Code of Alabama
Ala. Code § 6-3-20 (2026)
One Change for Cause Permitted on Motion of a Party.
✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
Either party to a civil action may move the court to change the venue at any time before final trial, making affidavit that for causes set forth, he cannot have a fair and impartial trial in the county where the action is pending. The court may direct a change to the nearest county free from proper objection by either party, to be determined by affidavits and, whenever it will best secure the ends of justice, it may require the applicant to give bond and security for costs. The same party can have the venue changed but once.
(Code 1852, §2359; Code 1867, r§2761; Code 1876, §3114; Code 1886, §2645; Code 1896, §4210; Code 1907, §6116; Code 1923, §10476; Code 1940, T. 7, §65.)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 20
cases, 1980–2018 · leading case: Floyd v. Wachovia Bank, 77 So. 3d 570 (Ala. 2011).
Floyd v. Wachovia Bank, 77 So. 3d 570 (Ala. 2011). ““(b) The right of a party to move for a change or transfer of venue pursuant to this statute is cumulative and in addition to the rights of a party to move for a change or transfer of venue pursuant to Section 6-3-20, Section 6-3-21 or Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.”
Ex Parte Miller, Hamilton, Snider & Odom, LLC, 978 So. 2d 12 (Ala. 2007). “1(b) expressly states that this right of "a party" to move for a change of venue is " cumulative and in addition to the rights of a party to move for a change or transfer of venue pursuant to § 6-3-20, § 6-3-21, or [the] Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.”
Ex Parte Edgar, 543 So. 2d 682 (Ala. 1989). “"(b) The right of a party to move for a change or transfer of venue pursuant to this statute is cumulative and in addition to the rights of a party to move for a change or transfer of venue pursuant to section 6-3-20, section 6-3-21 or Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.”
Ex Parte Chapman Nursing Home, Inc., 903 So. 2d 813 (Ala. 2004). “Ala.Code 1975, § 6-3-20. When venue is improper at the commencement of the action, the defendant may move for a transfer of the *816 case to a proper venue.”
Gen. Motors Corp. v. Jernigan, 883 So. 2d 646 (Ala. 2003). “Venue and Recusal We note that at oral argument, GM's counsel urged us to remand this case with an order that it be transferred to a county other than Bullock County for retrial.”
Century 21, Etc. v. Ala. Real Est. Com'n, 401 So. 2d 764 (Ala. 1981). “[1] Suit was filed in the Circuit Court of Morgan County, Alabama, on November, 1, 1979, and, subsequently, the suit was transferred to Montgomery County pursuant to Code 1975, § 6-3-20. Plaintiffs allege: 1) The regulation exceeds the scope of the Commission's rule-making…”
Elmore Cnty. Com'n v. Ragona, 540 So. 2d 720 (Ala. 1989). “1977) in which the change of venue was based on the forerunner of § 6-3-20 dealing with inability to receive a fair trial.”
Ex Parte Ford Motor Credit Co., 561 So. 2d 244 (Ala. Civ. App. 1990). “"(b) The right of a party to move for a change or transfer of venue pursuant to this statute is cumulative and in addition to the rights of a party to move for a change or transfer of venue pursuant to section 6-3-20, section 6-3-21 or Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.”
Miller v. Culver, 447 So. 2d 761 (Ala. Civ. App. 1984). “I Miller first contends that he should have been granted a change in venue pursuant to § 6-3-20, Ala.Code (1975). Miller bases his contention on the allegation that he could not receive a fair trial in Madison County Circuit Court.”
Shepherd v. Seaboard Sys. R.R., 481 So. 2d 1098 (Ala. 1985). “Thereafter, pursuant to Code of 1975, § 6-3-20, Seaboard filed another motion for change of venue in the trial court, this time claiming that it could not receive a fair and impartial trial in Macon County.”
Ex Parte Child.'s Hosp. of Alabama, 721 So. 2d 184 (Ala. 1998). “The Legislature specifically addressed timing in Ala.Code 1975, § 6-3-20: "Either party to a civil action may move the court to change the venue at any time before final trial, making affidavit that for causes set forth, he cannot have a fair and impartial trial in the county…”
Ex Parte Child.'s Hosp. of Alabama, 721 So. 2d 184 (Ala. 1998). “" [5] The Legislature specifically addressed timing in Ala.Code 1975, § 6-3-20: "Either party to a civil action may move the court to change the venue at any time before final trial, making affidavit that for causes set forth, he cannot have a fair and impartial trial in the…”
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