Mobile County Birth Records

Birth records for Mobile County are maintained by the Mobile County Health Department, which operates independently from the Alabama Department of Public Health. Mobile County is one of only two counties in Alabama with its own independent health department, the other being Jefferson County. Mobile is Alabama's second most populous city and its only seaport. Birth recording in Mobile began in 1871, predating Alabama's statewide registration requirement by nearly 40 years. Death recording in Mobile started even earlier in 1820. Legal Services Alabama has an office in Mobile to assist residents with vital records matters. Staff can access birth certificates for any Alabama birth through the statewide database. Most walk-in requests are completed the same day.

Mobile County Health Department

The Mobile County Health Department is your primary source for obtaining certified birth certificates in Mobile County. Unlike most Alabama counties that operate under the state ADPH system, Mobile County has its own independent health department. This office maintains access to the statewide vital records system and can issue certified copies for any birth that occurred in Alabama. The main health center is located on North Bayou Street in downtown Mobile with convenient parking available.

Address	251 North Bayou Street, Mobile, AL 36603
Phone	(251) 690-8150 or (251) 690-8898
General Line	(251) 690-8158
Hours	Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Website	mchd.org/vital-records

How to Request Birth Certificates

In-Person Requests

Visiting the Mobile County Health Department in person is the fastest way to get a certified birth certificate. You will need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID card. Complete an application at the front desk. Be prepared to provide the full name on the birth certificate, date of birth, place of birth, and names of parents. Most in-person requests are completed the same day while you wait. The staff can search the statewide database and print your certificate on the spot.

Mail Requests

Mail requests can be sent directly to the Mobile County Health Department or to the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery for faster processing. Download Form HS-14 from the ADPH website. Your request must include the full name at birth, date of birth, place of birth, mother's maiden name, father's name, your relationship to the person named on the certificate, reason for the request, your current mailing address, and a daytime phone number. Include a check or money order payable to Mobile County Health Dept. for the correct fee amount. Mail requests typically take 5 to 10 business days to process.

Online Ordering

VitalChek handles online orders for Alabama birth certificates. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is an additional processing fee charged by VitalChek on top of the standard state fee. Orders placed through VitalChek are typically processed within 2 to 3 business days and shipped via your selected delivery method.

Eligibility Requirements

Alabama law restricts who can obtain certified copies of birth certificates. Under Alabama Code Section 22-9A-22, the following individuals may request a certified copy:

• The person named on the certificate (if 19 years of age or older)
• A parent or legal guardian of the person named
• A spouse, adult child, or sibling of the person named
• A grandparent of the person named
• An attorney representing one of the above parties
• A legal representative of the estate if the person is deceased
• A state or federal agency for official purposes

You must show proof of your relationship to the person named on the record. Acceptable documents include your own birth certificate, marriage certificate, court order, or power of attorney.

Fees and Payment

The fee structure for birth certificates in Mobile County matches the statewide rates. These fees cover the cost of record search, verification, and printing of certified documents.

Service	Fee
Search (includes first certified copy)	$15.00
Additional copies (same order)	$6.00 each
Credit/debit card admin fee	$1.95

Checks and money orders should be payable to Mobile County Health Dept. Credit and debit cards are accepted at the main health center only with a small administrative fee. Cash is accepted at all locations.

Legal Framework

Birth registration in Alabama is governed by state law and administrative rules. Alabama Code Section 22-9A-7 establishes the requirements for registering births in the state. Mobile began recording births in 1871, making it one of the earliest cities in Alabama to maintain vital records. These early records predate statewide registration which began in 1908.

Birth certificates are restricted for 125 years under Alabama Code § 22-9A-22. This means records more than 125 years old may be available for genealogical research without proving eligibility.

Historical Records

Mobile has some of the oldest vital records in Alabama. Birth recording began in 1871 and death recording began in 1820. For births that occurred before statewide registration in 1908, the Mobile County Health Department may have local records that are not available elsewhere. For very early records, you may also need to search church records, family Bibles, census records, or other historical documents. The Mobile Public Library has an excellent genealogy collection that can assist with historical research.

Cities in Mobile County

Nearby Counties

If you need birth records from neighboring counties or prefer to visit a different location, the following counties border Mobile County: