Ala. Code §§ 6-5-155 to 6-5-156.5 § 6-5-155.4
Service of Summons and Complaint.
Operative Text
A copy of the summons and complaint shall be served upon the defendant at least five business days prior to the first hearing in the action. Service shall be made in accordance with the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. If personal service cannot be made, service may be made by posting the papers at the property. If service is made by posting papers to the property, a copy of the summons and complaint shall be mailed to the last known mailing address, if any, of the defendant.
Under Alabama Code § 6-5-155.4, a defendant in an eviction-related action must receive a copy of the summons and complaint at least five business days before the first hearing. Service must follow the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, but if personal service is not possible, the papers may be posted at the property. When posting is used, a copy must also be mailed to the defendant's last known mailing address.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 6-5-155.4, landlords initiating an eviction action are generally expected to ensure the summons and complaint reach the tenant at least five business days before the first scheduled hearing. Compliant operators typically attempt personal service first, in line with the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, and only resort to posting the papers at the property when personal service cannot be accomplished. When posting is used, operators also mail a copy to the tenant's last known mailing address to satisfy the notice requirement.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 6-5-155.4 establishes that tenants have a right to receive the summons and complaint at least five business days before the first hearing, giving them time to prepare a response. If a tenant believes proper service was not completed — whether personally, by posting, or by mail — that procedural issue may be raised as a defense in the proceeding. Tenants who have questions about whether service was properly made can consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about their 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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