Rule 4.Process: General and miscellaneous provisions.

Last amended August 14, 2023 · Last verified July 6, 2026

In one sentenceRule 4 is Alabama's master rule for serving a lawsuit on a defendant, spelling out who can deliver papers, the methods available (personal delivery, certified mail, or commercial carrier), special rules for minors, incompetent people, prisoners, corporations, and government bodies, and what happens when a defendant cannot be found or dodges the process server.

Full Text of Rule 4

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (dc)

(a) Summons or other process.

(1) 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.

(2) 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 may be rendered against the defendant for the relief demanded in the complaint.

(3) COPY OF COMPLAINT OR OTHER DOCUMENT. A copy of the complaint, showing the case number assigned to the action, or other document to be served shall accompany each summons or other process. The plaintiff shall furnish the clerk with sufficient copies of the complaint or other document to be served. Copies are not required if the complaint or other document is filed electronically.

(4) 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.

(5) 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 the clerk to issue service by certified mail, the plaintiff, at the request of the clerk, shall also furnish properly completed postal forms necessary for such service.

(b) Time limit for service. If service of the summons and complaint is not made upon a defendant within 120 days after the filing of the complaint, the court, upon motion or on its own initiative, after at least fourteen (14) days' notice to the plaintiff, may dismiss the action without prejudice as to the defendant upon whom service was not made or direct that service be effected within a specified time; provided, however, that if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure to serve the defendant, the court shall extend the time for service for an appropriate period. This subdivision does not apply to fictitious-party practice pursuant to

(c) Upon whom process served. Service of process, except service by publication as provided in Rule 4.3, shall be made as follows:

(1) 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;

(2) 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 sixteen (16) years, by also serving the minor personally;

(3) INCOMPETENT NOT CONFINED. Upon an incompetent person not confined 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;

(4) 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;

(5) 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 sixteen (16) years, by also serving the minor

(6) CORPORATIONS AND OTHER ENTITIES. Upon a domestic or foreign corporation or upon a partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, or unincorporated organization or association, by serving an officer, a partner (other than a limited partner), a managing or general agent, or any agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process.

(7) STATE. Upon this state or any one of its departments, agencies, offices, or institutions, by serving the officer responsible for the administration of the department, agency, office, or institution, and by serving the attorney general of this state;

(8) LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. Upon a county, municipal corporation, or any other governmental entity not previously mentioned, or an agency thereof, by serving the chief executive officer or the clerk, or other person designated by appointment or by statute to receive service of process, or upon the attorney general of the state if such service is accompanied by an affidavit of a party or the party's attorney that all such persons described herein are unknown or cannot be located.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) Multiple defendants; incomplete service; dismissal of fictitiously named 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 that may have been made on the judgment previously entered in the action.

(g) 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 that is provided for by law or under these rules shall be deemed sufficient, notwithstanding that other modes or manner of service and notice are provided by law or under these rules.

(h) Acceptance or waiver of service. A defendant may accept or waive service of process by a document signed by the defendant and filed with the clerk of court from which the process issued.

(i) Methods of service. Service under this rule shall include the following:

(1) DELIVERY BY A PROCESS SERVER.

(A) By Sheriff or Constable. When process issued from any court subject to the provisions of these rules is to be delivered personally within this state, 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.

(B) By Designated Person. As an alternative to delivery by the sheriff, or when process is to be delivered personally outside this state, process issuing from any court governed by these rules may be served by any person not less than nineteen (19) years of age, who is not a party and is not related within the third degree by blood or marriage to the party seeking service of process.

(C) How Served and Returned. The person serving process shall deliver a copy of the process and accompanying documents to the defendant or other person who may be served under the provisions of Rule 4(c). When the copy of the process has been delivered, the person serving process shall endorse that fact on the return copy of the process, stating the date of service and the first and last name of the person served. If the service is substituted service on a person other than the defendant, the return shall also include sufficient information to show the person served qualifies as a person to be served for the defendant under Rule 4(c). The return shall be signed by the server and filed with the clerk of the issuing court, who shall make the appropriate entry on the docket sheet and electronic record relating to the action.

If the service is made by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or elected constable, the return shall clearly indicate the name, official title, and badge number or precinct number of the serving officer or constable. If the service is made by a Designated Person under Rule 4(i)(1)(B), the return shall clearly indicate the name, the physical address of the home or business, and the telephone number of the person serving process and must include a statement that the server meets the requirements of Rule 4(i)(1)(B). The return of the person serving process in the manner described herein shall be prima facie evidence that process has been served.

(D) Failure of Service. When the person serving process is unable to serve a copy of the process within sixty (60) days from issuance of the process by the clerk of court, 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 and the electronic record relating to the action. Failure to make service within the sixty- (60-) day period and failure to make proof of service do not affect the validity of service perfected beyond that period.

(2) SERVICE BY CERTIFIED MAIL.

(A) 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. Alternatively, the attorney or party filing the process and complaint may initiate service by certified mail as provided in this rule.

(B) How Served. (i) In the event of service by certified mail by the clerk, 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. In the case of an entity within the scope of one of the subdivisions of Rule 4(c), the addressee shall be a person described in the appropriate subdivision. 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. The case number of the case in which the pleading has been filed shall be included on the return receipt. 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.

(ii) Alternatively, the attorney or party filing the process and complaint or other document to be served may obtain a copy of the filed pleading from the clerk or, if the pleading was filed electronically, use the copy returned electronically by the clerk. The attorney or party shall then place that copy of the process and complaint or other document to be served in an envelope and address the envelope to the person to be served with instructions to forward. In the case of an entity within the scope of one of the subdivisions of Rule 4(c), the addressee shall be a person described in the appropriate subdivision. The attorney or party 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. The return receipt shall be addressed to the clerk of the court issuing the process and shall identify the case number of the case in which the pleading has been filed. Upon mailing, the attorney or party shall immediately file with the court an "Affidavit of Certified Mailing of Process and Complaint." That affidavit shall verify that a filed copy of the process and complaint or other document to be served has been mailed by certified mail in accordance with this rule.

(C) 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. Within the meaning of this subdivision, "agent" means a person or entity specifically authorized by the addressee to receive the addressee's mail and to deliver that mail to the addressee. Such agent's authority shall be conclusively established when the addressee acknowledges actual receipt of the summons and complaint or the court determines that the evidence proves the addressee did actually receive the summons and complaint in time to avoid a default. An action shall not be dismissed for improper service of process unless the service failed to inform the defendant of the action within time to avoid a default. In the case of an entity included in one of the provisions of Rule 4(c), "defendant," within the meaning of this subdivision, shall be such a person described in the applicable subdivision of 4(c).

(D) Failure of Delivery. Failure to make service within sixty (60) days from issuance of the process by the clerk of the court and failure to make proof of service do not affect the validity of service perfected beyond that period.

Rule 4(i)(3), Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure

(3) Service by Commercial Carrier.

(A) When Proper.

(i) When the plaintiff files a written request with the clerk for service by commercial carrier, service of process shall be made by that method. For purposes of this subdivision, "commercial carrier" means only those commercial carriers approved by the Administrative Director of Courts, pursuant to Rule 45 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. When service by commercial carrier is initiated by the clerk, the clerk's choice of commercial carrier is limited to those approved by the Administrative Director of Courts.

(ii) Alternatively, the attorney or party filing the process and complaint may initiate service by commercial carrier as provided in this rule. For purposes of this subdivision, "commercial carrier" means any foreign or domestic business entity that is not a party to the civil action; that has as its primary purpose the delivery of letters and parcels of any type; and that will deliver to the sender a written or electronic receipt showing to whom the process and complaint were delivered, the written or electronic signature of the recipient, the date of delivery, the address where delivered, and the person or entity effecting delivery.

(B) How Served.

(i) In the event of service by commercial carrier initiated by the clerk, the clerk shall deliver to the commercial carrier 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. In the case of an entity within the scope of one of the subdivisions of Rule 4(c), the addressee shall be a person described in the appropriate subdivision. The clerk shall provide to the commercial carrier payment of the required shipping costs, with instructions to the commercial carrier to provide to the clerk a written or electronic receipt showing to whom the process and complaint or other document to be served was delivered, the written or electronic signature of the recipient, the date of delivery, the address where delivered, and the person or entity effecting delivery. The clerk shall forthwith enter the fact of delivery to the commercial carrier on the docket sheet of the action and make a similar entry when a delivery receipt is received.

(ii) Alternatively, the attorney or party filing the process and complaint or other document to be served may obtain a copy of the filed pleading from the clerk or, if the pleading was filed electronically, use the copy returned electronically by the clerk. The attorney or party shall then deliver to the commercial carrier that 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. In the case of an entity within the scope of one of the subdivisions of Rule 4(c), the addressee shall be a person described in the appropriate subdivision. The attorney or party shall provide to the commercial carrier payment of the required shipping costs, with instructions to the commercial carrier to provide to the attorney or party a written or electronic receipt showing to whom the process and complaint or other document to be served was delivered, the written or electronic signature of the recipient, the date of delivery, the address where delivered, and the person or entity effecting delivery. Upon delivery to the commercial carrier, the attorney or party shall immediately file with the court an "Affidavit of Delivery to a Commercial Carrier of Process and Complaint." That affidavit shall verify that a filed copy of the process and complaint or other document to be served has been delivered to a commercial carrier in accordance with this rule.

(C) When Effective. Service by commercial carrier shall be deemed complete and the time for answering shall run from the date of delivery as evidenced by the commercial carrier's written or electronic receipt showing to whom the process and complaint or other document to be served was delivered, the written or electronic signature of the recipient, the date of delivery, the address where delivered, and the person or entity effecting delivery. When service is initiated under Rule 4(i)(3)(B)(ii), the attorney or party shall, within ten (10) days after receiving the commercial carrier's written or electronic delivery receipt, file with the court a "Proof of Service by Commercial Carrier" that identifies the commercial carrier and explains the method of service, states the name of the person served, notes the date of delivery, and has attached a printed copy of the commercial carrier's written or electronic delivery receipt or other evidence of delivery. Within the meaning of this subdivision, "agent" means a person or entity specifically authorized by the addressee to receive the addressee's commercial-carrier deliveries and to deliver them to the addressee. Such agent's authority shall be conclusively established when the addressee acknowledges actual receipt of the summons and complaint or the court determines that the evidence proves the addressee did actually receive the summons and complaint in time to avoid a default. An action shall not be dismissed for improper service of process unless the service failed to inform the defendant of the action within time to avoid a default. In the case of an entity included in one of the provisions of Rule 4(c), "defendant," within the meaning of this subdivision, shall be such a person described in the applicable subdivision of 4(c).

(dc) District Court Rule. Rule 4 applies in the district courts.

Amendment History

[Amended 6-17-75; Amended 10-14-76, eff. 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; Amended eff. 8-1-2004; Amended eff. 10-24-2008; Amended 2-19-2016, eff. 7-1-2016, Amended eff. 8-14-2023, Adopted 8-14-2023.]

Committee Comments

Committee Comments on 1977

Complete Revision

Committee Comments to Amendment to Rule 4(f) Effective March 1, 1982

Rule 4(f) is amended so as to harmonize its provisions with those portions of Rule 54(b) which withhold finality to judgments against fewer than all parties. Thus, in the event of a judgment against all defendants who have been served, the judgment shall be deemed final notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 54(b). See Ford Motor Credit Co. v. Carmichael, 383 So.2d 539 (Ala.1980) for a contrary result under Rules 4 and 54 prior to the proposal of this revision.

Committee Comments to Amendment to Rule 4(f) Effective September 1, 1987

The September 1, 1987, amendment to Rule 4(f) added the parenthetical clause dealing with fictitious parties. This change is intended to work a dismissal of fictitious defendants when a case is announced ready for trial and thereby to avoid the application of Rule 4(f) to fictitious defendants. Under this revision the announcement of a case as ready for trial operates as a dismissal of all fictitious defendants. This amendment also made some nonsubstantive changes to clarify the language of the section.

Court Comment to June 20, 1989, Amendment to Rule 4(f)

This amendment made one change. In the first sentence, the phrase “the plaintiff may proceed to trial and judgment” was amended to omit the words “trial and.”

Committee Comments to August 1, 1992, Amendment to Rule 4(c)(1)

The August 1, 1992, revision to Rule 4(c)(1) permits service upon an individual 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 authorized agent. Likewise, the amendment to Rule 4.1(c)(3) renders service by certified mail effective from the date of delivery to the named addressee or to his agent. The purpose of both these changes is to simplify service requirements under Alabama law and to facilitate service of process. While Alabama law is not yet as liberal as the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in this area, the August 1, 1992, amendments move Alabama closer to that position. The committee notes that courts should be vigilant to protect the rights of defendants when default judgments are entered on the basis of service upon an agent of the defendant. On motion to set aside a default or on motion for relief from a default, where service has been attempted on a person alleged to be or purporting to be an agent, no presumption of agency should be indulged in with respect to such service and the court should be satisfied that the person upon whom service was attempted was in fact the authorized agent of the defendant before refusing to grant relief from a default judgment.

Committee Comments to October 1, 1995, Amendment to Rule 4

The amendment is technical. No substantive change is intended.

Committee Comments on Complete Revision to Rules 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4, effective August 1, 2004

Committee Comments to Amendment to Rule 4 Effective August 1, 2004

Subdivision (a) is unchanged, except that the copy of the complaint to be served shall show the case number assigned to the action.

Subdivision (b) is new to Alabama. It is borrowed from Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(m). The text is taken from the federal rule, except for the provisions for 14 days’ notice and for fictitious-party practice. Former 4(b) is now 4.2(a).

Subdivision (c). Former subdivisions (6)-(9) are combined into a new subdivision (6). The former provision allowing corporations and other business entities to be served by certified mail at any of their usual places of business has been eliminated. Now, personal or certified mail service must be directed to the registered or appointed agent or to a specific person, such as an “officer.” Subdivision (6) is patterned on Rule 4(d)(5), Ark.R.Civ.P., and Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(h)(1). The phrase “managing or general agent” is used in a majority of the states and has been interpreted in many federal cases. The intent is to adopt the majority rule of federal caselaw in interpreting the phrase “managing or general agent.” Former subdivisions (11)-(13) are combined into a new subdivision (8), which governs service on all types of local governmental entities. New subdivision (8) is patterned after Rule 4(d)(7), Ark.R.Civ.P., and Rule 1-004 F. (4) through (5), N.M.R.Civ.P.

Subdivision (d) is unchanged. Subdivision (e) is unchanged.

Subdivision (f) is unchanged.

Subdivision (g) is unchanged.

Subdivision (h) as amended deletes the former provisions allowing the defendant’s attorney to accept or waive service and requiring the acceptance or waiver to be in writing and to be signed by the defendant and a credible witness.

Subdivision (i) includes provisions that were formerly in Rule 4.1. Subdivision 4(i)(1)(B) eliminates the requirement for a court order to designate a person, other than the sheriff, as a private process server. Former 4.1(b)(2) required a court order to designate, prior to service, a specific person to be a private process server. Subdivision 4(i)(1)(C) requires the return to show the name, address, and telephone number of the person serving process. New 4(i)(2)(C) provides greater detail as to who signs for receipt of certified mail. If the defendant is an entity, such as a corporation within Rule 4(c)(6), the “addressee” will have to be a person defined in that rule, such as an “officer” or a “managing agent.” An “agent” of the addressee may validly receive and sign for the certified mail, if that “agent” is a person specifically authorized by the addressee to receive the addressee’s mail. For example, an officer of a corporate defendant would be a proper “addressee” for serving the corporation by certified mail, and that officer could have designated a secretary or mail clerk to be the person who regularly receives the officer’s mail. That secretary or mail clerk would be a proper “agent” to sign the receipt for certified mail addressed to the officer. Also, new 4(i)(2)(C) provides that no action shall be dismissed for improper service if the defendant actually received the summons and complaint in time to avoid a default. For a corporate defendant, a “defendant” with actual receipt would include persons designated in Rule 4(c)(6) to receive service of process (officers, managing agents, etc.).

Subdivision (dc) is unchanged.

Committee Comments to Amendments to Rule 4 Effective October 24, 2008

Rule 4(a). Although Rule 4(a)(1) "Issuance" was not amended at this time, it is the intent of these amendments that issuance by the clerk includes electronically generated documents. Similarly, the reference in Rule 4(a)(2) to the clerk's signature now includes an electronic signature. See Rule 30(G) of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. The insertion in Rule 4(a)(3) of "accompany" in place of "attached" is a technical amendment intended to encompass both paper and electronic filing. This section has also been amended to eliminate the requirement for additional service copies when electronic filing is used. The change to Rule 4(a)(5) is required by the amendment to Rule 4(i)(2) that creates an alternative procedure for certified mail service.

Rule 4(i). Rule 4(i)(2) is amended to continue the present method of certified mail service by written request to the clerk and to add a new alternative method by which the plaintiff may initiate certified mail service with notice to the clerk. The procedure to be followed is set out in Rule 4(i)(2)(B)(ii), a new paragraph added by this amendment. This change makes it clear that if a plaintiff elects to use certified mail service it is the plaintiff's option to use either of the alternative methods now provided. Whatever method of certified mail service is used, the return receipt must include the case number and must be addressed to the clerk of the court in which the action is pending.

Committee Comments to Amendment to Rule 4, Effective July 1, 2016

Rule 4(a)(2) is amended to require that the summons served on the defendant should include notice that entry of a default judgment is a possible consequence of a served defendant’s failure to appear or to defend, rather than an automatic result, as the previous language suggested.

Rule 4(c)(2) requires service on a minor by and through his or her mother, father, or other representative as set out in the rule and, in addition, previously required that minors over 12 years of age be served personally. The rule is amended to require separate, additional personal service only on minors over the age of 16, it appearing that separate delivery of legal process to minors under that age is without practical benefit.

Rule 4(c)(5) is amended to incorporate the contemporaneous amendment to Rule 4(c)(2) limiting the requirement for separate personal service to minors over the age of 16 to require personal service on an incarcerated minor only if the minor is over the age of 16.

Rule 4(h) is amended to state the manner for acceptance or waiver of service of process -- by a document signed by a defendant and filed in the manner set out in the amended rule.

Rule 4(i)(1)(B) is amended to require that persons designated to serve process under this section must be not less than nineteen (19) years of age and must not be a party to the action or related within the third degree by blood or marriage to the party seeking service of process.

Rule 4(i)(1)(C) is amended to specifically encompass service on both the defendant and substituted service on other persons who may be served on the defendant's behalf as provided by Rule 4(c). The amendment sets out new, specific requirements as to how service of process is to be made and how the return of service is to be made. There has been a significant increase in the number of cases in which a plaintiff elects to use a person designated for service of process rather than the sheriff or other officer, and this amendment addresses that change by providing detailed procedural guidance. This section now sets out with specificity the manner in which service must be made and how it must be returned to the clerk of the issuing court. The amendments to the second paragraph of this section set out in detail the information identifying the server that must be provided on each of the respective returns made by sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables, or persons designated for service of process.

Rule 4(i)(1)(D) is amended to increase to sixty (60) days the time in which a person serving process must make a return to the clerk of court upon failure of service as a more practical time frame than the previous thirty- (30-) day period, considering the administrative procedures involved.

Rule 4(i)(2)(D) is amended to increase to sixty (60) days the time in which undelivered certified mail must be returned, conforming this subsection to the contemporaneous amendment to Rule 4(i)(1)(D).

Committee Comments to Adoption of Rule 4(i)(3) Effective August 14, 2023

Rule 4(i) is amended to add a new subdivision (3) that permits service by a "commercial carrier." Rule 45 of the Rules of Judicial Administration, adopted effective February 26, 2020, allows circuit clerks to substitute service by certified mail with service by a commercial carrier approved by the Administrative Director of Courts ("the Director"). Rule 4(i)(3) permits the serving attorney or party to elect service by a commercial carrier. If the clerk is requested to initiate the service by commercial carrier, Rule 4(i)(3)(A)(i) restricts the clerk to using a commercial carrier that has been approved by the Director. The current list of approved commercial carriers can be ascertained by contacting the Administrative Office of Courts ("AOC").

If the attorney or party initiates the service by commercial carrier, the attorney or party may use any "commercial carrier" within the definition stated in Rule 4(i)(3)(A)(ii). A new Form 1C. has been adopted to be used as a summons when service is made by commercial carrier, and that form has been added to Appendix I to these rules.

If service by commercial carrier is initiated by the attorney or party, instead of by the clerk, the commercial carrier's evidence of service shall be returned to the initiating attorney or party, who shall then file with the court a "Proof of Service by Commercial Carrier" document containing the information required by Rule 4(i)(3)(C). A new Form 1D. has been adopted to serve as a "Proof of Service by Commercial Carrier" document, and that form has been added to Appendix I to these rules. Note that the commercial carrier's delivery charges to the initiating attorney or party may be greater than the amount charged to the clerk, which amount may be governed by an AOC-negotiated discounted rate.

Additionally, although Rule 4(e) sets forth a procedure to be followed when service of process has been refused, that procedure applies only to attempted service by certified mail or by a process server. Rule 4(e) does not apply to refusals of attempted service by commercial carrier. If attempted service by commercial carrier cannot be completed, the serving attorney or party will have to reattempt service by commercial carrier or attempt a different form of service.

Note from the reporter of decisions: The order amending Rules 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 6(a), 7(b)(2), 17(a), 22(c), and 26(b), Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, effective August 1, 2004, is published in that volume of Alabama Reporter that contains Alabama cases from 867 So.2d.

Note from the reporter of decisions: The order amending effective October 24, 2008, Rule 3, Rule 4, Rule 5, Rule 6, Rule 11, Rule 55, Rule 58, Rule 59.1, Rule 77, and Rule 79, and adopting effective October 24, 2008, the Committee Comments to Amendment to Rule 3(b) Effective October 24, 2008; Committee Comments to Amendments to Rule 4 Effective October 24, 2008; Committee Comments to Amendments to Rule 5 Effective October 24, 2008; Committee Comments to Amendments to Rule 6 Effective October 24, 2008; Committee Comments to Amendment to Rule 11 Effective October 24, 2008; Committee Comments to Amendment to Rule 55(a) Effective October 24, 2008; Committee Comments to Amendments to Rule 58 Effective October 24, 2008; Committee Comments to Amendment to Rule 59.1 Effective October 24, 2008; Committee Comments to Amendments to Rule 77(d) Effective October 24, 2008; and the Committee Comments to Addition of Rule 79(e) Effective October 24, 2008, is published in that volume of Alabama Reporter that contains Alabama cases from 994 So. 2d. Note from the reporter of decisions: The order amending Rule 4, Ala. R. Civ. P., and adopting the Committee Comments effective July 1, 2016, including Justice Bolin's special writing concurring in part to and dissenting in part from that order, in which Justice Stuart concurs, is published in that volume of Alabama Reporter that contains Alabama cases from ___ So. 3d.

Note from the reporter of decisions: The order amending Rule 4(i)(2)(D), adopting Rule 4(i)(3), and amending Rule 45(b)(1), Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, adopting the Committee Comments thereto, and adopting Form 1C. and Form 1D., effective August 14, 2023, is published in that volume of Alabama Reporter that contains Alabama cases from __ So. 3d.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 4 answers the question every plaintiff faces after filing a complaint: how do you get it into the defendant’s hands in a way a court will recognize? The clerk issues a summons once the complaint is filed, and that summons must travel with a copy of the complaint to whoever is being sued. The plaintiff has to give the clerk enough copies and clear instructions, because nothing moves until that happens — and Alabama courts have held that filing a complaint without following through on service does not, by itself, stop a filing deadline from running out.

The rule offers three main channels for delivering papers. A sheriff, constable, or any qualified adult who is not a party or close relative of a party can hand-deliver the summons and complaint. Alternatively, the plaintiff can request service by certified mail, addressed to the defendant with instructions to forward and a return receipt required, or by an approved commercial carrier that provides proof of delivery. Whichever method is chosen, the process server or mail carrier has to complete the delivery and file proof with the court within sixty days, though service completed later than that is still valid.

Different defendants call for different service targets. An adult is served in person, at home with a responsible resident of the household, or through an authorized agent. A minor is served through a parent or guardian, with the minor also served personally once old enough. Someone judged incompetent is served through a guardian or caretaker, and if confined in an institution, through the person in charge of that facility. An incarcerated person is generally served directly. Corporations, partnerships, and similar entities must be served through an officer, partner, or an agent with authority to accept process — mailing papers to company headquarters without naming a person is not enough. Suing a government office means serving the official in charge and the attorney general, while local governments are served through their chief executive or clerk.

Sometimes a defendant will not cooperate. If someone refuses delivery, the clerk can mail a copy by ordinary mail, and service counts as complete once that mailing is recorded. A defendant who actively dodges service and cannot be located may, after service attempts by process server or certified mail have failed, eventually be reached through service by publication under a companion rule, but only on a showing of real avoidance — merely being hard to find is not enough. Courts can also allow amendments to fix defects in the papers or in how service was documented, so long as the defendant is not unfairly harmed by the change. And when there are several defendants, a case can move forward against those already served even while others remain unserved.

Rule 4 mostly covers delivery within Alabama; separate companion rules handle service outside the state, service by publication, and service in a foreign country. The same procedures apply in Alabama’s district courts, since a party’s right to notice and a chance to respond does not depend on which court is hearing the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is allowed to serve a summons and complaint in Alabama?

A sheriff or constable, or any other person at least nineteen years old who is not a party to the case and not related to a party within the third degree by blood or marriage. Service can also be made by certified mail or by an approved commercial carrier at the plaintiff’s request.

How do you serve a company or other business entity?

By delivering the summons and complaint to an officer, a partner (other than a limited partner), a managing or general agent, or any agent the entity has authorized to accept service. Mail addressed only to the business generally, without naming a qualifying person, does not satisfy the rule.

What happens if a defendant refuses to accept service or cannot be found?

If someone refuses delivery, the clerk sends a copy by ordinary mail, and service is complete once that mailing is recorded. If a defendant is actively avoiding service and cannot be located after service by process server or certified mail has failed, a court may, on a proper showing of avoidance, allow service by publication.

Are minors, incompetent persons, and incarcerated people served differently?

Yes. A minor is served through a parent, guardian, or another responsible adult, with the minor also served personally once past a set age. An incompetent person is served through a guardian or caretaker, or through an institution’s administrator if confined. An incarcerated person is generally served directly, unless that person is also a minor.

Does Rule 4 cover serving someone outside Alabama or in another country?

Rule 4 sets out the general service methods, but service outside Alabama, service by publication, and service in a foreign country are governed by companion rules that work alongside it.

Does it matter whether the case is in circuit court or district court?

No. Rule 4 applies the same way in Alabama’s district courts as it does in circuit court, so the service requirements do not change based on which court is hearing the case.

Source & verification. The rule text, amendment history, and Committee Comments are reproduced verbatim from the official Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure (Ala. R. Civ. P. 4). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Alabama (Ala. Const. amend. 328, § 6.11). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: service of processserving a summons and complainthow to serve a defendantprocess server rulesservice by certified mailavoidance of serviceAla. R. Civ. P. 4