Ala. Code §§ 6-6-310 to 6-6-353 § 6-6-332
Process - Form of Notice; Service and Return Thereof.
Operative Text
(a) Upon complaint being made, the district judge shall issue a notice to the party against whom the complaint is made to the following effect: The State of Alabama, ________ County. To ________ You are hereby commanded to be and appear before me, at _____ on the _____ day of _____, 2__, to answer to, and make defense against a complaint exhibited to me against you by _____, for a forcible entry and detainer (or for unlawful detainer, as the case may be). Witness my hand this _____ day of ______, 2__. _______________________________ District Court Judge (b) The notice shall be served on the defendant at least six days before the return day of the process and may be served on the defendant anywhere within the state. The return of the service thereof by any sheriff or constable of the state is sufficient, or proof of the fact may be made before the judge. A copy of the notice shall be personally served upon the defendant. If the sheriff or constable is unable to serve the defendant personally, service may be had by delivering the notice to any person who is sui juris residing on the premises, or if after reasonable effort no person is found residing on the premises, by posting a copy of the notice on the door of the premises, and on the same day of posting or by the close of the next business day, the sheriff, the constable, the person filing the complaint, or anyone on behalf of the person, shall mail notice of the filing of the unlawful detainer action by enclosing, directing, stamping, and mailing by first class a copy of the notice to the defendant at the mailing address of the premises and if there is no mailing address for the premises to the last known address, if any, of the defendant and making an entry of this action on the affidavit filed in the case. Service of the notice by posting shall be complete as of the date of mailing the notice. (c) Upon complaint being made and upon request of the plaintiff to have the notice served on the defendant by a process server other than a sheriff or constable, the court shall, if the process server is qualified under Rule 4.1 (b)(2) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, order the clerk to deliver the notice to the process server for service.
Alabama Code §§ 6-6-310 to 6-6-353, § 6-6-332 establishes the form and delivery requirements for the official court notice that kicks off a forcible entry or unlawful detainer proceeding. The notice must follow a specific template issued by a district court judge and must reach the defendant at least six days before the scheduled hearing date. When personal service is not possible, the law permits alternative methods—such as leaving the notice with a competent adult on the premises or posting it on the door—combined with a required first-class mailing to the defendant's address.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators initiating an eviction action under § 6-6-332 generally ensure that the court-issued notice is served on the occupant at least six days before the return date, using a sheriff, constable, or a court-approved process server qualified under Alabama Rule of Civil Procedure 4.1(b)(2). When personal service cannot be completed, compliant operators confirm that the server follows the fallback steps—delivery to a sui juris resident on the premises or door-posting—and that a first-class mailed copy is sent to the premises address (or the defendant's last known address) on the same day as posting or by the close of the next business day. Keeping a clear record of service, including the affidavit entry required by § 6-6-332, supports a clean procedural record in the proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 6-6-332, a tenant facing a forcible entry or unlawful detainer complaint has the right to receive proper legal notice before any hearing takes place, and that notice must arrive at least six days in advance. If the notice was not served in the manner the statute requires—whether personally, through a qualified adult on the premises, by door-posting with mailing, or via a court-approved process server—that procedural defect may be raised as a defense in the proceeding. Tenants who believe service was improper or who have questions about their rights under § 6-6-332 may wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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