Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 to 35-9A-603 § 35-9A-123
Jurisdiction and Service of Process.
Operative Text
(a) The district and circuit courts of this state, according to their respective established jurisdictions, may exercise jurisdiction over any landlord with respect to any conduct in this state governed by this chapter or with respect to any claim arising from a transaction subject to this chapter. In addition to any other method provided by rule or by statute, personal jurisdiction over a landlord may be acquired in a civil action or proceeding instituted in the court by the service of process in the manner provided by this section. (b) If a landlord is not a resident of this state or is a business entity not authorized to do business in this state and engages in any conduct in this state governed by this chapter, or engages in a transaction subject to this chapter, the entity may be served as provided by Rule 4 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.
Section 35-9A-123 of the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act establishes that Alabama's district and circuit courts have authority over landlords whose conduct or transactions fall under the Act, regardless of where the landlord is based. Courts can obtain personal jurisdiction over a landlord through the service-of-process methods described in this section, in addition to any other methods allowed by law. When a landlord is an out-of-state individual or a business entity not registered to operate in Alabama, service of process may be carried out according to Rule 4 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 35-9A-123, landlords who own or manage rental property in Alabama—or who enter into rental transactions governed by the Act—are subject to the jurisdiction of Alabama's district and circuit courts, even if they live or are incorporated elsewhere. Out-of-state landlords and unregistered business entities should be aware that they can be served with legal process under Rule 4 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. Operators who manage Alabama rentals from outside the state generally maintain accurate contact information and registered-agent arrangements to ensure that any legal notices or court filings can be properly received.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 35-9A-123 means that tenants in Alabama have access to the state's district and circuit courts to pursue claims against their landlord under the Act, even when that landlord lives out of state or operates through a business entity not registered in Alabama. The provision ensures that an out-of-state landlord cannot avoid a lawsuit simply by being physically absent from the state, since service of process can be accomplished under Rule 4 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. Tenants who believe they have a claim under the Act may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand which court has jurisdiction over their particular type of claim and what filing procedures apply.
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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