The defendant shall file an answer in the office of the clerk within 14 days after a copy of the summons and complaint has been delivered to the defendant by the sheriff, constable, or other process server or by certified mail or commercial carrier. The defendant does not have to serve a copy of the answer on the plaintiff unless the answer contains a counterclaim.
Ala. Small. Claims. R. F
Committee Comments to Amendment of Rule F Effective August 14, 2023
Rule D permits any form of service of process "provided in the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure." Rule 4(i)(3) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure permits service by commercial carrier, so Rule F is amended to make reference to service by commercial carrier.
"Note from the reporter of decisions: The order amending Rule F, Alabama Small Claims Rules, and adopting the Committee Comments thereto, effective August 14, 2023, is published in that volume of Alabama Reporter that contains Alabama cases from __ So. 3d."