Process Serving · Alabama

Alabama Process Server for Law Firms

Have summonses, complaints and other court papers served anywhere in Alabama, ordered and tracked from one account. Below: who can serve papers in Alabama, how service is made, the deadlines, the proof of service form and our prices.

Process serving through Legal Hub Group is for law firms, attorneys and their staff. Representing yourself? Our sister company Famous Legal Services handles serves for individuals.

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How it is done

How papers are served in Alabama

Personal service: Handing the summons and complaint to the individual, or to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process. Ala. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(1) ↗
Leaving papers at the home: Leaving a copy of the summons and complaint at the individual's dwelling house or usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who lives there. Ala. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(1) ↗
Certified mail: When the plaintiff files a written request with the clerk, service is made by certified mail; the attorney or party may also start certified-mail service as the rule provides. Ala. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(2) ↗

Who

Who can serve papers in Alabama

The sheriff or constable of the county where the person is found, or, as an alternative, any person at least 19 years old who is not a party and is not related within the third degree by blood or marriage to the party seeking service. Ala. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(1)(A)–(B) ↗

Timelines

How fast, and the court's deadline

Our first-attempt promises:

Routine: First attempt within 3 business days.
Rush: First attempt within 24 hours.
Same-day: for papers that cannot wait.

Every attempt shows in your account as soon as the server logs it.

The court's deadline for service: If the summons and complaint are not served within 120 days after the complaint is filed, the court may dismiss the action without prejudice as to that defendant, after at least 14 days' notice, or order service within a set time; it must extend the time if the plaintiff shows good cause. Ala. R. Civ. P. 4(b) ↗

Proof

The proof of service in Alabama

Return of service on the process. The server endorses the return copy of the process with the date of service and the first and last name of the person served, signs it and files it with the clerk; for substituted service it also shows why that person qualifies. Ala. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(1)(C) ↗

Your server's proof is built from the field record of the serve.

Price

What a Alabama serve costs

Per person served, shown before you submit. Subscription plans take up to 20% off every serve.

Routine

$125

First attempt within 3 business days.

Each additional defendant at the same address: $80.

Rush

$175

First attempt within 24 hours.

Same-day

$225

For papers that cannot wait.

Questions

Serving papers in Alabama: questions

Who can serve papers in Alabama?

The county sheriff or constable, or any person at least 19 who is not a party and not related within the third degree by blood or marriage to the party seeking service (Ala. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(1)).

How long do you have to serve in Alabama?

120 days after the complaint is filed. After that the court may dismiss without prejudice or order service within a set time, and it must extend the time for good cause (Ala. R. Civ. P. 4(b)).

Can papers be served by certified mail in Alabama?

Yes. When the plaintiff files a written request with the clerk, service is made by certified mail (Ala. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(2)).

Keep reading

Guides to serving papers

Serving in another state? See process serving in every state.

General information, not legal advice. The rules above are the ones in force when we checked them (October 2026); the court and the cited rules control.

Serve papers in Alabama today.

Create your free firm account, upload the papers and choose routine, rush or same-day.

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