Find Mobile Divorce Decree

Mobile divorce decree records are filed with the Mobile County Circuit Court Domestic Relations Division. Mobile is Alabama's second largest city and oldest settlement with a population over 187,000. The Domestic Relations office is located in Government Plaza at 205 Government Street, Room C 909. All divorce filings for Mobile residents go through this office. You can search cases online or obtain certified copies in person. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Free legal aid is available through local volunteer lawyer programs.

Mobile County Handles Filing

Mobile is located in Mobile County. All divorce cases for Mobile residents are filed with the Mobile County Circuit Court. The Domestic Relations Division is at 205 Government Street, Room C 909, Mobile, AL 36644-2909. Phone (251) 574-8441 for information about divorce filings. Email 13jcdomesticrelations@alacourt.gov for specific questions.

Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state holidays. Mobile County is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all divorce matters in the county.

How to File

To file for divorce in Mobile, go to the Domestic Relations Division at Government Plaza. Bring your completed forms and filing fee. The Alabama E-Forms Portal at https://eforms.alacourt.gov/ has all official forms. Download the Uncontested Divorce Packet if your spouse agrees to the divorce.

You must meet residency requirements to file. One spouse must be an Alabama resident. If your spouse lives out of state, you must live in Alabama for six months before filing. These rules are in Alabama Code § 30-2-5. If both spouses are Alabama residents, you can file right away.

You can file in person or use AlaFile for electronic filing. AlaFile is at https://alafile.alacourt.gov/. Register for free and upload your documents as PDFs. Pay the filing fee online with a card. Electronic filing is fast and convenient. You can track your case online.

After filing, serve your spouse with the complaint and summons. If they agree, they can sign a waiver of service. If not, a process server or sheriff must deliver the papers. The court cannot proceed until service is complete. Once served, your spouse has 30 days to respond.

Alabama law requires a 30 day wait from filing to final decree. This is in Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1. No judge can grant a divorce before 30 days pass. Most uncontested cases take 30 to 60 days total.

Filing Fees and Costs

Mobile County filing fees vary. Call (251) 574-8441 to confirm the current fee. As of 2024, most Alabama counties charge between $200 and $350. Mobile County fees are in this range.

Alabama Code § 12-19-72 sets a base state fee of $145. Counties add local fees on top of this amount. The total depends on whether you have children and other factors. Always call ahead to confirm the exact amount.

If you cannot afford the fee, file an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship. This form is available from the clerk's office. The fee is deferred until your case ends. You must show financial hardship to qualify. Alabama Code § 12-19-70 allows this option for those who cannot pay.

Certified copies cost 50 cents per page in most counties. Service of process adds $25 to $50. If you hire an attorney, fees range from $2,000 to $15,000 depending on complexity.

Getting Certified Copies

To obtain a certified copy of a Mobile divorce decree, contact the Domestic Relations Division at (251) 574-8441. Visit in person at 205 Government Street, Room C 909. Bring photo ID. Provide the full names of both parties and the date of divorce if known. The case number speeds up the search.

You can view records for free at the courthouse. Fees are charged only for printed or certified copies. Most offices charge 50 cents per page. A typical divorce decree is 5 to 15 pages.

By mail, send a written request to Mobile County Circuit Court, 205 Government Street, Room C 909, Mobile, AL 36644-2909. Include your contact information and details about the case. Add a check for the estimated cost. Include a return envelope with postage. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing.

Online Access

Search Mobile divorce cases using the Alacourt Public Access portal at https://pa.alacourt.com/. This is a free statewide database. Enter a name or case number to find case information. Results show filing dates, case status, and party names. Full divorce decrees are not available online. You must contact the Domestic Relations Division to get certified copies.

The AlaFile system at https://alafile.alacourt.gov/ is for electronic filing. Both attorneys and self represented parties can use it. Register for free and upload documents as PDFs. Pay fees online. You receive electronic service of documents from other parties. This saves time and postage.

Legal Help

The South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program provides free legal help to low income residents. They are located at 56 St. Joseph Street, Mobile, AL 36602. Phone (251) 438-1102 for information. They handle divorce, consumer, employment, and family matters. Check if you qualify for free assistance.

Legal Services Alabama also serves Mobile County. Call (866) 456-4995 or visit https://legalservicesalabama.org/ to see if you meet income requirements. They provide free civil legal help for qualified individuals.

Alabama Legal Help at https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org/ offers self help forms and guides. The site includes step by step instructions for uncontested divorces. Videos and frequently asked questions are available. This is helpful if you are representing yourself without an attorney.

If your case is contested, hire an attorney. Complex property division, custody battles, and domestic violence situations require legal representation. An attorney protects your rights and guides you through the court process.

What Alabama Law Says

Alabama Code § 30-2-1 lists the grounds for divorce. Irretrievable breakdown of marriage is the most common. Other grounds include adultery, abandonment, and incompatibility of temperament. The Circuit Court has authority to grant divorces.

Alabama Code § 30-2-5 sets residency requirements. At least one spouse must be an Alabama resident. If the other spouse is not a resident, the filing spouse must live in Alabama for six months before filing. If both are residents, no wait is required.

The 30 day waiting period is in Alabama Code § 30-2-8.1. No final decree can be entered before 30 days pass from the filing date. The court may issue temporary orders during the wait. These can cover custody, support, and other urgent matters.

Divorce records are public under Alabama Code § 36-12-40. Every citizen has the right to inspect public records. Divorce case files are accessible unless a court seals them. Sealed records require a court order to access.

Other Cities

Other major Alabama cities include Birmingham, Huntsville, and Montgomery. Each city's residents file in their county of residence. Birmingham residents file with Jefferson County. Huntsville residents file with Madison County. Montgomery residents file with Montgomery County.

For more details about Mobile County divorce procedures, visit the Mobile County page.

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