§12-19-73. Circuit and district court defendant service fees.

(a) The following defendant service fees shall be collected in civil cases in circuit court and district court: For each defendant in excess of one, where personal service is required, there shall be collected a service fee of $10.00; provided, however, where service on any defendant is by publication or by registered mail, the actual cost of such service shall be collected as the service fee. All service fees shall be paid at the time of filing; except, that prepayments shall not be required if the court finds that payment of such fee will constitute a substantial hardship. A verified statement, signed by the plaintiff and approved by the court, shall be filed with the clerk of court attesting to such substantial hardship.

(b) Fees for personal service collected in civil cases shall be distributed as follows: The first $3.00 of each such service fee shall be paid to the county general fund, and the balance thereof shall be paid to the State General Fund.

(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §§16-113, 16-114; Acts 1976, No. 564, p. 763; Acts 1983, No. 83-744, p. 1225, §3; Acts 1987, No. 87-405, p. 575, §3.)