• Can the Sheriff’s Office give legal advice?
No, the Sheriff’s Office can NOT provide legal advice. If you need information regarding a legal problem you should contact an attorney, local bar association, lawyer’s referral service, and legal aid organization. The Sheriff’s Office can only advise and inform parties as to those procedures and rules related to the Sheriff’s duties.

• Can the Sheriff’s Office serve at a P.O. Box?
No, you must provide a physical address including zip code.

• Can the Sheriff’s Office serve Out of State Papers? If so what is the fee, and to whom to make the check or money order payable to?
Yes. The advance service fee for serving out of state papers is $50.00 per service made payable to “Sheriff Mike Hale” mailing address is: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Court Service Division 2200 8th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203 Phone: 205-325-5729 The filing party is responsible for making sure the documents are correct and properly providing the Sheriff with a letter of instruction which shall include information sufficient to effect valid and timely service. If you would like your affidavit of service completed, please indicate so. Otherwise, we will use our affidavit of service. Of course, if you feel the individual may avoid service, a photograph is helpful but not mandatory.

• Can you call me to notify me when service was made?
With the large volume of papers served by the court service division, it would be impossible for us to notify all parties after service has been made.  Once a paper is received we have 30 days to make service which includes 3 attempts when possible.

• I found this paper on the door and this person doesn’t live here. What do I do with the paper?
It is important to understand that the Sheriff is not the only person who serves processes.  Private servers, constables are also permitted to serve process.  However, if you should find a document on your door for someone who doesn’t live there, please call our office at 325-5929 and we will send a deputy to pick it up.  When calling us we will need some information, such as who you are, the address where the process was left.

• How can I find out if you have received my papers from the courts? If so what is the status?
Our clerical staff will be glad to assist you in answering your questions.

• Do they evict you when it is raining?
No, we do not evict in inclement weather.

• How do I go about getting someone evicted from my home?
First you must file an execution with Small Claims Court. Then the court will send the execution to the Sheriff’s Office for process.