you cannot get a birth certificate in Alabama. You have to contact the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Nearby Cities
Mobile is the biggest city on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Other major cities where you can get birth certificates include: