Alabama · Serving papers · Updated Oct 2026

Serving divorce papers in Alabama

How your spouse gets the divorce papers in Alabama: who can deliver the papers, how your spouse can accept or waive service, the deadline to respond, what happens without a response and the law.

Quick answer

Your spouse must be formally served with the summons and complaint (sheriff, process server, or certified mail through the clerk). Your spouse then has this long to respond: 30 days from the date your spouse is served (stated on the court's Answer to Divorce Complaint form, PS-21).

Time to respond
30 days after service
Accept or waive service
Yes
Law
Ala. R. Civ. P. 4, 12(a); form PS-21

How papers are served in Alabama

  • Your spouse must be formally served with the summons and complaint (sheriff, process server, or certified mail through the clerk).
  • Your spouse can instead sign an answer and waiver in an uncontested case.

Law: Ala. R. Civ. P. 4, 12(a); form PS-21

Deadline to respond and default

30 days from the date your spouse is served (stated on the court's Answer to Divorce Complaint form, PS-21).

If your spouse doesn't answer, you can use PS-10 (Request for Divorce Judgment by Default).

Serving your spouse in Alabama, step by step

  1. File your papers first

    File with the Circuit Court in your county (or your spouse's). Service comes after filing.

  2. Serve the papers

    Your spouse must be formally served with the summons and complaint (sheriff, process server, or certified mail through the clerk).

  3. Or have your spouse sign

    Your spouse can instead sign an answer and waiver in an uncontested case.

  4. File proof of service

    File the proof of service with the court.

  5. Watch the deadline

    30 days from the date your spouse is served (stated on the court's Answer to Divorce Complaint form, PS-21).

  6. If there is no response

    If your spouse doesn't answer, you can use PS-10 (Request for Divorce Judgment by Default).

Questions about serving divorce papers in Alabama

How do you serve divorce papers in Alabama?

Your spouse must be formally served with the summons and complaint (sheriff, process server, or certified mail through the clerk). Your spouse can instead sign an answer and waiver in an uncontested case.

Can my spouse accept or waive service in Alabama?

Your spouse can instead sign an answer and waiver in an uncontested case.

How long does my spouse have to respond in Alabama?

30 days from the date your spouse is served (stated on the court's Answer to Divorce Complaint form, PS-21).

What if my spouse doesn't respond in Alabama?

If your spouse doesn't answer, you can use PS-10 (Request for Divorce Judgment by Default).

More about divorce in Alabama

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Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.