Alabama Association of Professional Process Servers

ALABAMA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure Does a process server have to be licensed in Alabama?
No.

Alabama Process Server Licensing Requirements
As an alternative to delivery by the sheriff, process issuing from any court governed by these rules may be delivered by the clerk to any person not less than eighteen (18) years of age, who is not a party and who has been designated by order of the court to make service of process.

DID YOU KNOW? Alabama Process Serving Laws
If service of process is refused the clerk can mail a copy of the document to be served to the defendant at the address to where the document is to be served. Service shall then be deemed complete.

Rule 4. Process: General and Miscellaneous Provisions
Summons or other Process.
Issuance.
Upon the filing of the complaint or other document required to be served in the manner of an original complaint the clerk shall forthwith issue the required summons or other process for service upon each defendant. Upon request of the plaintiff separate or additional summons shall issue at any time against any defendant.
Form.
The summons, or other process or each of them in cases involving multiple defendants, shall be signed by the clerk, contain the name of the court and the name of the first party on each side with an appropriate indication of other parties in cases involving multiple parties, be directed to the defendant or each defendant in cases involving multiple defendants, state the name and address of the plaintiff’s attorney, if any, otherwise the plaintiff’s address, and the time within which these rules require the defendant to appear and defend, and shall notify the defendant that, in case of the defendant’s failure to do so, judgment by default will be rendered against the defendant for the relief demanded in the complaint.
Copy of Complaint or Other Document.
A copy of the complaint or other document to be served shall be attached to each summons or other process. The plaintiff shall furnish the clerk with sufficient copies of the complaint or other document to be served. Plaintiff and Defendant Defined.
For the purpose of issuance and service of summons or other process, “plaintiff” shall include any party seeking the issuance of service of summons, and “defendant” shall include any party upon whom service of summons or other process is sought. Instructions and Form.
The plaintiff shall furnish the clerk with instructions for service of the complaint or other document and, when requested by the clerk, the plaintiff shall also furnish sufficient properly completed copies of the summons or other process. When the plaintiff has requested service by certified mail, the plaintiff, at the request of the clerk, shall also furnish properly completed postal forms necessary for such service.
Limits of Effective Service.
All process may be served anywhere in this state and, when authorized by law or by these rules, may be served outside this state.
Upon Whom Process Served. Service of process, except service by publication as provided in Rule 4.3, shall be made as follows:
Individual.
Upon an individual, other than a minor or an incompetent person, by serving the individual or by leaving a copy of the summons and the complaint at the individual’s dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein or by delivering a copy of the summons and the complaint to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process;
Minor. Upon a minor by serving any one of the following: the father, the mother, the guardian, the individual having care of the minor or with whom the minor lives, or the spouse, if the minor is married, and, if the minor is over the age of twelve years, by also serving the minor personally;
Incompetent Not Confined.
Upon an incompetent person by serving the incompetent and that person’s guardian but, if no guardian has been appointed, by serving the incompetent and a person with whom the incompetent lives or a person who cares for the incompetent;
Incompetent Confined.
Upon an incompetent person not having a guardian and confined in any institution for the mentally ill or mentally deficient, by serving the superintendent of the institution or similar official or person having the responsibility for custody of the incompetent person;
Incarcerated Person.
Upon an individual incarcerated in any penal institution or detention facility within this state, by serving the individual, except that when the individual to be served is a minor, by serving any one of the following: the father, the mother, the guardian, the individual having care of the minor, or the spouse, if the minor is married, and, if the minor is over the age of twelve (12) years by serving the minor personally;
Corporation.
Upon a corporation, either domestic or foreign, by serving the agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process or by serving the corporation by certified mail at any of its usual places of business or by serving an officer or an agent of the corporation;
Partnership.
Upon a partnership, a limited partnership, or a limited partnership association, by serving the entity by certified mail at any of its usual places of business or by serving a partner, limited partner, or manager or member;
Unincorporated Organization or Association.
Upon an unincorporated organization or association by serving it in its entity name by certified mail at any of its usual places of business or by serving an officer or agent of any such organization or association or an officer or agent of any branch or local office of the organization or association;
Professional Association, Professional Corporation, or Limited Liability Company.
Upon a professional association, a professional corporation, or a limited liability company, by serving the association, corporation, or company in the entity’s name by certified mail at the place where the entity’s offices are maintained or by serving a shareholder, or by serving the agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process;
State.
Upon this state or any one of its departments, offices, and institutions, by serving the officer responsible for the administration of the department, office, or institution, and by serving the attorney general of this state; County.
Upon a county or upon any of its offices, agencies, districts, departments, institutions, or administrative units, by serving the chairman or presiding officer or member of the governing body of such county.
Municipal Corporation.
Upon a municipal corporation or upon any of its offices, departments, agencies, authorities, institutions, or administrative units, by serving the mayor or the presiding officer or councilman, commissioner, or other member of the municipal corporation.
Other Governmental Entity.
Upon any governmental entity not mentioned above, by serving the person, officer, group, or body responsible for the administration of that entity or by serving the appropriate legal officer, if any, representing the entity. Service upon any person who is a member of the “group” or “body” having responsibility for the administration of the entity shall be sufficient.
Amendment.
The court, within its discretion and upon such terms as are just, may at any time allow or approve the amendment of any process or proof of service thereof, unless the amendment would cause material prejudice to the substantial rights of the party against whom the process was issued.
Service Refused.
If service of process is refused, and the certified mail receipt or the return of the person serving process states that service of process has been refused, the clerk shall send by ordinary mail a copy of the summons or other process and complaint or other document to be served to the defendant at the address set forth in the complaint or other document to be served. Service shall be deemed complete when the fact of mailing is entered of record.
Multiple Defendants; Incomplete Service; Dismissal of Fictitious Defendants.
When there are multiple defendants and the summons (or other document to be served) and the complaint have been served on one or more, but not all, of the defendants, the plaintiff may proceed to judgment as to the defendant or defendants on whom process has been served and, if the judgment as to the defendant or defendants who have been served is final in all other respects, it shall be a final judgment. After the entry of judgment, if the plaintiff is able to obtain service on a defendant or defendants not previously served (except, however, defendants designated as fictitious parties as allowed by Rule 9(h), who shall be deemed to have been dismissed voluntarily when the case was announced ready for trial against other defendants sued by their true names), the court shall hear and determine the matter as to such defendant or defendants in the same manner as if such defendant or defendants had originally been brought into court, but such defendant or defendants shall be allowed the benefit of any payment or satisfaction which may have been made on the judgment previously entered in the action.
Effect of Availability of Alternative or Dual Modes of Service of Process.
There shall be no objection to the service of process or notice to litigants, that two or more modes of service of notice are provided by law or under these rules; but service of notice perfected in any one manner or mode which is provided for by law or under these rules shall be deemed sufficient, notwithstanding other modes or manner of service and notice are provided by law or under these rules.
Acceptance or Waiver of Service.
A defendant or the defendant’s attorney may accept or waive service of process, provided that said acceptance or waiver is in writing and signed by the defendant and a credible witness. (dc) District Court Rule. Rule 4 applies in the district courts. (Amended 6/17/75; Amended 10/14/76, effective 1/16/77; Amended 1/4/82, eff. 3/1/82; Amended 1/21/86, eff. 9/1/87; Amended eff. 6/20/89; Amended eff. 8/1/92; Amended eff. 10/1/95. Committee Comments See Committee Comments following Rule 4.4.
Rule 4.1 Process: Methods of In-State Service
Methods of Service.
All service of process within this state shall be made as provided in this rule except when service by publication is available pursuant to Rule 4.3. Service within this state under this rule shall include delivery by a process server and service by certified mail; and each of the foregoing methods of service shall be deemed to confer in personam jurisdiction. Unless otherwise requested or permitted by these rules, service of process within this state shall be made by delivery by a process server.
Delivery by a Process Server.
By Sheriff or Constable.
When process issued from any court subject to the provisions of these rules is to be delivered personally, the clerk of the court shall deliver or mail the process and sufficient copies of the process and complaint, or other documents to be served, to the sheriff or constable of the county in which the party to be served resides or may be found.
By Designated Person.
As an alternative to delivery by the sheriff, process issuing from any court governed by these rules may be delivered by the clerk to any person not less than eighteen (18) years of age, who is not a party and who has been designated by order of the court to make service of process.
How Served and Returned.
The person serving process shall locate the person to be served and shall deliver a copy of the process and accompanying documents to the person to be served. When the copy of the process has been delivered, the person serving process shall endorse that fact on the process and return it to the clerk, who shall make the appropriate entry on the docket sheet relating to the action. The return of the person serving process in the manner described herein shall be prima facie evidence that process has been served.
Failure of Service.
When the person serving process is unable to serve a copy of the process within thirty (30) days, the person serving process shall endorse that fact and the reason therefor on the process and return the process and copies to the clerk who shall make the appropriate entry on the docket sheet of the action. In the event of failure of service, the clerk shall forthwith notify, by mail, the attorney of record or if there is no attorney of record, the party at whose instance process was issued. The clerk shall enter the fact of notification on the docket sheet of the action. Failure to make service within the thirty(30)-day period and failure to make proof of service do not affect the validity of service.
Service by Certified Mail.
When Proper.
When the plaintiff files a written request with the clerk for service by certified mail, service of process shall be made by that method.
How Served.
In the event of service by certified mail, the clerk shall place a copy of the process and complaint or other document to be served in an envelope and shall address the envelope to the person to be served with instructions to forward. The clerk shall affix adequate postage, and place the sealed envelope in the United States mail as certified mail with instructions to forward, return receipt requested, with instructions to the delivering postal employee to show to whom delivered, date of delivery, and address where delivered. When the person to be served is an individual, the clerk shall also request restricted delivery, unless otherwise ordered by the court. The clerk shall forthwith enter the fact of mailing on the docket sheet of the action and make a similar entry when the return receipt is received.
When Effective.
Service by certified mail shall be deemed complete and the time for answering shall run from the date of delivery to the named addressee or the addressee’s agent as evidenced by signature on the return receipt. Failure of Delivery.
If the receipt shows failure of delivery to the addressee or the addressee’s agent, the clerk shall follow the notification procedure set forth in subsection (b)(4) of this rule. Failure to make service within the thirty-day period and failure to make proof of service do not affect the validity of service. (dc) District Court Rule. Rule 4.1 applies in the district courts. (Adopted 10/14/76, effective 1/16/77; Amended 8/1/92; Amended eff. 10/1/95.) Committee Comments See Committee Comments following Rule 4.4.
Rule 4.2 Process: Basis For and Methods of Out-Of-State Service
Basis for Out-of-State Service.
When Proper.
Appropriate basis exists for service of process outside of this state upon a person in any action in this state when (A) the person is, at the time of the service of process, either a nonresident of this state or a resident of this state who is absent from the state, and (B) the person has sufficient contacts with this state, as set forth in subdivision (a)(2) of this rule, so that the prosecution of the action against the person in this state is not inconsistent with the constitution of this state or the Constitution of the United States, or, the person is sued in the capacity of executor, administrator, or other personal representative of an estate for the acts or omissions of a decedent or ward, and the person so sued does not otherwise have sufficient contacts with this state in that capacity, but the decedent or ward would have been deemed to have sufficient contacts with this state if the action could have been maintained against the decedent or ward.
Sufficient Contacts.
A person has sufficient contacts with the state when that person, acting directly or by agent, is or may be legally responsible as a consequence of that person’s:
Transacting any business in this state; contracting to supply services or goods in this state; causing tortious injury or damage by an act or omission in this state including but not limited to actions arising out of the ownership, operation or use of a motor vehicle, aircraft, boat or watercraft in this state; causing tortious injury or damage in this state by an act or omission outside this state if the person regularly does or solicits business, or engages in any other persistent course of conduct or derives substantial revenue from goods used or consumed or services rendered in this state; causing injury or damage in this state to any person by breach of warranty expressly or impliedly made in the sale of goods outside this state when the person might reasonably have expected such other person to use, consume, or be affected by the goods in this state, provided that the person also regularly does or solicits business, or engages in any other persistent course of conduct, or derives substantial revenue from goods used or consumed or services rendered in this state; having an interest in, using, or possessing real property in this state; contracting to insure any person, property, or risk located within this state at the time of contracting; living in the marital relationship within this state notwithstanding subsequent departure from this state, as to all obligations arising from alimony, custody, child support, or property settlement, if the other party to the marital relationship continues to reside in this state; or otherwise having some minimum contacts with this state and, under the circumstances, it is fair and reasonable to require the person to come to this state to defend an action. The minimum contacts referred to in this subdivision (I) shall be deemed sufficient, notwithstanding a failure to satisfy the requirement of subdivisions (A)-(H) of this subsection (2), so long as the prosecution of the action against a person in this state is not inconsistent with the constitution of this state or the Constitution of the United States.
Person” Defined.
This term “person” as used herein includes an individual, that person’s executor, administrator, or other personal representative, or a corporation, partnership, association, or any other legal or commercial entity. Methods of Out-of-State Service. All service of process outside of this state shall be made as set forth below except when service by publication is available pursuant to Rule 4.3. Service outside of this state under this rule shall include service by certified mail and delivery by a process server; and each method shall be deemed to confer in personam jurisdiction. Unless otherwise requested or permitted by these rules, service of process outside this state shall be made by certified mail.
Certified Mail.
How Served. The clerk shall place a copy of the process and complaint or other document to be served in an envelope and shall address the envelope to the person to be served at that person’s last known address with instructions to forward. The clerk shall affix adequate postage and place the sealed envelope in the United States mail as certified mail return receipt requested with instructions to the delivering postal employee to show to whom delivered, date of delivery, and address where delivered. When the person to be served is an individual, the clerk shall also request restricted delivery, unless otherwise ordered by the court. The clerk shall forthwith enter the fact of mailing on the docket sheet of the action and make a similar entry when the return receipt is received. When Effective. Service by certified mail shall be deemed complete and the time for answering shall run from the date of delivery of process as evidenced by the return receipt. Failure of Delivery. If the return receipt shows failure of delivery, the clerk shall forthwith notify, by mail, the attorney of record, or if there is no attorney of record, the party at whose instance process was issued. In the event that the return receipt shows failure of delivery, service is complete when the serving party or the serving party’s attorney, after notification by the clerk, files with the clerk an affidavit setting forth facts indicating the reasonable diligence utilized to ascertain the whereabouts of the party to be served, and service by publication is made under Rule 4.3©.
Delivery by a Process Server.
When Proper. When the plaintiff files a written request with the clerk for service by delivery by a process server, service of the process and accompanying documents may be delivered to a “person” as set forth in subparagraph (a) of this rule by a person designated by order of the court to make service of process. How Served and Returned. Service herein may be made by any person not less than eighteen (18) years of age who is not a party and who has been designated by order of the court. On request, the clerk shall deliver the summons to the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney for transmission to the person who will make the service. Proof of service may be made as prescribed by Rule 4.1(b)(3) or by order of the court.

Rule 45. Subpoena. Form; issuance.

Every subpoena shall state the name of the court from which it is issued; and state the title of the action, the name of the court in which it is pending, and its civil action number; and command each person to whom it is directed to attend and give testimony or to produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, documents or tangible things in the possession, custody or control of that person, or to permit inspection of premises, at a time and place therein specified; and set forth the text of subdivisions (c) and (d) of this rule. A command to produce evidence or to permit inspection may be joined with a command to appear at trial or hearing or at deposition, or may be issued separately.
A subpoena commanding attendance at a trial or hearing and a subpoena commanding attendance at a deposition shall issue from the court in which the action is pending.
The clerk shall issue a subpoena to a party requesting it except that a subpoena for production or inspection, separate from a subpoena commanding the attendance of a person, shall issue from the court in which the action is pending pursuant to the additional requirements set forth below:
(A) Notice of Intent to Serve subpoena for Production or Inspection. The party seeking issuance of a subpoena for production or inspection shall serve a notice to every other party of the intent to serve such subpoena upon the expiration of fifteen (15) days from the service of the notice and the proposed subpoena shall be attached to the notice. The court may allow a shorter or longer time. Such notice may be served without leave of court upon the expiration of forty-five (45) days after service of the summons and complaint or other mode of service under Rule 4-Rule 4.4 upon any defendant, except that leave is not required within the forty-five- (45-) day period if a defendant has previously sought discovery.
(B) Objection to Issuance of subpoena for Production or Inspection. Any person or party may serve an objection to the issuance of a subpoena for production or inspection within ten (10) days of the service of said notice and in such event the subpoena shall not issue. The party serving the notice may move for an order under Rule 37 (a) with respect to such objection. If no objection is timely served, the clerk shall cause the subpoena to be issued upon the expiration of fifteen (15) days from the service of the notice or upon the expiration of such other time as may have been allowed by the court.
(C) Content of subpoena for Production or Inspection. The subpoena shall be directed to a person at a stated address and, if the name of the person is not known, the subpoena shall give a general description sufficient to identify the person or the class or group to which the person belongs. The subpoena shall set forth the items to be inspected either by individual item or by category, and describe each item and category with reasonable particularity. The subpoena shall specify a reasonable time no less than fifteen (15) days after service unless the court orders otherwise, and the manner of making the inspection and performing the related acts. Such activities with reference to documents or tangible things shall take place where the documents or tangible things are regularly kept or at some other reasonable place designated by the recipient. The subpoena may give the recipient an option to deliver or mail legible copies of documents or things to the party serving the subpoena, but the recipient may condition the preparation of copies on the payment in advance of the reasonable cost of making such copies. Any other party shall have the right to be present at the time of compliance with the subpoena. The subpoena shall advise the recipient of the right to object at any time prior to the date set forth in the subpoena for compliance therewith.
(D) Availability of Copies of Documents. If the party serving the subpoena obtains copies of documents or things, that party shall make available a duplicate of such copies at the request of any other party upon the payment of the reasonable cost of making such copies.
Service.
A subpoena may be served by the sheriff, a deputy sheriff, or by any other person who is not a party and is not less than eighteen (18) years of age. Service of a subpoena upon a person named therein shall be made by delivering a copy thereof to such person or by leaving a copy at the person’s dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein and, if the person’s attendance at a place more than 100 miles from the person’s residence is commanded, by tendering to that person the fees for one day’s attendance and an amount to reimburse the mileage allowed by law. Prior notice of intent to secure the issuance of a subpoena to command production of documents and things or inspection of premises before trial under the procedure set forth in subparagraph (a)(3) of this rule shall be served on each party in the manner prescribed by Rule 5 (b).
Subject to the provisions of clause (ii) of subparagraph (c)(3)(A) of this rule, a subpoena may be served at any place within the state.
Proof of service when necessary shall be made by filing with the clerk of the court by which the subpoena is issued a statement of the date and manner of service and of the names of the persons served, certified by the person who made the service.
Protection of persons subject to subpoenas.
A party or an attorney responsible for the issuance and service of a subpoena shall take reasonable steps to avoid imposing undue burden or expense on a person subject to that subpoena. The court from which the subpoena was issued shall enforce this duty and impose upon the party or attorney in breach of this duty an appropriate sanction, which may include, but is not limited to, lost earnings and a reasonable attorney fee.
(A) A person commanded to produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, papers, documents or tangible things, or inspection of premises need not appear in person at the place of production or inspection unless commanded to appear for deposition, hearing or trial.
(B) Subject to paragraph (d) (2) of this rule, a person commanded to produce and permit inspection and copying at any time before the time specified for compliance may serve upon the party or attorney designated in the subpoena written objection to inspection or copying of any or all of the designated materials or of the premises. “Serve” as used herein means mailing to the party or attorney. If objection is made, the party serving the subpoena shall not be entitled to inspect and copy the materials or inspect the premises except pursuant to an order of the court by which the subpoena was issued. If objection has been made, the party serving the subpoena may, upon notice to the person commanded to produce, move at any time for an order to compel the production. Such an order to compel production shall protect any person who is not a party or an officer of a party from significant expense resulting from the inspection and copying commanded.
On timely motion, the court by which a subpoena was issued shall quash or modify the subpoena if it
fails to allow reasonable time for compliance;
requires a resident of this state who is not a party or an officer of a party to travel to a place more than one hundred (100) miles from the place where that person resides, is employed or regularly transacts business in person, or requires a nonresident of this state who is not a party or an officer of a party to travel to a place within this state more than one hundred (100) miles from the place of service or, where separate from the place of service, more than one hundred (100) miles from the place where that person is employed or regularly transacts business in person, except that, subject to the provisions of clause (c)(3)(B)(iii) of this rule, such a person may in order to attend trial be commanded to travel from any such place within the state in which the trial is held, or requires disclosure of privileged or other protected matter and no exception or waiver applies, or ( subjects a person to undue burden. If a subpoena requires disclosure of a trade secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial information, or requires disclosure of an unretained expert’s opinion or information not describing specific events or occurrences in dispute and resulting from the expert’s study made not at the request of any party, or requires a person who is not a party or an officer of a party to incur substantial expense to travel more than 100 miles to attend trial, the court may, to protect a person subject to or affected by the subpoena, quash or modify the subpoena or, if the party in whose behalf the subpoena is issued shows a substantial need for the testimony or material that cannot be otherwise met without undue hardship and assures that the person to whom the subpoena is addressed will be reasonably compensated, the court may order appearance or production only upon specified conditions.