Reporting Stalking to Alabama Officials
Every hotline, state agency, and court resource you need to report stalking in Alabama.
In danger now? Call 911 · National DV Hotline 1-800-799-7233 · Crisis Line 988
Download the printable Alabama guide
PDF · free · no account needed
How to use this guide
This guide covers statewide Alabama resources: the agencies, hotlines, and courts that serve every county. Because Alabama's police and courts are organized locally, each section also tells you how to find the right office for your specific city or county.
Start here: the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence hotline (1-800-650-6522) can connect you to local shelters, advocates, and legal help anywhere in the state, 24/7.
Before you call: have your documentation ready — dates, what happened, any messages or photos saved, and whether a report has already been filed elsewhere.
If you're in danger: call 911 first. Every other number in this guide is for follow-up support, not emergency response.
Emergency & Immediate Danger
Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical
911
Call if you are in immediate danger, right now.
ALEA Crime Hotline (State Bureau of Investigation)
1-800-392-8011
For tips and non-local-emergency crime reporting support statewide.
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence — 24-Hour Crisis Line
1-800-650-6522
Statewide, 24/7 · acadv.org
Can't speak safely? In areas where Text-to-911 is supported, you can text instead of calling — check with your mobile carrier or alea.gov for coverage in your county.
Alabama — Statewide Agencies
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV)
1-800-650-6522
24/7 crisis line statewide · Administrative line (334) 832-4842
acadv.org ↗Alabama Attorney General — Office of Victim Assistance
1-800-626-7676
(334) 242-7342 · 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36130-0152
alabamaag.gov ↗Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission
1-800-541-9388
For victims only · (334) 290-4420 · P.O. Box 231267, Montgomery, AL 36123-1267 · info@acvcc.alabama.gov
acvcc.alabama.gov ↗Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) — Special Victims Unit
334-676-7899
State Bureau of Investigation · sbi.investigations@alea.gov
alea.gov ↗Alabama Coalition Against Rape (ACAR)
334-264-0123
P.O. Box 4091, Montgomery, AL 36103
Reporting to Local Police & Sheriffs
Stalking is reported locally in Alabama — to the police department in the city where you live, work, or where the stalking occurred, or to your county sheriff in unincorporated areas.
Your local police department (non-emergency line)
Dial 911, or search “[your city] police non-emergency”
Stalking can be reported at any city police department or county sheriff's office, regardless of where the stalker lives.
Your county sheriff's office
Varies by county
In unincorporated areas, the county sheriff is usually the primary law enforcement agency.
ALEA State Bureau of Investigation — Field Offices
Birmingham 205-942-9620 · Huntsville 256-726-0401 · Montgomery 334-676-7870
SBI can support local agencies on serious or cross-jurisdiction cases.
Good to know: you can file a report at any police department, not only the one nearest the stalker. Ask for the officer's name, a complaint or case number, and how to follow up.
Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders in Alabama
What it is: a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is a civil court order that can require a stalker or abuser to have no contact with you. It is separate from any criminal case.
Cost: by Alabama law, there are no fees to request or receive a PFA order.
Where to file: the circuit clerk's office at any Alabama county courthouse. You, an attorney, or a personal representative can file on your behalf.
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts
Publishes PFA petition forms online, along with child custody and other family court forms.
alacourt.gov ↗Legal Services Alabama
1-866-456-4995
Free help completing and filing PFA paperwork for those who qualify.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect
Filing a Police Report
- 1Go to any police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker.
- 2Ask to speak with an officer and say clearly that you want to report stalking or harassment.
- 3Bring your documentation: dates, messages, photos, and names of any witnesses.
- 4Ask for the report's complaint number before you leave, and request a copy if possible.
- 5Ask about victim assistance resources — many departments have a victim advocate or can refer you to ACADV.
Getting a Protective Order
- 1Go to the circuit clerk's office at your county courthouse and ask for a Petition for Protection From Abuse.
- 2Fill out the petition with as much detail as possible — dates, incidents, and any history of the stalker's behavior.
- 3A judge can issue a temporary order, often the same day, sometimes without the stalker present.
- 4The stalker is formally served with the order by law enforcement — clerk staff can explain this process.
- 5Keep a copy of the order with you, at home, and at work, and give one to building or school security if relevant.
Specialized Support
Alabama Department of Human Resources (child abuse/neglect)
334-242-9500
Family & Children Services · 50 Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36130
Alabama Coalition Against Rape
334-264-0123
Statewide support for sexual assault survivors.
VOCAL — Victims of Crime and Leniency
1-800-239-3219
(334) 262-7197 · Victim advocacy and court support statewide.
Legal Services Alabama
1-866-456-4995
Free civil legal help for qualifying survivors, including protection orders.
Quick-Reference Contact Sheet
| Agency | Phone | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical | 911 | Emergency |
| ALEA Crime Hotline (State Bureau of Investigation) | 1-800-392-8011 | Emergency |
| Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence — 24-Hour Crisis Line | 1-800-650-6522 | Emergency |
| Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) | 1-800-650-6522 | Statewide |
| Alabama Attorney General — Office of Victim Assistance | 1-800-626-7676 | Statewide |
| Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission | 1-800-541-9388 | Statewide |
| Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) — Special Victims Unit | 334-676-7899 | Statewide |
| Alabama Coalition Against Rape (ACAR) | 334-264-0123 | Statewide |
| ALEA General Information | 334-676-6000 | Statewide |
| Alabama Department of Human Resources (child abuse/neglect) | 334-242-9500 | Specialized |
| VOCAL — Victims of Crime and Leniency | 1-800-239-3219 | Specialized |
| Legal Services Alabama | 1-866-456-4995 | Specialized |
Frequently Asked Questions — Reporting Stalking in Alabama
How do I report stalking in Alabama?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, file a report with your local police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker. Bring dates, messages, photos, and witness names, and ask for the complaint or case number before you leave.
What should I do first if I think I'm being stalked in Alabama?
Stop engaging and start documenting. Save every message, call log, and screenshot with dates and times, and keep a written log of each incident. Then report it to local law enforcement using the contacts in this guide, and call 911 any time you are in immediate danger.
How do I get a protective order in Alabama?
What it is: a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is a civil court order that can require a stalker or abuser to have no contact with you. It is separate from any criminal case. Cost: by Alabama law, there are no fees to request or receive a PFA order. Where to file: the circuit clerk's office at any Alabama county courthouse. You, an attorney, or a personal representative can file on your behalf.
Is there a fee to file a protective order in Alabama?
No — Alabama's protective-order process does not charge a filing fee, and many courts also waive related costs for stalking victims. The court listed in this guide can confirm current procedures before you file.
Can I get financial help for stalking-related costs in Alabama?
Yes — Alabama has a victim compensation program that may help cover medical, counseling, and lost-wage costs. Contact Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission at 1-800-541-9388.
What counts as stalking under Alabama law?
Stalking is a repeated pattern of unwanted conduct — following you, repeated calls, texts, or messages, showing up uninvited, tracking your location, or making threats — that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. In Alabama, a protective order is generally available regardless of your relationship to the stalker.
Can I report stalking in Alabama if the stalker lives in another state?
Yes. File the report where you live or where the stalking occurred. If the behavior crosses state lines, tell the officer — some cases may involve cross-jurisdiction or federal enforcement.
Can I report stalking anonymously in Alabama?
You can submit tips anonymously through statewide hotlines, and many child and adult abuse hotlines accept anonymous reports. For a criminal case, your name may need to appear on the report — ask the agency about its confidentiality policy.
What evidence should I save when reporting stalking in Alabama?
Save every message, email, voicemail, screenshot, and call log with dates and times; keep a written incident log; and note any witnesses. Back everything up to a secure location the stalker cannot access.
Where can I download the printable Alabama reporting guide?
You can download the free Alabama reporting guide as a PDF at https://www.stalking.org/Stalking.org-Reporting-to-Alabama-Officials.pdf. It includes every phone number and court contact in one printable sheet.
Disclaimer
The information on Stalking.org is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or mental-health advice, and it does not create an attorney-client or other professional relationship. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (United States) or your local emergency number — Stalking.org is not a crisis hotline. Laws and platform policies change frequently, so always consult a qualified attorney, law enforcement officer, or licensed professional about your specific situation.
Read the full disclaimer