Ala. Code § 17-16-50
If the contest is of the election of a senator or representative in the Legislature, the elector contesting must file in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of any county of the senatorial district, if such contest is of the election of a senator, or in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the election was held, if the contest is of the election of a representative in the Legislature, a statement in writing of the grounds of contest, as provided in this article, and must give good and sufficient security for the costs of such contest, to be taken and approved by the clerk. The person whose election is contested must have 10 days' notice of the statement in writing before the taking of testimony. Notice shall be served by service of a certified copy of such statement by the sheriff or a constable of the county, and such sheriff or constable must endorse on the original the fact of such service and such endorsement is presumptive evidence of the fact.
Ala. Code § 17-16-50 (1975)